Five Favorite Clothing Items Every Woman Needs

I have a very large wardrobe consisting mostly of gorgeous professional business attire.  Over the last couple of years of work, our company changed the attire from business professional (pant suits or dresses with jackets), to business casual which was still quite professional.  We wore mostly dresses or slacks with a collared blouse, no jacket required.  Now that I’m deciding what pieces fit in my post-professional lifestyle, I’ve chosen five favorite clothing items every woman needs.

It was my plan to wait a year before paring back my closet, but I already know there are things I’m not going to ever wear again.  So those items will go first.  I probably have 5 black skirts of different hem lengths and style, from pencil to flair.  And the same number of black pants, or more!  I definitely don’t need 5 black skirts and 5 black pants.  So, some decisions will be easier than others. As you have probably figured out, I love clothes and have opinions about style.  If you do too, you might enjoy reading Things I Won’t Wear, or Don’t Dress Your Age.

As much as I’m attracted to the capsule wardrobe concept, I’m not ready to jump all in.  But I am going to pare back to 2 seasonal wardrobes, with a limited number of pieces in each.  I’ll be posting those at a later date.  In the meantime, regardless of season, these are my five favorite clothing items every woman needs.

Great fitting dark wash jeans 

Jeans have become the clothing item of choice.  They can be worn to almost any event.  If you buy a high-end (expensive) pair, you’ll find features and fit that you cannot find in an inexpensive pair.  Case in point: About 15 years ago I was given a generous gift certificate for a fancy boutique. Normally I would have spent the money on a gorgeous dress to have for special events.  There was a fun pair of jeans that I was admiring before I went into the fitting room with the dresses.  While I was trying things on, the salesperson brought me those jeans and a few very pretty embellished tops to go with.  I tried on the jeans and fell in love.  They were SO flattering and comfortable.  They looked like they were made for me.  I looked at the price and just about choked.  They were nearly $150, which was 3 times what I would have paid for jeans. 

Here’s Where Math is Your Friend

The salesperson was smart.  She asked me which of the dresses I was considering.  We talked about the various dresses and gowns, and which events I thought I might wear each.  Then she asked me how much I was willing to spend on a very special dress.  That amount was closer to $300.  “So…”, she said, “How many times do you think you’ll wear those jeans over the next year?”  She had me!  Probably several times a month, compared with a couple of times a year for the dress, if that.  Such a smart cookie! Amortizing the cost over the number of wearings made the jeans a smart buy. 

I bought those jeans, along with a really cute top, dress-coat, and purse.  I wore that outfit multiple times, and the pieces separately with other garments as well.  To this day, I still wear the jeans, the jacket, and the purse!  The top didn’t last as long and was retired about 10 years ago.  But the rest are still workhorses in my closet.  The jeans are no longer my go-to dress jeans, they are now my favorite faded wear-anytime jeans. Go ahead and buy one pair of very nice, very flattering jeans.  You’ll be happy you did.

A Black Pullover Sweater

I would even go as far as to recommend cashmere. It just feels luxurious. Every woman should own at least one cashmere sweater, and the most versatile is a black jewel neck or crewneck pull-over.  This sweater can be dressed up or down and will always look perfect.  A black pull-over can turn a dress into another look in your travel capsule wardrobe, and pair with every pair of pants or skirt you own.  I prefer cashmere over Moreno wool for its softness and warmth, but some swear by that as well.  Buy what you like but do include a black pull-over sweater in your wardrobe. You’ll wear it often in fall and winter, and as a layer while travelling.

Striped Tee

I love stripes and judging by the number of striped clothing items that are available every single season, so does everyone else.  I have both long sleeved and short sleeved stripe t-shirts.  It’s so easy to look fashionable with a great pair of pants, crops, shorts, or shirt and an appropriate length striped tee, preferably in black and white.  Add a great bag, and statement shoes, and you’re good to go.

Statement Shoes

Speaking of statement shoes.  You probably need more than one pair of these, in fact, I have several.  But if you are truly a very casual dresser, then invest in one pair of gorgeous shoes in animal print, or red patent leather, or some other surprising color or print.  Something that stands out and looks amazing.  If you are brave enough, I definitely recommend animal print.  You can wear them with every color, and they make everything you wear look stylish.  You can wear either a heel, or a flat, and they both look great.  So, buy what you love and what you will reach for most often.  Whatever you choose, make it say something wonderful about your style.

A Little Black Dress

Of course, you knew this was coming, didn’t you?  Everyone needs a great LBD.  That one uber appropriate, dress you can wear to dinner, the theater, a funeral, and even a wedding with the right accessories.  A black dress coordinates with everything in your closet.  Choose a classic style that flatters your figure, and you can’t go wrong.  I prefer to choose Ponte, or another stretch knit for comfort and because they travel so well.  You can typically find a very nice quality dress on the sale rack at your favorite department store. 

Buy the Dress!

Don’t wait for the event, or you’ll end up paying way too much for something you don’t love.  I have two mottoes, when it comes to buying clothes.  The first is you must love it.  Do not buy something that’ll do.  If you don’t love it, don’t buy it.  Period.  The second is, buy the dress and the event will come.  If it’s the perfect dress that you feel wonderful wearing, you will find a place to wear it. 

Of course, being a clothes horse, there are many more items I think every woman needs in her wardrobe, but these 5 pieces are almost always among the clothing I grab for travel, as well as for home.  Hem lengths and fabric choices may change with the seasons or with trends, but these 5 items will stand the test of time.

Do these five items match up with your closet?  What clothing item are you never without? Let me know in the comments.