Now that your closet is clean (your closet IS clean, isn't it?), it's time to talk about basic wardrobing pieces. The basics are the building blocks of your wardrobe, essential pieces that you can mix and match with virtually everything else in your closet to create a look that will work every day. The basics are NOT a complete wardrobe by themselves, although you CAN wear them together; instead, think of them as a foundation that you can use to build a look that is distinctly yours. Let's start with the most basic of basics: the white shirt and blue jeans.

Chris cleaned out her closet this week and had some really good insights into why we wind up with so many of the wrong things in our wardrobes. I think part of my problem with clothes is buying things I like, but that a) don’t match anything else I own, b) don’t really fit right, or c) don’t fit my lifestyle. Sadly the last one means coming to terms with the fact that as much as I like blouse type shirts for winter I will NEVER wear them. No more telling myself, “Well, maybe I might wear it if . . . ” No, Chris, when the temperatures are sub zero you will NOT wear that blouse type shirt, no matter where you are going.

Off the top of your head, tell me this: how much of your wardrobe do you REALLY wear, on a regular basis? Half? A third? Or, as our own Chris guessed when I asked about her closet, ten percent? Be honest.