Wardrobe Basics: Bottoms, Dresses, and Shoes
In part one I went over some outerwear and tops you should have in your closet. This time I’m going to discuss pants, dresses, and shoes. I should let you know that this part of the list reflects a more casual dresser. I’m also not a big high heel fan, but some simple pairs are on the list. Let’s get into it.
Jeans
I will not start the debate over what type of jeans you need. I love skinny jeans and that is what I own. If you like a different style or color, please add them to your collection. It’s all about what makes you comfortable. My suggestion is that you have two pairs of jeans. The first is a pair of blue jeans with no rips, holes or decorative pieces. The second is a pair of black jeans, again with no rips, holes, or decorative pieces. It’s best to have a pair of plain blue and black jeans that fit your body well. That means not too small and not too oversized. Having these plain jeans you can then add them to all kinds of outfit combinations. Not having decorative or holey jeans gives you a clean look to whatever outfit you put together—especially if you’re trying to dress the jeans up.
Ripped jeans
The third pair of jeans you should have are a pair of ripped jeans. I know I just went on a rant about needing non-ripped jeans, but you need both. Both play an equally important role in your wardrobe. Just as there is a time for plain and unripped jeans, there is also a time for ripped jeans. You don’t have to have them in a certain color, but I prefer blue and black. These type jeans are awesome for casual days.
Other Bottoms
Trousers
When I was teaching, I wore these a lot more. Now, I have two good pairs in my collection. One pair is a long wide leg trouser in black. The other is a skinny legged trouser in black. You can go traditional with styling like black trousers and button-down shirt and heels. Or you can go a little more casual with the skinny trousers, white cami, and heels. These pants can work in and out of the office.
Faux leather leggings
I was not a believer until I got a pair, and now I wear them all the time. Adding faux leather leggings to an outfit can make it look like you put in more effort than you actually did. You can dress these leggings up with a graphic tee and sneakers. I also like to wear them with a nice top and heels for a nighttime look. Trust me, you need these leggings. They’re so comfortable and add a little edge to any outfit.
Dresses
Much like jeans, I will not go too deep into what type of dresses to add to your collection. I’ve added a few casual pieces and a few formal pieces.
Shirt Dress
These dresses come in a pinch during the summer. I love to pair it with sneakers, but there are lots of ways you can jazz up this lightweight and simple dress.
Slip Midi Dress
The slip dress is a curvy girl’s friend. This dress hugs your curves and flatters all sizes. The thing I love about this dress is that it’s so versatile. The dress really acts as the canvas for all the other clothing pieces you want to add to it. You can glam the slip dress up with a belt and heels. You can dress it down with just the dress and a pair of sneakers. There are so many ways you can transform this dress for day and night.
Patterned Dress or Skirt
I love a good patterned skirt or dress. This is usually where I add a pop of color to my outfits. This is also the only place on the two lists that I encourage you to get colorful. Experiment with unique patterns that fit your style and flatter your frame. Patterned dresses can be worn alone or mixed in with your other basics. My only suggestion is to make sure you don’t buy something that is too trendy. You want a piece that will be evergreen within your wardrobe.
Little Black Dress
I love black. So, it is no surprise that I have several little black dresses. What style of dress is completely up to you. I have two dresses that I love to pop out. This one is my more conservative dress, perfect for special occasions. The other is my fun and flirty dress, perfect for nights out and dates. You don’t have to have two. I just love black dresses and love to have options.
Utility Dress
This dress is like the shirt dress. It’s actually is a shirt dress, but in a military green shade. This seems like an odd dress to have in the collection, but it is the perfect easy going dress. The thing that really makes this dress pop are the accessories. Adding a brown belt levels this simple green dress up several notches. The same with adding a hat and a nice pair of sandals. This dress is also easy to dress down by adding flat leather sandals or sneakers. There are lots of possibilities with this dress.
Shoes
The last thing we’re going to touch on are shoes. I’m going to keep it short and sweet on shoes. I’ve given you some options you should consider adding to your collection. Most of my shoes are in neutral colors except for a few patterned pieces. I suggest getting these shoes in neutral colors like black and brown.
Loafers and Mules
Loafers and Mules are a great dress up shoe for my girls that don’t love heels. I have loafers and mules in different styles and colors, as you can see. My favorite is this leopard patterned loafer. They add a little pop to an all black outfit or with jeans and a white tee.
Sneakers
To all my sneaker heads, I want to apologize right now because this is not for you. I own three pairs of sneakers. White Converse that have seen better days, black sneakers I mostly wear to the gym, and these white tennis shoes. I’m not a big sneaker lover, but I acknowledge the need to have a nice pair of sneakers in your collection. If you are like me and you don’t want a ton of sneakers, I suggest the three I mentioned. If you only want one, then I suggest you go with a plain white tennis shoe.
Ankle Boots
I love to pair ankle boots with dresses and jeans. They’re a good fall and winter shoe to have in the collection and will get the most use with my outfits.
Combat boots
I’m just coming around to the combat boot. I’ve had them when I was younger, but this past winter I bought these and love them. They are more versatile in your collection than you think. Combat boots can pair with jeans, leggings, dresses, and skirts. I also love that they give softer outfits a little edge. They remind me of the nineties in all the best ways.
Espadrille Sandals
Espadrille Sandals are the shoe for the ladies that don’t like heels but still want to dress things up. I’ve been an espadrille sandal girl since high school. This is the shoe that does just enough without sacrificing your comfort. This shoe goes great with dresses, skirts, shorts, and pants. They’re perfect!
Heels (black and nude)
Black and nude pumps are classic heels that work perfectly in your wardrobe. They’re not just for dresses. Heels are great with pants as well. It’s always great to have classic pumps in your arsenal.
Strappy Heels (black and nude)
The last shoe on this list is the strappy heel sandal in black and nude. The same reasoning that I have for the pumps is the same for the strappy heel. These shoes can be for dressy or casual occasions and always come in handy within your wardrobe.
So this is the list of wardrobe basics you should have in your closet. By adding these items, I’ve been able to maximize my outfit options. Leave your favorite wardrobe basic down below. Also, keep a lookout for my new series called Style For Days. In this series, I will take one item from the list and show you different ways you can style it. Until next time.
