When it comes to building a wardrobe you truly love, timeless pieces are key. We all want items that not only look great on us, but can be worn across seasons and never go out of style. And this is not too good to be true, those pieces do exist!
Truth is, in a world of fast fashion and ever-changing trends, having a few reliable pieces that you can mix, match, and wear all year long is invaluable. It doesn’t matter what your personal style is! (you’ll see what I mean)
This is a tough subject because we all have our own unique style, but there are certain pieces that most of us will wear on repeat. The trick is to understand how these basic pieces can serve you.
Whether your style is classic, boho, preppy, or edgy, these are the 7 basic pieces I truly believe every woman should have in their closets.
👀 Can you spot the 7 pieces in the photo above?
My Top 3 FREE Resources:
- Guide: Create Your First Capsule Wardrobe With Just 30 Pieces!
- How To Have A Closet You LOVE!
- My Latest Closet Inventory.
1. Denim Jacket:
This is such a great timeless layering piece. Denim jackets go well with EVERYTHING!
You would think this is a boring piece, but it really depends on your personal style and the type of denim jacket you get. I personally love a classic one like this one because my style is minimalist and classic, but here are some examples of how you can pick a denim jacket that works for YOU!
- If your style is preppy: consider a collarless one like this one.
- If your style is edgy: you will probably like an oversized style.
- If your style is boho: a denim jacket with embroidery or crochet details is a better fit for you.
Again, you can also just pick a classic one, but style it with other pieces pieces that suit your style better. Not everything in your closet has to fall into the same category.
Does this make sense?
2. Basic T-shirts:
Probably one of the most overlooked and underestimated pieces out there. A classic T-shirt is the ultimate layering piece, versatile enough to work with any outfit and style, season after season.
Basic T-shirts are simple but powerful! They can be styled casually or dressed up, solo or layered, and it’s a piece that effortlessly adapts to any style!
- If your style is classic: A fitted, crew-neck T-shirt in neutral shades like white, black, or gray.
- If your style is boho: Go for a slightly relaxed-fit tee in a soft, earth-tone color like olive, rust, or beige.
- If your style is preppy: A fitted, crisp T-shirt in pastel shades (think light pink, blue, or lavender) or classic stripes.
- If your style is edgy: Look for a relaxed or oversized black or charcoal tee, possibly with distressing or faded graphic prints.
To pick the perfect T-shirt, I prefer to go with a style that suits my body type. I have a bonus module inside my ’15 Pieces 40 Outfits Workshop’ that covers this subject in more detail. It’s a game changer!
3. Classic Sneakers:
Sneakers are one of those unicorn pieces that work with any personal style. The most versatile (and classic) ones are plain white leather sneakers, but there are plenty of options for other styles as well:
- If your style is boho: play with textures like canvas or lace details, and consider pastel colors.
- If your style is preppy: White tennis-style sneakers with small logo details or color-blocking or even polka dots!
- If your style is edgy: sneakers with bold prints, platform soles or black accents, or even high tops!
Related posts you may also like:
- 30 Pieces – 100 Outfits: How To Build Your First Capsule Wardrobe!
- How To Build A Minimalist Wardrobe.
- Learn More About Sustainable Clothing.
4. Button Down Shirt:
I love classic button down shirts to mix and match with other pieces! They are one of those hardworking, dependable pieces that offers endless outfit combinations and adaptability throughout the year!
For my lifestyle (little space and almost always warm weather) I prefer linen, but you can choose any fabric or style that works for you. Here are some examples:
- If your style is classic: A fitted, white cotton button-down that’s structured and timeless.
- If your style is boho: A relaxed-fit button-down in gauzy cotton and a slightly oversized fit. Look for earthy tones or soft, natural colors that bring an effortless, carefree vibe.
- If your style is preppy: A crisp, fitted oxford button-down in light blue, pink, or even classic stripes. It’s ideal for layering under sweaters!
- If your style is edgy: An oversized button-down in chambray or with funky and unique prints/details.
5. Little Black Dress (LBD):
A black dress is like an empty canvas. You can do anything you want with it.
There are so many different styles that are great for any body type, season or personal style.
- If your style is classic: Opt of a simple and streamlined style. This way you can wear it for different occasions and also mix and match with other pieces depending on what type of look you’re going for.
- If your style is boho: Opt for a more relaxed-fit LBD with details like lace, bell sleeves, or a tiered skirt.
- If your style is preppy: A fit-and-flare LBD with a modest neckline and perhaps a collar detail is perfect for a preppy look.
- If your style is edgy: Try a bodycon or asymmetrical LBD with unique details, such as mesh inserts, zippers, or leather accents.
The LBD is like a “chameleon” piece and it’s an invaluable part of any capsule wardrobe! Don’t think of them as boring.
6. Freaking Awesome Pants:
I know this is vague, but hear me out.
You know the feeling right? Putting on pants that hug your silhouette, that feel comfortable and make you say ‘dang girl’ when you look in the mirror 🔥 Those perfect pants exist for you somewhere!
You can pick any style you want: high waisted, skinny, straight, wide leg, etc. Also, any color works here too, but I recommend that you stick to neutrals.
I’m not an expert on every body type, but here are some brands I know about that you can look into:
- For all my curvy girls out there 👉🏻 Spanx – Ann Taylor Curvy (pro tip: if a brand has a ‘curvy’ style in their pants section, give it a try! They usually fit really well!)
- Great fitting pants for most body types 👉🏻 Albion Fit – Marine Layer – Madewell – Quince
There are obviously many more, but my point here is that you should try to find your own favorite brands. The ones that make pieces that fit you well and compliment your natural features. This is SO important! If you already have brands that you know fit you well, take note of it! Knowing this makes shopping so much easier.
And yeah, I know some of the brands I’m recommending here are kind of expensive, but great fitting clothes usually cost a little bit more. It takes a lot of research on different body types to make great fitting clothes, not to mention that nicer fabrics make a huge difference too!
It’s better to have one GREAT fitting pair of pants than 3 so-so ones. That’s why I truly believe in quality over quantity.
7. Top & Bottom Set:
I love a good dress, but over the past year, I’ve been loving top & bottom sets even more! Some websites even have them as a separate category and it’s usually called ‘Matching Sets’.
I love them because you can style your top and bottom together or separately, giving you way more options than a dress does.
This is the top and bottom set I’ve had for over a year – I’ve been traveling with this one EVERYWHERE!
Some ‘Top & Bottom Sets’ to check out:
- If your style is classic, check out these pages: all the tops here and all the skirts here.
- If your style is boho, look here.
- If your style is preppy, browse this page.
- And if your style is edgy, this brand has AMAZING options!
👉🏻 Pro tip: remember you can also create your own ‘top and bottom set’ with same colored pieces you already have in your closet!
Final thoughts:
Whenever you’re doing your closet purge, make sure to keep these 7 pieces in your closet! And if you don’t have them, consider adding them to your shopping list. Remember you should always make a shopping list before you go shopping.
With these seven timeless pieces, you’ll never feel like you have “nothing to wear” again. Each of these items has a unique power to adapt, transform, and elevate your style, season after season.
By focusing on quality and versatility, you can create countless looks that feel fresh and uniquely yours. So, take inventory of your closet, invest in the pieces that resonate with your style, and enjoy the simplicity and confidence of a well-curated wardrobe that stands the test of time.
⭐️ Ready to build a wardrobe you’ll love all year? Sign up here and I’ll email you more tips ⭐️
Remember that you don’t need to stick to just one style for every single piece you have in your closet. You can mix and match them in whichever way you want. The whole point of this is to have a versatile wardrobe that makes you feel like a million bucks!
And speaking of personal style… do you now what yours is?
I want to hear from you, seriously! Send me an email aimara@waysofstyle.com and tell me what you struggle with. I’m genuinely happy to help.
Your opinion helps me create helpful content in the future and I appreciate your feedback SO MUCH!
Thanks for being here,
XO,
Aimara
PS: get started with capsule wardrobes by stealing this one! It’s 30 pieces that will help you create 100 different outfits. (and I teach you how to do it too!)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Hi, my name is Aimara and I am the voice behind Ways of Style. I was born and raised in Venezuela until the age of 27 when I moved to Chicago, and 2 years later I met my best friend and husband. We now travel full time and live out of a carry-on bag, so believe me, I know a thing or two about how to maximize every single piece I own.
I love creating new looks, and looking cute while I’m traveling. And in this blog, I try to share all my looks, even if I don’t have the best photos ;) My goal is to help you maximize every piece you have in your closet and to encourage you to live with less things.
You Will Also Like These:
- Denim Jacket Outfit Ideas
- T-Shirt Outfit Ideas
- White Sneakers Outfit Ideas
- White Button Down Shirt Outfits
- Chambray Shirt Outfits
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