Building a Wardrobe

Good morning!

As I mentioned last week, my sister Alaina, (who also pens her own blog) and I are jet-setting to Washington D.C. this summer to intern on "the Hill." And even though we're weeks away, there's still so much to do! Research the historical places peppered around D.C., read up on the hot-button issues circulating around Congress, creep on the major players on the hill, and lastly, put together a fabulous work/play wardrobe for my D.C. adventures!

I'll be the first to admit it - I love shopping. Probably a little too much. I know all the hot online clothing stores: Asos, Shopstyle, Tilly's, Modcloth... the list goes on. And so, I have put my useless knowledge to good use and I've put together a pretty comprehensive packing list.

Packing for a month can be a pretty daunting task. How does one cram all one's clothes, accessories, shoes, purses and toiletries into ONE suitcase? (Let's not kid ourselves, baggage fees are absurd nowadays.) Well I believe I've found a solution. The key is to pack basic pieces in a similar color scheme so you can mix and match the pieces and create several different looks. I've applied this formula to both my professional and casual wardrobe for this summer. I chose a color palette of white, black, olive and khacki accented by red and leopard print. The colors are basic, but the fun accents make the palette pop without going over the top.

Here's a work look I put together with some basics I'm using for my summer wardrobe. My style is usually sleek and minimalistic, with some architectural edge to it. I love edgy pieces like this thick gold cuff and the sculptural hoop earrings. Paired with basics like a black sheath dress and black wedges, they elevate the look to from common to chic.

Black Dresses by T Tahari
Sandals by Michael Antonio

Using other basics and tying in some similar pieces, I put together this casual look for weekend wear. The vibe is similar, but decidedly relaxed. The olive shirtdress is polished, but not pretentious and the leopard pattern on the satchel lends an air of classic refinement to the look. Black gladiator sandals are comfortable for long treks across the city, and the cross-body strap on the satchel create hands-free ease for juggling subway maps and museum brochures.

Day Dresses by DKNY
Sandals by Mossimo

Being able to mix and match pieces affords me countless options for day-to-day wear, and gives me the freedom to be flexible. As I start adding to my wardrobe, I'll be posting some more D.C. looks, so keep checking back. Until next time!

-Mallory