I fell in love with Tim Gunn when I first saw him on Season One of [Project Runway](http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway/). His incredible vocabulary alone was enough to keep me watching week after week, but I loved his poise and the way he worked with the designers. So I was very excited to see he had his own show, [Tim Gunn’s Guide To Style](http://www.bravotv.com/Tim_Gunn/index.php?__source=GGLS|CAMP012TimGunn_Cast|ADGP015Cast+-+Tim+Gunn|KWRD008tim+gunn&sky=GGL|CAMP012TimGunn_Cast|ADGP015Cast+-+Tim+Gunn|KWRD008tim+gunn). I watched last week and was actually crying at the end. The show if full of great suggestions and ideas and I love the way he works with the individual’s body type and personality. He gave last week’s victim(!) a list of everything she needed to buy which included several items Tim says no wardrobe should be without. I thought I’d share them with you so you can edit your own closet.
* A little black dress. I have a lovely black linen sheath that has served me well for both weddings and funerals. I invested in the best one I could afford. My favorite lbd is, unfortunately, too small right now but I’m working on that. The goal is to wear it the first night of WinterFest (November 30). We’ll see…
* A white shirt. This is a toughie for me. I have a long-sleeved one I wear in the fall, but white shirts are just borderline boring to me. The ones I find interesting are either too sheer or too expensive. I’m looking for something with interesting detail that isn’t dry clean only. Seriously, you would not believe the 100% cotton shirts I’ve tried on that have tags reading “dry clean only.”
* A Trench coat. Don’t own one and I don’t know if I ever will. I’m not a detective and I’m not that conservative. Oh, I’ve found ones that I like, don’t get me wrong, but they are in the several hundred dollar range. I’m always hoping I’ll find something satin or metallic or something besides khaki. Truth is, I just haven’t looked too hard over the last few years because I have it ingrained in my head that they’re boring.
* Simple black pumps. I’m covered here in several varieties. I have a gorgeous pair of suede ones I snagged on the 75% off sale rack last year. I love that they’re not too high, but look really sexy and classy at the same time.
* Ballet flats. These are hard for me since I have really high arches, but I do have a delicious pair of Ferragamos I bought at a resale shop for $22. Yes, $22 for Ferragamos. Now I know why people spend money on designer shoes. These babies are super comfortable and look great. They are a small, leopard print calf hair flat with chocolate leather trim. I’ve had them for about four years and they still look new (they were barely used when I bought them).
* Black pants. I say you should own at least three pair: 1 long enough for heels, 1 for flats and 1 with some detail. The best silhouette is a “stovepipe” leg which falls straight from your hip. This works on every body type and is universally flattering.
* A day dress. I have a wrap dress I bought last year and I love it. I can’t say that I really wear it all that much (oh yeah, I’m going to work in a metals studio in a dress), but it always makes me feel good when I put it on. I can wear it all year long and dress it up or down. I usually wear it in the fall and winter with leggings or tights and boots.
* Dark denim jeans. Washes on jeans can sabotage even the slimmest figure so an even dark wash is always a good choice. I like a boot cut or flare jean, but you can play with cut depending on your figure. Dark jeans can be dressed up or down and look professional in a casual office environment. Make sure they’re long enough for a heel. Pairing dark jeans with heels can make even the shortest legs look really long.
* A structured jacket. I have several of these and they are my secret weapon on achieving a waist. With all the crop styles currently on the market, I’ve had trouble finding new ones, but will keep looking. A structured jacket will add a waist, shoulders and curves to the most flawed figures. This is an investment so don’t be afraid to spend a little money here. Plus, a simple tailored jacket will last for years. I have them in khaki, white, black and chocolate brown.
Guess that’s all of my wisdom for today. Man, I feel like I’ve been on a fashion lecture kick lately. Sorry if it’s getting boring!
Pretty Pretty Bang Bang 
Well I actually have most of these covered – my lbd is pretty dressy so I don’t have one for “everyday”, white shirts no problem, trench coat is old but traditional London Fog, no problem with black pumps or pants, ballet flats check, dark denim skinny jeans okay thanks to your shopping adivce, yes on the jacket but I need one that’s dressier – however my one area of lacking is a good day dress. I’ve gotten away from them in the last few years after having a ton of them in my closet – have a good one for fall/winter and a casual one for summer but that’s about it. We’ll see what’s left after you go through my closet!
Thanks for the fashion lectures – you are my only source since I don’t watch TV and I’m always a few months behind on magazines plus I rarely shop.
Would you believe I’ve seen an ep of this show? Whew. I can see where you’re coming from but I thought they should have done some editing 🙂 and finished up at 30 minutes.
Greg, I agree that they were lacking in the editing dept. While I think 1/2 hour might have been a bit short, they did need to tighten it up. Hopefully, it will get better. And let’s hope Veronica gets a better hair style.
Okay, first of all, I’m NOT a fan of Gunn. I find him longwinded and tiresome. And not all nouns can/should be turned into verbs. But there’s something about him. Sometimes I want to slap him, and sometimes I want to pinch his gaunt little cheeks. But that’s not why I’m writing.
A) Dry Clean Only on something that’s 100% cotton?? Tammy, come ON. Wash it in cold water.
B) Your tirade on Ashby’s several posts ago made me LAUGH. I don’t know why, but now I want to go into that store and make a pest out of myself!!! You should come with me. We’d have their heads spinning. 🙂