Basic Wardrobe Staples

[renferme]

Hi Lady Muck

I've merged this with a couple of other similar threads so you can see more of what others consider staples. I definitely think you're on the right track thinking better quality and accessories. Since they take up less space, focusing on accessories just makes sense. Don't forget scarves and such too. And definitely leave yourself with something stunning for an evening out

Congrats on marine living! Sounds exciting

PS - you may want to focus on separates too so you can mix & match. Good luck!

Great advice - yes I'm pretty much a seperates girl. I usually buy lots of cheap bits from chainstores, but I think I'm going to concentrate on better quality and buy less. If I have less, I'm going to be wearing each item more, so it will have to last.

The worst thing will be having to own hideous waterproofs, that will take lots of space up in my wardrobe. <wishes Chloe did waterproofs>

 

[Loupdeloo]

I am a professional, so my day-to-day wardrobe has to be pretty conservative. My "staples" are:

-black lightweight wool suit with a great fit & drape
-the same suit in dark brown
-a clingy knit v-neck short-sleeved sweater in black
-the same sweater in beige
-fitted white button down shirt (3/4 sleeves)
-fitted black button down shirt
-blousy light pink cashmere short sleeved sweater with deep v-neck
-black pumps
-dark brown slingbacks
-black high-heeled boots
-brown high-heeled boots
-red Marc Jacobs handbag
-"interesting" gemstone jewelry

I love color, so it took me a while to get used to dressing monochromatically and in what I used to consider "boring" colors. However, I look so much more sophisticated and business-like and chic when I limit the color to my accessories. I find that when I break down and wear my lilac cardigan, for instance, I feel really childish and un-pulled-together (unless I'm otherwise in ALL black). I really need to go through my closet and purge the "work" clothes that aren't simple and streamlined, because really, I wear the above pieces almost exclusively, and whenever I introduce something else from my closet, I usually end up feeling frumpy.

 

[QuirkyCool]

I must have: (and I'm mostly thinking winter here)

Black fitted V-neck and round neck cardi's,slouchy cardi,and turtlenecks
Knee length skirts in black,denim,grey
Well fitting trousers...smart and casual...usually black,grey,olive
The season's pumps...I always end up wearing one pair more than any others
A good handbag in black,tan and chocolate.
Opaque tights
A good coat that I don't mind wearing all the time.

Curious I agree with you on the stress caused by Pending Essential Item Replacement...I hate it too,and I always end up wishing I'd bought two when I found said item in the first place

Mettchen, in addition to shorts,headbands,khaki jackets,flats and a Mulberry Bayswater,I associate you with necklaces

 

[Erin]

For winter-wear:

A beautiful, mid-length wool coat
A leather jacket (for cooler, fall-like weather)
At least one cashmere sweater that you can't live without
One pair or black boots, one pair of brown
Super warm scarf, hat, and gloves set
A pair of wool trousers
A crisp, button-down tee

 

[bb-doll]

converse hightop in blk.
bootcut jeans in dark denim (because they are always such a good fit).
black tank top.
hoodie.
a nice roomy bag.

what more can i say?

 

[stilettogirl84]

Prada expensive ($$$)
-Coat
-Bag
-Shoes
Pumps
Knee Boots
Strappy stilettos
-A tailored suit

Banana Republic Expensive ($$)
-stylish jeans
-pencil skirts
-Dressy slacks
-LBD
-Undergarments (that fit properly!!)

H & M cheap ($)
-Plain Solid color Button Downs
-Polo shirts
-Plain t Shirts
-Plain Sweaters
-anything "trendy"

 

[fashionistasista]

leather jacket (trench), trench coat, well fitted pantsuit and skirt suit, well fitted jeans of two varieties one light wash (not faded or distressed just light) and one pair v dark wash, mostly all straight leg (most flattering on yours truly). an hermes and pucci silk scarves, a DVF wrap dress, louboutin pumps in black. this year stacked ankle straped stiletoes... ummm i dont know appart from this
*oh* bonds singlets both womens cut and mens
eh yeah thats pretty much it
but as i live in australia i have a general staple is singlet tops and mini skirts simply because of the climate - i have not found yet a pair of each that lasts more than 3 seasons... and so i cannot say and exact brand only the style
and thongs!!! in style, so uncool it doesnt matter aussies do and will continue to wear the thong (of the foot variety of course ) at the moment havaianas are the go but pluggers will always be the ultimate wardrobe staple

 

[ELLE_ME]

I've often heard the phrase 'capsule wardrobe'. What makes a capsule wardrobe? and what would be your choices?

I think that a capsule wardrobe means if you dont want to limit yourself to just one basic color you create several "capsules" based on different base colors...Like if you start with a black basic outfit, you add a print outfit containing black to that capsule, then you add different tops and bottoms in another color from the print ..

When your black capsule is filled you do the same with navy and then brown and so on ...to my uderstanding thats a capsule wardrobe..

 

[Trista]

Mine isn't as fashion-y as I'm still very young, but...

All Year
flip-flops/thong sandals
tank tops of any kind
skinny handknit scarves
bandanas
a fun hat like a newsboy, cowboy, or fedora

Spring
jean shorts
fun platforms
thin sweatshirt
scarf belts
a small handbag but not too small

Summer
halter/tube tops
Soffe shorts
a roomy beach bag
clear sunglasses

Fall
short skirt
polo shirts (sleeveless)
sweatshirts
crazy nylons

Winter
fleece gloves
1.5" heel dress shoes
toe socks
one of my two winter coats (one is a long brown tapestry-style coat with faux fur, the other is a silver faux snakeskin blazer)

 

[litchickuk]

Capsule Wardrobe

What items are a must in any womans wardrobe? What pieces create the ultimate staple wardrobe? the basis for everybody?

 

[stilettogirl84]

isn't there already a topic like this? (mods?)

Here's what I think

3 piece suit-
blazer
pencil skirt
slacks

little black dress- [to the knee, not too revealing]

Shoes-
pumps
knee boots
strappy stilettos

a good coat- [could go with suit or lbd or jeans]

Bags-
High quality($$) day bag [same color as boots/ pumps]
clutch in solid neutral [same as strappy stilettos]

Tops-
Buttondown
Turtleneck sweater
V neck sweater
Plain t shirt

3 pairs of bluejeans- the right length for the boots

-as far as I'm concerned those are the bare essentials

 

[softgrey]

we have SO many topics like this...
can anyone help with finding links so we can merge....
if you find them please post them here...
thanks...

 

[softgrey]

found one and merged...

 

[Bella_Lass334]

Basic Pieces

What do you think are the basic pieces everyone should have in their closet that mix and match with everything? For me, it's:

A white shirt
A black shirt
A good pair of jeans
A fun pair of heels
A sophisticated coat

 

[MissTrine85]

Outerwear:

Black wool coat kneelenght
Black wool coat hiplenght
Beige trenchcoat

Sweaters/cardis:

Black roundneck sweater
Black wrap sweater
Colourful turtleneck
Black cardi
Brown cardi
Grey cardi
Colourful cardi

On top:

Black v-neck ¾ sleeve
Black wrap long sleeve
Black camisole
Colourful camisole
Red blouse
Black button-down
Black turtleneck
Black plain ¾
Colourful plain 3/4

Skirts:

Black kneelenght
Denim kneelenght
Grey kneelenght
Kneelenght with pattern

Pants:

Black pants

Dresses:

Black wrap
Colourful wrap
Little black dress
Silk coctaildress

Accessorize:

Black scarf
Black scarf, party
Colourful scarf
Colourful scarf, party
Brooches
Jewellery
Black Clutch
Colourful clutch
Black bag for everyday wear
Red bag for everyday wear
Wool gloves
Leather gloves
Opaque tights
Sheer thights
Patterned thights
Neutral sunglasses
Watch

Shoes/boots:

Black boots medium heel
Winterboots
Black pumps
Colourful pumps
Stilettos, party
Black sandals
Black flats

Underwear:

Black t-shirt bra
Nude t-shirt bra
Lace bra
Lace camisole
Thongs
Hipsters

 

[haute femme]

bump!
trying to edit down my closet.. this thread is inspiring.

Denim/Pants:
faded "everyday" jeans, bootcut
dark trouser jeans with a medium rise
low rise dark skinny jeans
black slim pants
camel trousers

Tops:
white & grey ribbed tanks
white & nude tanks with shelf bras
white & grey v-necks
white woven blouses, short and long sleeve
billowy lightweight tops
thicker long sleeved shirts

Outerwear:
cropped cardigan in a neutral
black blazer
grey cashmere sweaters
leather jacket
a fun brightly colored jacket
trench

Accessories:
black & brown belts
silver & gold bangles
pendant necklace
nicer earrings, cheaper earrings
big simple silver & gold rings
beads & DIY jewelry

Shoes:
knee-high flat boots
ankle booties w/heel
flat strappy sandals
leather flip-flops
nice & casual tennis shoes
simple wedges
moccasins

 

[Ella-Picobella]

I hope this is the right thread for me....The thing is I am going to move to a new country by next July/August...I am not very content with my present wardrobe and I set myself the goal to improve and change my wardrobe till I will move away.
I want to build up a wardrobe with few classic pieces, I will always enjoy wearing (just like in the 4-5 pieces french wardrobe topic) and it should not be to much, as I have to take it all with me when I move....so I thought I would make a list like: 4, pairs of t-shirt, 3 pairs of blablabla...you know, a list like this...
and then I will try to slowly get all those things together till I move, so I will come to a new country with a stable small wardrobe, in which I like everything...the problem is: Its hard for me to make this kind of list, so I would appreciate some help:

What do you think a classic, simple small wardrobe consists of???

 

[malina s]

i think a basic wardrobe can be some what universal for all, but there can be some extra essential items necessary for someone living in certain areas. For example, I live in rain heaven, so my essentials always include a couple of rain jackets and some knee length boots (not rain boots though). I absolutely hate wearing sneakers that aren't made of some thick medium, like canvas, etc in the rain. Makes my feet feel icky! But its only because i dont have car so im running around everywhere in the rain!

 

[shirleebee]

My list of Fall 2008 "Basics":

BASICS
- all-occassion/perfect black pumps (3"+ heel)
- black wool jumper
- black sweater turtleneck (cashmere)
- black cotton turtleneck or rollneck
- black cowlneck longsleeved tee (a staple with a twist, a step up from a typical black tee)
- a wideleg formal black trouser
- white vneck loose tee (short sleeved)
- black plain longsleeve tee (mainly for layering)
- grey short sleeved tee
- grey long sleeved tee
- grey turtleneck/rollneck
- a bold hued short sleeved tee
- white oxford button down/nice white shirt minimalist blouse
- black wedge boots
- long sleeve plain black cardigan
- black high-waist pencil skirt, unadorned
- basic black vest (rag & bone style)
- black high waist dress pant skinny style (tuxedo pants)

 

[Belowen]

Denim/Pants:
dark denim jeans (whatever style suits)
black wide leg pants
black cigarette style pants
black shorts

Skirts/Dress:
black pencil skirt
black full skirt
black jersey/cotton dress
black evening dress
printed summer evening dress

Tops:
black ribbed tank
floral print sheer blouses (tie neck)

Outerwear:
black cardigan
jewel colour cardigan
black v-neck cashmere sweater
black trench

Accessories:
oversized black bag
unique vintage clutch
white gold / diamond / pearl stud earrings
unique chandelier earrings
oversized sunglasses
aviator sunglasses

Shoes:
black ballet flats
black flat sandals
metallic flat sandals
converse sneakers
black round toe/pointed heels
unique black heels