{Top: Similar | Clutch: Brahmin | Glasses: c/o Bonlook}
I would like to commend my 2011 self for purchasing these shorts. Who knew that little black shorts would be such a closet champ? I loved them from first sight, even though they were just basic, non-descript black shorts. I guess this is true for most basics that I buy — I wear them over and over again because they go with everything. Basic is not boring; basic makes the rest of the outfit work. But with my love for color and prints, I long for non-basic pieces that make you go crazy if you try to mix them with more than one thing in your closet. I’m a weakling when it comes to crazy, instead of the basic pieces that glue everything together. Why do I love to make my life difficult? Because. That’s why.
Lesson learned here today: if you find a really good basic, buy it. Your future self will thank you.
115 Responses
This outft suits perfect in you! Kisses from Brazil!
LEGS
Loving that clutch! So very cute, as usual 🙂
Such a great purse and necklace! Lovely outfit 🙂
http://lartoffashion.blogspot.com
Kendi, I couldn't agree with you more. Basics create the foundation for an awesome outfit!
http://www.thelotustrail.com/
Love your blouse and clutch! CHIC 🙂
Rachel’s LookbookÂ
very cute shorts!
http://lavieenliz.com
Seriously obsessed with the blue/black combination right now – and that clutch is to die for!
Basics are always great to have in the closet. 🙂 I love black shorts b/c adding any color to it is perfect!! 🙂
xo – Sheila
Giveaway on my blog!
http://sheislovely1.blogspot.com
I love the cobalt and black! You totally inspire me to break out the shorts.
Great shoes!
http://one-girl-one-blog.blogspot.ro/Â
Classy and elegant yet playful
Looks like you love your black shorts as much as I love mine – see my favorite black shrots outfit here:Â
http://fitandfashion.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/keeping-it-short/
pretty necklace
http://urbanprettygirl.blogspot.com/Â
The shorts are SO cute – I always want to try out a look like this, but always chicken out on buying them. Love the way you put the outfit together though (especially that polka dot bag!!). 🙂
xo,
Morgan
seemomogo.blogspot.com
I love everything about your outfit and your hair!
so chic.
i love that shorts and bag, so fab :))
xx
asteria-sparkle.blogspot.com
Your lovely basics help draw my attention to that fabulous polka dot clutch! What a clever trick you have played on my eyes.
Sarah's Real Life
Black shorts are my way of feeling put together on those hot and sweaty summer days!
adoredlife.blogspot.com
Lovely!! This top is such a pretty color! I just purchased a similar one… yay!
http://Www.highheelstosneakers.com
You look beautiful! Love this simple outfit and that clutch is just adorable.
xo, Yi-chia
Always MayleeÂ
Short-wearing season has been and gone here (R.I.P), but that clutch bag… that bag will be in my dreams for a long time!
What other basics would you recommend? katejones.me
i agree, basic is the way to go! great look 🙂
http://www.counttofour.com
That is the best. Finding the closet champ. I like those words. I always try to shop in the sale section and buy things for next season in hopes they will still make a good staple and be on trend!
♥Abbey
Along Abbey Road
I'm LOVING the black and navy together!!!!
Brooke @ what2wear, Monikabrooke.blogspot.com
Has everyone and their dog already told you that you look like Katherine McPhee? Because you do.Â
I'm watching Smash right now and keep thinking, "Who knew Kendi had such amazing pipes!?"
You look amazing from head to toe! This may be my favorite ever look on you.
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/
Love a good buy! You look great! Â
http://www.theluxuryrehab.com
I seriously wear my pair of black shorts at least once a week if not more. You are right, they are a closet staple!
Love this outfit, and a huge fan of black shorts too, they are the perfect compliment!
xo K
http://www.lilieslattesandlace.com
this is absolutely beautiful! love the look.
kw, http://www.ladiesinnavy.com
Great advice for my future self.
No NYC photos?
http://www.zadinblog.com
I am definitely loving that navy blouse with the polka dot purse!Â
Where's the lovely necklace from?
You are so right! So often I find myself looking at all my patterns going, oh this would be so cute with a simple skirt, but I don't have many of those! That is my goal, by more basics. Thanks for the inspiration. You look lovely, per usual.Â
xoxo,Â
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
what a cute outfit! that necklace is so interesting!
kendrrat
kendrrat.blogspot.com
Little Black Shorts have saved me many a time, I love that they're so versatile so easily transitioned from day to night 🙂Â
I really love the clutch and your shorts!  Great outfit as always!  I need to get a pair of black leather shorts still and ones that fit a bit looser.  Black shorts are just so versatile!  xx  Pip
http://easyoutfitsbypip.blogspot.com
I am absolutely in love with this outfit! Â You must be butter cause you are on a roll, girl!
forunendinglove.blogspot.com
Lovely!
http://www.ellesappellepauline.blogspot.nl
xoxo
Love everything about this outfit. You look fabulous as always.
Maja – clotheskinksandcurls.blogspot.ca
It's my favorite compliment! It's kind of freaky that we do look a bit alike. I love that show by the way. 🙂
so cute!
http://www.suspironews.blogspot.com
Love this outfit! Love your great legs! Do you have any workout secrets you'd like to share?
I am so with you…I'm always drawn to buying the crazy, rather than the basic. I love my black shorts too…love how it looks with the cobalt!Â
http://www.butshoppingmakesmehappy.blogspot.com
Love the shirt and the basic black shorts! Â
you look GREAT! Youre legs, hubba hubba!
http://frenchpresstights.blogspot.com/Â
love the black shorts. love the ensemble. love the basics!
Really good lesson. We should use it for live, makes everything easier.
http://lauwashere.blogspot.com.es/Â
I titled a post exactly the same a few months ago on my blog. 🙂 they are a true staple!Â
you look stunning, as always!
XO Jannine
http://fashionistarg.blogspot.gr
Enormous Rachael Bilson Hart of Dixie style crush means formal shorts are on my radar and this looks lovely – cute and sexy. Oh how I wish I had a job that would allow them! If only I were a fictional lawyer in the deep south instead of a real one in London…
I totally agree with you, these shorts are great!
Monica from Fashion Koketi
Totally agree! Great outfit too! ♥
http://www.natinlove.com?cm=1
these are amazing, kendi!!
Love this combination! It's adorable!
http://www.thepursesnatcher.net
Love the blue with the black! Also that Brahmin bag is amazing! Huge fan of your blog! 🙂
http://www.thestylestorm.com
the bag looks nice!
Beautiful outfit!
Love blue and black together. Â Also that clutch is amazing! Love the polka dots.
~Jessica
http://www.jeansandateacup.blogspot.com
You wore this outfit before in one of your 30 for 30s! I LOVE that you reuse pieces and even outfits. Plus this is just a damn good outfit. xo
I love this blouse with the necklace. It's perfect 🙂
love this, the blue necklace in particular is so beautiful! blue is such an awesome colour in an outfit:)
katie x
Glad to see the stems are back 🙂
I love the simplicity of this outfit. So cute.Â
I'm the same way. Â I'm always wishing I had a certain "basic" to make all of the funky colors/patterns/cuts of my clothes to pull things together.
Love your necklace by the way. Â Where is it from?
Hudson East
HudsonEast.blogspot.com
Cute shorts!
xx
Carissa
http://www.mean-maharani.com
So glad I got to meet you in NY at our Federated Media cocktail hour! Can't wait to work with you 🙂
-Amanda
I am obsessed with this look! need to copy it 🙂
http://www.therecordologist.blogspot.com
I love this little cute bag!
http://www.FaShionRoLLa.com
A great staple indeed. Love the polka dot clutch:)!
Kristin
http://www.dressedandfed.com
Love this outfit! So cute!
Xx
http://kendra-genevieve-rose.blogspot.com
lovely shorts thankswww.what-are-options.com
lovely shorts
http://www.what-are-options.com
what a fun clutch! xo
http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/
I totally agree! I never regret buying basics!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HannahEverly
I love those shorts… In fact, i have those same pair 🙂 and ditto on great basics
Sip-n-wear.blogspot.com
lol. I commend you too. Good choices on the shorts.
Mom Fitness Journal | Girlie Blog Seattle | Cheap Makeup Reviews
I have those shorts too! They're phenom. So chic.
xoxo,
Leigh
Love your recent pictures Kendi. Im not sure I could be brave enough to take pictures in such public spots.
Those shorts are fantastic. I really need a few good pairs as it is starting to go into summer here in Australia.
Cheers,
Kayleigh http://thewayiwanderlust.blogspot.com.au/
i love basics too!! they are the best staples in a wardrobe if you want to truly create a fun, wide variety of outfits!! <3
http://www.thebluecurtain.blogspot.com
Lovely little shorts and adorable clutch pretty lady!
xoLizzieplaceclevertitlehere.blogspot.com
Great outfit! Love those shorts ~ they are a great basic!
Is it strange that I have actually learned a lot of (read: most of) my tips from you. You are just as interesting (some people call it strange, I don't) as I want to be when it comes to fashion.
I love your black clutch! Oh polka dots! I would like to thank whatever part of you decided to purchase that 😉 Yet again, I'm totally polka dot inspired
Basics are always a good idea!
xo Jenniferhttp://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
Teach me your necklace-styling ways! Looks great, as always.
Mia
http://www.miamoore.net
Seeing "Bloom (2011)" attached to that shirt made me a little teary eyed for you. How cool that your store has already been open in two different years, and you're able to highlight items from last year, already! I remember when you first announced it on your blog – my how time flies!!Â
And of course, great shorts – I LOVE them!
Bri @ Work Clothes, I Suppose
Such a great outfit! I love all the blue!
sincerelysk.blogspot.com
It's always good to have basics! This weekend I'm rehabing my wardrobe and purging a lot of clothing, but I'm going to make sure to hang onto those basics I love!
I want this whole outfit! Especially that bag! SO cute, as always 🙂
xo,
Amy
itwasloveat.blogstpot.com
I love how you make simple clothes look like a million bucks. This outfit is beautiful.
http://www.the-lovely-life.com
Love! A good pair of black shorts is so key. Good work, 2011 Kendi!
<3 Josephine
http://www.champagnestar.com
Basica black shorts are a must…so why don't I have any?  But I have a ton of basic black skirts & pants 🙂
Your finishing touches makes this basic outfit fab!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Love the navy with black! Goes great together, and for some reason a combo I never would have thought to use! You're fabulous and a continuous inspiration. 🙂
xo, elle from Living in Color.
I really need a pair of black shorts… they go with everything! Love this outfit so much! (:
-theresa
collaredblouse.blogspot.com
Cool outfit!
From http://www.xeanafashion.com Â
ha,ha,ha! While reading this post I thought I was reading Stacy and Clinton's blog "basic makes the rest of the outfit work".
Love the bright blue shirt with the black shorts 🙂
AwayFromTheBlue.blogspot.com.au
love this look!!!
Just added you to my "Blogroll". Love not only your fashion sense, but your writing style & business ethic. Truly inspiring. Thanks for sharing 🙂Â
ahhh, I love that clutch! I NNEEEEEDDDD it.
Aw you are so sweet!! I wrote that and it freaked me out a bit! It really has flown by. It's so strange to think back to before I was doing this, I can't imagine my day to day being any different than it is now. Â Crazy how fast life can change.Â
AMANDA!! You are so precious — I wish I could have met up with you one more time 🙂 I hope you had a blast in New York. Talk to you soon!
Yes! Pretty darn close to it — it was a royal blue blouse instead of navy. I'm such a recycler — when it's good ,it's good. 😉 Also, dang good memory there, friend.
You are so right, I'm channeling a little bit of Zoe Hart aren't I? I freaking love her.Â
Love this outfit! Such cuteness. I bought a pair of black shorts from Gap last year and it seriously is just about all I wear. Love basics 🙂
http://perpetuallycaroline.blogspot.com
love this head to toe blue look- very nice
http://slidingdrawersblog.blogspot.com/
LOL 🙂 Cute commentary, Kendi!
And I looove the polkadot clutch!
http://thebelatedbloomer.blogspot.com
Love the different blue tones in this outfit. Great look!
bopontrend.com
This is such a chic look and I love the monochromatic styling!
~Jacy
http://www.laviedelenore.blogspot.comÂ
I love everything about this outfit! From the super cute polka dot clutch to the sea of blue I call the rest of your outfit lol
Love that clutch
Love the colour of your blouse!