
Tim Gunn is the prince of fashion TV. Unlike most of the other competitive reality shows out there, Tim serves as a mentor to the aspiring designers on our favorite show Project Runway. Tim is insanely smart, charming and defines "tough love" — he's like that really tough professor that ended up being your favorite one of all. With Season Four weeks away, I wanted to share Tim's 10 Fashion Essentials he shares with us via his show Tim Gunn's Guide to Style.
While I put together some Fab picks based on his list, I thought: we could do without a couple of these, and, where are the shoes and bags?! He supplies them to his disciples on Tim Gunn's Guide to Style but doesn't include them here. Alas, I put together a pretty thorough mini-wardrobe based on his recommendations. And remember, according to Tim: "It's all about owning your look. And when you do you navigate the world with great confidence. And what more could we want?"
To learn Tim's 10 Fashion Essentials, read more
- Basic Black Dress
- Trench Coat
- Classic Dress Pants
- Skirt
- Blazer
- Classic White Shirt
- Day Dress
- Cashmere Sweater
- Jeans
- Sweatsuit Alternative
- Bonus: One Indulgent Trendy Item Under $20

















Tomster
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I think his suggestions are great but he should include shoes and accesories.
1Great list!!!
2But I agree with aimeeb, you need shoes and some accesories too!
I think the shoes and accesories stlyes change so much, that he means 10 key timeless pieces that you can enhance with the shoes and such.
3One cannot go wrong with certain shoe and handbag choices that will last FOREVER, that will always cheer you up when you wear them and will always enhance an outfit like jeans and a white tee to take it up a notch. It is an individual choice, so find those things that will work for you.
4It really does work!
i agree with you mbrown. anyways most lists that come up with "fashion essentials" rarely add shoes and accessories to the list. what mr. gunn have here are things that every girl should have in their closet because of their versatility, the idea that they will never go out of fashion, and that you can never go wrong with wearing them.
you then add shoes and/or accessories to keep your outfit from looking outdated. for example two-three years ago i saw many people pairing there "fashion essentials" like blazer and jeans with big turquoise necklaces because that was "in" at that time. but now you don't see that outfit because those accessories are out of season, and now you have like long, gold chain necklace with huge pendants in the end to modernized a blazer-and-jeans outfit. if you chose to still pair your outfit with big turquoise necklace today then clearly you're out of fashion, whereas your blazer-and-jeans outfit, if done right, will always keep you from being a fashion don't because they are TIMELESS pieces.
....and i have spent my time and thought on this. lol. moving along.
5"but now you don't see that outfit because those accessories are out of season,..."
i meant "now you don't see that OFTEN...."
6I love his shoe. The tough love works and is a new approach without truly being nasty. He really cares about the people they select.Can't wait for Project Runway!
7On one hand these are essentials, but on the other one: do you wear such things on a daily basis? Or are they just life-savers when you have a big event and nothing to wear?
I like to wear a black pencil skirt in a casual way http://teamsugar.com/look/756166, I wear a black blazer with jeans and a coloured T-shirt, but the white blouse? The black pants? The black dress? Mine almost never see daylight.
8too bad your list of his essentials are all filled with things that aren't affordable for most 20 year olds. Why don't you find these items at places like Forever 21 and such????
9I love Tim Gunn!!!
10You'd be surprised at how cheaply you can do things. IMHO though, I'd rather spend 50 on a shirt that will last me ages than 10 on one that will look like crud as soon as I wash it.
My go-to store is New York and Company...their prices are high, but go on their website and sign up for their mailing list, instant 20% off coupon, plus they send out tons more all the time. Great place to go for the basic go-to pieces.
It's hard to make a shoe recommendation too, based on a person's style and proportions. It's tough to recommend a pump when you HATE high heels (a'la me) or a ballet flat for someone whose proportions are better suited to a higher heel. It's hard to be broad with a shoe recommendation, but just saying "LBD" means ANY type of LBD, as long as it flatters you. Could be a sheath, babydoll, empire, strapless, whatever. You can dress that up, down, whatever suits the occasion, but saying "dress pumps", well, it's a bit different.
11Cadi, i totally agree with you about New York and Company. They have a ton of great "basics" to work with and they're always having sales. It's not the trendiest store but when you need solid, quality clothes at a good price, they serve you well.
A pair of pants won't go beyond $60 or so but even those are normally found on sale or buy one get one half off. I can def vouch for that place, especially if you have bigger *ahem* body proportions to work with.
12i love this list
13sorry, what's the deal with a cashmere sweater? why is that so essential to everyone? maybe i say that cuz i don't have one, but still...?
14Time to go out and pick up some basics! The problem with the basics is you wear them so frequently, it's like you almost need to buy two of the same item!
15I have everything but the cashmere sweater because I am allergic to wool.
16I love Tim's show.
17I just bought those BR pants! They're awesome.
18yeah these are the basics...
19Overall, the list is pretty good. I never agree 100% with any of these "essential" or "must have" lists -- maybe because I get along fine despite never having all 10 items.
I was actually a bit surprised by the trench. Don't get me wrong, I like trenches, but most of them are not very flattering on most women. I did find one that I love, though, and blogged about it at http://fashion.thebargainqueen.com/2007/11/via-spiga-leather-trim-trench.... I think it works better because of the color. The more traditional ecru tends to wash me out (along with many other women).
I've also been blogging a lot about cashmere sweaters on thebargainqueen.com. I love cashmere, but I rarely get to wear things like cashmere sweaters here in Florida
20i think that's a great list...most women has got some or at least all of those on the list. at least i do. shoes and bags are essentials too i must agree with some of you ladies!
21I love Tim Gunn but his show never covers fashions for women over fifty. We need help also Tim.
22This is correct. We need persons like Tim Gunn that presents outfit for fifty women. I like the latest intervention on Tim that we see via Direct TV here in Puerto Rico. Thanks to let me know if you received this message, and good luck.
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