12 Items Every Working Woman in Charlotte Should Have in Her Wardrobe.

Lists like these are so annoying, right? And yet, here we are, me writing and you reading. ‘Cause though we both may hate the idea of someone arbitrarily making up rules on what to buy and what to wear, it does help to have a perspective to narrow down the shopping options and crowded closets.

Charlotte is a unique women’s fashion challenge ~ our southern, heavy financial / financial support industries / medical / corporate environment creates a conservative fashion culture. Add to that the weather, and it’s no wonder we spend half our morning staring at our closets each day.

Here are the 12 items we think will help you get through the work week in style, with minimal headache. Bonus point items list below.

1. A current, perfectly tailored black skirt. And by perfectly tailored we mean, you’ve gone to Ava and the girls at ANNA’s and had your skirt, whether it cost you $50 or $500, tailored to fit you. Right now, that means a knee length pencil skirt, or longer fitted skirt, maybe with pleats or a flare. If you are anti-black, then pick your dark uniform neutral…grey, navy, brown.

2. And perfectly tailored ankle length black or dark pants. Not jeans, not leggings, not joggers, not palazzo. Cigarette style works on almost everyone and the bottoms won’t fling themselves around while you walk.

3. A classic pump in a color other than black with no more than a 3″ heel. Towering stilettos are a no-no for so many reasons. #justsayno While OF COURSE you need a classic black shoe, we prefer those in a more unusual style (see below). For the classic pump, try Nude, Blush, Cobalt, Lilac, Wine, Olive..you get the idea. To pop a little color and show you’re not afraid to step out.

4. A less than classic black shoe. Just cause it’s black doesn’t mean it has to be boring.

5. A structured bag that your laptop fits in. 

6. An almost 3 season, unfrilly, not-trendy topcoat. These cost too much to go trendy, unless money is not a concern. (Then we like coats that match your outfit so much, #jealous). For Charlotte layering November through March, if you can only have one work coat, make it something you can wear in 50° down to 30°, so not necessarily a Canada Goose (although we can always make the argument to ourselves for that). Not everyone can have a nice trench coat for rainy days and a heavy winter coat and a lighter weight fall coat. A trench with a zip-out lining would be a good start.

7. Casual Day Denim that is still work appropriate. So, darker washes, little or no embellishment, no distressing, not too tight or too skinny.

8. Day to Night Dress. Nuf Said. Cause there is always a night after the long day.

Splurged on White Blouse. This goes with everything and never fails you. Cotton is good, watch out for deodorant staining.

10. One pair of expensive, fuss free earrings. Small gold hoops, diamond studs, gold balls post, tiny diamond hoops, something that you can sleep in and race out the door and still have that finished touch.

11. A fitted dark blazer, again, tailored, that works with everything.

12. A cardigan or open sweater layer to keep around for when the AC goes nuts and add a professional “3rd” layer when you aren’t wearing a jacket but are called into an unscheduled meeting.

BONUS POINTS FOR:

An expensive bag.
Nice luggage.
Leather gloves.
An assortment of slips and appropriate undergarments. 
Comfortable flats.
Black boots. Ankle or Calf.
A decent wallet.

EXTRA EXTRA BONUS POINTS FOR something super expensive-to-you that you work hard for and buy for yourself. Congrats girl!