Keeping 25 classic, timeless pieces in your closet can create an infinitive number of outfits and looks. We have curated a list of wardrobe essentials for creating an easy-to-use and love capsule wardrobe. A “capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that do not go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces”, Susie Faux, founder of Wardrobe. If your New Year resolution is to pair down your drawers and closets that are overflowing, or you love the idea of a more minimal wardrobe full of things you love but do not know where to get started, this list of wardrobe essentials is for you.
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Basic Wardrobe Essentials
Great, Classic Jeans
These are slim, straight-leg, high-rise, cropped jeans that fit close to the body. They are great for everyday mom life, looking awesome dressed down with sneakers or dressed up with heels. They’re made from non-stretch denim and are the most flattering jeans you could try and they get better, more comfortable with each wear.
White Button-down
Got to love a classic button-down to wear year-round: under sweaters, with leggings, over bathing suits as a cover-up, the list goes on and on! A favorite of the wardrobe essentials, this classic long-sleeve button-down shirt features a single chest pocket and is made of the best quality.
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Cardigan Sweater
You may be surprised at all the ways you wear this one, over pajamas around the house, with your dresses on cooler summer nights, being the statement of your mom uniform over your v-neck t-shirt or white button up with leggings or jeans. A bit of stretch and a cozy relaxed fit makes this cardigan one of our wardrobe essentials.
Cashmere Wrap
Warm, classic, and luxe—this essential cashmere scarf is the ideal addition to your wardrobe essentials. The gorgeous heathered oatmeal color is sure to match everything. Our favorite use is for on trips, wear as a scarf with your solid tee and jeans for travel, and once you reach your destination with your dresses as a wrap!
Black Leggings
These magnificent leggings deserve the 21,000 rave reviews they have received. Costing just $25 they are as buttery soft and a bit more supportive than the $100 version we are all familiar with. These look great for running around or working out with a t-shirt and sneakers or dressed up with your white button-down, wrap, and over the knee boots.
Flattering Solid v-neck T-shirt
A wardrobe essential: black and white flattering V-neck tees feature a comfortable cotton blend and a straight hem for easy, everyday wear. Wear tucked into jeans, for working out, or with a fun satin skirt and a bold necklace.
Supportive Bra
Ever heard that the best outfits start with great support? Finding a bra that is not only supportive but comfortable is imperative for your wardrobe-essentials. This bra offers fabulous coverage with two-part underwire cups and mesh insets and angled seams that offer lift and shape.
Fleece Pullover
Super warm and comfortable, you will be reaching for this constantly. Wear it at the beach with jeans or shorts, running around town as an underlayer with jeans and jackets in the fall and winter. We love the diversity of the sailcloth and nautical navy colors.
Classic Striped T-shirt
If you are like most moms, you are constantly reaching for a long sleeve t-shirt to wear tucked into your jeans with sneakers. This classic striped tee offers a change to your solid wardrobe and is daily wardrobe-essentials.
Go With Anything Blazer or Moto Jacket
By far the best moto jacket and it is under $50, this is great year-round! It comes in wonderful colors, can easily be worn with jeans or over a dress. Just remember to size up!
Satin Midi Length Skirt
Pick a classic color in this satin midi skirt such as black or navy, or a more festive color such as champagne. This is a skirt you will reach for all your dressy events and is sure to earn its title as a wardrobe essential as the classic silhouette will stand the test of time.
Black Cocktail Dress
This beautiful black sheath dress is timeless but offers updated fun details. The hem makes this dress slightly different. Add fun jewelry and accessories and you are good to go!
Wardrobe Essentials Accessories
Beige Flat
Heck, these are so good we might need to add blush, camel, and black to the wardrobe essentials list. Luckily, the beige shade will match all your outfits. These are such high quality, with no break-in period. They achieve the look for much less than other popular ballet flats.
Nude Pumps
This screams “wardrobe essentials”! These shoes exude excellent quality; this sophisticated style, pointy-toe pump lifted by a slender stiletto makes a classic statement that will elongate your legs and go with anything.
Classic Tennis Shoes
All good things come back? You may remember these comfortable, versatile, and fun shoes from the 80s and 90s. Well, they are back and better than ever. They will update your mom’s uniform for running around town or on family trips to the park. Purchased in a neutral color they will go with everything.
Simple Thong Sandal
Featuring a comfortable insole crafted from 5mm of latex foam padding, these casual, versatile sandals will be one of your wardrobe-essentials. By purchasing in a fabulous metallic such as gold or silver they are sure to go with any outfit.
Over the Knee Black Boots
These classics have been around forever! Now we are all for bargain shopping but some wardrobe essentials are worth the investment. This iconic over-the-knee boot is fitted with a stretchy back panel that offers a sleek, comfortable fit. These will last forever, making you feel so classic and special.
Classic, Cognac Tote
This stylish, classic shape tote is adorable in person. It can elevate your everyday wardrobe of jeans and sneakers and looks great with an LBD for a night out. This is a wardrobe essential for home or travel as you can fit quite a bit in it.
Seasonal Wardrobe Essentials
Sun Hat
This sun hat will protect your skin on those hot summer days and allow you to look stylish while doing it. Pair it with jeans, shorts, and maxi dresses; it is the one that you need. It is easy to fold up and take on the go. It will fit most as it has an adjustable drawstring lining. The lightweight and breathable straw makes this sunhat comfortable.
Beautiful Maxi Dress
This beautiful maxi dress will keep you cool for daily wear or can easily be dressed up for summer nights out. The classic blue and white pattern is hard to beat, but select the color that best matches your personality. Wear basic sandals, a cardigan or wrap, and a sun hat all summer long. Also, great for travel.
A Bathing Suit that Makes You Feel Great
A classic, flattering and comfortable bathing suit is a summer essential! This black suit will never go out of style and will have you looking sexy but also allow you the comfort and ease to chase your children on the beach.
Flattering White Jeans
These infamous, pull on white jeans are a must-have in every closet. You may find you reach for these inexpensive jeans over your high-end designer pairs! They are so comfortable, no snap waist closure poking your stomach (bonus – shirts lay flat, too!), suck you in, and are so easy to wear dressed up or down. They also come in three different lengths, which will save you at the tailor.
Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
It doesn’t get more essential and classic than a crew neck cashmere sweater. This features a slightly loose cut for an easy wear option that can still look great tucked into high rise jeans, over your white button-down with leggings, or wrapped around your shoulders. Either way, you are creating a timeless style that is a wardrobe essential in black, beige, or grey.
A Few, Fun Details
Fun Clutch
Having fun accessories can change up a basic outfit of all black or elevate your daily white button-down. This beautiful acrylic clutch with a removable chain is perfect for a night out. You can wear the same black v-neck and jeans as daytime, just add this clutch and you are a style icon ready for a night out. Also, it looks great with cocktail dresses for more formal events.
Statement Earrings
Pick your favorite color and have statement earrings or a necklace to add to your classic neutral attire. These will make any outfit feel special, adding color and a bohemian vibe to your wardrobe-essentials.
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It is important to remind you as you start a new year, more is not always more! The goal with a capsule wardrobe is to have enough outfits that you love and feel good wearing to get you through laundry day to laundry day. Think of the outfits you wear daily, this is your uniform and your wardrobe-essentials. The first step in creating a capsule wardrobe is to evaluate what you have and what you need, remember the goal is not to have a ton of extra stuff that is in the way of the things you actually wear, your wardrobe-essentials.
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