When it comes to wardrobe basics pre-planning is your saviour. Getting a capsule wardrobe in place will save you no end of hassle each season, and save you tons of time getting dressed each day.
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Style Tips for Wardrobe Basics
- Buy basics which you can wear over and over again.
- Toss out anything in your wardrobe that you don’t love, that doesn’t fit or that doesn’t make you feel great
- Quality over quantity and good material will last.
- Try to buy a few non basic items each season that will add some sparkle to your working wardrobe to keep it current and fresh.
Now I’m not the oracle when it comes to wardrobe planning and style tips, and heaven knows I have some disastrous pieces lurking in the depths of my wardrobe, but the older I get the more I realise how important it is to have the wardrobe basics covered.
Once they’re in place, it really doesn’t matter what you buy each season (although you should keep the basics topped up) because in all likelihood the new pieces you buy will add a pop of lustrous colour or intrigue to your staple, and classic wardrobe.
Gone will be the days when you rifle through a groaning closet and declare: “I have absolutely nothing suitable to wear.”
So without further ado – having done exhaustiveย ย a little buying, and time consuming research, I bring you my wise woman’s list for a classic working wardrobe. You don’t need all the pieces on this list, and of course you’ll probably want a pretty summer frock in here too if you’re in Australia, but over time, I’d say, get the basics covered.
The Essential Tops
4 Tees – black, white, navy, grey
3 Tank Tops – black, white, navy
1 White Shirt – long sleeves with sleeves which can roll up
1 Silk Blouse – patterned
2 Everyday Blouses – white and black
The Basic Bottoms
Tailored Black Pants
Tailored Navy Pants
Skinny Jeans
Bootleg Jeans
White Capri Pants or Cut-Offs
Long Shorts – Khaki
Black Skirt or Patterned Skirt which will go with white or black tops.
The Jackets and Cardis
Leather Jacket
Tailored Black Jacket
Hip Length Lightweight Jacket in a pop of colour
Lightweight Trench Coat in beige
Winter Coat (for cold climates)
Black and White Bolero Cardis
Feisty Footwear
Nude or Black Wedges
Ankle Boots
Mid Calf Length Boots
Classic Flats
Summer Sandals comfy for walking
Pretty Sandals
Trainers
Accesories
Scarves – various, preferably silk
Minimal, classic, gold and silver jewellery
Evening Clutch
Daytime leather handbag
I’d love to know what works for you – and what is your Go-To brand of clothing? Why not tell us in the comments?
Until next time,
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KathyMarris
This is a great wardrobe staples list. I am a self-confessed shopaholic and I tend to buy everything in every colour under the sun only to discover at times that I have nothing to wear. These days, because I’m not going out to work I tend to need less and less in the clothing department so I shop less. I do mainly stick to the rules of buying black, navy blue, white and a few pops of colour and I find this solves the “not having anything to wear” problem. During summer I enjoy wearing dresses because I find them cooler than separates. I shop mainly at Country Road, Witchery and Sussan as I find their quality to be good and their pants normally fit me well. I also sometimes buy clothing in Target as I find their quality to be ok.
Johanna
You’re right about dresses in the summer, Kathy. I’m sitting here at home sweltering, but in a cool little Bali all in one number. Thanks for the heads up on your fave clothing brands. It’s always interesting to hear where other women like shopping. Target always surprises me, and I never come out empty handed either.
Life Images by Jill
I am a hopeless shopper and have a wardrobe overflowing with clothes that I don’t wear anymore or didn’t quite achieve what I hoped when I bought them. )sigh). Thanks for these fabulous tips Jo. I need to clean out my wardrobe first!
Johanna
Oh dear Jill, the wardrobe clean out sounds a bit radical ๐ lol!
Johanna
Haha, that’s funny Jan! Yes, they are one of my wardrobe staples. I have them in a few ‘shades’ of white ๐
budget jan
Our daughter recently borrowed our iron when we were away up north and we didn’t even notice! I must admit that I am also partial to 3/4 length white denim pants as well.
budget jan
I end up wearing the same things over and over. Nearly every item I own is non-iron. I like straight through above the knee dresses of a thick material that doesn’t hug my body. This is mainly because of bulges and the fact that it is hot and humid where I live and airflow is important to keep cool. I would never own a leather jacket because of our climate also. In fact I only have a black “summer” North Face jacket that I purchased in Vietnam in 2011. I take it on all of our trips and wear it at home for the two weeks a year that I need one. I don’t have a favourite label, but I do like black pants and colourful dresses.
Johanna
I love how you recommend ‘airflow’ to keep cool. On the super hot days we’ve had so far in Perth this Spring, that’s been a priority. I agree, black pants are versatile and I do love a colourful summer frock too. Yes, non-iron so important – we really don’t need to be ironing at our stage in life!
Rae
I love quality over quantity, my go to brands are Veronika Maine and Sportscraft. The fit, the quality is great for my body shape. They don’t crease and having you look like you slept in them. I am careful to not buy much that needs dry cleaning and I hand or gentle wash x
Johanna
Thanks for the heads up and tips, Rae. You always look impeccably dressed ๐
Laurie Stone
Love the leather jacket! You’re giving me ideas…
Johanna
That’s good Laurie!