My Top 5 Wardrobe Basics
I’ve been refining my style for the last 20 years and one thing that has really stood out to me is which pieces have become the staples of my wardrobe.
I know it can be different for everyone depending on your lifestyle, climate, and personal preference, but I wanted to share with you my top five wardrobe essentials. For the most part, these are the pieces that I build my outfits on every day.
#1 Good jeans
I used to buy terrible jeans. Whatever was the cheapest and they would never last. Then in 2002, in my Junior year of high school, the whole hardcore music scene happened and somehow all those kids made designer jeans a staple wardrobe item. My boyfriend seemed to really think I needed an upgrade, so he bought me my first pair of Seven for all Mankind jeans. It was my first experience with jeans that actually fit my body.
Fast forward to nowadays and I might not wear designer jeans anymore, but I definitely have my favorite brands: Levi’s and Everlane. My perfect jean would be extra high waisted, a nice medium to dark wash, and a straight or wide leg with a cropped length that hits right above my ankle bone.
When you own a fabulous pair of jeans that you feel amazing in, they will become your most valuable wardrobe staple. This is why if I were to recommend investing in one thing for your wardrobe, it would be good jeans.
When it comes to jeans, it really doesn’t matter what style you choose. Choose what makes you feel your best! The most important things to consider are the fit, the shape, the wash, and the fabric content.
Fit
Ignore sizes when you shop and just buy the jeans that fit on the widest part of your body, then take them to a tailor to bring the rest of jeans in where necessary. I often buy jeans that fit my hips and then get the waist taken in an inch or two.
Shape
Pay attention to the shape. If you have a short torso you might want to avoid the extra high waist as it can make your torso look even smaller. You can find several resources online that give more direction as far as what shapes look best on your body type.
Wash
When it comes to choosing your wash, in general, darker washes are more flattering on the body than light washes. My jean collection has a variety of washes from black to white and everything in between. If you are refining your wardrobe I would recommend owning a pair of jeans in black, a dark blue wash, and medium blue wash to start. Those colors will give you the most versatility in your wardrobe.
Fabric
Lastly, what is the fabric content? I prefer 99% cotton jeans with 1% elastane because they feel more comfortable and they have more give when sitting and walking. But maybe you would prefer 100% cotton with no stretch (common in vintage Levi’s 501s). These jeans will inevitably last longer and become more form fitting to your body over time. Personally, I avoid jeans with more than 3% elastane because the fabric tends to look thin, less expensive, and more like jeggings.
Here are some of my favorite jeans:
Levi’s Ribcage Jean
I own this pair in three washes! That’s how much I love them! 99% Cotton and 1% Elastane with an ultra high rise sitting right above the belly button.
Everlane 90’s Cheeky Jean
This high waist jean is so flattering and a true straight leg. 100% cotton with a vintage cut. I recommend sizing down as they tend to run a tad big.
#2 Graphic Tee
Whether you like a cheeky saying on a T-shirt, or you want to rock your favorite vintage band tee- a graphic T-shirt can be one of the most self-expressive pieces in your wardrobe.
Personally, I’ve always been very picky about cheeky sayings on T-shirts, so I often opt for a vintage band tee. In one of my YouTube videos I take my husbands vintage Rolling Stones T-shirt and style it up over 30 different ways! From jeans to skirts and everything in between, adding a fun graphic T-shirt can add just the vibe you’re looking for.
Don’t forget to check your nearest thrift store for fun one of a kind vintage tees. I like to look for tees with thinner fabrics, faded colors, retro fonts and an overall unique vibe. If you aren’t near a thrift store check out Etsy and EBay. I love searching for my favorite bands and seeing what sort of T-shirt’s are out there.
Some of my favorite graphic tees are:
Vintage Rolling Stones Tee
This one is my husband’s but I have been wearing it non-stop. Check out my video on how I styled this shirt 30 different ways!
Always Play Dress Up Tee
One of my fashion icons Beth from BJonesStyle has a whole collection of great graphic tees.
#3 Sweaters
This is one of my favorite staples! Living in San Francisco, California I tend to run cold so having a sweater on hand is a constant for me.
When it comes to investing in quality sweaters you’re going to want to pay attention to the fabric content. In general, synthetic fibers like acrylic and polyester tend to be cheaper and machine washable, yet over time they develop fuzzy balls all over and continually lose fibers in the wash (these fibers are considered micro plastics and are one of the biggest polluters of our oceans).
Natural fibers like cashmere, wool, and alpaca are not only a bit more expensive, but they usually are not machine washable. They are, however, typically warmer and softer than man made fibers. About a year ago I paid about $100 for a cute Madewell sweater that was mostly acrylic. I washed and wore it many times. It quickly began accumulating little fuzzy balls all over that I continue to pick off each time I wear it. In contrast, I was gifted an Everlane sweater made of 60% alpaca, 30% nylon, and 10% wool. I’ve had it over six months and this may sound gross but I’ve never had to launder it. It’s dry clean only, and because of that I make sure to take good care of it. I always wear shirts underneath it so it doesn’t end up stinking, and so far it still has no signs of wear. I wear this sweater ALL the time, mind you! All that to say... between the two sweaters, my favorite by far is the Everlane one! I can feel the difference in the quality and the fit, so that is the sweater I keep reaching for.
If you aren’t a sweater person, you can opt for a fun sweatshirt with a graphic design or logo. Having a pullover sweater of some kind is a great staple to have. I love layering them over dresses or tucking them into a skirt. Find a unique sweater at your local thrift store, or invest in a high quality sweater like 100% cashmere. Whatever you will wear the most is the best investment for your wardrobe.
My favorite sweaters:
I have this sweater in charcoal and mustard. Hands down my favorite sweater EVER.
Thrifted DIY Sweater
I thrifted this sweater and then embroidered “Double Whammy” on it for a truly one of a kind piece!
#4 Jean Jacket
I own approximately seven jean jackets. But I promise you they are all very different! From dark washes to light washes, from fitted to oversized, they all offer a different look.
Denim can work as a neutral in your wardrobe that will go with ANY color- including more denim! That means it’s incredibly versatile. You can also wear jean jackets year round! Throw one on over a dress or skirt, or layer one underneath a winter coat for extra warmth.
I prefer my Jean jackets to be 100% cotton with no stretch. Denim jackets can look better and better over time as they break in and mold to your body. I love the unique look of denim jackets when they are broken in. My favorite ones are the ones you can tell have lived a good life. My favorite denim jacket is a vintage dark wash Wrangler jacket that I got when I was in Spain. I also love my husbands vintage Levi’s jacket that fits me in a fun oversized slouchy style. I wear both of them depending on what look I’m going for that day.
Some of my favorite jean jackets:
I can’t get enough of this coat! The dark wash goes with practically everything.
I love this unique take on a denim jacket. It’s a great alternative to a trench coat.
#5 Boots
There are just a few wardrobe staples that I would invest over $200 in, a good pair of boots is one of those (the other is a coat). Boots are incredibly versatile. You can pair them with practically anything in your wardrobe: pants, dresses, skirts, and shorts. They can also be worn year round.
Whether you opt for a leather boot, or a vegan option, a great boot is a staple that no wardrobe should be without.
Some of my favorite boots:
Everlane Western Boot
I LOVE a little bit of western flair, and these white boots have just the right amount!
Sutro Boots Ortega Style
I love this sturdy pair of boots made by a local San Francisco brand Sutro Boots. Use my code TINYACORN25 for 25% off!
I love a fun statement boot! This one is pretty comfortable and has worn in really nicely.
My Top 5 Wardrobe Basics
