13 Clothing Staples Every Woman Should Own In 2023

by Maryan Barbara
March 20,2023

Why you need a little black dress

EVERY woman needs something in her wardrobe that is classless, timeless and ageless. And there’s probably no single item of clothing that is more useful than the little black dress. (Okay jeans queens, keep your pants on!)

Again and again, the LBD is listed as one of the must-have items for every woman’s wardrobe. The embodiment of sophistication, simplicity and versatility, the little black dress is your passport to sartorial success. These mermaid style homecoming dresses from Peaches Boutique will also help you put on your best look.

Inspired by the utilitarian uniforms of nuns, maids and shop girls, Coco Chanel introduced the black dress in the 1920s. Once symbolic of mourning, black slims the body, frames the face and hides imperfect tailoring. When you need to make an impression, nothing disguises your figure flaws or adds height and general allure like a little black dress.

But there’s a reason why the LBD has closet MVP status (Most Valuable Possession) — its possibilities for reinvention are limitless. A little black dress is appropriate for many situations — particularly those unplanned last-minute occasions. It will save you every time. Dressed up with elegant heels and down with functional flats — and co-ordinating accessories — you’ll find many uses for this ultimate must-have. However, you’ll find that one is never enough.

“One is never overdressed or under dressed in a little black dress” – Karl Lagerfeld

Fashion’s perennial favourite will take you from the office to the office party, from client meeting to cocktails and the boardroom to the ball. Or just to dinner on a date! Whatever your excuse, it’s a chance to dress up and play with textures and cuts that you would never consider in the daylight hours. Here are a few of my favourites. Whether it’s a classic sheath, a figure-hugging wrap-style, short cocktail dress or long evening dress, there’s something for everyone. But what is the right dress style for your body shape? And if you need even more inspiration, check out my The Little Black Dress board on Pinterest.

Types of Dresses Every Woman Needs in Her Wardrobe

Dresses are a statement of femininity and every woman should own at least a few that can save her from any emergency occasion. Either you are going to a wedding, a cocktail, your best friends party or just for shopping, we will show you a guide for dresses you have to have in your wardrobe.

1. Sundress – perfect for when you are in a rush and you want to quickly put something on you. Pick a color that you can wear by day and a material that cools you down like cotton.

2. Little black dress – this is the biggest must have of all, you can wear it almost everywhere and it can save you from the most critical occasions. It’s great for business events and also for saturday night parties. Pick something that enhance your body features and it is still classy in the same time, something that doesn’t show too much, just as much as needed.

3. Bold print maxi dress – great to be worn with wedges in summer, or for a comfy look wear it with sandals and a denim jacket. Doesn’t matter if you are skinny or not, you can wear this type of dress not thinking of your body shape.

4. Sheath dress – great for going to work as it doesn’t show too much skin and in the same time it is still feminine. Wear it with a blazer or an elegant jacket and don’t forget about high heels.

5. Formal gown – for events that are not happening every day, in a color that is complimenting your skin color and features. It’s very elegant and classy.

6. Floral dress – perfect for warm days, tea parties or brunches. It can be accessorized perfectly with a hat when it’s sunny outside.

7. Wrap dress – it is accentuating the waist in a beautiful way, it’s very popular among young women, perfect for traveling or summer picnics.

8. Peplum dress – very popular lately, it creates a two pieces effect and it’s great to be worn at work with a blazer and some low sole shoes.

9. Little white dress – must have in summer months because it looks amazing on a tanned skin and because it can be accessorized with all jewelry colors.

10. Lace dress – elegant and seductive, the type that is very “lady” like. Can be accessorized with pearls and don’t forget the red lips.

11. Cutout dresses – one of the most popular trends lately, very youth looking and provocative. They are designed for emphasizing either the waist or bones of the person wearing them.

12. Shirt dress – comfortable and easy to wear, great for long walks and shopping days, easy to get in it and easy to take it off. If you feel it is too large for you, it can be worn with a belt on the waistline. It’s great to have shirt dresses in many colors and wear the one you like depending on your mood.

13 Clothing Staples Every Woman Should Own In 2023

What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe

The Capsule Wardrobe

What is in a capsule wardrobe? In today’s post, I’m sharing the 13 clothing staples every woman needs to own. Think of this as your ultimate closet guide to must-have clothing basics to build a capsule wardrobe.

The end goal of a capsule wardrobe is to always feel like you have something great to wear no matter the occasion or the weather, and that every item hanging in your closet is something that you love and feel great in.

Jump To:

What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe?

Clothing Staples Are Investment Pieces

The Key To A Capsule Wardrobe

CLOTHING STAPLES: Tops

WARDROBE STAPLES: Bottoms

CLOSET ESSENTIALS: Jackets & Coats

FINAL CLOTHING STAPLE FOR A CAPSULE WARDROBE

What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe For Every Season?

HOW TO BUILD A SPRING CAPSULE WARDROBE | 16 Clothing Basics For Women Video

10 Fall Wardrobe Essentials That NEVER Go Out Of Style | Video

Capsule Wardrobe FAQs & Expert Tips

FREE CAPSULE WARDROBE CHECKLIST

THE BEST BRANDS FOR CLOTHING STAPLES FREE GUIDE

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What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe?

Wikipedia states, “The term capsule wardrobe was revived by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique in the 1970s. According to Faux, 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.”

The idea behind a capsule wardrobe is to have clothing staples that can be worn in so many different ways. You want to be able to wear all of your wardrobe basics dressed up or dressed down. That’s what makes them closet essentials, they are super versatile and can be styled in multiple ways.

While most of the clothing staples I recommend for a capsule wardrobe in this post are featured in black, your essentials can be in any neutral color. Neutral colors include black, taupe, gray, camel, navy, beige, blush, and ivory. Having most of your clothes in neutral colors will make them interchangeable and easy to mix and match.

Clothing Staples Are Investment Pieces

Clothing staples are versatile pieces that you can wear in different ways and in different situations. They are classic items in your wardrobe that never go out of style. Your clothing staples should be where most of your wardrobe budget goes.

The thing about a capsule wardrobe that I really want you to understand is that these are investment pieces. These are the wardrobe items that you want to spend a little more on for quality so that you’ll have them for years. THE EVERYGIRL writes, “(A capsule wardrobe) means your closet has less trendy pieces that will only be worn for one season and more high-quality ones that stand the test of time and can be worn for years to come.” When you are building a capsule wardrobe, I recommend looking for clothing basics in luxe fabrics that are high quality, solid colors, and classic.

According to Sustainably Chic , “A capsule wardrobe is a limited selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that complement each other. These are often classic pieces that do not go out of style and are primarily composed of neutral colors. A capsule wardrobe allows you to create a variety of different outfits with a small selection of clothes.”

The Key To A Capsule Wardrobe

The key to a capsule wardrobe isn’t based on the amount of clothing you have, it’s based on the quality and versatility of your clothing. “You’ll have less clothing than you did before, but you’ll feel like you have much more,” writes T HE EVE RYGIRL. Three things I want to emphasize about your clothing staples are that you want to make sure they are in good condition, they fit you well and you enjoy wearing them. If those 3 things don’t qualify each of your clothing basics, then you need to get new basics.

A capsule wardrobe saves you time and money and helps you avoid fast fashion, which is harmful to the environment and your wallet. There are 13 clothing staples that I recommend every woman’s wardrobe should have to get dressed easily every day. This post shares those 13 wardrobe essentials and my picks for each category.

Let’s dive into the 13 pieces that make a capsule wardrobe.

What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe?

CLOTHING STAPLES: Tops

1. A PERFECT WHITE T-SHIRT

Basic number one is a white t-shirt. Now, this isn’t just any white t-shirt. I like to call it the perfect white tee. The perfect white tee is an essential because you can easily dress it up or easily dress it down. It’s something you can put on with a leather jacket, a pair of jeans, and heels, and look great to go out. It’s also one of those items you can throw on with a pair of joggers and sneakers, and do errands, but still look put together.

2. A BLACK TURTLENECK OR BODYSUIT

My next clothing basic that every woman needs in her wardrobe to make getting dressed easy is a black cotton turtleneck. It could also be a black bodysuit if that’s more your style. But a classic black slim-fitted turtleneck or bodysuit will do wonders in your wardrobe. It’s such an easy piece to style. You can dress it up, you can dress it down. You can wear it with dress pants, a leather skirt, a pencil skirt for work, with jeans and even joggers.

A black fitted turtleneck is another clothing basic that will make getting dressed easy.

3. A NEUTRAL BLOUSE

On to my next must-have clothing staple for women. It’s a pretty neutral blouse. Again neutrals can be blush, gray, ivory, camel, navy, beige, taupe, or black. You want a color that will go with a lot of things in your wardrobe.

There are so many ways to style a great neutral blouse. You can wear it with a mini-skirt and over-the-knee boots for fall or winter. Or a pair of jeans and heels, for a night out. A classic blouse is an easy versatile piece that works from day to night, and from the office to dinner. It is definitely one of the clothing staples in a capsule wardrobe.

4. A NEUTRAL CLASSIC SWEATER

The next piece is a neutral classic sweater. Again this is another basic you can wear with so many things- jeans, leggings, skirts, joggers and shorts. A classic knit is a versatile piece. I recommend having a muted or neutral color that can be worn with a lot of options.

Choosing the neckline is a personal preference. But, a v-neck or crew neck will offer you more seasonal variety, than a turtleneck or off-the-shoulder sweater.

5. A BLACK OPEN CARDIGAN

The next wardrobe essential is one of my favorites, the black open cardigan. The cardigan is the most versatile layering piece. You can wear it over a blouse, a cami, a t-shirt or a dress. I like to layer a longer version under a leather moto jacket. A black open cardigan is a classic wardrobe staple that every woman needs in her closet.

WARDROBE STAPLES: Bottoms

6. A CLASSIC BLACK PANT

The next closet essential for a capsule wardrobe is a slim-fit black pant. My favorite black pant is the rag & bone Simone. They are such a great fit and worth the investment. And again, same idea here, you want a black classic dress pant that you can dress up or dress down. You can wear a black pant with a white tee to dress it down. You can also easily dress it up with a blouse and blazer, or a chic knit and a pair of boots. A classic black pant is a versatile piece in your closet.

7. A DRESSY BLACK LEGGING

This clothing staple is not a basic, cotton legging. A dressy black legging is just that, dressy. The fabric is more luxe. It could be a leather or faux leather pair. The texture of the fabric helps to dress up or elevate a look. You can wear a dressy black legging with oversized sweaters and over-the-knee boots for a night out. A black elevated legging is a must-have clothing item for your wardrobe.

8. MEDIUM TO DARK BLUE WASH JEANS

The next clothing staple I recommend having is a medium to dark blue wash, pair of modern jeans that you feel great in. A high-waisted rise with a skinny or slim straight leg is my preferred pair of jeans. The high waist helps define your waist and elongates the appearance of your legs. It’s especially flattering if you have a long torso to help give a more proportional appearance.

Having a medium to dark blue wash is the most versatile as the darker wash can be effortlessly dressed up. Net-A- Porter states, “Consider high-rise, distressed and straight-leg styles the new denim default for your capsule wardrobe”. A great pair of jeans is definitely a clothing staple for every season.

CLOSET ESSENTIALS: Jackets & Coats

9. A BLACK LEATHER JACKET

A classic slim-fit black leather jacket is a must. I love a great moto style, but the key is that it’s classic. I recommend skipping heavy hardware like lots of zippers and snaps, and styles with fringe. Those styles don’t tend to hold up as well over time.

The thing about a great leather jacket is that it’s so versatile. You will be able to dress it up or down. I’ve worn mine draped over my shoulders like a cape with an evening dress. You can wear it over a white t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of heels for a chic date night look.

If a leather jacket doesn’t feel like your style, you can “replace it” with a denim jacket like this one from L’AGENCE here .

10. A STRUCTURED JACKET

Another type of jacket that is a clothing staple, is a structured knit jacket. Think of the classic Chanel jacket style or the more modern IRO Shavani jacket . A little neutral jacket with more structure than a cardigan effortlessly polishes a look. When worn over a flowy dress or blouse, it creates a slimming appearance. Invest in a great jacket and it’s sure to become one of the most-worn pieces in your capsule wardrobe.

11. A CLASSIC WOOL COAT

Clothing staple number 11, is a classic neutral wool coat. According to Net-A-Porter , “An investment piece of the highest order, a classic coat will stand the test of time”.You want to look for something that is lined, tailored, high quality, and hits below the hip. I’ve worn my wool coat over joggers and sneakers, and it just pulls everything together. I’ve also worn it over formal dresses.

This wardrobe essential is the “perfect coat” that you can wear over pretty much anything and look polished. A neutral classic coat is a must-have clothing staple when you’re building a capsule wardrobe.

12. A CLASSIC TAILORED BLAZER

My final type of jacket or coat that I recommend having in a capsule wardrobe, is a black tailored blazer. Ideally, you want a blazer that you can wear in a work setting as well as for date night. I suggest skipping ones with ruched sleeves, double-breasted, wide collars, oversized, and blazers with a patterned lining. These typically don’t hold up well as a classic item that will work in your closet for years.

My blazer is at least 8 years old, and although it was an investment when I got it, I’ve completely won in the cost-per-wear department. (For more on cost per wear, read this great article:

To emphasize how essential a blazer is in a capsule wardrobe, Who What Wear states: “Another no-brainer essential is a blazer, preferably one in a color that you can wear with anything again and again. The classic style makes for the perfect topper when you need to look more put-together without sacrificing style.”

FINAL CLOTHING STAPLE FOR A CAPSULE WARDROBE

13. AN EASY DRESS

The last item for the 13 clothing staples every woman needs in her closet to build a capsule wardrobe is an easy, wear (almost) everywhere dress. An easy, effortless dress is a wardrobe staple that is versatile and can work all year round. You can wear it with opaque tights, a cardigan, a wool coat, and over-the-knee boots in the winter. But, you can also style it on its own with a pair of sandals for the summer.

A classic, knit dress in a neutral color is another example of an easy dress. In the warmer months it can be styled on its own with sandals and understated jewelry, or for winter, layer it under a structured jacket and coat. I also love wearing it under a chunky knit sweater on colder days.

Another tip I recommend when wearing a knit dress is to wear a form-fitted slip underneath, like this one from Commando . It will not only provide an extra layer of warmth in the winter, but it also helps to smooth everything out and prevent your tights from sticking to your dress.

You only need to start with one easy dress that you can style through the seasons when you want to be effortlessly chic and feminine.

What Is In A Capsule Wardrobe For Every Season?

These are the 13 clothing basics for women to create the foundation for a capsule wardrobe. You can have these items as your foundational wardrobe, and have the rest of your clothing be colors, patterns, or trend items; or you can build off of these clothing staples and create a capsule wardrobe for every season.

If you want to dive deeper into a capsule wardrobe for every season, grab my free Capsule Wardrobe Checklist and watch the videos below to learn the clothing staples I recommend.

Thanks for reading!

HOW TO BUILD A SPRING CAPSULE WARDROBE | 16 Clothing Basics For Women

10 Fall Wardrobe Essentials That NEVER Go Out Of Style

Capsule Wardrobe FAQs & Expert Tips

How many pieces of clothing should a woman own?

While the number of clothes a woman should own is a personal choice, I think it’s more important to address how many pieces in a woman’s closet she’s actually wearing. Having the 13 essential capsule wardrobe staples featured in this article is a great foundation for any closet.

What is a wardrobe staple?

A wardrobe staple is a versatile, classic piece in your closet that doesn’t go out of style. Wardrobe staples are the basic foundation items of any well-curated closet. These are the items that easily mix and match, work with many other pieces in your wardrobe, and are never affected by trends. Your wardrobe staples should be high-quality investment pieces.

How many clothing items does the average woman own?

According to a survey of 1000 American women by ClosetMaid, the average woman has 103 items of clothing in her closet. Out of those 103 pieces, women say 21% of their closet is unwearable.

Why should I invest in wardrobe essentials?

Investing in wardrobe essentials will not only save you time and money, but it will also help you get dressed easily. Removing stress and decision overwhelm from our closets is priceless in my opinion. Capsule wardrobe basics are versatile and can be worn regularly throughout each season. If you calculate the “cost per wear” methodology, you will be saving money by investing in your wardrobe staples.

What should be in a wardrobe?

Your wardrobe should consist of high-quality clothing staples otherwise known as a Capsule Wardrobe that are versatile and that you can easily mix and match. A curated wardrobe can also have some on-trend items, colorful pieces, and fun patterns that you love and feel great in.

How do I make my basic pieces last longer?

This wardrobe tip even applies to your elevated t-shirts. When you take care of your clothes, they will last longer and look better. If an item needs dry cleaning, get it drycleaned. You don’t have to dry clean it every time but every two or three or four times depending on how much you wear it. It will save you money in the long run. Items that you can put in the wash, put in a mesh bag, and wash on the gentle cycle with gentle detergent. This should be anything that you’re hanging in your closet that doesn’t need dry cleaning. Make sure to air dry those pieces on a clothing rack. These simple tips will make the quality of your clothes look so much better and last.

Are capsule wardrobes boring?

The simple answer is, “no”. A capsule wardrobe does not mean that these 13 clothing staples are the only pieces in your closet. These 13 wardrobe essentials are the foundation of your closet. I tell Personal Styling clients once you have your capsule wardrobe in place, then you can experiment with a trend or two a season. When you have your neutral quality classic pieces in your closet, then start adding some fun colors and prints to your wardrobe.

You will be able to style your clothing staples to mix and match with more statement pieces.

FREE CAPSULE WARDROBE CHECKLIST

I’ve created a free workbook, “ The Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe Checklist For Women ”, that walks you through all the clothing staples you need for every season and includes a printable capsule wardrobe checklist.

Grab your copy here .

THE BEST BRANDS FOR WARDROBE ESSENTIALS | FREE GUIDE

If you want to know the brands I use for myself and for my Personal Styling clients for all the clothing basics, I have a free guide: The Best Brands for Women, Men, and Teens. This guide will give you all my favorite brands at every price point.

You can get your free guide here .