I’m in a love/hate relationship with many things: Netflix, social media, Walmart dollar bread. But one LHR takes the metaphorical biscuit: Fashion. Fashion is simultaneously my greatest pleasure and my ultimate nemesis. Looking fabulous is fabulous. But having to continually update one’s wardrobe to continue looking fabulous? That is not fabulous. It is borderline soul-crushing.
That said, I’m really trying to work out this love/hate thing, because fashion and I … we go back a long way. And when it’s good, it’s really good. So I’m trying to nurture our relationship by putting less financial stress on it: shopping smarter, and at cheaper stores. The problem is, fashion and I are kind of snooty and we’d prefer to wear beautiful designer garments all day long. But, for the sake of our relationship, we cannot, so we’re trying hard to find the most sneaky luxe-for-less labels. And in Necessary Clothing, we have found that very thing.
I very neatly correlate, in many ways, with the atypical Necessary Clothing girl. The brand—which boasts stores in SOHO, NYC, but also a beautifully designed e-commerce site—caters to women in their twenties, young professionals who are looking for affordable fashion. The NC Girl likes to dress up, likes to feel sexy and confident for date nights and nights out, but also wants to be elegant and professional in the workplace. She wants to find fresh, on-trend items. And she wants this on that (tight) beginning workforce salary.
I can vouch for two things: firstly, that Necessary Clothing holds true to all these promises, and secondly that it’s been a breath of fresh air for my Big Girl relationship with fashion. To prove this, I picked out three of the brand’s most on-trend items for your perusal; straight from the runway, these individual pieces are super-versatile and can be worn in a myriad of different combinations, keeping you looking fresh all spring. Street style photographer, optional!
1. The gingham shirt.
Unless you’ve been living under a 2013 copy of Vogue, you’ll know that gingham is huge this spring. The classic gridlock pattern is having a fashion moment, and as it turns out, your favorite picnic-rug print can actually be gorgeously sexy (case study: Bridgette Bardot). Necessary Clothing’s Dorothy Wrap Blouse (pictured, below) sits perfectly on the hipbones at the front for a universally flattering fit, and is just drapey/form-fitting/low cut enough to be smart and sexy all at once (yes, this shirt can actually #haveitall). The aptly-named Endless Rose Picnic top is also a fun nod to this fab trend.
Pair with: The Bad Bones leather legging will offset the picnic-rug cuteness of this blouse. Spiky black heels, sleek hair and pearl earrings finished it off for me; fare thee well, rulebook.
2. The midi skirt.
No longer confined to your mom’s Sunday best, midi skirts just so happen to be the cornerstone du jour of street style. Super-stylish, pleasantly long enough to cover them leggies, and beautifully ladylike, at LD we are obsessed. So, it seems, are Necessary Clothing; their current range of midi skirts is to die for. Our favorite? The beautifully nautical Joe Sailor Midi Skirt, with its subtle nod to the super-current navy-nautical trend.
Pair with: The Grace crop top is equal parts sex/lacy/cutesy/chic. Add a pair of pretty nude heels, throw on a cropped leather jacket and you’re onto a workwear-turned-happy-hour winner.
3. The sheer wrap.
Sheer fabrics were all over the runways for spring and summer, along with a luxe seventies bohemian vibe. The Sage Kimono is a perfect amalgamation of Blumarine’s delicate, sheer florals and the floaty, ethereal looks seen at Alberta Ferretti et al.
Pair with: The Boca Bash shift dress (above) is crochet perfection. Add simple sandals and a floppy hat and you’ve got the most versatile, day-to-night holiday look. Goes best with a margarita on the beach, naturally.
Want to see more of Necessary Clothing? Try new arrivals, accessories and shoes!