Most work wardrobes are large and still difficult, because they were assembled one purchase at a time against no particular plan. Eight pieces chosen together will out-perform thirty chosen separately, and at 5’4″ and under the smaller number has a second advantage: it is realistic to get eight garments properly fitted.
The eight
- A tapered trouser in the deepest neutral you wear, 25″–26″ inseam.
- A wide or straight trouser in a mid neutral, 27″–28″ inseam.
- A fine-gauge knit in the mid tone, 22″–23″ body length.
- A second knit with an open neckline, same length.
- A shirt that can be worn under both knits with the collar out.
- A blazer with a 24″–26″ back length and a waist-height button stance.
- A column dress that works with the blazer over it.
- One shoe, in a tone that repeats the deepest trouser.
Why one pair of shoes
A single shoe tone repeated against the deepest trouser does more for apparent leg length than any other single decision in a work wardrobe, and it removes the daily question that generates most of the churn in a closet.Footnote 1 Add a second pair when the first wears out, not before.
Eight pieces, one tonal family, one shoe. It is a dull-sounding wardrobe that produces a surprisingly varied month.
