Underrated Wardrobe Staples Every Woman Needs (But Nobody Talks About)
In the fashion world, we spend a lot of time talking about core capsule wardrobe pieces, investment pieces and “wardrobe staples”. When we hear these words, most of us immediately think of the white button downs, the jeans that fit just right, and a little black dress. And while those pieces can be helpful (although not every woman’s cup of tea), very little attention is given to the unsung closet heroes that make a functional wardrobe.
After years of styling women and editing their closets, I’ve learned that the most stylish women are investing in a completely different set of wardrobe staples — the unsung wardrobe heroes that work overtime behind the scenes to make everything else in our closets work. And if you get these right, I can genuinely promise you that getting dressed will start to feel easier! And, you’ll always feel stylish and put together… even when you’re lounging at home.
So, here are the seven underrated staples every woman needs in her closet:
High Quality Undershirts
This might be one of the least glamorous items on the list — but hear me out. A good undershirt does a few things for your wardrobe: it keeps your knits pristine (in turn reducing your dry cleaning bill), extends the life of more expensive blouses and tops, and serves as an easy layer under blazers and jackets. This is one of those pieces that you won’t fully realize the value of… until you have one.
The key word here is quality. My personal favorite are these undershirts by Numi because they’re reinforced with a special technology that absorbs sweat and eliminates odor under the arms. Since I bought them, I’ve been able to say goodbye to sweat stains and extend the time between dry cleaning my blouses and knits significantly. Numi is size inclusive and they also offer lots of variety in the styles they create.
Sylish (But Comfortable) Shoes
There is no bigger buzz kill than a blister when you’re out and about enjoying life. So, here’s something I tell every single client: you don’t have to choose between comfort and style. It is always worth it to invest in a pair of shoes that will go the distance and allow you to be present in the moments that matter most.
My current favorites are these cap toe flats from Frankie4 — especially if you love Chanel vibes. I also love my Jada flats by Freda Salvedor, my Frankie4 kitten heels, my Adidas sambas, and my Frankie4 loafers. All of these shoes were comfortable right out of the box. Consider them living proof that comfort and style can exist simultaneously.
Everyday Jewelry
Jewelry is one of those things that truly makes style personal. A few everyday jewelry staples can instantly make even jeans and a tee shirt feel put together and intentional. I personally almost always wear a pair of gold huggies, pearl earrings or diamond studs paired with a gold pendant passed down from my grandmother and my everyday watch. I recently also added a signet ring to my rotation. These pieces hold meaning and more importantly, they tell a story about who I am.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a jewelry person, it’s worth examining if this is a gap between the style you want and the style you have. During a recent Style Therapy session, my client (who rarely wears jewerly) and I noticed an important detail: one of the pieces that consistently shows up in her inspiration photos is a colorful, beaded vintage shell necklace. What we realized is that this one piece could transform her basic outfits into looks that feel exciting and aligned with the person she is becoming.
A Well-Fitting Bra
I know, I know. Not exciting. BUT, believe me when I tell you that a well-fitting bra is one of the quiet secrets to making everything else fit and flatter. There is nothing that ruins a tee shirt like a lumpy, bumpy contour that you can’t hide. Over the years, I’ve discovered that most women are wearing the wrong size or simply don’t replace their bras often enough (I recommend every 6-12 months, especially if you wear them daily). If you’re not sure of your size, head to your local department store or a lingerie store like Victoria’s Secret or Soma for a proper fitting.
A Special Occasion Dress
I can’t even begin to tell you how many women have admitted to skipping an event because they simply didn’t have anything to wear. One of the best investments you can make is an RSVP-ready dress that gives you the option to say yes… even on short notice. This occasion dress should be tailored the types of events you attend most. For example, my husband and I typically attend 2-3 black tie events each year, and I find myself attending at least one wedding or shower annually. As a result, I own 2-3 dresses for each of these occasions.
Some women prefer to rent, and that’s great, but it doesn’t solve the problem when your rental unexpectedly doesn’t fit or you’re in a pinch. If you’re truly concerned about repeat wears, I recommend renting more than one size or style as a backup.
A Stylish Lounge Set
I’m not talking about the old tee shirt or beat up pair of sweatpants you sometimes wear to bed (no judgement — been there). I’m talking about a lounge set that you genuinely feel comfortable answering the door or running errands in. This could be a matching set in one of your best colors or even a pair of leggings and an elevated sweatshirt.
My personal go-to’s are this mate the label sweatshirt & leggings, and my Jenni Kayne Saturday sweatsuit (pants + top). With the sweatsuit, I love to wear my favorite white tee shirt underneath and drape the sweatshirt neatly over my shoulders when it gets a little toasty.
An Elevated Pajama Set
Yes, you read that correctly! I am a firm believer that stylish women are stylish all the time — because they dress for themselves not for other people. Years ago, I convinced a client of mine to add an elevated pajama set & matching robe to her wardrobe and she texted me saying she couldn’t believe how much better she felt about herself day-to-day as a result. She hadn’t realized how much her shabby old sweats were affecting the way she felt about herself, until she had another option. Today, she hosts fun movie nights with her friends at her apartment, and invites them all to wear their pajamas, too! My current favorite is this set from Lake (I also love their cotton bundle).
What all of these pieces have in common is that they’re foundational. They may not get the most compliments, but they make everything else in your wardrobe work better. And trust me, the confidence, comfort and ease they will add to your wardrobe is worth a lot!
Want help building a wardrobe that supports your body and life? I work with women one-on-one to build wardrobes that are simpler, more intentional, and most importantly, totally their style. You can learn more about my services — or book your appointment — here.
xoxo