Fashion trends come and go, but there are clothing staples that last from season to season. There are clothes you need to focus on having rather than buying every cheap and trendy item that catches your interest. Investing in quality, must-have pieces for your wardrobe can actually save you time and money in the long run. Most of them goes with almost anything in your wardrobe and compliment with a piece you decide to splurge your cash with. Staples that matches easily saves you preparation time in the morning when deciding what to wear.
Here are some wardrobe basics that every woman should own:
1. Dark wash denim
Blue jeans never go out of style, but the type that’s most versatile is dark wash denim. Dark wash jeans can be dressed up or down. It looks flattering to wear with casual clothing like T-shirts and sneakers, but it’s also wearable as office attire paired with pumps and blazer. Every woman must have a trusty pair of jeans that you can put on and feel good. Choose a flattering style for your body type, or go for safe choices like skinny or straight-leg jeans.
2. Plain white T-shirt
The staple white shirt is a versatile piece that you can wear with anything. It anchors statement pieces like printed shorts or pants, colored denim and bright blazers. It’s the most comfortable casual wear paired with denim; but you can also dress it up by pairing with a culottes pants or maxi skirt, or wear it with under a slip dress or jumper dress. White basic tees are versatile and timeless, and a must-have in every wardrobe.
3. Simple white button-down shirt
A simple, white button-down shirt offers you endless outfit possibilities – from casual to professional to polished to sexy. Whether paired with jeans, sleek trousers or pencil skirt, a crisp white shirt is the ultimate must-have for multi-functional dressing. You can make it professional by pairing it with black pants and blazer, or brunch-ready with a floral midi skirt, or date night-ready by tying it to a knot and pairing with a flirty miniskirt and a black bralette peeping through.
4. Neutral flat shoes
A good pair of flat shoes offer equal parts of chic and comfy. It’s the jack of all trades when it comes to women’s footwear, since it can be worn from a board meeting to a lunch date to a grocery run. Whether you go for ballet flats or loafers or mules, it’s best to stick to neutrals like black, beige, nude, navy and metallic colors. But of course you can always opt for other colors depending on your taste, but neutrals must be a staple.
5. Black pants
Having a trusty black pants is very important. It makes you look polished and presentable. Whether it’s a trouser or a pencil straight cut pants, a pair of black pants is a foundation piece for so many different outfits. It’s is a real Monday workday to Sunday church day / fun day staple, so don’t hesitate to invest in these. Buying a good pair that doesn’t fade easily can last for years.
6. Little black dress
What more can we say? The little black dress is perhaps the most well-known wardrobe staple for women. An LBD provides a blank slate for accessorizing and styling, perfect for both casual and formal occasions. Black is beautiful, slimming, timeless and looks great on everyone. Go for an LBD that is best for your body shape, with a high neckline and semi-modest length for you to make the best use of it.
7. Cashmere knit sweater
Cashmere is the most versatile form of knitwear because it works with anything – from a rugged boyfriend jeans to leg-hugging leggings to work trousers to pleated feminine skirts. Look for one that you can reach for when you’re in a hurry. This means it has minimal to no patterns and in a neutral color. When it comes to a staple cashmere knit, a gray one is always the elegant choice.
8. Classic trench coat
When autumn and winter comes, your coat is your reliable staple. The classic trench coat fills all wardrobe needs: from office wear to casual weekend wear because of its stylish belted waist and functional fabric. But when picking one for your wardrobe – stay away from the black parkas (you probably already have your black blazers and cardigans) and choose a beautiful neutral color like brown or checkered white and black.
9. Black pumps
A staple for evening wear and office wear, black pumps will never fail you. It’s the classic shoe option for your 9-5 job to after-work appointments. Besides these, it can also dress up jeans for a weekend date night. Find a good pair that you can actually walk in. You may need to go for a pricier option, but it will be worth it – cheaper pumps may not be comfy to wear after all.
10. Comfy ankle boots
A good pair of ankle boots is a great investment because it’s a shoe for any season. It’s easier to slip into and pack compared to their taller sisters. Choose something with a mid-height block heel so you can easily dress them up or down. Also, going for block heels means better support and comfort compared to stilettos. Ankle boots are perfect for wearing with jeans, leggings, pants, dresses, and shorts. A pair of black boots is a classic piece that’s a must-have, but you can also make colors like red, metallic or leopard prints as a way to jazz up your plain outfits.
11. Plain white trainers or sneakers
A pair of plain white trainers or sneakers can come to your rescue on days you just don’t want to wear heels or boots, and a pair of ballet flats doesn’t feel right. It’s comfortable to walk in and looks sleeker than your usual gym shoes or chunky dad sneakers. White trainers are perfect for a lot casual get-ups and for adding a dressed-down, athletic feel to girly dresses. These shoes can give any outfit an extra dose of cool and a touch of modern.
12. Elegant blazer
An elegant blazer is a solid workhorse for any wardrobe. Looking to anchor your work separates? Throw on a blazer. Looking for a stylish outerwear substitute for a too-casual hoodie jacket and a too-heavy coat when it’s not quite cold? Get a blazer. Looking for a can’t-go-wrong jacket to trhow over your tube top cocktail dress? Again, wear a blazer. It also works for casual outfit too – pair it with jeans or smart leggings and trainers and it your outfit becomes smarter.
13. Breton stripes
The classic Breton-stripe top is your trusty wardrobe stable that can look good in denim, trousers, leggings, pencil skirts, floral skirts and more. This stripes is timeless because it’s the easiest way to channel an elegant French vibe while steel keeping it casual. Opt for safe colors such as black and white, navy blue and white, or red and white.
14. Black leggings
A pair of simple, black leggings will serve your wardrobe endlessly. It’s the go-to, comfy option for lazy days when you don’t feel like wearing pants or jeans, or for pairing with long blouses or dresses that are too short to wear on its own. You can also make a great use of it at the gym. Look for those made of comfy structured fabrics that offer stretch and support, and stay away from those with sporty logos or prints to keep them classic and suitable for most outfits. Black leggings are best paired with a chunky sweater and a pair of ankle boots or trainers.
15. Leather handbag
If you are looking for an outfit finisher for all occasions, leather handbags for women (preferably black) should be your first choice. Handbags can make your outfit more stylish and functional. You can rely on a good leather handbag to take you to work, dinner, plane flights, grocery trips, and the list go on. It’s best to find one that has a long strap in addition to handles, as it can make a big difference.