Before I took better care of my wardrobe, I had a mish-mash of a lot of different clothes that I could only wear with only a select few others. Obviously, this wasn't very efficient because my wardrobe was overstuffed with too much, yet at the same time, too little. Times like this it's important to go back to the basics and rediscover the roots of your style. From here you can then branch out and continue building with a better foundation.
In this article, I narrowed my basics down to ten items that I feel like my wardrobe wouldn't be able to function without. One main criteria that an item has to fulfil is to answer one question, "Would I be able to wear this item in more than five outfits?" Answering this simple question will also help you to decide on which clothes and accessories are worth the splurge if you know it'll be an investment piece that is durable and versatile.
/1/ The T-Shirt
My staple shirt is a white v-neck, but don't feel limited to the colour or the cut. The beauty of the t-shirt is that you can dress it up or down depending on the occasion or the mood you are in. Usually they are made with a more light-weight material, which is why they are always my go-to when I'm in a lazy mood, or want to look good while running errands. Before choosing your staple t-shirt, think about how the fit will look with a pair of jeans, or a pencil skirt. Your ideal t-shirt should be able to hold it's shape, but also flowy enough to drape over your body without making you look boxy.
/2/ The Blouse
When you need something a little more mature and feminine than the t-shirt, a blouse is always the best option. I prefer my blouses to be very flowy, almost devoid of any shape. This is because my bottoms are always quite tight since I'm such a small person. However, if you don't have a signature style you find yourself donning constantly, I would recommend a tighter fit with a more structured fabric. Your blouse should be slightly longer at the back to cover your butt, with sleeves that are loose enough for you to be able to roll up in the event that it gets a little warmer.
The blouse is the opposite to the t-shirt, where instead of working around this item to dictate the mood of your outfit, the blouse is able to instantly turn casual chic into something more demure and sexy.
/3/ The Denim Jacket
The denim jacket has been around since the early 1900s, but was made popular by Bing Cosby and his Canadian Tuxedo. It was the symbol of the working man, and hipsters from way-back-when adopted it as their own to rebel against the materialistic views that conformed society possessed. Of course, there is a bit of irony now that the denim jacket is now seen everywhere and donned by everyone.
The great thing about the denim jacket is how the style holds up with time, so you don't need to worry about whether or not it will go out of "style." The durability of this jacket also extends to the material it is made of as well. Denim is extremely resilient and you can bet it will hold up pretty well in your wardrobe no matter how much stress you put it through.
/4/ The Leather Jacket
The perfect leather jacket is always the hardest thing to find, but don't give up hope! Trust me when I say that once you do find The One, you won't regret a thing. Your search will be hindered more so if you decide to purchase genuine leather. If you decide to go down that road I would recommend looking in opshops for a reclaimed leather jacket. Not only is it better for the environment, but will probably be a cheaper option for you as well.
The leather jackets add instant edge to your outfit, and is a great statement piece of you're not 100% feeling your ensemble. Just like the denim jacket, it has stood the test of time and you won't need to worry about needing to replace it when the next season arrives.
/5/ The Blazer
As you can tell, white is my more preferred colour (or shade). The reason for this is because monochromatic palettes make it so easy to mix and match, which is perfect if you only have the basic foundation of your wardrobe sorted. I added the blazer to this list because some occasions will call for an outfit that is a little more corporate or for an event where a denim jacket is too casual and a leather jacket is too harsh. That's not to mean you can't wear your blazer casually with a pair of jeans, or a dress.
Tailoring is always a good option if you want to construct the perfect blazer. You want it to reach your hips, or just below your waist if you're short like me. The sleeves should reach your wrists and not any further, and should be loose enough to roll up the sleeves of as well in a similar style to the blouse. It should taper in at your waist to give your body shape some definition as it's easy to loose your silhouette underneath layers.
/6/ The Perfect Jeans
I mentioned earlier that I prefer my bottoms to be quite tight, and this usually extends to the jeans I wear. My go-to jeans is this pair of black skinny jeans that are mid-rise, this allows me to tuck my tops inside the waist band without the hemline beginning too high. The reason why I chose black or your standard blue denim wash is because I find black more flattering and I'm able to wear more colours with them.
Now that I've told you about my favourite jeans, I'm going to tell you how to find your perfect cut. I know there are a lot of guides out there telling you which jeans are the best for your body type. Take those guides with a grain of salt and don't think that they are the be all and end all. Take a bunch of jeans with cuts that are loosely based on what the guides tell you and do a bit of trial and error before you decide which jeans you think flatter your body the most.
/7/ The Little Black Dress
The LBD doesn't need an introduction now, does it? This timeless piece has been worn by ladies for decades, and there's a reason why it has never gone out of style. Black is the most slimming colour anyone can wear since they don't create any unnecessary shadows that may unflatter your figure. Not only that, but they are suitable for all occasions - from cocktail parties to weddings. As a rule of thumb, the most perfect length would be to where your fingertips fall if you place your palm just under your butt.
/8/ The Nude Flat
The reason why I chose a nude flat or black ones is the same reason why I haven't included any high heels in this article. Heels are not practical for everyday wear and therefore can't be included in your basics unless you're a goddess who can stand in heels for an indefinite amount of time. If that's the case then I envy you, and wished I was you. Flats, on other hand, are comfortable and if you're able to find a pair similar to your skin tone, they can elongate your legs in a similar way that high heels can.
Nude flats will create a leading line down your legs to the end of your feet as opposed to cutting you off at the ankle like black flats will do. You can even amp up this effect by going for a more pointed toe flat.
/9/ The Boot
I've been wearing boots since as long as I can remember, dating back to my tomboy days, and they're something that hasn't left me. The boot is an excellent transeasonal piece as you can wear it to protect your feet during the colder months, but you can still wear them during spring with dresses and skirts to give your outfit a boy-ish edge, given that you didn't choose winter boots to be your staple. If you're not a fan of the masculinity of the combat boot like I have pictured above, some
Chelsea boots might be right up your alley, or anything with a higher heel to add some femininity.
/10/ The Timepiece
Ever since I've had a mobile phone, I've never had a need for a watch since it already acted as my time piece. However, ever since I bought my first watch, I now feel naked if I leave the house without one. Instead of having to dig through my purse to find my phone, I can now look down swiftly at my wrist and know the time. Convenience aside, a watch also makes a great accessory if you don't have much time in the morning to mix and match. It's big enough to make a statement, but small enough to not overpower your wrist.
Now that concludes the ten pieces I believe are wardrobe staples.
I hope this guide helped even if it was in a small way, and it has helped you to decide what to include and not include in the your wardrobe as your basic staples. From here you can add other items that complement what you have, and branch out your wardrobe to include some fast fashion pieces and even some more seasonal items.
