Chapter seven: 20 must have pieces every closet needs
It’s so easy to go shopping and to keep buying clothes, but have you ever taken a step back to see what’s actually in your closet? Are you buying pieces you actually need? Are you getting your money’s worth? Is your closet a functioning closet?
If you answered yes to all these, I don’t believe you, because we all buy pieces we do not in fact need! Lol. I am guilty of that, I used to buy everything and anything, need it, don’t need it, I wanted it. When it came down to putting outfits together I struggled because I had all these clothes but somehow my outfit was always missing a staple piece, which made me, you guessed it, go buy more! It was either going out and buying more stuff to fill in the gaps or I would revert back to the same pieces I always wore. I would end up with so much clothes and there was no way I was going to be able to wear them all. I did not have a functioning closet.
That’s when my must have list was born.
What’s a functioning closet you ask? It’s a closet that has basic pieces that no matter what will always be in style and you can style them back to all the trendy pieces you buy.
Working in the fashion industry did help me understand quality over quantity, and made me even pickier when it came to things I bought at the store. If you’ve been following me for a while I’m sure you’ve noticed how much I love Zara, it’s pretty much where I do all my shopping. It’s a one stop shop for me. I think of Zara as a happy medium for me, it’s not Forever21 but it’s also not designer but it’s still good quality that lasts me awhile. It’s where I shop for basically everything, but if I want to invest in a piece that I know I will wear a lot and will last me years, I will splurge a little and check out Aritzia, Something Navy, The Real Real, Intermix, Revolve and Reformation.
Also a little tip, your clothes will last you a while..IF YOU TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT.
The point is, shop wherever you want, just be mindful and smart about the pieces you are buying. This list should help guide you in the right direction and help you build a more functioning closet so you can get the best and the most of the money you are spending.
20 MUST HAVE PIECES EVERY CLOSET NEEDS:
BLAZER
A blazer is such a versatile piece. You can pair it back to anything. I can easily think of at least five outfits I can pair a blazer with. It doesn’t just have to be a black blazer, you can buy however many you want and in all the styles and colors of the rainbow. You can truly never have enough blazers. I can not stop buying blazers.
2. trench coat
A trench coat is such an important piece to have in your closet. Add a trench coat to literally any outfit and it will automatically make it a chic outfit. I would stick to core and neutral colors when it comes to buying trench coats, they’ll just pair better.
3. leather jacket
I dare you to put on a leather jacket and not instantly feel like a badass! A leather jacket takes any okay outfit and turns it into such a cool, badass outfit. This is another piece that you can pair back to so many things. I would also stick to core and neutral colors here too. If you want to go crazy I would maybe add red to the mix. MAYBE.
4. denim jacket
You need a denim jacket, you just do. It’s such an easy layering piece, throw that over a white tee and some pants and you just put together such an easy effortless look. Throw it over a cute summer dress for that April 25th weather were it’s not too hot and not too cold and all you need is a light jacket.(points if you got the Miss Congeniality reference)
No preference on fit, can be oversized, cropped, long, short. just get one.
5. white button down
Can not stress enough how much you must have a white button down in your closet. Wear this with a pair of jeans and some comfy sneakers or a pair of sandals and it’s the perfect spring outfit. This is a piece that you can truly wear anywhere.
Work, lunch, brunch, at the pool, farmer’s market, on a date, dinner, party. It’s all about how you style it!
6. chambray button down
Two words: Canadian Tuxedo! or Justin & Britney.
One of my favorite outfits to wear is denim on denim. I just love it so much. A chambray button down does just that, wear that with your denim jeans and you’ve got another relaxed effortless look. Pair with some biker shorts, some leggings, tie it in a knot over some pants, layering with a white tee or a crop under. Endless possibilities!!!
7. plain white tee
You need 10 of these.
That’s it. that’s all I have to say.
8. cami
If date night was a top, this would be it!
It’s sexy, it’s flirty and cute! This also can be worn day or night. I would at least start with the basic colors. White, black and creme.
9. turtle neck
I never met a turtle neck I didn’t like. They’re my favorite thing to wear when the weather starts getting a little chilly. Turtle necks are so fun. You layer them, you wear them on their own, dressed up or dressed down they always look so good and they’re very flattering.
10. little black dress
If you’ve made it this far down the list and you do not have a black dress, stop everything you’re doing and go buy one NOW!
It doesn’t have to be this one, or this little. but every closet needs a black dress.
Short sleeves, long sleeves, strappy, strapless, one shoulder, off the should, slit, no slit, midi, maxi, mini. It does not matter. Buy a black dress!!!
11. printed shift dress
I love a good printed shift dress, such a fun piece to wear.
Throw on a pair of sneakers for a cute day look, or a pair of heels for a more dressed up look. You really can never go wrong with this one.
12. penicl skirt
I know a lot of us look at this and think business, corporate. No my friends, this piece right here is much more than just business meetings and boring corporate jobs. Style her with the cami and some sneakers and the denim jacket and you have such a cute day outfit! take the jacket off and switch the sneakers for some booties or heels, throw on the leather jacket or the trench coat and head to dinner. So many possibilities.
13. black pants
Give me a pair of comfy dress pants and I am in heaven. I will wear it with everything!
Just think:
1. Black pants+ white tee+ cute sandals.
2. Black pants+ cami+ denim jacket+ sneakers.
3.Black pant+ turtle neck+leather jacket + booties
4. Black pants+ cami+blazer+ heels
And more and more and more.
Colors I would recommend here to add on to your closet would be cream, camel, olive, navy and grey.
14. dark wash jeans
Don’t worry Millennials it doesn’t have to be a straight or a wide leg. It can be a skinny, it can be any style jeans just a dark wash.
15. White jeans
Remember the whole “ no white after labor day” thing… yeah we don’t care about that.
Buy your pair of white jeans and wear it year round.
16. classic pumps
It has the word classic in it. Do I need to say anything more? ok maybe one thing.
Obviously buy all the shoes you want, I won’t and can’t stop you. But if you MUST then get a pair of black and nude ones, they go with everything.
17. strappy sandals
Nude strappy sandals make me happy. They make any outfit look so chic and they go with everything too!!
18. booties
Picture it Sicily 1912, you’re wearing a cute printed midi skirt, a turtle neck, a trench coat and booties enjoying a stroll around town.
Again, goes. with. every. thing.
(Also if you don’t get this reference…what’s wrong with you)
19. black belt
This belt is so essential it’s eligible for a vaccine
20. go to sunglasses
If you know me then you know I don’t go anywhere without my sunglasses.
Find you a pair you absolutely love and wear it all the time. Yes it’s fun to buy different colors and shades, but find your go to one and do not let it go.
There you have it 20 must have pieces that I think every closet should have and need. If you noticed, most pieces in this list go together and you can create so many outfits from just 20 pieces. Now think of all the other pieces in your closet that can go with this list. That’s a lot of outfits.
A downloadable check list will be available for you to download to help you check off the things you have and still need.