Jilly Moo's Basic #14 : Black Classic Pump

Every Gal Needs: A black heal in a basic pump such as a mary jane, t-strap, d'orsay, or classic pump.  This is such a timeless shoe that you will have it forever.  A definite must-have for every gal.  This shoe will take you from the office to a night out on the town.

Fit:  It goes without saying that you need to make sure yours isn't too small or tight.  You will quickly resent an uncomfortable shoe.  A note to those with short legs or thicker legs or ankles:  beware the ankle strap!  This can make your leg look shorter or can dig into your skin, making your leg look thicker.  Wear these with caution.  When in doubt, go with the basic pump.

Favs:  The holy grail of the mary jane:  the Manolo Blahnik Mary Jane is a definite favorite of ours.  Not in your price range?  Not to worry.  There is a plethora of options out there for you.

Manolo Blahnik Patent Leather Mary Jane $645 at Neiman Marcus

Charles by Charles David Scene Pump $134.95 at Endless

BCBGeneration Tinas Platform Pump $89.90 at Nordstrom

Cyrulik Pump $59.89 at Aldo

Jilly Moo's Basic #13: The Flat Sandal

Every Gal Needs:  a (or several) flat sandal to wear for the Spring and Summer months.  These are great to wear with shorts, jeans or paired with a cute skirt or dress.  A neutral color will be most versatile, although we encourage getting a black pair as well.

Fit:  We don't think we need to school you on how a shoe should fit.  Do we?  Well, we have seen mistakes in this area so will will say a word.  Please make sure your shoe is big enough!  We know, as women, we have a complex about our feet being big.  Just bite the bullet and buy the right size!  No toes hanging over the edge and for the love of all that is holy, no heals hanging off the the back.  There.  We spoke our peace.

Favs:  We do not want to commit to a favorite in flat sandals!  We live in one form of these or another all Summer long.  Of course, gladiator sandals are still very popular but go for what works for you.  Sam Edelman is a brand that makes cool flats but then again, we have some from Target as well.  That's what is so great about the flat sandal!  They can be so affordable!

Seychelles Long Lost Twin $69.95 at Endless

Kenneth Cole Reaction Gem n Toast $79 at Piperlime

 Wanted Quena $45 at Piperlime

Report Sawyer $60 at Zappos

Farrens Sandal $50 at Aldo

Jilly Moo's Basic #12 : The Weekend Shoe

Every Gal Needs: A weekend shoe to wear out and about running errands. Can we say it?  Let's ban together and create a movement:  no more running shoes for everyday wear (gasp!)  They are for the gym only!  We know, we know; they are comfortable.  But they really aren't doing anything for you.  Seriously.  We wouldn't led you astray.  Here we offer you some comfortable alternatives.  The best part?  They are all under $100.

Fit: We don't need to tell you how your shoes need to fit (do we?).  We will say, make sure they feel good in the store.  If they are rubbing your foot the wrong way in the store, just think about how they will feel after hours of wear.

Favs:  We love our Converse, though they are lacking in the arch support (but then again, we have never been one's to shy away from a shoe due to discomfort).  We have both owned Puma's that were comfy. 

 

ASICS Gel-fieri $60 at Piperlime

Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star Core Ox $42 at Piperlime

 Vans 'Authentic' Sneaker $41.95 at Nordstrom 

 

 

Puma 'Alsten Dapper' Sneaker $89.99 at Nordstrom

Simple Satire-Harp $54.95 at Zappos

Jilly Moo's Basic #12 : Nude Pump

Every Gal Needs: A nude heal in a classic shape. We like a d'orsay, slingback, peep toe or a basic pump.  Nude goes with everything and if you get a classic shape, you will have these forever.

Fit: Get a pair with a heal as high as you are comfortable with (Don't be over ambitious ladies.  We don't want you toppling over).  Try to get the color nude as close to your skin tone as possible.  Keep straps to a minimum, especially when it comes to around your ankle.  Ankle straps will chop up your leg and the idea is to elongate your legs, which is always a good thing.

Favs: Honestly this is an area that we need to heed our own advice in:  neither of us has a plain, nude pump!   We are on the hunt and will let you know when we find one that we personally recommend.  Til then, here are some to get you going.

Our ultimate wish list shoe.  Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?

 

Christian Louboutin Lady Claude $745 at Barney's NYC

Some under $100 options:

Aldo Fawson $90

 

Nine West Bonfire $90

Nine West Rocha $71 at Zappos

Aldo Moos $75 (you know we had to put the one named Moos up!)

Jilly Moo's Basic # 11 : V-Neck Sweater

Every Gal Needs: A v-neck sweater in the best quality you can afford. Cashmere is preferable but cotton can be great too. We find that most wools are too scratchy for us.

Fit: We like our v-neck to be fairly fitted but not too much so. One of our peeves is when the sweater is too short waisted: hitting just below the waist is most flattering and makes for a good basic shape that will be very classic and versatile.

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Jilly Moo's Basic # 10 : Wrap Dress

Every Gal Needs: A wrap dress. They are truly flattering on everyone. And we mean everyone.

Fit: As with skirts, dresses are most universally flattering when they hit around (a little above or a little below) the knee. If you are short, a slimmer fit will be more flattering here. If you do choose a fuller skirt just make sure it hits above the knee or it will be overwhelming on small frames. Those who are taller can get away with a bigger silhouette. One important thing to note is to make sure your dress wraps far enough around your body so you are covered up... you don't want to be showing the goods to the world when you walk or when the wind blows.

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Jilly Moo's Basic # 9 : The Cardigan

Every Gal Needs: Cardigans in a variety of colors and styles. They truly look good on everyone and can be dressed up or down.

Fit: Cardigans are most flattering and most popular these days that hit around hip length. We like them in all materials but find that a thinner cotton blend is most versatile as it can be worn in both warmer and cooler months. A thicker wool or cashmere sweater is great for fall and winter. Be sure to be mindful of proportion: big and flowy up top, slim and fitted on the bottom or else you will look like your clothes are swallowing you up.

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Jilly Moo's Basic # 8: Leggings

Every Gal Needs: Leggings in basic black and a neutral color such as grey. They are good to wear with a skirt or dress that is a little too short to wear on its own. Wear them with flats, boots, or heals.

Fit: Ankle length is the most flattering. Leggings that hit mid-calf will cut the leg in half, making your legs appear shorter. Please avoid our pet peeve of wearing leggings as pants by making sure your top is long enough; at least covering your bootie.

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Jilly Moo's Basic #7 : The T-Shirt

Every Gal Needs: A t-shirt in white, black and a neutral color such as tan, navy or grey. We prefer v-neck but crew neck is great too; your choice.

Fit: We love tees in all different fits because they can be worn in an endless number of ways. As a general rule, we feel that a somewhat thin material with a bit of stretch fits and holds its shape the best. We like the not too tight, not too baggy fit that hits at the hip or a little longer. A sleeve that hits mid-bicep or a little above flatters all body types.

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Jilly Moo's Basic #6 : Tall Flat Boots

Every Gal Needs: A pair of tall, flat boots in either brown or black (we find brown to be more versatile).

Fit: Make sure the boot comes up to your knee, especially if you plan to wear these over jeans or with a skirt/dress. Boots that hit mid-calf make your leg look shorter than they are. This is one of those unfortunate cases where we feel that you may have to spend a little bit more money to get good quality. We feel that brown leather tends to be especially susceptible to looking cheep so buyer beware!

Favs: Last year we found a good deal on great pair by Jessica Simpson. Frye is a good quality brand but can tend to be a little on the pricey side. They do wear in to look better with age so we can justify spending on this one. Like ballet flats, this shoe has also become very popular and thus, easy to find at all price points.

Weekend

Nicole Right Now Copper Boot $175 Piperlime J Brand Skinny Leg Jeans $160 Net-a-Porter Junk Food The Police Sychronicity Tee $32 80s Purple Elington Vero Cross Body Bag $151 Irvs Luggage Leather Studded Cuff Bracelet $40 Guess


Work



Nicole Right Now Copper Boot $175 Piperlime Ruffled Slub Knit Polo $10 Old Navy Stadium Cloth Winnie Jacket $245 J Crew AG Stevie Skinny Jean $159 Anthropologie Leather Equestrian Belt $45 J Crew Michael Kors Horn Jet Set Chronograph Watch $195 Net-a-Porter

Night



Nicole Right Now Copper Boot $175 Piperlime Paul & Joe Sister Horlane Silk Print Dress $200 Net-a-Porter Girlscene Faux Fur Vest $118 H&M Ribbed Tights $42 Toast Charmed Chains $7.80 Forever 21 Antique Cuff $6.80 Forever 21

Jilly Moo's Basic #5: Ballet Flats

Every Gal Needs: Ballet flats in basic black and/or a nude color of your choice (camel, a metallic, etc)

Fit: Of course shoes work for all body types... isn't that why we love them? Ballet flats are super comfy so they are great to wear day to day and are so versatile. We prefer plain flats without embellishments for extra versatility. We like the flats that have little sole on the bottom (they should bend easily like an actual ballerina's slipper). We wear ours with leggings, jeans, skirts, dresses... have we mentioned that we love them?

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Jilly Moo's Basic #4 : Pencil Skirt

Every Gal Needs: A pencil skirt in jersey or cotton. Get one in a neural color of your choice.

Fit: We personally like (and get the most use out of) a version in a stretch cotton material. It can be dressed up or down. The fit should be snug but not so tight that it looks like you should be working the street corner (a.k.a. no excessive pulling of the fabric across the toosh). Depending on your height, the length should be either slightly above or below the knee.

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Jilly Moo's Basic #3 : Skinny or Straight Leg Jean

Every Gal Needs: A pair of skinny jeans or straight leg jeans, your choice (or both!).

Fit: Some think they can't wear skinnies but you really can! At the very least, they are great to wear under tall boots (please don't wear regular jeans with tall boots!) or with ballet flats. Make sure they are the proper length to wear with flats; no dragging or excess bunching around your ankles. We aren't particularly wild about skinny jeans with heals and prefer a straight leg jean for this, but some like it. Straight leg jeans that are worn with heals will not drag the ground because of the cut but can bunch around your ankles. Like the skinny jean, be sure to strike a balance between too short and too long.

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Jilly Moo's Basic #2 : Bootcut or Flare Denim Jean

Every Gal Needs: Either a bootcut or flare leg denim jean, your choice. Great to wear with basic tops, blazers, sweaters, and fun tops to go out. Just make sure the top isn't long and overwhelming.

Fit: Make sure the length is appropriate: the bottom of your jeans should skim the ground. We hate when jeans aren't long enough (this looks especially bad when the jeans are flare). Make sure the jean is fitted in the bootie, hip and thigh and begins to flare out at or below the knee but be careful that the jean isn't too tight through the hips and pulls the fabric across (this means no fabric puckering at the zipper and no bunched up fabric pulling across under your bootie). These jeans can shorten the leg because of the width so to lengthen the leg, wear heals unless you are confident that you have long legs! This also means no rolling up bootcut or flare leg jeans to wear with flats... save that for skinny or straight leg jeans.

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Tanks Cont....

We got a great "Ask Jilly Moo" question about what our favorite tanks are. We both really love James Perse tanks. We both wore ours throughout our pregnancies and they survived the stretching out and they popped right back into place (can't quite say the same about our bellies). They come in tons of colors, are long, soft, thin but not too thin and better yet, have lasted through years and years of washings. There are several styles but we especially love the long ones. They are a tad on the pricey side for a tank (around $45-$55) but defiantly worth the investment in our opinion.

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Jilly Moo's Basic #1: The Tank

So many times we have read about fashion "must haves": the little black dress, a white button down shirt, etc. We have bought these things out of obligation but never wear them. Frankly most of the items that are always listed bore us. We at Jilly Moo's need a little more excitement in our lives so we are doing an updated version of the must haves. A better version... the Jilly Moo's version! Each week watch for a new basic to be featured and three different suggested ways to wear them: weekend, work and night.

Every Girl Needs: Tanks in black, white and a neutral color of your choice such as grey, navy or tan.

Fit:  We believe the the most universally flattering and easy to wear tank is mostly cotton with a little stretch (2% or so).  We like a long and lean fit that hits around hip length.  Racer back is optional but can make those with wide shoulders look even wider.



Weekend
James Perse Supima Long Tank $45 James Perse Noelle Boyfriend Shorts $60 Abercrombie Leather Foldover Hobo $158 Gap Minnetonka Lace-Up Boot $76 Nordstom Oversized Feather Earring $34 Urban Outfitters Silk Square Scarf $36 Topshop


Work
James Perse Supima Long Tank $45 James Perse Bengal Stripe Skirt $114 Anthropologie Extended Shoulder Jacket $124 Topshop Beverly Bootie $128 Calvin Klein 120 Denier Opaque Tights $13 Topshop Gear Hoop Earrings $3.80 Forever 21

Night
James Perse Supima Long Tank $45 James Perse X-Ray Print Bodycon Skirt $41 Topshop Fergie Thief Bootie $140 Nordstrom Double Wrap Stud Belt $40 Topshop Crocheted Metal Necklace $25 Urban Outfitters Joined Beaded Bracelet $8.80 Forever 21 Big Buddha Midnight Clutch $36 Ebags