{"id":424,"date":"2008-02-22T23:13:00","date_gmt":"2008-02-23T06:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wendybrandes.com\/blog\/?p=424"},"modified":"2010-02-22T00:28:46","modified_gmt":"2010-02-22T05:28:46","slug":"basic-wardrobe-part-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendybrandes.com\/blog\/2008\/02\/basic-wardrobe-part-i\/","title":{"rendered":"A Basic Wardrobe, Part I"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gorgeous blogger K-Line<\/a> tagged me to answer the question: “What is a basic wardrobe to you?<\/a>” I put off writing my reply for a couple of days because I’m (a) a big procrastinator and (b) unhappy with my basic wardrobe.<\/p>\n

I am in mourning for my old wardrobe. Since I left the corporate world in 2005 to concentrate on the jewelry business<\/a>, my day-to-day look has changed a lot. The beautiful suits I collected are languishing in the closet or in storage. I never imagined I would miss wearing suits, but in the last five years of my 9-to-5 (okay, 9:30-to-4:59…okay, 10-to-4:30) life, I got some that I loved. Here are a few of the many that I have. These photos don’t do them justice; it’s all about fit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Alexander McQueen suit with sheer shoulders and rear-end pleating on too-short skirt.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a>Narciso Rodriguez suit with tight, tight skirt<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a>Gaultier suit with striped shoulders<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>\"\"<\/a>I always felt great in this Stella McCartney suit with a baby blue pinstripe.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Also in storage: the jewelry my husband got for me over the years. Really, this whole Wendy Brandes jewelry business is his fault. When we started going out in 1998, I wore one silver ring and a watch. I tried to turn down his jewelry gifts at first, but he insisted and look what happened! Not only did I become an addict, but I went from using to dealing. Most of the pieces Paul got me were surprises, which was very romantic. I feel very sentimental about the old jewelry. Unfortunately, when people are introduced to a jewelry designer, they immediately ask, “Did you design that?” It’s not very good business to be wearing another designer’s work. Even around friends and family, it’s always better to be wearing the latest WendyB pieces: who do you think were my first customers? You never know when BarbaraB<\/a> is going to whip out her credit card. Here are pictures of the old jewelry. Again, this is just a small sample.<\/p>\n
\"\"<\/a>You can barely make out the rubellite necklace I’m wearing in this 2001 picture with GeorgeB.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a>I’m wearing moonstone drop earrings in this 2002-ish photo with Terri Berry<\/a>.<\/span><\/span>
\n <\/span><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a>This coral necklace was great for warm weather.<\/span>
\n(That’s what my hair did in the humidity in the pre-flatiron days of 2002.)<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>\"\"<\/a>I wore an aquamarine and diamond choker for Y2K New Year’s.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Shortly before I started the jewelry business, I swore I was going to drastically reduce the black and denim in my non-work wardrobe. Guess what I wear nearly every day now? Black and denim. There are a few reasons for that. I spend a lot of time walking between appointments with manufacturers and wholesalers. It quickly became clear to me that it wasn’t a good idea to wear beautiful clothes while trudging around on 90 degree summer days, 10 degree winter days or through a rainstorm that was so violent it washed two fancy buttons right off my jacket. Also I do wear my own jewelry and as you might have noticed, some of my pieces are quite bold, so during the day I feel compelled to tone it down with black. And if I’m seeing clients, the best choice is head-to-toe black with as much jewelry as I can pack on. People are always inclined to buy what they see me wearing, so it’s good to give them a lot to choose from while making sure they don’t get distracted by a vibrant skirt or flower feet<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Phew. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Stay tuned for the next post with photos of my current staples. <\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gorgeous blogger K-Line tagged me to answer the question: “What is a basic wardrobe to you?” I put off writing my reply for a couple of days because I’m (a) a big procrastinator and (b) unhappy with my basic wardrobe. I am in mourning for my old wardrobe. Since I left the corporate world in…<\/p>\n

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