Essentials: What Every Girl Should Own

There are some pieces in a girl’s closet that are essential. Every girl has to have them. These are the pieces that you are going to wear more than once; you can always rely on them working with most other pieces in your closet; and you count on their quality. For me, essential pieces fall into two main categories: an avatar’s structural quality and an avatar’s fashion sense.  This week, I am focusing on female fashion sense, but, have no fear! A look at structural quality is in the works, as well as male fashion sense.

Strands of Pearls from Donna Flora

Pearls

Every girl needs to have a strand of pearls. Or two. Or three. But, you need to have the pearls. Their elegance can dress up your everyday attire (be it jeans or your summer breezy casual), or can compliment your formal gown. My favorite pearls are from Donna Flora, a brand made by designer Squinternet Larnia.  Generally, all of her jewelry are worth a visit to the store due to their creative design, but the pearls are exceptionally well built. The sheen is a buttery off-white and you will never look as if you are wearing a never-rezz necklace. Remember that whenever you don’t know what necklace to wear, pearls are the safest bet. I know some of you don’t like playing it safe, so put on some risqué outfit on with your pearls and be the mysterious lady who is hard to figure out.

The Little Black Dress

The Little Black Dress from Kunglers

Do you know why there is so much said about “little black dress”? Because it never goes out of style, no matter what world you are in, and no matter which decade you are dressing for. Some say that it was Coco Chanel who first started the design of a little black dress as an item to be versatile and have the widest market share possible. Well, guess what? She was a smart cookie and did really well. Now, we all need a little black dress. You can dress it up or down, depending on the occasion or the event you are attending. Imagine putting a simple jacket over it and attending a business meeting, or putting on some evening makeup, fancy jewelry, and heels and you are ready for an evening out. Typically, I would suggest that the dress be simple in design, in order to allow for this versatility. But, my new favorite “little black dress” is not totally simple in design. It is a black dress from Kunglers Couture. I love the wide belt in the middle; it gives the dress character and flavor. The belt comes in three colors: white, black and white. So, if your wardrobe is lacking a little black dress, you are missing an essential, dear avatars.

Head Over Heels

This is a tough one. We all want high quality shoes, and want our toes to look well-defined and pedicured. Additionally, we all want the skin of the feet and the leg to look continual and smooth. As I am sure you all have discovered, that is indeed an almost impossible task because the skin tone is dependant on many variables including the light and the environment setting of each avatar.  Nevertheless, some designers have come closer than others to accomplishing this daunting task.  I have been going back and forth on which shoes in my closet are essential to me. And I am here to report that I could not narrow it down to only one. It’s true! I know what everyone says about girls and their shoes. And I am not a shoeoholic. But, I just like both of these shoes, and would be willing to loose all my shoes if they let me keep these two.

Maitreya

Shanti shoes by Maitreya

I was recently introduced to Maitreya Designs.  I had been searching for pair of shoes that would speak to me, where their design was inspirational and their make was exceptional.  Once I saw Shanti style by Maitreya, I knew I had found my favorite shoe. The design of this shoe is awesome. The texture is realistic and soft. The folds, the knot in the back, and the flowing after-knots work together to make this an all purpose shoe. Hiking? No problem! This is SL after all. Go hiking in these, you won’t hurt them or yourself. If I could afford it, I probably would have these shoes in every color, but for now I have picked black. It gives me the widest range of use, and red toes just look so stunning in black shoes. One thing that I get from these and not from my other shoes, is that they, among shoes, are equivalent of the little black dress in versatility. Wear them with jeans, wear them to your business meeting, and wear them with your evening gown. Just wear them and you won’t be taking them off any time soon. I guarantee it.

Moody

Shoes by S. Moody

Good old Moody. Where would we be without our Moody shoes?  I no longer remember when I bought my Moody pair or how I was introduced to the store.  Here is why I could not let this shoe out of the essential list: you can control everything about this shoe, except the color of the shoe. I like the shiny texture, even though it makes it a bit too dressy to wear on a hike. Nevertheless, you can wear it with any pants, throw on a halter top and you are ready for a night at a blues club, or any other fun place your friends want to take you. One great feature of this shoe is that it allows you to directly put in the RGB color of your skin, and save it under different users, so you can quickly switch among saved skin tones.

Wrap Me in Silk

The last, but not the least, item that is essential to your wardrobe is a wrap. Yes, a wrap.  I know that your avatar is immune from getting cold, but these are needed to soothe your fashion sense.  Pick a color that goes with your skin tone, as opposed to your wardrobe color range.  I tend to like to wear one with pattern with simple outfits.  These shawls have been getting me compliments, as well as chasing crosshairs.  They are made by Zaara. , and they are exquisite with vibrant colors that stand out in SL. The range of color is great; let me warn you that you will be either tempted to buy one in every pattern or you will stay in the store long enough to pass out from indecisiveness. In case you are wondering how they fit, I have to put your mind at ease that they fit beautifully. I was skeptical when I first saw them at the store. We all know that feeling when you see a beautiful picture and then the dress or the wrap or the shirt never looks the same on you. And after hours of frustrating editing, you either give up and wear it while the crooked end keeps blinking, or you give up and hide the piece at the bottom of your closets.  This shawl, in the picture, is shown simply after a wear-click. I am not kidding.  These are a must have.

Pashmina and Kashmiri Shawls from Zaara