FASHION ESSENTIALS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN

Picture this: your high school best friend, whom you haven’t seen in years, has just called to say she’s in town and she’s rounding up the old gang for an awesome night out. You can’t wait to rock it with your gal pals again so you immediately set about planning your outfit. 

Fifteen minutes later, you’ve practically emptied out your entire closet and you’re standing there thinking frantically, “I don’t have anything to wear!” Chances are, you don’t have enough of the basic fashion essentials in your wardrobe to throw together an effortless, all-occasion ensemble.

Many women make the mistake of always buying what’s “in” or stocking up on trendy outfits. While a few trendy items do deserve some space in your closet, it’s so much more practical to have several basic, classic wardrobe essentials that you can mix and match to create a variety of looks. From casual chic to elegantly sophisticated. You see, the downside to trendy outfits is that they can get outdated. Once the fad is over, there’s a huge chance you won’t be wearing that outfit again for quite some time. It’ll stay at the bottom of your closet, aging away. 

Having too many trendy and unique pieces in your wardrobe will make it a challenge when you need to put together something that would suit any occasion. For example, you could get asked out on a surprise date and you don’t know what he has planned for the evening. What if you end up wearing a dress that turned out too edgy or colorful for the venue?

But don’t fret too much; we’ve put together a fashion essentials cheat sheet for you! Integrate the items on this list into your wardrobe and you’ll be all set. Going out at a moment’s notice? No biggie!

1. Classic White Shirt
 

You can’t go more classic than a white shirt. You can pair it with denims, slacks, skirts—practically anything. Soft, cool fabrics are the best kind. They can keep you comfortable on warm days, and you can layer a sweater or jacket over it in colder seasons. You can go with the plain, round-neck tees or the more feminine V-neck ones. Better yet, also get a white button-down for a crisp, elegant look.

2. Denim Jacket
 

A denim jacket is the perfect pair to your classic white tee. It also goes well with probably everything in your closet, from casual jeans to pretty little dresses. Pick your favorite style and wash to go with the rest of your wardrobe. Just one good piece will last a long time!

3. Comfy Jeans

Who doesn’t have a favorite pair of jeans, right? Denim will always be popular, and it’s another type of clothing that can be mixed and matched with other pieces to create different looks. Everyday casual? Wear with sneakers and a cool shirt and you’re set. Business casual? Switch out the sneakers with pumps and layer a blazer over your top. Your choices are endless!

4. Black Blazer

This is one of those fashion essentials every woman should never be without. That one perfect blazer will stretch your wardrobe possibilities a long, long way. Layering it over a simple dress or blouse will turn an outfit from casual to chic in an instant.

5. Ballet Flats
   

Sometimes you need to give your feet a break from those high heels. Ballet flats are a great addition to your wardrobe. They’re awesome for when you just want to take a quick lunch out with friends or a leisurely stroll at the park.

6. Vintage Leather Belt

A leather belt can add flair to various outfits while being quite functional at the same time. Try a vintage style for a dash of personality or a classic one with an unusual buckle for a unique look.

7. Pumps or High Heels
 

A woman should always have a pair of go-to heels in her closet, don’t you agree? Although some would say “one can’t have too many shoes,” you can actually live with just a few trusty pairs in your closet. The trick is to stay with classic styles like black or nude that go with any outfit, and maybe one unique pair that you can show off.

8. The Everything-You-Can-Carry Tote

A tote bag is a useful item to have on hand when you have stuff to bring that wouldn’t normally fit in a regular bag. It’s particularly handy during a trip or vacation as you can put your souvenir purchases in it, or stuff it with your towel and essentials for a day at the beach. When not in use, you can fold or roll it up and put in your regular bag, ready to use when it’s needed!

9. A Classic Watch

Nothing adds elegance to any outfit more than a simple, classic watch. The key is to never be ostentatious. Tiny embellishments or added designs could work, but they should be unobtrusive, otherwise the watch may not be easy to match with an outfit. Classic styles don’t present this problem, and you can wear them with other accessories for a layered look.

10. Your Statement Necklace
 

This is where you can stand out and be uniquely you! After putting your outfit together by mixing and matching classic essentials, finish the look with a stylish necklace that reflects your wonderful personality.

11. Elegant Diamond Studs

When it comes to accessories, there really isn’t anything more timeless than a diamond. You definitely can’t go wrong with a pair of diamond stud earrings to go with your outfit. It doesn’t matter whether you get real or faux diamonds, it’s the effect that you’re going for. Stud earrings give just the right balance to go with either casual or formal outfits. You can either choose clear, crystal studs for a classic look or mix it up with a dash of color.

12. That Little Black Dress
   

The little black dress (LBD) is an absolute staple to have in any woman’s closet. It is such an adaptable piece that you can wear it under a denim jacket with flats or sneakers for a casual night out. However, it is also possible to wear it with your heels and accessorize with some sparkly jewelry for a formal dinner party.

13. Cashmere Sweater

This is definitely a piece of comfy clothing you can wear anytime with almost anything—skirts, shorts, jeans—you name it. Pair it with ripped jeans for an effortless, casual look, or layer a pastel one over a collared shirt and printed skirt for a sweet, feminine vibe.

14. Cross-body Bag
 

Cross-body bags have been all the rage lately, and for good reason. They’re quite useful as regular, everyday bags, but more importantly, they keep your hands free to do other things while still keeping your valuables safe and within reach at your side.

15. A Trusty Backpack

It is a good idea to invest in a sturdy backpack for those spontaneous road trips or weekend getaways. Backpacks in neutral shades made of durable material are great with any outfit. Yet there’s really nothing stopping you from bold reds or fun neons, either!

16. A Timeless Purse or Clutch

Unless you’re the quintessential social butterfly, chances are you don’t really attend too many formal dinner parties in a year. When such an event does come up, however, you’ll need the perfect purse or clutch to go with your dinner dress. The practical is to have one or two long-lasting pieces in your wardrobe for just such events.

17. The Indispensable Red Lipstick

This is one piece of cosmetic that should never be absent from your fashion essentials. The right lipstick will keep you looking fresh and ready for anything. Always have one in your bag! Choose a shade of red that perfectly matches your skin tone for a natural, always-refreshed look.

18. A Leather Jacket

Last but not least on our list, every woman should have that one fab leather jacket in her closet. If you’re worried about splurging, think of it this way: that one pricey purchase will give you a wicked piece of clothing that transforms you into a rock star the moment you put it on. The leather jacket is simply timeless. Trust us, that leather jacket will probably stay with you for a long, long time and might turn out to be your most favorite classic piece on this list!