love + price + longevity or the death of fashion trends (at least for spring)

Sarah Mower feels that the economy does not support jumpsuits and this is my favorite sentiment so far about fashion and the recent financial situation. She goes on to dismiss the trends from the recent runways; they fall into categories like Drab, African, Western, Oblivious (my term for the see-through blouses and those crazy towering shoes). She bemoans the lack of "smart and uplifting" day wear for the working woman and sings the praises of British designers. She's looking for things for her wardrobe that will be valid two or three years from now and says that love + price + longevity have replaced trends. I like Sarah Mower and think she's smart and uplifting. Not counting the occasional misstep (we all have them and I'm thinking of a few things sitting unworn and unloved in my closet) that's the way I like to shop anyway.

People always want a peek into my closet, thinking I must have an amazing wardrobe because I'm a designer and also write about fashion. I'll admit I have a bit of a shoe addiction, but at home and at work I've always been kind of a Perry Ellis dresser. For those of you too young to remember Perry Ellis, he was a quintessential American sportswear designer who wore khakis and a blue button-down shirt every day of the week. I'm not that extreme, but do have the tendency to stick to cashmere hoodies and jeans for production and skirts and tops or wrap dresses the rest of the time.

The good thing about being a simple dresser is that I tend to wear things out or at least to the point where it justifies getting something new. I like when this happens because it means that I actually loved wearing the piece and also because it gives me permission to consider something equally simple but slightly different that I'll hopefully get a ton of use out of for a couple of years.

Here are some things I'm looking for:

a belt:

Wide or skinny, belts are everywhere and I need a good one.

a long sweater:

I love sweaters and always invest in a few every winter. This year it will be long.

skinny pants:

I'm going to make the leap from jeans to jodhpurs, and these ones by Rag and Bone are high on my list.

a great pair of black pumps:

Love these Jean-Michel Cazabat two piece platform pumps.

a coat:

I was in the market for one and ordered this bespoke coat from Lia Lintern. I think it'll be great for a few seasons to come.

a little black dress:
I just want something simple and easy that I can wear everywhere under jackets and blazers. Luckily there's one in my line and I'm going to have to snag one.