These Are the 8 Basic Pieces You Need In Your Closet, According to Experts

We've got your basic bases covered.

While women's basics like tees, trousers, and jeans might not be the most exciting pieces in your closet, these unassuming essentials are the backbone of every OOTD. Whether you're a sartorial maximalist or prefer a streamlined capsule wardrobe, these eight pieces provide the fashion foundation for looks you'll wear all year long. Before we dive in, it's worth establishing exactly what elevated a piece of clothing or accessory from simply basic to a basic essential. Stylist Audree Kate López defines an essential basic as a piece "that goes with at least half, if not 75%, of your wardrobe for a particular season."

Ahead, López, along with three other experts, reveals the eight most essential basics every woman should own, along with tips on what to look for when adding these pieces to your wardrobe. From best-in-class fabrics to the most versatile color palettes, we've got all the details on how to shop and style the basics that'll boost your fashion game from spring through summer and beyond.

Comfortable Jeans

"Everybody needs a good pair of jeans," says Leah Wise, founder of CrashGal Couture, who suggests having two or three comfortable pairs of jeans on hand. When it comes to specific styles, Wise recommends "a light-wash and medium-wash pair to rotate between." Experts agree that denim is one basic worth investing in. "I splurge on jeans because you don't need a whole lot of them, but good quality and fit is important," Wise says. López concurs, adding, "You’re sitting, standing, and walking in your denim and it's exposed to the elements. If you plan on wearing your basics two or more times per week, you should look for high quality that will last."

Layering-Friendly T-Shirts

Whether it's a short-sleeve crewneck or a long-sleeve V-neck, Holly Shapiro, Creative Director of Splendid, considers t-shirts a must-have. "Fitted and [relaxed] tees are both essential, as is a layering tank top. Everyone should have a good go-to piece for these three styles." For this basic essential, Shapiro recommends looking for cotton or a cotton blend. "All the basics I love have a small percentage of stretch — about 2%-5%. They're not super stretchy, they just wear better." T-shirts are an essential basic you can buy in bulk without skimping on quality cotton, although Shapiro, a frequent tee-wearer, opts to invest. "I splurge on my tees since I want them to last and I wear them all the time. I’m less likely to invest in tank tops because I usually wear them as a base layer."

A Mixed Metal Necklace

Celebrity makeup artist Camille Thompson, whose star-studded client roster includes Iman, Storm Reid, and Jasmine Tookes, knows that looking great starts with feeling confident. "My 14k gold half-diamond tennis, paper link chocker makes me feel fearless," she tells InStyle. Thompson bought her go-to necklace as a gift for herself, in part, to "break the stigma of fine jewelry only being received as a form of validation from a significant other or loved one." A versatile mixed metal necklace like Thompson's adds polish to any look in your 'fit rotation while also helping to establish your personal style regardless of the occasion.

A Versatile Blazer

Our experts all agree that a blazer is a must-have basic for countless occasions, not just business casual ones. "A good blazer can be thrown over many different outfits," says Wise. "It's a great piece for elevating jeans or giving your go-to little black dress a different look." While you should go with the blazer silhouette that feels most comfortable for you, be it oversized and boxy or more tailored, sticking to a neutral color will give you the most styling options. López suggests opting for a black blazer with one exception. "If you primarily wear light colors, look for cream, tan or camel," she advises.

A Little Black Dress

"A little black dress is one of the original fashion staples in a wardrobe," says Wise, and we couldn't agree more. When it comes to basic essentials, we like to apply the L in LBD to the overall design, rather than hemline length. Choosing a midi or knee-length black dress rather than a mini will ensure you can wear this must-have basic piece almost anywhere. "Instead of trend-chasing, opt for something timeless and classic, so you can wear it for years to interviews, cocktail parties, or events," says López.

A Collared Shirt

A collared shirt is something of a fashion chameleon, absorbing the vibe and aesthetic of the look it's a part of from vampy to casual or streamlined and elevated. Lopez recommends opting for cotton for this particular basic which she loves thanks to its ability to be dressed up or down. While Kim Appelt, celebrity stylist and author of Style for EveryBODY, recommends shoppers always look for natural fibers, she has a favorite fabric for this particular basic. "You can wear a linen shirt everywhere from the beach to a plane," she says.

Black Trousers

Appelt, Lopez, and Wise all agree that black slacks or trousers are a must-have. When it comes to fabrics, opt for a seasonally appropriate and breathable textile such as wool, cotton, or linen. One material to steer clear of with this style of women's basic is denim. While we love black jeans, this basic piece prioritizes versatility. You can easily wear a pair of black trousers to a formal event. Black jeans? Not so much.

Neutral Sneakers

Whether worn with a dress to brunch or with a power suit to the office, sneakers are an excellent footwear choice that is easy to dress up or down. Because of their versatility, this is another basic worth investing in. "I splurge on items that will see a lot of mileage during the week," says López who recommends spending more on a high-quality leather pair "versus cheaply-made fast-fashion sneakers that will break down and not last past a season." Wise seconds that notion, adding, "I recommend leather because it's high quality and you don’t have to worry about them falling apart or smelling. Leather shoes may be a bit pricier but it’s definitely worth the investment because they last forever."

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