Steele Fashionable: Clinton Kelly's Top 10 Closet Staples for Every Season

It seems cruel to compare the wardrobe of a show from the 1980s -"Remington Steele"- with the standards of a fashion article written this year. The past lies there so limp and helpless against examination from people in the present.

However,  that's exactly what Laura Holt's Closet will do today - examine past fashion through the lens of the present. 

How does the wardrobe of our prime-time heroine, Laura Holt, stack up against the Top 10 Closet Staples for Every Season by fashion consultant Clinton Kelly?

1. Dark Wash Jeans
Mr. Kelly states that "denim is how we live." This seems true.  Dark denim today has taken over where plain slacks left off.

However, in the '80s, when "Remington Steele" aired, denim pants, even dark wash jeans, were often relegated to the most informal activities. Laura does not wear jeans very often. When she does, it is usually at home or when she's investigating a farm.

2. Simple Blouses
Blouses do not have to be silk ("that’s just an outdated fashion dictum"), according to Mr. Kelly.

Laura doesn't stick to one kind of top and has quite an array of blouses. She can be seen in a standard button down or in more fussy blouses with ruffles at the neck.

Of course, our favorite blouse is the white cotton shirt with vertical satin ribbons on the bodice and lace-trimmed high collar that our dainty detective wears in the episode "Steele Flying High."

"Laura...you look lovely in the morning."

3. Structured Jackets
Jackets finish an outfit. Laura's jackets are always carefully tailored. In another article, Mr. Kelly gives four reasons to wear a jacket.

4. Trench Coat
To "lend an air of sophistication," wear a trench coat, the fashion consultant says. So far we've seen our delicate detective in two trench coats -a classic khaki and a burnt orange.

5. Ballet Flats
Ballet flats are just a suggestion. The author of the article simply encourages ladies to wear a pair of flats rather than athletic shoes with your everyday ensemble.

We haven't seen Laura in ballet flats yet, but we have seen her in espadrilles in Acapulco. It seems she rarely wears flat shoes.

6. Killer Heels
Laura lives in high heels. It's great for the character, not so pleasant for the actress' feet since she must escape crooks or pursue them at a fast pace. And if you enjoy extra high heels, Clinton Kelly recommends thinking of these as "mostly sitting" shoes.

 

7. Pencil Skirt
Just as Laura lives in heels, she also lives in suits with pencil skirts, especially in the first season of  "Remington Steele."

These skirts tend to complement any body type.

8. A Little Black Dress
The little black dress is meant to take you straight from the office (with a jacket) to an evening out (with jewels). Laura never seems to need this. Though she's a busy investigator, somehow Laura finds the time to change clothing, hairstyle and full makeup at a moment's notice.

9. A Day Dress
A day dress is informal, quick to put on and is worn when the sun is shining, obviously. It is distinct from a suit, which is more formal. It also differs from garments worn later in the day, such as cocktail dresses or evening gowns, which tend to have more fussy details and more sparkle to reflect whatever light is around.

In the first season, Laura dresses in suits in the morning. Her cavalcade of day dresses begins in the second season of the show. They were loosening the character, it seems.

10. Bags
Mr. Kelly encourages us to invest in purses since a good bag never goes out of style. We would add that it's also the one piece of your wardrobe which you can still use regardless of your weight fluctuations.

Laura carries many kinds of bags from totes, to briefcases to evening clutches. To be frank, she looks freer when she's using just her pockets to keep clues, without a purse.

It seems our heroine has all the wardrobe staples she needs for any decade. That's why we love Laura Holt's closet.

-----------------------------

• For greater detail about what you need for your closet, read Clinton Kelly's: Top 10 Closet Staples for Every Season
• Read the rest of his fashion blog posts here: Clinton Kelly for Macy's 
• To purchase "Remington Steele" click here: Remington Steele Seasons 1-5