Hi there and welcome! If you’ve ever wondered where to start when putting together outfits or an entire wardrobe, investing in a few foundational pieces can make all the difference. These are things like a pair of jeans you love, a button up you can wear to work to casually, and a pair of shoes that you want to wear with everything. I like to think of these types of high quality pieces as the base to any outfit, but they can also be worn as they are. However you build your outfit, these are the clothes or shoes that will help you make the most out of your wardrobe.
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10 Wardrobe Staples to Invest In
First, it’s important to note that investing in something, in my opinion, doesn’t always have to mean that something is expensive. I typically focus on the materials to make sure they’re going to last, or, for example, keep me warm. But, I do realize cost is sometimes associated with these things as well. Okay, a wardrobe staple might be something different for everyone depending on where you live, what the weather is like, and what you do every day! But, I think there’s at least one thing on this list for everyone!
What Are Wardrobe Essentials
Wardrobe essentials are those pieces you can wear again and again. Every fall, I reach for my favorite boots and trench coat. Every spring, I reach for the same trench coat and ballet flats. Then every winter, I wear the same wrap coat. These are pieces of clothing or shoes that always work with other pieces in your closet. My favorite thing about wardrobe essentials is they tend to be “in style” forever, but even if they aren’t considered cool that season or year, they should be things that work with your personal style and you love.
Have You Ever Wondered, What Are Staple Wardrobe Pieces To Invest In? Here Are 10!
A Pair Of Jeans You Love
Okay, if you like wearing jeans, then this is an important one. Of course, everyone’s favorite denim is different. I love straight leg jeans or slim wide leg jeans because they fit my body shape and make me feel confident. I recently took a personal styling course and learned so much about how to help people find their best outfits. One of my biggest takeaways is that while it’s important for you or a client to have information about what type of pants look the best on you based on your body shape, the ultimate decision is what you feel the best in. If you don’t like the way you feel in your jeans, you aren’t going to wear them and that defeats the entire point of investing in them!
A Dress For Events
If you have weddings or other events where you need a nice dress, it’s always helpful to have a dress you love in your closet so you aren’t impulse shopping for one at the last minute. I just described my past self, but once I invested in a dress I could wear to these types of events, I was able to rely on it! If there’s a dress you love that’s a fun color, it can still be your go-to dress. Mine is pale blue with a floral pattern, and I’ve been able to wear it to so many weddings and events in different seasons because it has lightweight long sleeves. So, you don’t have to buy a black dress if that’s just not your thing!
A Pair Of Trousers
If you go to an office a few days a week or every day, a pair of high quality trousers you love to wear is important! I tend to go for neutrals since they act as a nice base and you can rotate different tops. I highly recommend the pair I’m wearing below (similar color) because of the crepe material. They’re perfect to wear all year, especially if you want to be able to wear pants in the middle of summer. They come in the cropped length I’m wearing as well as other length and material options – like linen.
I also recommend this pair that I linked below. You can see them on me here. They come in several colors that will work with so many different tops, and they look nice with a blouse or a sweater. I love this particular pair of trousers because of the tailored hem, which works in a professional environment but you can also wear it casually with sneakers.
A Pair Of Shoes You Can Wear All The Time
The type of shoe that you wear everywhere totally depends on what you do! But, I think a pair of flats, whether it’s loafers, sneakers, or ballet flats, are a good place to start. I’ve always relied on flats, whether in the office or out with my toddler. So, I’m linking super versatile shoes I own or love below. Click here to shop my exact loafers.
Trench Coat Or Rain Coat
If you live in an area where it rains basically ever and you don’t have a rain coat, you know how annoying it is to see rain out your window and realize you don’t have the proper jacket. So, I highly recommend a trench coat or a rain coat, and I highly recommend one with a hood if you commute on a metro or bus system! My rain coat with a hood made commuting for me so much easier when I was traveling into an office every day on the metro and when I was walking to the bus stop to commute around London.
Anyway, after years of not having a trench coat, I finally upgraded and purchased the one below. I absolutely love the one I have. It feels super chic, it’s water repellant, and it’s easy to move around in, which is important as a mom. While it is water repellant, I would choose this one if you need to commute. I also linked several other options below.
Boots You Can Wear Anywhere
The right boots will elevate your outfits and make getting dressed on the coldest days of winter easier. I have a few pairs of boots that I wear all the time depending on which color I’m wearing, and the important thing is I love them all. If you don’t love them and feel comfortable in them, you won’t wear them! Plus, if you invest in a pair of boots, you won’t need to replace them for years to come unless you want to. I own each of these boots and highly recommend them to wear with jeans or to work with the trousers I linked above.
The grey pair of boots are this year’s version of my boots, so they’re a little different!
Winter Coat
My wrap coat comes in a few colors, and it’s really warm. It has a high wool percentage for the price point, it packs easily, travels well, goes over everything, and it’s so easy to move in. There’s nothing worse than a coat that makes you feel like a marshmallow! I sized down one size to an XS. Click here to see a video of how it looks on me with a pair of the boots I recommended above!
Go-To Work Dress
If you work in an office, you’ve definitely woken up late without any idea of what to wear. Having a dress you love is an easy way to solve this. I used to live in these resume dresses, so I’m linking this wool one. Each season is different, but I love this linen dress so much. It’s gorgeous in person, it’s very high quality, and I’ve been able to wash and dry it without any issues. I sized down from a size 2 to a size 0, so I definitely recommend sizing down. This dress is an example of a piece that is at a great sale price, but it’s made of a high quality material.
If you’re looking for more summer essentials, check out my blog post on summer closet staples.
White Button Up
You can wear an oversized button up like the one I’m wearing below all year, and you can style it for work or super casually. I styled mine for a casual family dinner with fun jeans in the first photo. Also, I styled it for a summer work outfit with black linen pants. I really love to wear this button up over dresses in the summer and fall. Size down one size in this exact button up. It comes in tons of different colors if you’re looking for something more fun too.
A Bag That Works With Your Outfits And Life
It’s important to have a bag that works with your closet and lifestyle. I used to love crossbody bags for weekends and a tote for work. But, I definitely need a tote or something similar most days so I can carry things for my toddler. I’m sharing a few I love below, including the one I own and carry all the time.
If you’re looking for places to shop for any of these items, check out my blog post about where to shop for clothes in your 30s. I hope this post helps you find some high quality pieces that will last in your closet for many years!
