Ten Things You'll Wear for Ten Years

Trends come and go, we get tired of some things (a lot) and some wear out (less often). But there are items that stay in your wardrobe for years; old favorites you can always count on to look great and feel better. Here's a list of ten things you'll wear for ten years, or more. It's been about ten years since I wrote this; I'm in the process of updating. Bear with.

1) Black Blazer

There's a black blazer in my closet I've been wearing for over ten years...and it had a life before I found it. I was cleaning out my parents' basement when I found a crumpled, stiff, mud-encrusted pile of fabric which turned out to be a classic black wool jacket.

It turned out to be the jacket my dad wore when he married my mom, and he told me I could have it if I never, ever told her where I found it. It came back from the cleaners looking brand new, and I've been wearing it ever since. It looks great with jeans and boots, my favorite black trousers (it looks like a suit), or a slim black skirt. When I wear it with pants, stiletlo heeled- Kenneth Cole boots, and a fitted turtleneck, I feel invincible.

3) Classic Sunglasses

My favorites were black imitation Wayfarers...and I really did wear them for nearly ten years. They eventually got lost in a bizarre canoeing accident. I replaced them with real ones and wore those til I got my hair cut short. Now I have a sunglass wardrobe, and go back and forth between the Kenneth Cole streamlined black pair and the light silver grey reflective aviators with silver detailing and the pink Ralph Lauren pair ( I always wanted to see the world through rose-colored glasses).

4) Classic White Tennis Shoes

Okay, so you won't wear the same *pair* for ten years...but simple, straight white tennis shoes never go out of style and have a certain casual charm that nothing else matches. Wear them without laces for a very casual look, and always keep them pristine white (theleather ones are washable, a godsend for those of us who can't help scuffing the dadratted things).

5) A Slim Leather Belt

A really great belt can pull a whole outfit together. My favorite is black leather men's belt with a strong (but not too big) silver buckle. It's something else I wear with everything, and it takes even the most casual outfit up a notch. Men's belts are GREAT for pants that sit lower on the waist and at the top of the hip.

6) White Dress Shirt There's something about a woman in a man-styled white shirt--undeniably feminine, strong, and with a sense of humor. It always looks great, whether paired with jeans or a suit. Turn the collar up and wear strong jewelry for an edgier look.

7) Slim Black Skirt

Pick a slim black skirt in a seasonless fabric, in whatever length looks and feels best to you. Mine hits about an inch above my knee, and looks equally terrific with heels and hose or barelegged with a T-shirt.

8) Black Trousers

Classically cut in an enduring fabric like wool gabardine, these are always in style. I found a pair that make me look thin when I feel fat, confident when I feel like retreating to the hills, and dressed to kill whether I'm wearing them with cropped boots or high heels. I've been wearing them for six years so far, and they're one of the key pieces in my wardrobe. Oh, and they travel well, too.

9) Black Boots

You won't wear the same ones for ten years, but a good pair of dressy black boots will serve you well in cooler weather--adding swagger, style, attitude, confidence, and, oh yes...warmth.

10) Black Turtleneck

Buy a good quality one (Lands' End turtlenecks are famously durable) and you may never need another one. I had one I wore for nearly ten years (it spent the last couple as jammies, though). Now I have a black cashmere one I love and wear and it gets softer with each washing (HAND washing, no dryer!!!)