17 Wardrobe Basics Every Woman Should Own

If you’ve ever woken up with that dreaded feeling of “I have nothing to wear” then you’re not alone!  I myself have had that awful feeling but it’s been a very long time and here’s why.  A wardrobe made up of high-quality functional basics should be one that serves you every single day no matter where you’re going or what you’re doing.  If you focus on investing in basics versus trend pieces (I recommend only adding 2-3 trend pieces to your wardrobe a season) then you shouldn’t ever have that feeling of having nothing to wear again.  That is why I preach this method so much on my blog and on my YouTube channel.  I recently published a video titled: 17 WARDROBE BASICS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN and it did so well I wanted to do a blog post on this topic too.  I swear by the 17 pieces listed below and wear them a ton all year round so trust me if you focus on building a high-quality wardrobe made up of mostly basics I promise you won’t ever have that dreaded feeling again!  Scroll down to check out all 17 pieces and feel free to add anything to your closet along the way because rest-assured all of these high-quality basics will make getting dressed every day so much easier for you!

PRO TIP: I recommend printing out this WARDROBE BASIC CHECKLIST and hanging it in your closet somewhere and literally check off the pieces that you have and then focus on the ones you still need to add to your wardrobe. 

SHOP THE LOOK (WEARING 3 BASICS FROM THE LIST):

TO SEE HOW TO STYLE ALL OF THESE 17 PIECES CHECK OUT THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO: 

17 PIECE WARDROBE BASIC CHECKLIST: 

JACKETS:

THE BLACK BLAZER:

A black blazer is a timeless and classic piece that can be worn to the office, to church, to run errands, and more. You can literally wear a black blazer with almost any outfit and it is going to elevate it and take it to the next level.

I’m obsessed with my black Veronica Beard Scuba blazer because it is super high-quality and you can wear it for years to come. You have probably heard me talk about this piece a ton because it’s just that good. It’s a basic that will take you anywhere! It runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

The blazer I’m wearing in this post is by Madewell and is another one of my favorite blazers. If you’re in the market for a unique blazer that’s not black, this one is a plaid double-breasted wool blend that’s a bit edgy and versatile. It runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

THE BLACK LEATHER JACKET:

Every woman truly needs a leather jacket in their wardrobe. I highly recommend investing in a leather jacket – whether it’s real or faux, this wardrobe basic will take you so many places in style. Not to mention leather jackets are versatile and you can wear them year after year.

One of my favorite leather jacket is this one by All-Saints. Though it’s real leather, it’s the best price out there for this material and quality! It has an impeccable fit that’s super flattering – I wear mine all the time! It runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

THE ARMY JACKET:

I love army jackets and own probably way too many, lol. I literally wear them a ton in the winter over sweaters and in the summer over a white tee. The army green color is a neutral you can wear with anything and everything.

This gorgeous army jacket by Madewell. I love the beautiful olive green shade and the fact that it has cinching around the waist so it’s very slimming. If you want it a bit oversized, just don’t cinch the waist. If you don’t have an army jacket yet, I definitely recommend this one. It runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

THE DENIM JACKET:

A denim jacket is a functional wardrobe piece that should be in every woman’s collection. A denim jacket can be worn basically year round depending on the style and is one of the most versatile pieces out there! You can dress a denim jacket up or down.

This Madewell denim jacket is a bit oversized making it comfortable and classic. I highly recommend this one because It’s a truly a great everyday jacket you can where just about anywhere. You can wear this denim jacket on a casual day with sneakers or for a date night over a dress. It runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

THE CAMEL COAT:

I don’t think there’s anything more classic and sophisticated than a beautiful camel coat. A neutral camel coat is a definite wardrobe essential that will truly make any wardrobe more functional.

This camel coat by Express is one of my all-time favorite pieces when it comes to neutral coats. I love the camel color and the gorgeous length making it feminine and chic. It looks way more expensive than it really is and is a definite must have. It runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

TOPS:

WHITE TEE:

I would say the most important tees that you should have in your wardrobe would be white, black, and grey. Find your favorite basic tee and buy it in those three colors! You will find yourself wearing them a ton no matter what season you’re in. A simple white t-shirt is a capsule wardrobe essential.

Over the years, I have bought and tried many different basic tees and have to say that this one by ATM is my all-time fave. I’ve had mine for years and it still looks brand new! It’s a high quality basic that may seem like an investment, however, you will not have to replace this tee for years to come. It’s worth every penny. It runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

WHITE CAMI:

Similar to a basic white tee, a white cami is a wardrobe staple to wear underneath blazers, jackets, and coats. A camisole is perfect for all the times you’re wanting to get a bit more dressed up because they’re tastefully sexy and chic.

Cami NYC is the best brand when it comes to camisoles. I love this one because it has lace at the top and is silky making it perfect for date nights or GNOs. It’s also wrinkle-free so I always make sure to pack it when I travel! This cami comes in black, navy, and white, however, this brand carries tons of different styles. It runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

BLACK TURTLENECK:

Another functional wardrobe piece every woman should own is a turtleneck. Turtlenecks are perfect for layering and are very polished making you look more sophisticated. I highly recommend investing in a few basic turtlenecks for the fall and the winter because you’ll wear them for years to come.

I’m obsessed with this black turtleneck bodysuit by Wolford. It’s super soft since it’s made of jersey material and high-quality which is why I love it so much. If you’re in need of a new turtleneck, this one comes in black, white, and camel – all the basic neutral shades! This one runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

BLACK BODYSUIT:

If I personally had to choose one piece to wear underneath my jackets and blazers, I would choose a bodysuit hands down. A bodysuit is a classic piece every woman should own not only for the flattering look but also for the convenience. I love a good bodysuit because you never have to worry about re-tucking it into your jeans or messing with it throughout the day!

My go-to bodysuit is by Alice and Olivia and is currently 60% off right now! It’s my favorite bodysuit ever and my most worn one because of the gorgeous v-neckline making it super elongating. I wear this bodysuit on date nights, GNOs and even during the day with casual joggers. There are so many ways to wear a bodysuit! It runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

WHITE BUTTON-DOWN:

There’s truly nothing more versatile and classic than a whit button-down. If you’re not sure what to wear when you wake up in the morning, always go for a white shirt and a good pair of denim! Top it with a leather jacket or a blazer and you’re ready to go. It’s that simple.

This basic white button-down by Frank and Eileen has a more fitted silhouette with an effortless look any woman needs. It is supposed to look a little wrinkled because that’s the style of it which I personally love. I think it’s timeless and classic – a definite must-have. It runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

PANTS/JEANS:

FAUX-LEATHER LEGGINGS:

I absolutely swear by faux leather leggings because they’re one of the most versatile pieces a woman can own. Whether you’re staying in for the day or going out for the night, a pair of black faux leather leggings will take you there!

These faux leather leggings by Commando are a bit more dressy compared to any other leggings like Spanx. They are one of my top 10 sellers in 2021 – they are incredibly slimming and flattering. You can dress them up with heels or dress them down with sneakers making them so versatile. These run true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

BLACK SKINNY JEANS:

Similar to a faux leather legging, black skinny jeans are a definite must-have essential for any woman wanting to build a capsule wardrobe. Whether you go with a solid black skinny jean or faded black modern skinny jeans like the ones below, you will wear them for years and years to come on so many occasions.

These high-waisted skinny jeans by Frame have become some of my all-time favorites throughout the year. They are a solid black skinny jean that are so comfortable and slimming with the ankle length. When I want to wear dressed up at night, I will wear these exact jeans with a edgy bodysuit and a blazer to create the perfect date night look. They can also be worn casual. These run true to size, I’m wearing a 25.

FADED BLACK MODERN SKINNY JEANS:

If you’re wanting a more edgy pair of denim, I highly recommend these faded black skinny jeans by Citizens of Humanity. These were my number one selling jean in 2020 because they’re just that good. To be honest, I personally wear these more than I wear the solid black jeans because I love the wash so much. I recommend sizing down one size in these, I’m wearing a 24.

LIGHT WASH JEANS:

If you know me, you know by now that I am a true believer in denim and jeans. I literally wear jeans all the time – they’re definitely my most worn piece in my closet no matter what time of year. If you missed it, check out my recent post and YouTube video titled: BEST DENIM OF 2021 where I talk about all my favorite jeans and denim trends.

These light wash jeans are the exact jeans I’m wearing in this post. I love their slimming straight leg style. These were also featured in my recent YouTube video I mentioned above! They are by Redone – my current favorite brand of denim right now. The light wash is super versatile and will go with anything that I talk about in this wardrobe basic checklist. I recommend sizing down one size in these, I’m wearing a 24.

DRESSES:

BLACK SLIP DRESS:

A black silk dress is a true basic essential because you can wear it to any function. If you’re wanting to dress it up in the fall and winter, add a beautiful faux jacket or blazer and in the summer wear it by itself. It’s a timeless and effortless dress you definitely need in your closet.

This gorgeous black slip dress is by Nili Lotan is currently on sale for an incredible price. I styled this exact dress in a YouTube video titled: 10 WAYS TO WEAR A BLACK DRESS. It is truly amazing because the fit is impeccable and it’s extremely comfortable while being chic and tastefully sexy. Also, it’s made from high-quality silk material that makes it stand out among the rest! It runs true to size, I’m wearing an XS.

SHOES:

SNEAKERS:

Every wardrobe needs a pair of chic sneakers for a wide variety of reasons. You can wear sneakers all year round with so many different pieces making them a super functional shoe. I’m a true believer of sneakers through and through – they will never go out of style!

These leopard Golden Goose have been featured on my channel lots of times because I literally wear them almost every day of the week. They’re super comfortable and have been since the first day I bought them! I love that I don’t even have to wear socks with mine and have never gotten a blister from them. They’re an investment because they’re handmade in Italy, however, they’re worth every penny since the cost per wear just makes sense!

BLACK PUMPS:

There is nothing more classic than a pair of timeless black pumps. If I’m not wearing sneakers, you will probably find me wearing these because they just go with everything! I wear them with denim and faux leather leggings if I want to dress them up which is one of my favorite looks!

My go-to black heels are these by Sam Edelman. Not only are these pumps classic and timeless, they’re also comfortable and budget-friendly! These come in a black leather and a black suede version as well as other colors. I have them in leopard and nude, too because they’re that good.

BLAZER (WEARING AN XS) // JEANS (WEARING A 24) // BLACK BODYSUIT (ON SALE) WEARING A S // BLACK PUMPS SIMILAR // BLACK ON BLACK CHANEL FLAP BAG SIMILAR FOR LESS HERE

WARDROBE BASICS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN:

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Thank you so much for stopping by today, I truly appreciate all of you!

XOXO, HEATHER

WARDROBE BASIC CHECKLIST