As a fashion editor, I get asked a lot about which wardrobe staples are universally worth buying. It can be a complex question given the idiosyncrasies of personal style, but there are a few prime pieces I do believe should have a space in everyone’s collection regardless of sartorial tendencies. While closet staples should be timeless to a certain degree, practicality should also be an integral part of the equation—what good is a piece if you don’t wear it enough? That’s the point in thinking about things like cost per wear. The aim is to get the most use out of it as possible. Most people know about the timeless basics that make up practically every well-curated closet, like the classic button-down and trench (don’t worry—those are on this list), but 2020 also brought about a crop of unexpected style MVPs we couldn’t imagine getting dressed without. Below, I’m imparting some of my editor wisdom to share the style heroes that get you the most bang for your buck. No matter the season or occasion, these are the items that will never let you down.
It’s sort of easy to forget the magic of a blazer during the seemingly abrupt transition from puffer coats to barely-there tops, but I promise this piece is truly worth it. Blazers take up a good portion of my closet because they’re so effortless and functional. At this point, I have one for every mood: black for a classic look, pinstripe for my menswear-inspired outfits, and plaid for casual moments.
This basic has been showing up a ton on my feed lately, which you could consider a testament to its everlasting utility. I find that I get so much use out of trench coats all year round just by layering rigorously come fall and early winter, and then easing up on the layers once spring hits. Although a sophisticated topper, it can also be sporty-chic styled with all of your athleisure pieces like a trendy sweatsuit.
So many cuts and rises, so little time. At Who What Wear, we constantly report on the several denim trends popping up, but for me, cropped jeans will never leave my side. Here are a few reasons why this style beats out all of the others: the shorter length leaves enough room to properly showcase a cool pair of shoes like sandals in the summer (and an anklet if you’re so inclined!), or booties in the winter. You also don’t have to worry about that weird, awkward tucked-in look you get from super long hems. If you’re on the petite side, cropped jeans are also your friend.
Once a trend, tops with quirky necklines have become one of the most valuable basics in my wardrobe. I style them as I would any plain t-shirt, so it doesn’t take much brainpower to figure out what to wear with them. I find that they add some extra oomph a plain tee simply doesn’t have.
As someone with “rounder” assets, I thoroughly stan a wide leg pant for its flattering effects, but I think it’s a staple all body types should own too. When office life was a thing, wide-leg pants were the trousers that I reached for most often, but even now working from home I still find myself wearing them frequently as they’re so effortlessly sophisticated. Even though my everyday look is way less formal right now, I wear my wide-leg pants more casually with a cropped tank and white sneakers.
With the rising popularity of the padded shoulder tank, I feel like my eyes have been opened to how versatile this piece truly is. Fashion girls around the globe have been wearing these shirts with everything from leather pants, to skirts and high-waist trousers, so needless to say it’s a top that can be worn with a multitude of fits. Who What Wear’s version opts out of the shoulder pad detail, which I think increases its shelf life once the 80s inspired trend fizzles out.
The usefulness of a classic button-down doesn’t really need much explaining, but if you don’t already own one, I’m here to tell you that it should be next on your shopping list.
Our dear friend from pandemic times past, the humble sweatsuit has become a bonafide wardrobe staple for me this past year. Pre-lockdown I was never really into them, but fast forward to today, it has easily become my most worn outfit (even as I type this I’m wearing a pair of sweatpants). If you’re looking to dress them up a bit, they can be amped up with a few sartorial tweaks like adding a leather blazer, or casual strappy mules.
This is somewhat of a broad category, but there are a few key things to look for when shopping for a dress you plan on wearing a ton: go for classic neutral shades (they’ll be much easier to incorporate into your existing wardrobe), stick with a midi to maxi length for increased versatility, and look for modern, not too trendy necklines and details that feel fresh.
