When you hear someone talk about the basics of their wardrobe, what do you think that means for them? More importantly, what do you think that means for you? For me, it’s like the engine of the car. Without the engine, the car doesn’t run…I guess unless Elon Musk has created a car with no engine lol My point is when I talk about the basics of my wardrobe it’s like the cornerstone of how I can create outfits each day. That is what we are going to cover today. The exact item can look different for each of us when it comes to the style of the clothes it’s pretty much the same across the board.
The basics of your wardrobe: These pieces of clothing are the foundation of your wardrobe. Without these pieces, your wardrobe is not functional.
Where do I start?
I would start by looking at the seasons of the year and lump them together. Since I live in south Texas, Summer and Fall will be looked at together and Winter and Spring. This is because Summer-Fall is typically warmer, and Winter-Spring has cooler temps more consistently. For you where you live this could look way different. You could possibly have 4 actual seasons which that is something I don’t experience down here in Texas for the most part.
What basic pieces should I include in my wardrobe?
This next part will be the guideline for you when you go and shop. The focus is on what the item is and the purpose it serves. The style of the item is kind of up to you because our styles are different. Okay now, let’s look at the seasons and see what we need to have in our closet.
I’m going, to begin with, Winter through Spring since that is the season, I am currently in. I would say you would need about 8-10 pieces that would sum up your basics. This is just a nice guideline to help you start building your wardrobe. I added little notes in there and color suggestions that you should purchase first.
Wardrobe Basics List: Winter-Spring
- Fitted Turtleneck/roll neck sweater– Color suggestions: black, white, gray, navy, tan
- Scoop neck long sleeve (great for layering)-Color suggestions: black, white, gray, navy, tan
- Chunky knit sweater
- High-waisted mom jeans (straight or looser fit)- Color suggestions: Medium wash-dark wash
- Skinny jeans– Color suggestions: Medium wash-dark wash
- Leggings (Faux leather/leather, moto-style, etc.)
- Sweater dress
- Blazer
- Casual Coat-Color suggestions: black, gray, navy, tan
- Dressy Coat-Color suggestions: black, gray, navy, tan
Wardrobe Basics List: Summer-Fall
- Bralette (great for layering)-Color suggestions: black, white, gray, navy, tan, fun patterns
- V-neck tee – Color options: black, white, gray, navy, tan
- Scoop neck long sleeve (great for layering)-Color suggestions: black, white, gray, navy, tan
- Lightweight, knit sweater-Color suggestions: black, white, gray, navy, tan,
- Two pairs of shorts (I love the mom short style)- Color suggestions: white, light wash, acid wash, medium wash
- Two of your favorite pair of jeans (Mom jeans, straight or looser fit, skinny)- Color suggestions white, light wash, acid wash, medium wash
- Maxi/Midi dress
- Blazer
- Denim Jacket (Cropped, normal cut, Oversized)- Color suggestions: white, light wash, medium wash, dark wash
You got this!
Again, this is a list that I use as a guideline to check against my wardrobe as an audit. I like to be able to streamline getting dressed in the morning as much as possible and knowing I have these items helps ALOT! Use this as a tool, a guideline, a reference as your shopping, share this with any of your friends looking to take control of their wardrobe. This is just the beginning of a couple of upcoming posts of me walking you through creating that foundation wardrobe. If you have any questions, comment below or slide into my DM’s on Instagram. I would love to help you out! I’ll talk to you again soon <3
Photography by Southern Heel Talk Photography
