Nobody wants to buy plain and simple clothing items. We would rather buy trendy and unique pieces that make us feel stylish. But in our rush to grab the latest clothing pieces, sometimes we overlook staple items that should make the foundation of our wardrobe and style. If you have these key pieces in your closet, we guarantee you can get ready for any event without fretting over what to wear. Here, The Week lists a few basic clothing pieces whose importance might have escaped your notice. These are pieces you absolutely must have in your wardrobe.
Basic white button down
Not many people get excited about adding a plain white shirt to their wardrobe but this is truly something all of us need. You might think the only way you could wear something so plain is by putting together a really boring outfit but you will be surprised at how many different types and styles of outfits you can put together with this one piece of clothing. For a formal look, you could pair a white button down shirt with sleek trousers or tailored skirts with a pair of heels. For a casual look, wear a pair of skinny jeans or shorts with it and you could also go for a more glamorous look by wearing a full-sleeved shirt underneath a glitzy dress with the sleeves hanging off the wrists, without being buttoned or rolled up. It is also something that looks good paired with denim jackets and cut offs.
Structured blazer
A structured blazer is something that can upgrade your simple outfit up by a hundred notches in an instant. You can style it with a pair of pants in similar fabric for a polished look or you can quickly add that onto your everyday/casual clothes for a semi-formal look. While a plain black blazer in a classic silhouette is the go-to option for a lot of people as their ultimate blazer pick, you could also experiment with the patterns, colors and silhouette, if that is your thing. Currently, oversized and baggy blazers are popping up in the fashion scene. As it gives off an effortlessly cool and laid back look, you could also add that to your wardrobe. Another big hit in the fashion world is the leather/faux-leather coat in a duster silhouette. You can honestly buy any style of blazer that suits your preference in clothes. Bottom line is, you should be able to wear the blazer on multiple occasions and combine it with other items in your wardrobe for different looks and styles.
Boots
We aren’t being very specific about the kind of boots that is considered basic because we feel that is very subjective. So you have a good variety of styles and designs of boots to choose from. Our recommendation would be either an ankle boot or a combat boot because these are styles that never go out of fashion and can be worn with almost anything. But if you are more of a thigh high or motocross boot person then go ahead and grab a pair of those as your basic footwear. Also, you might benefit more from a pair of boots in a darker color. Since this is a basic, it’s something you wear very often so getting a pair in a light shade means it will get dirty quickly. Another thing you have to keep in mind while choosing your staple pair of boots is to make sure they are comfortable even when you wear them for a long time. Don’t pick a pair that has killer heels. It might look good but it definitely won’t feel as great, especially when you wear it for long hours.
Bodysuit
Although a lot of people think bodysuits are uncomfortable, that really isn’t the case. You just have to pick a fabric (like cotton-spandex) that lets your skin breath and doesn’t make you feel stuffy in the hottest of days. And with summer right around the corner, you have to keep that in mind. Bodysuits are versatile pieces that prove to be very useful, especially while layering. Since they are skintight but stretchable, they give your body a smooth and appealing silhouette. You can wear other clothes above them without having to worry about your clothes bunching up and making you appear frumpy. They look good on their own too, by pairing them with cute bottoms and stylish shoes. Also, check if your bodysuit has an opening of some sort (either buttons or a soft zipper) at the crotch. This way, you don’t have to take off your bodysuit every time you go to the bathroom. Although they can be a bit uncomfortable to wear during winter, you will be living in them in the summer, once you get a hang of the style and how to wear it.
Little black dress
Audrey Hepburn propelled the little black dress into the fashion radar when she wore a custom made Givenchy dress for Breakfast at Tiffany’s back in 1961. This article of clothing hasn’t left the fashion scene since then. It has actually become a classic piece or a staple piece that every fashion editor reminds you to invest in. But you really don’t need more than one of this, given that you actually invest in it when you buy one and pick a design that you know you will wear for a long time. We suggest you avoid being swayed by the current trends and look for a classic design that won’t go out of style two months after you buy it. Although it is called a ‘little’ black dress, your dress could be of any length that you are comfortable with. The term ‘little’ is very subjective in this context. Pick a dress that suits your body type and one that you feel comfortable in.
Capsule wardrobe 101
