Wardrobe Basics: Outerwear and Tops
I’m one of those rare people that absolutely loves wardrobe basics. I used to be all about trendy and colorful pieces in my teens and twenties. Now that I’m older, I’m more into neutrals and simple pieces in my thirties. Many don’t like wardrobe basics because they feel they’re… basic. In fairness, this is true. Wardrobe staples are usually plain by design. They are simple pieces that work in multiple ways within your wardrobe and usually come in neutral colors. So, yes, they can be a little boring on their own. However, you can’t build a strong wardrobe if you don’t have them.
Think of basics as the foundation of your house. You have to have a strong foundation to build a sturdy house. The same is true when building a strong wardrobe. Without a strong set of closet staples, you have a harder time building an outfit. This is the reason you often feel you have nothing to wear when you’ve searched through your clothes. You’re not lacking options, you’re lacking the foundational pieces to build on those options. You need those simple jeans, that white t-shirt, and that moto jacket to make the trendier pieces pop. Even on their own, wardrobe basics can unlock tons of outfit options that you probably didn’t know were possible. With a strong foundational wardrobe, you have more resources and room to get those on trend pieces or treat yourself to high end accessories. Basically, you need basics, and I’m going to show exactly which ones.
This blog post will be cut into two parts. The first part is all about outwear and tops. The second part is all about bottoms, dresses, and shoes. I will include a video for both parts, giving you some examples of basics that you can add to your collection. Let’s get started!
Outerwear
I live in the south, so outerwear isn’t something that I use for long periods of time. Most of my outerwear gets about two months of use every season. So depending on where you live, this list might not be enough for your collection. These are just some pieces I love to have on hand to add to my outfits.
Black Blazer
Blazers are one of those pieces that can be used in formal and casual settings. You can pair a black blazer with dresses, jeans, and trousers. The blazer can be the workhorse of your wardrobe.
If you’re a thrifter, you can find lots of blazers at your local thrift stores and consignment shops. This makes it not only a versatile piece but also one that doesn’t have to break the bank.
Leather Jacket
The leather jacket is a fun piece that has so many possibilities. Much like the blazer, you can dress up or dress down a leather jacket. I like to wear mine with dresses and skirts for a flirty but grunge look. I also like to keep it simple by pairing it with jeans, a white t-shirt and flats.
Denim Jacket
The denim jacket works just like your jeans in that it can do so much within your wardrobe. Denim works with t-shirts, dresses, skirts, and other denim. You can get a denim jacket in an array of washes and cuts. I love a more fitted cut, but I’m also kind of digging my big slouchy boyfriend jean jacket.
Cardigans
Cardigans are my jam. When I was a teacher, I had more cardigans than anything else. I had them in an array of styles and colors. My husband called them my teacher sweaters. I have paired down to only a few cardigans that really work within my closet. Cardigans are great with lounge wear, casual wear, and can also be dressed up.
Cardigans are also the type of sweater that you can have in multiple styles and colors. I suggest having at least a black and tan one in your collection to start. On top of the neutral colored ones, I also love having them in blush, mustard yellow, and rust. Honestly, the color options are endless.
Tops
For this section, I included some options for more casual dressers like myself, and some dressier options as well.
White button down
I keep a white button-down shirt for more formal occasions. I wear the shirt with trousers or pencil skirts. However, I’ve been trying to find more places to toss this clothing piece into my outfit design. Some places it’s worked well are with jeans. I’ve worn it with or without a blazer and tied at the waist for a casual effect.
T-shirt (black and white)
T-shirts are the best thing to have in your closet. If you don’t have a black and white t-shirt, go get them now! There is so much you can do with a plain t-shirt. You can dress it up with nice jeans, heels, and a blazer. Dress it down with leggings and sneakers.
T-shirts are good with skirts and the list keeps going. I like to get v-neck shirts, but you can choose whatever style you like. Something I also like to do is get shirts that come with a curved hemmed. This will allow your lovely shape to shine and not cut off your curves like square hemmed shirts.
Black Turtleneck
I used to think of two things when I saw a black turtleneck—Steve Jobs and being a kid. I’d kicked turtlenecks out of my wardrobe after elementary school. Now that I’m a mature and classy lady, I can see the usefulness of a turtleneck. The turtleneck can be dressy or casual. It pairs with all the jackets on this list and all the bottoms on the upcoming list. It also looks great with some skirts. I went with one that was slightly oversized to give it a more billowy effect.
Camis (Black and white)
Camis can be dressy or simple. I love simple camis that can be worn alone or paired with a jacket. I also like to pick the ones that are billowy or looser around the tummy area. Much like the t-shirt, you can dress camis up or down.
Graphic t-shirts
The teenager in me just can’t resist a good graphic t-shirt. I used to have a collection of these things in my twenties. However, I’ve limited my use of them to hanging around the house and going to the gym. So, why am I suggesting you get one? Graphic t-shirts aren’t basic, but can add to an outfit. There are three types of graphic t-shirts I suggest you have. The first is the band t-shirt. These are amazing tops to have in your collection. They pair well with leggings and sneakers, jeans and sneakers, and leather and denim jackets. Another graphic t-shirt to have is a colorful, but simple t-shirt. This is something that is basic enough to fit within many outfit combinations while adding a splash of color. The last is the simplistic graphic t-shirt. With graphic tees, try to pick something that stands out, but keep with the colors within your wardrobe.
So those are my suggestions for outerwear and tops you need in your closet. Was there something I missed? Let me know your must-have top or outerwear down below. Also, come back next week for part two where I’ll be discussing pants, dresses, and a small list of shoes. Until next time.
