10 Essentials Every Woman Should Have in Her Closet
You’ve probably come across the list of wardrobe essentials that every woman just has to own dozens of times. But we always find ourselves asking: Do we all really need a shift dress? Sure, it looks perfect on Michelle Obama, but what if you’re more of a whatever’s quick, easy, and comfortable, kind of person? And let’s be honest: We don't all have the budget for a cashmere sweater we’ll only wear a few months, or feel confident in "staples" that don't actually accentuate our body shapes.
So we asked stylists, designers, and fashion experts for advice on what essentials we should add to our wardrobes in 2019—from fresh ankle boots that won't break the bank, skinny jeans that'll make your butt look dynamite, black pants with stretch, and sneakers you can pair with literally anything in your closet. Oh, and we've also found the unicorn of white t-shirts. The best part? On this list, one-size definitely does not fit all.
A Dress You Can Wear from Day to Night
“I know in our Instagram world, it’s all about wearing a different outfit every time you leave the house,” says Atlanta-based stylist Kam Throckmorton. “But French women, for example, are known to wear the same outfit to multiple events. That one outfit may be expensive, but it’s killer, and they feel so amazing wearing it that they wear it again and again, which justifies the expense.” With just a little fashion creativity, it’s also easy to make an outfit feel fresh by simply adding an unexpected element: Perhaps add a leather jacket to that slimming maxi you wore to work, or toss a sequin skirt over your leggings and suddenly that chunky fall sweater takes on an entire new look.
Black Pants
“If you can’t wear leggings to work, find a skinny pant that still has comfortable stretch, but nice structure and lines,” says Haddad. “Try ponte, a magical material mix of polyester, rayon and spandex. It doesn’t pill, but still has the stretch a legging has.” And Haddad isn’t the only one who’s discovered the magic of ponte: the pants are accessible at just about every price point in various stores—and you can even find faux leather options.
Of course, for a dressier office environment, or occassion, you can't go wrong with a stretchy pleat front trouser.
A White T-Shirt
Finding that perfect, elusive white t-shirt that doesn't look messy or... completely transparent is a difficult task. O, The Oprah Magazine's fashion market director, Robin Nazzaro often opts for men's tees to pair with jeans, because they "tend to be less see through." Our accessories editor, Paula Lee, agrees, suggesting that men’s shirts usually "have that nice oversized, non-baby-tee fit." (Lee loves the men's pima cotton shirts from Armani Exchange.) Whether you're interested in a more feminine silhouette to tuck into a pencil skirt, or something oversized to top jeans, see a few of their recs below.
Layering Necklaces
Multiple delicate necklaces can instantly make a look polished, and if you’re following any fashion influencers on Instagram, you may have noticed a trend of pendant and coin necklaces lately.
“Layering necklaces is a craft,” says costume designer Meredith Markworth-Pollack, who has worked on television shows such as Gossip Girl and Hart of Dixie, and currently works on the show Dynasty. “The key to layering 5 or six necklaces is chain length,” she says. “Make sure all the necklaces are at least an inch apart to get a nice tiered effect.” Looking for an easier option? Opt for a necklace that's one piece, but has multiple layers.
Ankle Boots
They go with everything from denim to party dresses. This fall, Lee recommends going for a combat style, or experimenting with new trends like Western and python print. You also can't go wrong with the classic equestrian style. For a primer on how to wear them, check out our effortless guide, here. Some of Lee's comfiest recs are below.
A Striking Raincoat
When the weather is dreary, a whimsical raincoat not only protects you from the elements, but it can brighten your spirits, too. And unlike the aforementioned, tried-and-true classic trench coat, opting for true rainwear offers an element of fashion surprise. After all, wet weather shouldn’t demand dressing down.
The Reinvited Little Black Dress
Once upon a time, this would have been a little black dress, aka an LBD. But what if black simply isn’t your color?
“There are so many more interesting essentials to have than a little black dress,” says Nicole Haddad, the fashion designer behind the clothing line Lobo Mau. But, she adds, it’s still important to pick an option you can grab any time a last minute semi-formal occasion arises. Whether it’s a big work presentation or a dinner, having a dress that can work for any situation with a simple change of shoes and accessories will save a lot of time and stress. “The important thing here isn’t the color,” Haddad adds. “It’s the fit!”
Versatile Sneakers
Old-school fashion rules about saving your kicks for workouts or casual Friday are out. You can now wear a pair of sneakers with a pleated skirt and sweater if your office isn’t conservative, or with a jumpsuit for weekend brunch. Just take one look at the street style of trend setters like Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle for inspiration on how versatile a pair of kicks can be. Plus, considering the variety of sneakers out there today (velvet, rhinestone, silk, bows!) they really are the shoes that can take you anywhere. And you don’t even have to run to get there.
Hair Accessories
There was a time when hair accessories were saved for formal occasions (read: your wedding day), but now, hair accessories are a welcome addition to your everyday wear, and are as easy to style as jewelry (popping in a jeweled bobby pin is as simple as putting on a pair of earrings). They’ve been predominantly shown on the runway at New York Fashion Week by models in shows for Chanel, Christian Siriano and Dolce & Gabbana among other design houses, and when Kate Middleton recently wore a velvet hair bow, it quickly became the accessory heard ‘round the world.
Your Signature Item
Your signature piece could be a faux fur jacket, a playful handbag, or a pair of sequined pants. Whatever it is, when other people see it, it should make them think of you and your personality. But of course, finding such a personal piece doesn’t always happen overnight.
“I find that those signature pieces end up finding you organically,” says Markworth-Pollack. “It may be a piece of heirloom jewelry that gets handed down to you, or something that you start to fall in love with the longer you have it. I have a pair of boots that I bought and ended up loving so much that now I’ve bought them in three different colors! They are definitely my signature item.”
But most importantly? The signature piece should make you feel like your happiest self.
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