The extended revival of ’80’s fashion over the past few years makes me think that a return of the ’90’s is not far behind. One early indicator: the bottom cleavage that was pioneered in the ’90’s and so popular with celebrities last year is coming back to the mainstream. So it looks like the comfort and girdling-effect of the higher rise may be short lived, soon to be replaced with low rises that are taken to a new extreme.

Personally, I like the look of super low rise pants because bottom cleavage is cute and alluring. It seems more subtle than bosom cleavage and when worn with attitude, it’s totally stylish. If you’re reticent about exposing the cleavage, wear a sweet pair of knickers along with the low rise. They’ll stick out above the waistband, covering the cleavage, and adding an interesting textural dimension to your ensemble.

I’m afraid it’s time to adapt your eyes to the look of bottom cleavage. That’s okay. We’ll be all over the trend before you know it, sporting it with sass and loads of confidence. I’m up for a change and I can’t wait to get a new pair of low rise jeans to start experimenting. Stay tuned on how to put the statement together with class when I model my outfits and post them next week.

So far so good. My inexpensive accessory splurge has made it easy to resist the temptation of purchasing clothing. Instead I have purchased an off-white tote, a yellow spring scarf, a casual necklace, and a turquoise belt with floral detail. Today I am adding a second Spring scarf into the mix.

I get bored of wearing the same types of items in the same ensemble combination day after day. So I switch out the style of my bottoms and tops frequently. For example: in one week I’ll go from wearing jeans and skirts with boots, to sporting frocks and pants with pumps. Mixing it up, plus the addition of a new accessory helps me feel fashionably recharged.

Most tops can accommodate a Spring scarf (if the top has a shirt collar, be sure to wear it inside the collar to avoid looking dowdy). Add to that a variety of scarf shapes, patterns and colours, and the possibilities are endless. A different scarf tied in a different way conveys a totally different mood: from arty and playful, to strict and authoritative. Take your pick.

It’s usually a choice of scarf OR chunky necklace, but I’m wearing both in the bottom two photographs. In these instances the ensemble works because I’m wearing a single layer of clothing and no earrings. If I’d added a necklace to the top two outfits, I’d have lost that clean-cut look. The visual interest of the layering plus the scarf provides ample texture. No necklace required.

The cool, crisp and lightweight integrity of a silk, viscose, rayon or cotton-rich Spring scarf gives it a long lifespan. So don’t restrict this accessory to cold Spring days when it can be comfortably sported over sleeveless tops as temperatures start to rise. Even in hot weather the scarf could be a useful addition in chilly air-conditioned environments.

I bought this scarf from Macy’s and, coincidentally, their online store is running promotions on many of their scarves.

I believe that everyone should have a personalized list of wardrobe essentials that brings factors like body type, lifestyle, work requirements, climate and personal preferences into the equation. It is a foundation that is tailor made to fit your unique wardrobe requirements.

A wardrobe essential is an indispensable staple. Without it, your wardrobe wouldn’t function. Essentials are versatile, current and simple in design, but not necessarily boring or trendy. They are not the pieces that create the interesting part of your outfit, but they allow you to mix and match other items.

My list of wardrobe essentials has been the same for years. I update, replenish and duplicate as needed. The list won’t change unless there is a fundamental shift in my lifestyle. Here it is:

1. Camisoles: They make items wearable, add polish to my look and keep me warm. I love their layering quality and how they smooth out my silhouette.
2. Button downs: I prefer woven tops to knits and am able to fit button down shirts straight off the rack. My long neck also happens to like a shirt collar. I feel pulled together, clean cut, crisp and professional when my outfit incorporates a button down shirt.
3. Turtle necks: They are my Winter camisole and I wear them under everything to keep warm because I feel cold easily. They make my ensembles look sleek and streamlined. A turtle neck is also a great neckline for my giraffe neck. We are a match made in heaven.
4. Jeans: I often wear smart casual clothing which makes fabulous jeans a necessity. I also live in a cold, wet place and tucking jeans into boots is a practical Winter solution.
5. Denim pencil skirt: I get tired of wearing jeans, which makes a denim skirt a welcome option for smart casual dressing. It’s also the perfect item to showcase dressy knee-high boots of which I have several pairs.
6. Black pencil skirt: My lifestyle requires business casual clothing and I’ve found a simple black pencil skirt in a luscious fabrication extremely versatile. I don’t own a pair of black slacks because I feel better in a pencil skirt. We have to go with what makes us feel fabulous.
7. Biker jacket: There has always been an edge to my style and I throw this item over everything. It gives my outfits instant attitude.
8. Pinstripe blazer: A fully lined, beautifully cut jacket anchors an outfit which I need as a working professional. I adore the visual interest and androgynous quality of gangster stripes, which is why my basic tailored jacket is not plain black.
9. Denim jacket: It’s the perfect casual cover-up for dresses and non-denim skirts.
10. Little black dress: I wear a classic, high-necked sheath dress well and love that it can be dressed up or down, layered, or worn on its own.
11. Trench coat: Seattle is wet and chilly which makes a weather resistant trench essential. It’s also perfect for travels to Western Europe, which has a similar climate to Seattle.
12. Ballet flats: I wear 10-hour ballet flats with everything – frocks, skirts, pants and jeans. They also add a Chanel-esque aspect to my style.
13. Converse sneakers: They’re ideal for casual occasions and daily dog walking.
14. Short chunky pearl necklace: I love pearls, which makes a bit of retro glam a part of who I am.

If you don’t already have a working list of wardrobe essentials, use mine as a starting point and substitute my items with items that are more in line with your needs. For example:

• My woven button downs might be your knitted tops
• My turtle necks might be your scooped neck tunics
• My trench coat might be your lightweight jacket
• My jeans might be your cotton skirt
• My pencil skirt might be your black slacks
• My LBD might be your little blue dress
• My pinstripe blazer might be your suit
• My denim skirt might be your day dress
• My pearls might be your scarf or earrings

It might take a season or two to identify your wardrobe essentials, sometimes through trial and error, but it’s worth thinking through the process. You’ll find it much easier to create ensembles once your essentials are in place because they are the practical building blocks of your wardrobe.

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Note that in an earlier version of this post I used the term “wardrobe basic” instead of “wardrobe essential”, but I have found that people normally associate the word “basic” with items like underwear and socks, so I’m switching to “essential”.

Today is Laura‘s second guest post in a series on her experiences with Angie’s flop proof outfit formulas. Laura is an uber-stylish mother, professional writer and active YLF forum member from Chicago.

Another true confession: Until I road-tested Angie’s flop-proof outfits for “mom on the go,” (outfit 1, outfit 2, and outfit 3) dresses and skirts seemed, well, a bit too formal. Impractical, even. Moms in dresses evoked June Cleaver in a poufy crinoline, complete with apron and heels, carrying a tray of icy cold lemonade to her three sons on a hot summer’s day. Haven’t we modern mamas gone beyond that?

Then I met Angie at the YLF convention in New York, and all it took for her to convert me was 30 minutes in the dress department of Macy’s. (I am an easy target! Plus, Angie is persuasive and always right!). In the dressing room, trying on piles of casual day dresses, Angie showed me how easy and flattering a dress can be.

For moms-on-the-go, it’s all about a CASUAL skirt or dress worn with flats, or a tiny wedge heel. Imagine popping on a cami, a dress and a pair of flats and looking completely put together. Really, what could be easier? The clincher was that because I live with three boys (including my dear husband), wearing dresses and skirts keeps me in touch with my feminine side. Hurray for skirts and dresses!

Today, I’m here to convert you, too. Moms CAN run around after kids in skirts and dresses, provided that your footwear is comfy and practical. If you’re concerned about cleaning, buy garments that are wash-and-wear. And while it’s not ideal to climb on playground equipment in a skirt, you don’t climb on monkey bars all day, every day (unless you are an actual monkey). Sooner rather than later, your tippy toddler will become a well-balanced preschooler and you’ll be keeping your feet on the ground.

The dress formula: casual day dress + cami + cropped cardi or denim jacket + ballet flats + statement bag

This dress will flatter most body types and can easily be dressed up or down. Imagine it with heels and a statement necklace for a Mother’s Day brunch. On a mom-on-the-go day, dress it down with a denim jacket, and add a pop of color with yellow flats.

The skirt formula: skirt + girlie top or graphic T + short-sleeved cardi or denim jacket + ballet flats, sporty flats or sporty mary janes + statement bag

This fun, casual skirt outfit is cool and swingy and will take me on errands and to the farmer’s market this summer. Angie has loads of clients wearing these Ecco skimmers and they are highly recommended!

Don’t worry if the shapes or colors above aren’t best for you. Simply substitute items that fit your color preferences and body type. Everyone can find a dress and skirt shape to suit their figure. You can start with the Dresses category here at YLF. For more inspiration, check out some of the fashion-forward moms who post their outfits on the forum, like Patience, Dani, Shiny, Kyle, Marianne and Antje, or others who aren’t moms, but have mastered the casual look, like Tanya.

Moms-on-the-go, let’s hear from you. Can dresses and skirts fit into your lifestyle? Have I convinced you to make them part of your wardrobe this spring?