5 Wardrobe Staples Every Woman Needs In Her Closet

Trends may come and go, but there are some wardrobe staples every woman needs in her closet.

Staple items, by which I mean the items I use season-to-season and year-to-year, are the few things I’m actually willing to splurge on (or, at least, splurge by my standards). But that doesn’t mean I have to splurge on them. As you’ll see, some of my favorite staple items are extremely affordable without sacrificing quality.

The best part of having a solid foundation of staples in my closet is that I can add a few seasonal pieces throughout the year and keep my wardrobe on-trend without going over budget.

Dark Wash Skinny Jean

If I had to wear only one pair of jeans for the rest of my life, it would be a pair of dark wash skinny jeans. Without a doubt, these are the most versatile pants in my closet.

Worn with a graphic tee and sneakers, I can look stylish while running errands. Switch the sneakers for a pair of heels and add a cute leather jacket and they’re dressed up for a night out. With a simple camisole and blazer, they’re even appropriate for work.

When it comes to investing in a good pair of jeans, I turn to Levi’s. Though not the most expensive jeans on the market by far, their price tag is still a little higher than I tend to gravitate towards. But, in my opinion, they’re worth it. The fit can’t be beaten, and they last forever (most of mine have been in my closet for years). Pictured here are my favorite skinny’s from Levi.

For even more affordable options, I also love these Target jeans, these super flattering Old Navy jeans, or these American Eagle jeggings that come in petite-friendly lengths.

White T-Shirt/Tank

If there’s one thing that makes a piece of clothing a great staple, it’s versatility. And what’s more versatile than a simple white t-shirt or tank top?

I have so many basic tees in my wardrobe in a ton of different colors. They are so easy to throw on with leggings and sneakers, shorts and flip-flops, or jeans and high heels for totally different looks.

Unlike my beloved Levi’s, these are a staple I prefer not to splurge on. Particularly as my favorite basic tee is a white that I will inevitably stain and need to replace (in fact, I currently have three of the exact same white t-shirt in my closet just in case).

These are my absolute favorite because the quality is fantastic and they are so affordable I can have one (or two) in every color.

I’m also a fan of these super-soft v-necks and usually pick them up when they’re on sale.

Nude Pumps

Back in the day (and by that, I mean my early twenties before I knew better), I had a serious obsession with high heels. Part of which stemmed from feeling the need to add a few inches to my (very) petite height. And my feet definitely suffered for that obsession.

I’ve since learned to embrace my height and shifted my shoe obsession.

But that doesn’t mean I’ve given up my love of high heels, I’m just more selective about wearing them.

And if I had to have only one pair of heels in my closet, it would be a pair of nude pumps.

For starters, nude pumps are a short girl’s best friends because they create the illusion of longer legs.

And, as with all of my staple items, they are extremely versatile. They are so easy to pair with an outfit because they can go with almost any color or pattern.

Wear them with a cute dress for a wedding or to church.

Throw them on with jeans and a leather jacket for date night.

Or, if you’re feeling trendy, a graphic tee and mom jeans.

If you’re looking for a good pair of pumps for the office or an event where you might be on your feet for long amounts of time, these have amazing reviews for comfort.

The affordable pumps I’m wearing here, however, are an Amazon find that I’ve been testing out. They had a much higher review rating than I would have expected for the price so I couldn’t resist. I’ve only worn them a few times so far, but I’ve been impressed. (FYI, the reviews I read recommended sizing up ½ size, which I did, and they fit great.)

Black Leggings

Sometimes pulling on a pair of skinny jeans or remembering to shave your legs to wear a dress is just too much work.

On those days, I’m thankful for the person who decided to make leggings stylish. I mean, they’re basically like lounge pants that are acceptable to be worn in public. What’s not to love about that?

You can look cute and casual wearing them with sneakers and an oversized tunic top or sleek and sophisticated pairing them with a leather jacket.

These are the faux-leather leggings every one raves about as being the best thing since sliced bread. But, to be honest, I haven’t been able to pull the trigger on purchasing them. While I’m not opposed to investing in pieces that will last forever and be worn on repeat all year long, I’m just not comfortable spending that much money on one pair of leggings.

If you’re like me and feel hesitant to spend that much cash on one pair of leggings, these are a much more affordable option.

Neutral Sneakers

Remember how I said my shoe obsession shifted away from high heels? It’s because I found a new love for sneakers.

Just in case you’ve been living in a remote location with zero access to Instagram or magazines, sneakers aren’t just for the gym or mowing grass anymore. Turns out, sneakers can actually be a cute and comfy accessory to any outfit. (Yes, I’m aware I may be the last person to know this.)

Shoes are another area where I am willing to spend a little more in exchange for quality or longevity. These have been my go-to sneakers since I bought them a few months ago. And, in fact, some of my other favorite pairs of sneakers are from the same brand.

You don’t have to spend big bucks though, especially if you’re looking for a pair of sneakers with a trendy element like animal print. These super affordable sneakers come in several colors/patterns. The only downside is that they run a little big and, unfortunately for me, don’t come any smaller than a size 6. (But they’re so cute, I’ve seriously considered starting a petition for them to make smaller sizes).

Depending on your personal style or the climate you live in, this list could also include a leather jacket, denim jacket, blazer, a simple LBD, or a good pair of flats.

By starting with a good foundation of basic items in your closet, it’s easier to keep up with current trends without feeling like you have to buy a new wardrobe every few months.

For more of my favorite fashion finds, check out the Shop the Blog page!