Closet Staples: Shoes and Shirts

I was at dinner with a friend last night and she asked me what are the key items she should have in her closet.  My friend, like most people right now, can't spend as freely as she would like to and therefor really thinking about everything she is buying.  So it got me thinking about what I feel are the main basics and things you should always buy when you can get a deal.

-Black and Brown shoes.  So for women I say that you should go out and buy a basic pump with a heal you are comfortable with in both black and brown.  Great staples that will work wonders in your closet and easy go to's when you can't go out and buy a new pair of shoes for a certain outfit.  For men I say the same thing.  Go out and buy a pair of black and brown dress shoes AND buy belts that match your shoes.  Also pay attention to the buckles on your belts.  If you wear a silver watch and have a silver ring, get belts with silver buckles and vice versa for gold.  

-White Dress Shirts.  This one is mainly for men.  Buy them whenever you can.  You can never have to many white dress shirts.  Good white dress shirts can be expensive so if you ever see them on sale it might be a good idea to dip a little into the savings to buy two or three.  To really get the best out of your shirts I suggest hand washing them and hanging them out to dry and then just taking them to be pressed.  Dry cleaning or having them laundered is what will turn them gray and yellow.