Explanation and identification of "filler"-wear

Picture for a moment that perfectly nice, sorta handsome, sorta smart guy from work who you know even on his best day isn't going to register more than a 4/10 in any mutual compatibility category but whose hopes you knowingly keep high with your overly enthusiastic "don't you look nice today!" declarations and thrice weekly "here you go!" Cosi bread donations.

The Steve Urkel to your Laura Winslow, if you will.

The comfortable, familiar feeling of being in the presence of someone who clearly adores you but, let's be honest, you could take or leave, is exactly how I feel about the middling, mediocre, wear-out-of-default clothing I like to call, "filler"-wear.

Look in your closets.

Look in your drawers.

Look on your shelves.

Aside from Rachel Bilson, my friend Olivia and Katie Holmes' stylist, all of whom, in addition to having limitless funds with which to purchase whatever their little hearts desire also seem to have an incredible eye for instantaneous this-could-go-with-this filtering, my guess is that for most of you, a good 20-50% of the clothing stuffed, shoved and wedged into these places are items you neither particularly like nor dislike and that fit neither particularly well nor poorly. In short, these are the wardrobe components you reach for on the days you just don't want to deal with -or think you're capable of- creating a cute look.

I can already tell most of your faces are in a raised-brow, "Yeah, and?" expression, but wait a minute, let me finish.

The primary reason I started this blog was to address the rumor those in serious jobs oft like to spread that time and money spent on developing and honing a sense style is more a superficial indulgence than it is, for example, a mechanism for increased confidence. Now I could easily rely on any number of obvious examples to drive this point home: cocktail dress vs. sweatpants; good hair day vs. bad hair day; new hip heel vs. old worn-out flat; flawless makeup vs. ruddy, bare face, etc. But frankly, I find it much more satisfying, not to mention more convincing to tackle the less high profile -but nonetheless important- issue of "filler"-wear.

If you wouldn't date mediocrity, why wear it? If you see something better down the road, why settle before you've reached it? If you can channel Sienna and Monica in outfits X and Y, why slip into suburban Mom mode with outfit Z?

My advice? Implement an out-of-sight/out-of-mind assault on your wardrobe and eliminate every last piece of "filler"-wear you can find. Give yourself the joy to every morning choose only from those clothes that in any number of outfit permutations will give you an out-of-control ego. These pieces don't have to be from a pricey boutique in Georgetown -I'm definitely not encouraging you to replace GAP with Saks-Jandel- they just need to be tops, bottoms and shoes you actually like -- or better yet, love.

Laura may not have been able to move away from Urkel, but we sure as hell can replace our boxy twin-set shells and had-'em-for-years tapered black pants with tailored blouses and ass-enhancing, hemmed just right trousers.

10 questions to help you discern between "keeper" clothing and "filler"-wear...

• Do you look forward to wearing it?
• When you buy something new, do you envision the new item paired with it?
  
• Was it a gift? Are you holding onto it out of guilt/obligation?
• Have you kept it because you love it or because you don't hate it?
• Do you feel it accentuates your strengths? Minimizes your flaws?
  
• Has it ever elicited a compliment from a stranger?
  
• Are you as likely to wear it at home as you are at work/out to dinner?
• Would you be upset if it were irretrievably lost?
• Do you ever find yourself saying, "It used to be cute"?
  
• Do you give yourself an "it's not awful" look in the full-length before you head out the door?
  

Begin '08 by flushing the "filler" from your closet

Tips on how to identify, eradicate and replace all the unfabulous "filler" cluttering up your closet coming later today...

Since I don't (yet)

Pleated sheath by Banana Republic
$148 at bananarepublic.com

Since I don't (yet)

'Beverly' skirt by Saks Fifth Avenue
$115.32 at saks.com

Sometimes the stars *do* align

If there was one investment I was determined to make good on this year it was a new black Winter coat.

True, the knee-high almond-toed platform boots, the block-colored work sheath, the patent leather Mary Janes, the high-waisted tulip skirt, the replacement black leather daybag and the funnel-neck swing jacket were all on this same "what'll I do without it?" list, but you must understand, vital as each of these additions were to my poor, barren wardrobe, none of them, neither individually nor in sum, could compare to the need I felt for a suitable, can't-wait-to-put-it-on-every-morning black Winter coat.

Up until this past March (I've been relying on my olive trench since then), I had been wearing the same simple wool-cashmere blend overcoat for four straight years. My steady Betty has always hugged my body perfectly, a feat for which much props should be given considering the upsies and downsies in size my lady lumps have undergone between the point of sale and the present-day. Its collar pops up with a nice stiffness that blocks the wind and encases my neck on those frequent occasions when I absentmindedly leave my scarf at home. Its pockets so worn from the jagged edges of my house keys that unless I placed them just so in one of two back right-hand nooks, they - along with Monte's plastic sandwich bags and sometimes, my iPod or a handful of Ice Breakers Sours - would slip through and travel down, way down, only to be trapped inside the knee-length hem. In addition to lining deterioration, there was also the normal wear-and-tear dry cleaning chemicals and my own behaviors had taken on its of-mediocre-quality fabric and fasteners: some patches were blacker than others, some of the buttons were chipped or partially eroded, and though endearing and reminiscent of my Mother and Oma, the inside of the right hand sleeve was left threadbare from the constant friction against my seven gold bangles.

Until this Summer when I liberated from my coat closet the trusty piece of outerwear that had seen me through my second tour in China and my entire duration in this city and really took notice of its defeated state, the part of me that wanted to side with my Mother's "It'll last one more season" cautioning realized it could not, in fact, make it through one more Winter.

So from that early August day forward, the search for my new black topper has been in full-swing.

My requirements weren't outlandish. Sure, I wanted something a bit more stand-out than the traditional barn, pea and walking coats I see day in and day out at the foot of DC's cityscape, but I wasn't reaching for the Vidler & Nixon stars or anything. Preferably, I was hoping for a modern silhouette and something of the haircut-showcasing variety.

The first of my three disappointments was an impulsively purchased one. Essentially, I saw it, I liked it, and I ordered it. Because it is no longer available online, I'll send you here for a general idea of its aesthetic. I can't point to any one major flaw, but as we ladies are all too familiar with men, with coats there is the same kind of it-works-or-it-duhn't mentality. You know and you know right away. This selection, like so many men whose company I've endured in the past 11 months, was clearly not "the one."

The second disappointment, like the first, can be filed away in the "no shopping late at night while watching QVC's 'Gourmet Holiday' special" category. Against Monte's better judgment - a snubbing that would ultimately earn me three full days of silent treatment - I gave into the lure of 15%-off plus free shipping and "placed order" with this selection. There's no need to really get into the specifics of why the BR and I didn't work out, but let's just say that quality isn't BR's strong suit, especially with their larger ticket-priced items.

The third and final disappointment simply didn't fit, but unfortunately, it was not in an easily remedy-able should've-ordered-a-size-up/down kind of way. Too tight in the upper arms, too tight across the chest and far too loose in the waist, it took me half a twirl in the full-length before I was filling out the return form.

Jaded and sick of waiting in line at the Post Office on Saturday mornings, I just about gave up and gave into Monte's plan to permanently borrow without asking something from Hot Redhead's Lawyer's supersaturated outerwear collection.

But then something happened. Somethings, rather.

During my superficial attempt at cleaning before my trip to Michigan, I uncovered a piece of paper reminding me of a hefty credit at Bop I'd received after returning a pair of trouser jeans a shade - try 40 days - past the 30 day return window.

Then, while in Michigan and doing the research for my dress gloves post, I came across Bop's "getajump" promotional code.

And finally, to complete the tri-per-fecta, I found my dream coat, conveniently, also at Bop.

As Florentino well knows, if you wait long enough, those stars will align:

A few of my friends' favorite things

Women in this city certainly have varied tastes when it comes to clothing, shoes and accessories.

Some lean toward preppy, some toward Southern ladylike, some toward Euro chic, some toward couldn't-care-less, while others (cough) favor a more hipster-ish aesthetic.

But what about the basics? What about those one or two items you can't go more than a few days without slipping on to make the day's ensemble just right? I took a very informal e-mail poll among my closest DC girlfriends - a markedly diverse bunch when it comes to personal style - asking them, "Which two wardrobe components are you currently wearing most often?" Not surprisingly, within a half hour of pressing the "send" button, I had all nine responses lined up in my inbox.

I suppose it's only fitting that I start.

Without question, the two items I can't seem to get enough of this season are my black high-waisted Theory tulip skirt (above right) and my patent leather Calvin Klein 'Joeclyn' Mary Janes in bordeaux and black. It's only Tuesday, and I've already worn the skirt and each pair of the MJs. Very un-me -- a clear sign I'm in love.

For the rest of my ladies' selections, see below:

The Hill Staffer:

1. Black Delman ballet flats

2. Classic khaki London Fog trench

The Defense Contractor:

1. Black leather Rebecca Minkoff 'Morning After' satchel

2. Blue Cult skinny jeans

Hot Brunette Lawyer:

1. Chestnut calfskin Cole Haan briefcase

2. Black cashmere puff-sleeved sweater from Banana Republic

Hot Blond Lawyer:

1. Black Theory pant suit

2. Black patent leather Marc Jacobs Mary Janes

Hot Redhead Lawyer:

1. Oversized black leather Miu Miu clutch

2. High-waisted black skirt from Club Monaco

3. Spectator-style Dolce & Gabbana pumps

4. Loeffler Randall 'Matilde' flat wedge leather boots

Intrepid Journo:

1. Magenta-lined black leather Marks & Spencer tote
2. Brown equestrian boots

The PR Bitch:

1. 4.75-inch black Dolce Vita platform Mary Janes

2. Grey cashmere Vince sweater dress

The Do-Gooder Grad Student:

1. Patent leather Mossimo flats

2. Cropped black swing sweater from Banana Republic

The Trustfunder:

1. Black patent leather Louboutin peep-toes

2. Imju Fiberwig mascara ("Does makeup count as a 'wardrobe component'?")

A penchant to go a-trenchin'

Before I introduce you to the selection of under-$200 trenches no fewer than eight of you have requested from me in the past week, let me first apologize and offer an explanation for my recent unannounced leave of absence.

You see, last Friday after work, I allowed myself to be convinced by Jennifer to kibosh my plan to switch from OPI's 'Midnight in Moscow' back to the old standby 'Black Onyx' and instead try the (for me) very daunting, very seemingly iridescent purplish-blue 'Russian Navy'. As soon as that second coat dried and I received the all-important 'yes, now you can go' nod from Ms. F, however, every last doubt I had in rocking the luxe deep-blue vanished.

'Cause. It. Is. The. Sh*t.

But as is usually the case, with every blessed style discovery brings with it a burden to shoulder. From the moment I exited PIAF's double doors four days ago, I've had so many on-the-street compliments to field and so many "Could you write that name - Russian what was it?' - down?" pleads to indulge that I simply collapsed into an I'm-taking-a-long-weekend heap on the couch and did abso-toot-ley nothing but drink cans of Diet Sunkist and watch on-repeat episodes of the new season of "Lockup San Quentin: Extended Stay" on MSNBC.

Okay fine, I was really in Ohio for three days and too busy eating pumpkin cookies smothered in caramel icing, laughing my ladybits off in Superbad and kickin' ass in the 'fastpitch softball' batting cage to think about much else.

But for serious, I did get a lot of compliments, including one from patter-downer LaShonda at the airport in Dayton who even insisted, post-patdown, I paint her pinky nail so she could see the in-the-bottle-versus-on-the-nail difference for herself.

Oh, and yes, that is a Monte hair, like a feather plume, proudly perched in between the first and second folds of my peep-toe's satin rosette. It's like I always tell him right before a separation, be he in the care of good friends L, M, H or, as he was this weekend, the watchful staff in the rolling hills of his private pet sanctuary, baby boy is always still right here (patting heart) with Mommy.

Without any further random tangents, here, dear readers, are your coats. Your trenchcoats:

Satin trench ($138 at victoriassecret.com)*

Puff-sleeve trench by Tulle ($98 at styleviolet.com)
Floral-lined trench by Priorities ($158 at southmoonunder.com)

Double-breasted trench by Ben Sherman ($184 at southmoonunder.com)

Drop-sleeve trench (£85 at topshop.com)

Trench with bubble hem ($69.99 at target.com)

Swing skirt trench by French Connection ($141 at amazon.com)

Alden trench by G by Guess ($79.50 at amazon.com) English trench coat ($49 at forever21.com)

Gala trench by Soia & Kyo ($196 at tobi.com)*

Belted trench with zip liner by London Fog ($158 at nordstrom.com)

*your Editrix's top picks

A penchant to go a-trenchin' (coming later today)

You ask and I provide.

Later on today, expect an updated array of both traditional and showpiece versions of the ever elusive wardrobe essential that is the reasonably-priced trench.

My Fall checklist (coming later today)

They may not be the eight items you need this Fall, they may not even be eight items I need this Fall, but they sure are the eight items I go to bed dreaming about each night.

Stay tuned.

Oh, and no, there's no connection between my list and KimKar, it's just been a while since the divine combination of her bah'um and a painted-on tight Hervé Léger dress have been in the press, and I just thought...well, yeah.

Transition-tees 2.0

"I know you already wrote a post on what you call 'transition tees,' but a lot of those are now either out of stock or dead links. Can we get an updated selection, please? I need something cute up top for the weekends and I feel like I've outgrown my Urban Outfitters supply. Since I usually wear black or neutral colored shorts, I'd love something with a bright print and/or color."

A transition-tee redux post - what a tremendous idea!

Just yesterday, as I noted the threadbare patches on my beloved first-ever transition tee - a ruched neck, cap-sleeved, tissue-thin Ella Moss in fire-engine red - I was thinking how timely publishing a sequel to my initial post on this very essential wardrobe component would be.

For those who punch-in at an office where the dress-code is more college campus than law firm, these 14 shirts below might well qualify as your any-day-of-the-week above-the-waist option. For the rest of us, however, the sheer material, punchy-colored stripes, bold graphic prints and flutter details are best left post-work or at the very least, hidden-'til-happy-hour underneath a cute swing jacket like this.

If you would like a more thorough run-down of the casual-style-enhancing power of the transition-tee, click here to read the original post.

Oh, and because my reader failed to mention a desired price-point, I punished her by slipping in a few neutrals toward the end. Remember, sometimes an of-interest neckline or sleeve can be just as exciting and attention-grabbing as a bright color or loud print.

Also remember, if you write me with a question, you need to include as much information as you can so that I might serve you to the best of my ability.

Mmmmm...serve you.

Happy shopping!

Slub stripe top ($10.80 at forever21.com

Flutter top ($15.80 at forever21.com)
Cabbage rose tee by Mossimo ($14.99 at target.com)
Confetti tee ($30 at fredflare.com)
¾ sleeved shirred scoop by L.A. Made ($36 at tobi.com)
Scoop neck tee by L.A.M.B. ($65 at nordstrom.com)

U-neck top by Paige Denim ($98 at nordstrom.com)

Sylvester top by Ella Moss ($94 at saks.com)

Striped navy crew by Ya-Ya ($65.40 at fashionchateau.com)

Cap-sleeve tee by t2 ($31 at activeendeavors.com)

Cropped cut-out T by American Apparel ($14 at americanapparel.net)

Gianna ruffle-neck by Elizabeth Gillett ($114 at couturecandy.com)*Jersey scoop neck tee by Vince ($72 at shopbop.com)

Puff sleeve tee by Alice + Olivia ($88 at shopbop.com)*

*your editrix's top picks

The investment piece -- a jersey dress.

You keep telling us that "everyone needs a reliable jersey dress," but I, like others, need some direction. Options please!

My apologies, this is indeed a long overdue post.

Jersey doesn't wrinkle, it's lightweight, all-seasonal, universally venue-appropriate, drapes well on just about every frame, can stuff neatly into your handbag to make that Sunday morning walk home a little less shameful and a little more stylish, and best of all, jersey is a fabric that does not require dry-cleaning.

Every professional woman needs at least one -- I recommend investing in a traditional black or navy and another in a fun geometric print.

Don't forget to hand-wash and line-dry all your jersey items to avoid premature fading and loss of shape.

Happy shopping!

Jersey boatneck dress by Lewis Cho ($198 at ronherman.com)*

Jersey dress by Voom! ($178 at blondette.com)Jersey gathered-waist dress by Mint ($121 at revolveclothing.com)
Jersey draped dress by Mint ($137.50 at pinkmascara.com)
Jersey dress by Graham & Spencer ($228.90 at pinkmascara.com)
Scoop neck bubble dress by Rachel Pally ($220 at shopbop.com)
Jersey dress by Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent ($99 at activeendeavors.com)
Belted jersey dress by David Meister ($285 at dillards.com)
Belted jersey dress by Adrianna Papell ($99 at dillards.com)*
Printed matte jersey dress by Donna Morgan ($99 at dillards.com)
Ruched jersey dress by David Meister ($135.90 at nordstrom.com)
Cap sleeve matte jersey dress by Anne Klein ($150 at nordstrom.com)*
Ruched waist jersey dress by Lily ($88 at nordstrom.com)

*your editrix's top picks