The Classic Ten: Summary

The Classic Ten series has finally been concluded! I just realized it would probably be a good idea to compile all of the ideas together to refresh our memories on these ten essential things. Once again, to remind everyone how this idea came about: these posts were inspired by the book The Classic Ten by Nancy Macdonell Smith. (Yes, it has taken me about six months to put it all together. Yes, the book was very overdue from the library.. Shhh...) I obviously highly recommend everyone to read this book. I learned so much about the history of each classic piece, so much more than I could post on this blog! 


But here we go... The classic ten: ten wardrobe pieces EVERY woman should have to be a classy, modern lady- one who will never go out of style. Then, at the end of the list I've added a couple of other wonderful clothing staples I think really do belong to the "classic" list now. So I supposed this is an Eloise-updated version! (click the name to be linked back to the original posts.)

1. The Suit

"A good suit is a triumph of structure and planning and a paean to the judicious use of artifice. It can make you look taller, thinner, more powerful, and more assured than you really are."

-Nancy MacDonell Smith from The Classic Ten

2. Jeans

"Blue denim is America's gift to the world."

-Charles James

3. The Little Black Dress

"Women who wear black lead colorful lives."

-Neiman Marcus ad

4. The White Shirt

"A white-shirt woman is a busy, inspired person... I think of Kate Hepburn as a white-shirt woman. I think of Audrey Hepburn. Mrs. Vreeland and Jackie O., definitely. Marilyn Monroe, definitely not.

-Issac Mizrahi

5. The Cashmere Sweater

"The black cashmere turtleneck is a perfect garment."

-David Mamet 

6. High Heels

"I don't know who invented the high heel but women owe him a lot."

-Marilyn Monroe

7. Pearls

"Pearls give a gloss, a certain refinement, even if you're just a trashy girl."

-Manolo Blahnik

8. Lipstick

"Darling," she instructed me, "would you reach in that drawer there and give me my purse. A girl doesn't read this sort of thing without her lipstick."

-Truman Capote

9. The Trench Coat

"Put on a trench, you're suddenly Audrey Hepburn walking along the Seine-- even if 

you've got red hair and you're five one."

-- Michael Kors

10. Sneakers

"There is a spiritual virtue and value that are implied by shoes like that. You can't slink like you can in a stiletto, so it represents a new form of femininity. It implies a new kind of strength."

-Anne Hollander

And here are the four I think could be added to the classic list-- at least for the modern classy lady...


11. The Blazer
A sexy menswear staple, cute layering option, and can make an outfit look put-together, just by tossing one over a tee shirt and jeans. 

12. Flats
Let's be real. Nothing is more classic nowadays then ballet flats. Black- to match with anything while still looking undeniably chic. (Loafers too- another personal favorite option of mine.)  

13. The Striped Shirt
Made famous by Coco Chanel (of course), the striped shirt is, at the same time, nautical, French and classic.

14. The Denim Jacket
The jean jacket is a new discovery for me. I'm planning on doing a post for it later, but currently I'm obsessed with this piece of clothing. It's so rock-n-roll. Will explain later. Just trust me on this, and get a badass denim jacket.

And the series is now officially concluded! What do you think? Do you agree with the classic ten? (or fourteen.. with my added ones?) What else would you add?