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" My fashion idol is Audrey Hepburn. That always seems to shock people, as though a 220-pound Cuban spark plug like me couldn&amp;#039;t possibly emulate the grace and style of Hollywood&amp;#039;s doe-eyed, pocket-size beauty. In fact, Hepburn has inspired much of my wardrobe\u2014the little black dresses, crisp white button-downs, pretty ballet flats. These looks are flattering and chic, no matter what your size. So when a frustrated, full-figured shopper asks me for shopping tips, I always advise her to start with the classics. I recently ransacked my closet and compiled a list of my all-time favorites, the cornerstones of virtually every outfit I wear. I&amp;#039;d sooner part with my kid brother than any one of them. (Kidding, I swear.)  Little black dress. I confess: I own a dozen, each so versatile it could take me from a frenetic afternoon styling a six-page fashion story to a paparazzi-packed movie premiere hours later. Because big girls can&amp;#039;t &amp;quot;wing it&amp;quot; like our willowy friends (there&amp;#039;s no such thing as running to the mall after work for a last-minute sparkly number when you&amp;#039;re a size 18), my frocks must be flexible workhorses that see me through day to night. My current fave is an Ann Taylor sleeveless sheath with flirty ruffles that&amp;#039;s fitted at the waist. Take note: Shapeless shifts make better drapes than dresses.  White button-down. I spent much of my life avoiding this wardrobe classic like a nasty cold. My beef: I needed a wrench to get the shirt buttoned over my ample chest. I&amp;#039;ve resorted to safety pins, double-stick tape, even sewing myself in just to keep it closed. It wasn&amp;#039;t until I came upon a form-fitting yet roomy Ralph Lauren button-down in a thick oxford cotton that I finally got over my aversion. I wear my button-down under blazers or on its own, and dry-clean it often, as though it were a gift from Ralph himself.  Black pencil skirt. Look for one with a lining (to reduce cling) and made, in part, of spandex, like the skirt I snagged from New York &amp;amp;amp; Company a few years back. I&amp;#039;m wearing the poor thing to death, to both casual dinners and formal work events. The lesson: If you find an item you adore, buy two of them.  Trenchcoat. While I don&amp;#039;t have much use for a trench in sultry Miami, my hometown, I prefer to wear one on my frequent trips to New York City. Even if I&amp;#039;m dressed down in jeans and a shabby shirt, the addition of a well-tailored trench instantly quadruples the sophistication level. I like the Deborah double-breasted trench from London Fog, which elongates my barely 5-foot frame. The company offers a range of jackets in plus-sizes\u2014definitely worth checking out.  Have I missed something? Tell me what wardrobe classic you can&amp;#039;t live without\u2014and where you got it.  Visit marieclaire.com/ashley. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/advice/a4464/slimming-wardrobe-basics/>