I’m sharing my favorite wardrobe staples today – those things that I always seem to grab anytime I reach into my closet!
I think it goes without saying that I shop, a lot, and definitely a lot more than I ever used to! The UPS and FedEx people and I are starting to become friends rather than acquaintances, and I’m starting to be recognized at my local Old Navy because I’m and in and out of there so often.
As much as I shop and try out new things though, I seem to have a few wardrobe staples that I turn to again and again! They are basic items that adhere to my four wardrobe requirements (affordable, comfortable, versatile, and flattering) and really work through any season! So I thought I would share those with you today!
17 Wardrobe Staples Every Closet Needs
First up are my American Eagle The Dream Jean High Waisted Jegging. These suckers are buttery soft and fit like an absolute dream. (They are named that for the right reason!) They are also a thinner denim fabric, so they are more comfortable in the summer, which I appreciate in the Texas heat! They are true to size – I wear them in a size 12.
AMERICAN EAGLE DREAM JEANS | SWEATSHIRT | BOOTIES
These Amazon Essentials Swing Tees are new to my wardrobe, but they quickly found a place in my heart! The fabric is so soft and quite thick too, making for the perfect durable everyday tee in my book! I love the cut at the bottom – it swings out slightly and hits at the perfect spot on my hip. They are so flattering and comfortable, not to mention easy to layer with other pieces as well! They are true to size, I wear them in a Large.
This outfit did double duty in the staples department, because these Sam Edelman Greta Sandals are literally ON REPEAT during summer. They are some of the most comfortable sandals I have ever put on my feet and they go with literally everything. Jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses, leggings – EVERYTHING! They are a bit pricey, but I have had these for a couple of years now and they have held up well and I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth out of them! I recommend going up 1/2 a size in these.
AMAZON ESSENTIALS SWING TEE | SHORTS | GRETA SANDALS
If you have been here for more than about ten minutes, then you already know of my obsession with the Amazon Essentials V-Neck Tees! I have several versions of them (I think ten tees total) and wear them on a very regular basis.
The v-neck is flattering on my body type – it elongates my very short torso – and the fabric on these is amazing. It is thick and soft and holds up really well to washes! I have had these for around a year and they are still in excellent shape!
And finally, I must mention how affordable they are! They come in a pack of 2 for around $18 (depending on the pattern you choose). For $9, these are the best tee you can buy! I size up to an XL in these because they are a more fitted cut!
AMAZON ESSENTIALS V-NECK TEES | JEANS | SANDALS
Another recent addition to my closet are these Toms Grenada Booties. Toms are known for their comfortable shoes, but these babies are a whole other level of comfort! I never thought I’d be able to say that about something with a heel, but the soft leather and ultra-padded insole have proven to be quite comfy, even for long wear!
If you consider nothing else from this post, please consider these Caslon Rolled Denim Boyfriend Shorts. These have been some of the best $60 I have ever handed over for clothing! And yes – they are absolutely worth every penny!
When it comes to shorts, I’m very picky because they have to fit just right to look flattering on a curvy body type. Too small and not only am I uncomfortable, but things are just squeezing here and there that I’m not really interested in showing. Too loose and they look sloppy. Too short and I can’t really pull of that pastor’s wife vibe I have going, and too long and I look like… well, my mom. (Miss you mom, but you know it’s true!)
These shorts are seriously the holy grail of all denim shorts! The inseam is a perfect 4″ and the leg opening is plenty large enough for my thighs, which is saying something! These I wear in my true size, 12/31, rather than sizing up one like I normally do for my shorts because they do run large!
A good pair of distressed denim jeans can add a fun casual vibe to literally any outfit and these are my go-to distressed jeans! These are AE Ne(X)t Level Super High-Waisted Jeggings and they are quite dreamy!
The distressing is all appropriately placed (no weird wardrobe malfunctions there) and most of the distressing is backed with more fabric, so if you’re in a colder climate you won’t have the wind whistling through your jeans!
These are true to size, I am wearing in a size 12!
AMERICAN EAGLE DISTRESSED JEANS | WRAP TOP | BODYSUIT | NECKLACE | BOOTIES
There are many things about this outfit that I absolutely love, but I would really like to focus on my shoes! These are A New Day Women’s Gemma Pointed Toe Pumps from Target and for a nice, comfortable pair of basic black pumps, they are pretty amazing!
I don’t wear them very often, because I don’t often have a reason to, but when I need a great pair of pumps these have never failed me! I’ve worn them to speaking engagements, galas, nights out – they are pretty comfortable, easy to walk in, and extremely affordable!
They are true to size, I am wearing them in a 6.5!
GEMMA PUMPS | TEE | BLAZER | PONTE JOGGERS
Another outfit that packs a double-hitter – this Open-Front Long-Line Sweater and Distressed Rockstar Jeggings are a great addition to your closet for sure! This cardigan sees the light of day on an almost daily basis. It gets chilly in my house so I usually wear it while I work because it goes with pretty much everything! It is true to size, I am wearing in a Large.
I finally, finally added black jeans to my closet (not sure what took me so long) and these are giving me life. I love the distressing and the pull on style is so comfortable! They are true to size and I wear them in a 12.
OLD NAVY CARDIGAN | OLD NAVY DISTRESSED BLACK JEANS | TEE | FLATS
If you were not around for the Madewell-ageddon that happened in my house this summer, here is the short version: I got a pair of Madewell jeans in a StitchFix box, put them on, and promptly fell in love with them and literally wore them like, 15 days in a row. If you’re reading this and they are still in stock, I would grab a pair before they are gone forever!!!
They are true to size and I wear them in a 12/31!
MADEWELL JEANS | TOP | MULES
More killer denim for you! These are some of my all-time favorite Old Navy jeans! They are the Mid-Rise Built-In Sculpt Rockstar Jeggings and I’m not sure what kind of magic is woven into the fabric of these, but they look and feel incredible!
The pull-on style is a win for me because buttons always seem to show through my shirts and that annoys me! I also love the length and ankle opening as well – sometimes the ankle is to wide on skinny jeans and looks slouchy or sloppy. These are, in one word, perfection!
They are true to size – I wear them in a size 12!
The top here is from StitchFix so I don’t have a link for it.
OLD NAVY ROCKSTAR JEGGINGS | FLATS
When you have an item of clothing that is actually named after you, I think you kind of have to include it in your wardrobe staples, right? These are the Gibson Skye Cozy Joggers, and I have to have a small moment of pride… these are just about the only item that has lasted through all of the special Gibson collections that they have done with many bloggers and influencers. And they have my name on them. EEEEEP!
Okay all excitement aside, I have three pair of these and rotate through them regularly! They are the soft fleece from Gibson that makes them perfect for cozy nights and loungewear! The fit is spot on – I wear them in a Large.
GIBSON SKYE COZY JOGGERS | FLEECE WRAP TOP | TEE
It wouldn’t be right to not include my absolutely beloved Soma Plunge Lace Bralettes in this post! Good underwear make a great foundation to an outfit, and these are my everyday, go to bra. In fact, since discovering these, I haven’t worn anything but these pretty much!
They have a nice wide band around the bottom that makes them super supportive and they are wire free, which makes them nice and comfortable. I love that the lace strap is pretty enough to show off with an off the shoulder or one shoulder top, because strapless bras are not my favorite!
I wear these in a size XL for 36G bra size and they fit great! I highly recommend these and they are one of my absolute best sellers!
SOMA BRALETTE | TOP | EARRINGS
And while we are on the subject of underwear, these are my second favorite bralettes from Soma. The Enbliss fabric is incredibly soft and these are suprisingly supportive as well! I wear them when I need a bra that absolutely disappears underneath a soft fabric top (that would normally show every lump or bit of lace through it!)
I also wear these in an XL for size 36G!
ENBLISS RACERBACK BRALETTE | ENBLISS BRALETTE
We are coming to a close, so I wanted to combine another two of my wardrobe staples in this one photo – an Old Navy Quilted Zip Front Vest and Born Uchee Knee High Boots.
This quilted vest is such an easy way to upgrade basically any outfit you have for fall or winter. It has a nice thin layer of insulation in it, making it warm and comfortable for those days where the temperature swings from crisp in the mornings to warm-ish in the afternoons. I would size up one in this one if you are busty and would like to be able to zip it. I am wearing in an XL
I’ve had these boots for two years and they are my literal ride or dies. So comfortable, flannel lined (so very warm), and literally go with everything! They are definitely expensive, but I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth out of them! These are true to size, I wear them in a 6.5.
Tip: If they are too small for your calf, take them to your local boot repair shop and have the calf area stretched to fit! It is about $30 and they can also waterproof them while they have them!
OLD NAVY QUILTED VEST | TEE | JEANS | BORN KNEE HIGH BOOTS
And finally, file this last item under “the best $59 I’ve ever spent on something I didn’t realize I needed or was missing out on.” My Zella High-Waist Live In Leggings are in my weekly rotation. They are a nice, thick fabric (so no wardrobe malfunctions happening!), have a nice high waist with a thick waistband, and are SO comfortable I cannot even tell you.
If you see me in black leggings, you can almost guarantee it will be these Zellas! I also wear them to work out because they are quite literally that comfortable! Before owning these, I would have never spent that much money on leggings but I caught them on sale during a Nordstrom Sale one year and I have pretty much never looked back!
They are true to size, I wear them in a L
ZELLA LIVE IN LEGGINGS | WRAP TOP | BODYSUIT | SHOES
What are your favorite wardrobe staples? Are you planning on grabbing any of these? Let me know in the comment section below! If this post was helpful, I would love it if you shared it on Facebook or pinned it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
I was wanting the Nordstrom wrap cardigan and missed out last year and just spotted theGibson fleece wrap on your blog! Can I ask what size you ordered or does it run true to size? Im between the large/xtra large. Also after washing, has the fleece pilled or balled up? Thank you. I just found your blog and enjoying it and your picks.
Hi Deb! I wear that wrap cardigan in a size L and would suggest sizing down if you’re in between! It does run big. I have only washed it a handful of times but so far it has not pilled! I hope that helps!