When you get dressed, do you constantly grab pieces you feel great in and that go with just about anything? Are there items you wear year after year, regardless of the current trend? These pieces, my friend, are what I like to call wardrobe staples. This post is all about how to build a staple wardrobe.
Click here to receive your guide to creating over 100 outfits from these staple wardrobe pieces. Don’t worry about buying all of these items, you probably have a ton of these in your closet already! If you need anything, I’ve linked the specific items in this post for easy shopping.
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What are wardrobe staples?
Wardrobe staples are neutral pieces that rarely go out of style. They are mostly solid colors and can be mixed and matched easily with each other, or paired with current trends very easily.
Wardrobe staples are the heartbeat of every closet. Staples range from the ultra-casual t-shirt and jeans, to the classic black dress. These staples, although basic, can be easily dressed up or dressed down.
A basic white t-shirt and jeans, for example, can be dressed up with heels and a leather jacket. While a black dress can be dressed down with a jean jacket and sneakers.
These pieces coordinate so well because they are primarily solid colors. In fact, the only pattern included in the staple wardrobe here is a striped long sleeve tee and leopard shoes. The colors of these prints are neutral and the pattens are minimalistic, so for me they’re acceptable neutrals!
Most capsule wardrobes, like these, include several pieces from this staple list, simply because they are essential to creating beautiful, effortless outfits. Scroll through to shop specific pieces below!
Staple Wardrobe Colors
The key to a cohesive staple wardrobe is the neutral color palette. Black, White, Gray, and Beige are the primary colors in this staple wardrobe. I incorporated a green utility jacket, but this coordinates nicely with the other neutral pieces.
It is important to note that many of the staple pieces are black. Some people prefer navy over black, which is an easy substitute for most pieces. The leather jacket could be substituted for brown or taupe. The black jeans could also be swapped with gray jeans!
By sticking to neutral colors, these 20 pieces can make over 100 outfits together! Want to find see how? Submit your email to receive this exclusive content!
How Many Pieces are in a Staple Wardrobe?
This staple wardrobe includes 35 pieces: 14 tops, 5 layers, 1 dress, 1 skirt, 3 shorts, 5 pants, 6 shoes. These items are the foundation of a full wardrobe. With each piece you add beyond the 20 shown here, you will be able to create even more outfit possibilities.
Add items like skirts, trousers, cardigans, jeans, and more shoes to fill out you closet and extend the wear of these pieces through each season.
Use the Closet Staples Checklist below to track which items you already have and need to buy!
**Tip when adding more items to this staple wardrobe: only add pieces that are neutral colors, similar to the colors shown in the staple wardrobe here. This will ensure every piece coordinates well and can be incorporated into several different outfits.
Make your Staple Wardrobe Last!
- Quality over quantity: since these pieces can be worn throughout the year, you want to make sure they will last. Buying higher quality pieces is recommended in order for you to obtain the maximum wear and usage of every item. Please note, this is not required. I’ve purchased staples from cost effective retailers that lasted several seasons.
- Neutral Colors: Use only the neutral colors, as shown in this staple wardrobe. If other colors are used, they may not be able to be worn with other staples. To make sure you get the most use of your staples, try sticking with neutral colors: black, white, gray, beige, denim.
- Try before you buy: Since these are items you will wear a lot, you should feel comfortable and confident in every piece. Therefore, I recommend trying each item on before you buy. If you shop online, make sure you understand the return options BEFORE you purchase. This will allow you to try on in the comfort of your home and return if the item isn’t right for you.
The 35 Staple Piece List
Before jumping in and buying all new items for your closet, take a look at what you already own. Many of these items you probably have already! Use the checklist above to track what you already own and then see what you need to buy.
Swapping out items
When you go through your closet, be mindful of your lifestyle. The exact pieces shown here may not fit your lifestyle, so use this as a guide for buying comparable items to fit your lifestyle. Take the blazer, for example. If you are a stay-at-home mom, try swapping this out for a structured cardigan or car coat! The pencil skirt could also be swapped for a ribbed pants! Always make sure you use neutral colors.
Shop Favorite Staples
Below are the foundational pieces for a great wardrobe! Shop everything shown in the links below. Save or pin the image for later!
White Tank // Black Tank // Striped Tank // White Tee // Gray Tee // Graphic Tee // Linen Shirt // White L/S // Black L/S // Chambray // White Button Down // White Sweater // Camel Sweater// Gray Sweater // Long Cardigan // Denim Jacket // Leather Jacket // Utility Jacket // Blazer // Black Dress // Neutral Skirt // Denim Shorts // White Shorts // Black Shorts // Leggings // Blue Jeans // White Jeans // Black Pants // Trousers // Sneakers // Loafer // Flats // Sandals // Heels // Boots
Shoes
After you go through the items above, make sure you have shoes for every outfit throughout the year. In this post I’m sharing the only shoes you will ever need!
Outfit Ideas
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