Dear Haikusue:

I've been working really hard getting my career off the ground the last few years, and I've gotten to a point where I can actually afford to buy myself some nicer clothes. The problem is, I have been doing the old-navy t thing for so long I have no idea how to start building a nice wardrobe of chic timeless pieces.  I've been looking at all the spring magazines, but the clothes in them are so crazy I can't see myself in any of it. Where do I start when I want to build a chic, wardrobe that fits my own style?

Signed,

Fashion challenged in the Marina

Dear Challenged:

As Tim Gunn might say,

black dress, tailored white shirt, pants

basic blocks to build