5 Fashion Staples To Build A Classic Wardrobe
Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, and the late Steve Jobs have all been known for their go-to clothing. These successful people opted to tone down their wardrobes to avoid decision fatigue. Yet, on average, people spend roughly 17 minutes each morning choosing an outfit. It is also not uncommon to stress what to wear the night before. This guide curates fashion staples that have stood the test of time, making them appropriate when building a classic wardrobe.
Mindset Shift
If you think ‘classic wardrobe staples’ are boring, you first need to weigh your options. If you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, perhaps it’s time to redo that wardrobe. If you can save time on making sure you are presentable every time you walk out that door (or when you get unexpected visitors at home), wouldn’t that be an excellent investment? After all, we all invest time, money, and effort in clothing. Our clothes speak a lot about how well we invested in looking presentable.
Get Inspired
Before you remove all your clothes from the closet and move them to your bed–a giant eyesore–first get some inspiration. You can create a lookbook that can help guide you on well-dressed people, albeit following trends. Some men and women always choose the appropriate style throughout seasons, generations, and career fields. Consider icons like Audrey Hepburn, Michelle Obama, or the classically-dressed French women. It can also be helpful to browse through online catalogs, such as when you shop Hansen and Gretel at The DOM or pin some looks on Pinterest.
Getting Down To The Basics
A classic wardrobe is never without your everyday basics–clothing that fits your daily lifestyle. Where are you, and what are you doing most throughout your day, week, and month? While we want to look good for momentous occasions, we need to put more thought into curating our daily pieces. Then again, some basics can double their purpose as seasonal and on-occasion wear.
- Denim
Nothing screams casual more than denim. It’s something you should steer clear of at formal events. Its versatility, however, can take you from the local grocer to a high-end mall on rural tours and outdoor adventures. Also, having denim in your wardrobe can be a good idea because it’s versatile and doesn’t require much special care.
More significantly, denim may give you a classic look. You can never go wrong with a white blouse, a pair of blue jeans or a skirt, and a good pair of sneakers for this denim-themed ensemble.
So, if you’ve decided to add denim to your wardrobe, your essential pieces can include a denim jacket, denim skirt, and light-wash blue jeans.
- The White Shirt
Clean, essential, and streamlined white shirts are so versatile. Consider getting the white shirt in different textiles. You can dress up a silk shirt for more formal occasions that can take you from a day in the office to a night out. Cotton button-ups can be your go-to for casual meetups and weekends out of town. White shirts are also great for layering and work well with any color.
Another advantage of wearing a white shirt is that it goes well with any color, whether light or dark. You can never go wrong with this classic piece of apparel as long as you wear it correctly. Furthermore, white can also be a perfect color for any printed t-shirt. Whether you want to add your own design or print your favorite brand’s logo and other similar graphics, a white shirt can be the ideal clothing for printing designs that stand out.
So, once you have basics like this, it’s only a matter of accessorizing to transform your look. Later you may want to add black and navy shirts to your classic wardrobe.
- The Everyday Dress
Your day dress could be a shift dress, a t-shirt dress, a midi dress, or a universally-flattering wrap dress. Don’t forget the classic LBD (little black dress) as finding the one that best suits you can make you look phenomenal on every occasion.
A one-piece is essential for days when you need to get out the door ASAP. Choose a breathable fabric like cotton. Play with scarves, accessories, a jacket, or a cardigan to change and hide kid stains.
- The Blazer
The blazer is that one piece that can upscale even the most casual white shirt and jeans combo. It’s a staple in the French woman’s wardrobe, and many celebrities don the blazer. You can choose between fitted or oversized, but you may want to stick to a solid color or, at most, a monochromatic plaid for versatility.
Moreover, a blazer can be considered as a timeless piece as it can be worn for many years. Since it’s available in various designs, it can complement any style you want. For instance, if you prefer to dress casually, you can select blazers with casual designs that match your preferences.
- White Sneakers
White Vans sneakers sales spiked after being featured on the Netflix series ‘Squid Game.’ Yet even before the Netflix hit, these classic kicks had already endured footwear trends. Besides, wearing a pair of white sneakers can be an excellent idea as it provides adequate support for your feet as you engage in numerous activities. To make things even better, white vans are easily customizable with pins or silicone laces. Whatever the occasion is, these shoes are cool and versatile. That said, don’t hesitate to incorporate white sneakers into your classic attire.
White sneakers pair well with a midi skirt, wide-legged crop pants, or a t-shirt dress. Don’t forget to use a waterproof spray to protect your white shoes from everyday stains and liquid spills.
Basic Principles Of Being Well-Dressed
A black turtleneck may seem a boring piece of clothing but not when it’s on style icons like Audrey Hepburn or Jake Gyllenhaal for men. Elizabeth Taylor made the classic white shirt and button-downs always look good on her. With that, there are some things to remember before you go out to buy your staples. Here are a few ideas to dress appropriately at all times:
- Prioritize neatness and cleanliness.
- Plan your outfits and curate your best pieces.
- Think carefully about what and how you would wear your clothes.
- Don’t forget to add accessories as they can spruce up your overall look.
- It doesn’t have to be expensive, but you should always choose the best quality you can afford.
- Don’t neglect the careful maintenance of all your clothing.
- Consider your needs and lifestyle but don’t take the current fashion trends for granted to dress well for the occasion.
Final Thoughts
Now on that last bit of advice, you can list the activities you do on the regular and seasonal. Ask yourself how often you party, go out or go to special events. Your wardrobe would look a little different than if you’re mostly at home, cooking, cleaning, and going out for church, exercise, and weekend gatherings.
