8 Clothing Basics That You Will Always Find In My Closet
It’s no mystery to my friends and family that I love clothes and fashion. I have since I was a teenager and would be known to save my babysitting money for coveted items like Swatch watches, Ray Ban Wayfarers and J. Crew rollneck sweaters (yes, I was teen in the 80s). I was all about the trendy, “must have” items for many years, until sometime early last year when I became frustrated with the amount of items in my closet that I was not wearing. I did a major cleanout and realized that my most favorite items were actually simple, well made basics that I could wear many different ways. I realized that basic weren’t boring, they were the foundation of my wardrobe. Of course, I have clothing items above and beyond these basics items but these are the core of my wardrobe and I can’t live without them!
8 Clothing Basics That You Will Always Find In My Closet
A Neutral Pair of Non-Athletic Sneakers
I don’t think I can count how many times I have worn my sneakers. They work with everything from jeans, sweats to dresses and skirts and they are comfortable! A neutral pair of sneakers also travels really well because you can wear them with so many things. While the retro trend is going strong, I actually recommend also having a pair that are a bit more classic that way you’re not having to buy a new pair everytime a trend changes. Try these classic Veja Campo sneakers.
Short and Long Sleeve Tees in White, Black & Gray
Yes, I also own tees in other colors but these neutrals are non-negotiable. I prefer the look and feel of tees in cotton or a cotton blend and a little stretch doesn’t hurt. Quality definitely matters to me because I wear them so frequently and I want them to hold their shape through washing and wearing. These Monrow Textured Tri-Blend tees are fantastic and available in crewneck, v-neck and short sleeve.
Black Pants
Denim has pretty much taken over and can be worn almost anywhere (almost). For the most part, I live a pretty casual lifestyle so denim is a staple in my wardrobe. However, there have been a number of occasions where I have needed to wear something dressier and I don’t like that feeling of not being prepared to dress appropriately. I always keep a pair of versatile, comfortable black pants with a classic cut in my closet for this reason. I own these Naomi pants from Anthropologie and I like they are available in four fits (standard, petite, tall and plus) and multiple sizes. More importantly, they are really comfortable and they have stretch!
A Versatile Sweater
I live in New England and it gets cold so a light to midweight sweater that can be worn with almost anything in my closet and to pretty much any occasion, is another essential I’ll always have on hand. I usually have a couple, one in a color and one in a neutral shade. They are the perfect weight to wear during most of the year, not too light and not too heavy and made from a comfortable, breathable material like cotton. I always like a sweater with a little detail but this cotton mockneck sweater by Quince is a great basic and really well priced.
A Denim Skirt
While they are really trendy right now, I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a denim skirt. I wear mine with boots and a sweater in the colder months and then tees, tanks and sandals in the summer. They also travel really well as all denim does. I pick one in a classic medium wash, knee length and slight a-line silhouette, nothing too trendy. A little stretch helps too. I really love this knee length denim skirt by Wash Lab. It’s a nice medium shade of blue, has a cotton/poly/spandex blend for comfort and stretch and is a classic style that will last for years.
Booties in Black and Brown
Booties are popular for a reason, they work with everything: pants, jeans, skirts and dresses. I like the heel to be about 2” to 3”, not too high that they are uncomfortable or too low that they aren’t dressy enough to wear on a night out. Having both black and brown adds versatility my wardrobe and I find if stick with a classic style and take good care of them, they will last for years. I really like either Nisolo or Frye for boots. I think they both have great quality and plenty of style options.
A Nude Bra
Yes, you’re right, a bra is technically not clothing but I think this one is worth a mention. Also, there is really nothing exciting about a nude bra but the right one will disappear under your clothing (especially those whites and lights), give you great support and ultimately help you look more pulled together. I was in my early 20s when I learned that if you want your bra to disappear under white/light tops then it needs to be nude and not white. Since then the nude bra has been a staple in my closet. Fit and style preference is a very personal thing so recommending what bra I wear is likely useless but I have to say I’m incredibly impressed with the style, size and color options of Kim Kardashian’s line, SKIMS. Say what you want about her and her family but if she makes a great bra, I’m going to buy it. You can shop the full line of SKIMS bras here.
A Classic Pair of Jeans
How could I not mention jeans? They are essential! Denim styles go in and out but a pair with a clean, finished hem, classic styling, and versatile wash is indispensable. I’ve worked in clothing retail for a few years and purchased jeans in all colors and styles and I get the most of out of my pair that has a more classic styling. This means a straight or slightly tapered or flared leg that is not too loose or tight, medium wash, mid-rise, finished hem with a little stretch. I really like either AYR’s The Pop Jean in the Laid Back wash or Madewell’s The Perfect Vintage Jean. AYR jeans are a bit of investment but they are super comfortable and provide a nice range of fits. Madewell is more affordable and provide a lot of options but they can vary depending on the wash.
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