Fashion Forward Closet Staples

Establishing a closet of basic wardrobe staples will streamline your weekend and evening routine for all but work and outlier events that you may attend like a masked ball or costume party. Just like keeping a supply of flour, sugar and salt in your pantry, keeping some basic outfit-makers in your closet will help you dress for almost any occasion.

Jewelry

Most women have a box filled with dozens of tangled earrings and necklaces, but when push comes to shove, there are only a few favorites that get worn repeatedly. Every woman should have pairs of unfussy gold and silver earrings. Small to mid-sized hoops work well, but any shape will do. In addition, you should have two longer pendant necklaces – one in gold, the other in silver. If you must dress up in a trice, a pendant necklace with matching earrings will serve you well.

Purses

Although it’s fun to buy a new handbag with each season, most women really only need two: a tote bag and an evening purse. The tote bag can be in any color and fabric and the evening purse should be small and black.

Shoes

Shoes are tricky because many women buy three or four pairs of the same style in hopes of landing on the one pair that looks great and won’t hurt their feet. Aside from work and workout shoes, a basic shoe wardrobe should include a sturdy pair of walking shoes. There is nothing that can support the foot better for a long day of shopping or sightseeing. No matter what you wear to work, you should own a pair of comfortable, mid-heel black pumps that will go with almost anything you wear at night from dressy casual to over-the-top fancy. Short black or brown boots are very versatile for dressing up jeans for weekend brunch.

Dresses

It may seem cliché, but, yes, you need a little black dress. Go for something simple with clean lines as this will be your go-to party dress for years. If you can find one with pockets, buy it. There will probably be many occasions when you want to buy something special for just that night, but a little black dress can get you through innumerable events.

Pants

Every woman needs a pair of black dress pants. In fact, it might be worth buying two pairs in different sizes so that you have a pair to wear on both your skinny and bloated days. You can dress up the black pants with your black pumps or dress them down with short black boots. When you have nothing else to wear, black pants, a nice blouse and a pendant necklace will look like you gave thought to your look. In addition, make sure you own one pair of nice comfortable blue jeans that you can wear anywhere.

Shirts

Nice colorful t-shirts with interesting necklines will serve you better than your old sorority t-shirts in XXL. Purchase a variety of inexpensive tees in your favorite colors. Vary the look with V-neck, scoop neck, three-quarters sleeves, or embroidery or button detail. Pair a tee with your jeans and low boots and you will look cute as a button. Add at least one silky top to your wardrobe to wear with your black pants for any cocktail hour.

Jackets

No matter how much you want your look to stand out as is, chances are you will regret not bringing a jacket to dinner out or party. A waist-length black jacket is most versatile to wear with your black dress or pants. It can even make your jeans – tee-shirt combo look classy. A longer sweater with a bit of gold or silver thread running through it will give you the perfect topper for either a casual daytime look or a fancier evening out.

Keeping your closet up to date can be financially difficult. It’s best to build up your wardrobe stables and then add in some fun trendy pieces each season.