10 Wardrobe Items That Always Work

A veteran fashion editor shares her tips for feeling well-dressed, no matter the occasion.

Feeling Clueless at Your Closet?

 

On the eve of every new season, staring at my racks of clothes, I ask myself why, after all these years of reporting on the fashion business, do I still feel clueless when it comes to my own closet? I can tell you exactly when Christian Lacroix debuted the pouf skirt and why Yves Saint Laurent decided to call it quits. But I can't explain why I bought that perfect black cocktail dress two sizes too small. Or what I was thinking when I paid a fortune for a gold-encrusted coat.
And yet, every now and then, lightning strikes and I make a purchase that is really inspired. And so amid all my mistakes are reliable pieces that I depend on for dress-code requirements that run the gamut from mundane (Sunday in the park with kids) to magical (Valentino's 45th anniversary gala in Rome). With those stalwarts in mind, here's a list of the most useful fashion items for any closet.

The Best Celebrity Hairstyles of 2010

With so many award ceremonies in Hollywood, how is there not a well-coiffed golden statuette for great hair? We haven’t made the trophy, but we have made the call: These are the best celebrity hairstyles of the year.

Julia Roberts: Best Highlights

Blonde streaks just at the ends (not root to tip) give Roberts's beachy waves a sun-kissed look.