Fashion -- 7 Essential Pieces for a Woman's Wardrobe

As a working woman in a professional setting, I've found that wardrobe plays a bigger role than it maybe should. Here are 7 pieces that can act as the basics that you can pair other pieces around: The actual article is at Associated Content. Below is my editorialized summary:

1. Pant-suit in neutral color and medium-weight fabric: Neutral color is black, dark grey, navy if you work in a conservative atmosphere, and can include khaki, brown, taupe if your workplace isn't so into power suits. Medium-weight fabric means no heavy wool or 100% cotton (you will wrinkle before you even walk out the door), so that you can wear it for three seasons of the year. Although a suited skirt is more traditional, if you travel you will agree with me that a pant-suit will always save your day (think pantyhose runs the minute before a meeting). If you can find a three-piece (jacket, pants and skirt), it's worth getting the extra third piece.

2. Thigh-length trench: This can be a three-season outerwear if you pick the right color. Something neutral is best. I have a trench in a beautiful Easter light aqua, and yup, I only wear it around Easter. The rest of the time, it clutters up my closet. Don't let this happen to you! Red, surprisingly works in this area if you pick the right shade of red. A belted waist (either a real belt or just cinched at the back) is flattering on almost every figure.

4. Little black dress: If you want this timeless piece to last, buy woven fabric; stretchy fabric will look great the first year, but by the third year it'll have stretched in corners you didn't want it to stay stretched. If you can spare the extra dollars, a lined-dress will grace your curves better than an unlined-dress.

5. White collared shirt: The basic piece should be thick cotton, long-sleeves (a tailor once told me that sleeves should fall somewhere between your wrist bone and the bottom of the V you form with your thumb and index finger), button down front (if you are well-endowed in the chest area, you may opt for more buttons), long enough to be tucked into pants and skirts when you reach your arms up. Remember pure cotton usually shrinks half an inch in the wash.

6. Sweater twinset: cardigan with matching sleeveless shell. Simple strand of pearl necklace look great paired with a twinset. This is my standby if I don't have a cleanly pressed shirt in the morning.

7. Comfortable pants: This, and the white collared shirt, are the two items I would buy in 3's (or more if you have the money, the closet room, and hate shopping) once I find the right ones. Straight leg (not flared at the feet, not too tight or too wide), grace your curves at the hip and the back (bunching is a bad sign, but you also don't want to look like you've lost 20lbs and haven't gone to the tailor), light wool or polyblend that looks like wool is best (because they wrinkle the least).