I’ve been reading the 80/20 Principle recently. I won’t go too much into the details since I’ll probably be sharing it in a book review. However, the general PRINCIPLE (see what I did there?) is about how 80% of results are created by 20% of the value. In most wardrobes, we wear around 20% of our clothes around 80% of the time. So here are the 14 items I think are the most essential pieces in every wardrobe, I included shoes for MAXIMUM benefit.

 

White T Shirt -

This item and the next item are two staples every person must have in their closet. It matches with anything and everything. Plain white tees and plain black tees can be flexed in so many ways - you can wear them as a plain shirt or under a dress. 

Black T Shirt - 

Black is probably my favorite color of all time. I wear black everything. I think I always wear at least some black since it’s always so versatile and covers up all of the fat I don’t want people to see. It’s the most forgiving color of clothing out there. Shadows from wrinkles? Forget about it. 

Blouse - 

Usually people go for a plain white blouse, but I love blouses and I probably have 30 blouses because they’re wonderful! I wear them all the time. However, as a starter wardrobe item, I would see what color your blazer and pants / trousers are before making a decision. A color that is different but doesn’t clash would be perfect. That’s why many people recommend a white. 

Blazer - 

A blazer is an essential in every closet. It dresses up an outfit and you can also dress it down. You can wear a blazer for any occasion. Rolling up the sleeves makes everything a bit more casual if you want to use it more often. I’ve had my blazer for 5 years and I wore it every single time I went on an interview. I only got a new one after I started interning last summer. 

Denim Jacket - 

I wear my denim every other day. I bought mine for $50 and I think the cost per use is already <1 cent. Don’t be afraid to wear denim on denim btw you can play around with the shade of the denim you’re wearing 

Leather/Pleather Jacket - 

You don’t need to buy an investment leather piece as they are super expensive. Any biker jacket will do. I believe this piece is an essential in your wardrobe for your layers and also it gives a cute edge to all of your outfits. 

Jeans - 

Now as we get into pants, this is the first on my list of essential wardrobe items. Jeans are great for everything. This year’s styles are super versatile and I’m so excited to up my denim game.

Pants / Trousers - 

I would call these the potential statement piece. My first pair of grown up pants were these chinos from Tommy Hilfiger that I love to death and I still have even after 4 years. They’re these plaid chinos that I absolutely adore and my friends say look like pajama pants but I don’t care.

One Slip-On Dress - 

The slip on dress is a dress that ups your wardrobe game while being extremely low maintenance. I love this one the most. I’ve recently gotten into wearing dresses again, maybe because I’ve found some that I feel are very wearable. Growing up, my dresses were all frills and no function. Simple dresses are definitely my jam now! They’re so easy to wear! I don’t have to worry about tucking in my shirt or buttoning my pants. 

I would steer clear of bodycon dresses because you’ll always have to suck in your tummy so they’re not as comfortable. My favorite dresses are ones where I can bloat as much as I need to and still look like I’ve tried. 

Company T Shirt (for Pajamas) - 

I have 5 different large company shirts for pajamas. I have never deliberately seeked out a pair of pajamas to buy. Company t shirts are the best, you can get them through so many avenues and you don’t have to pay for clothes. 10/10 experience. I wouldn’t wear these out though. 

One Fancy Outfit - 

This I will leave up to you. This should be completely your choice on how you want to showcase your style. My personal favorite is a pant suit though. 

White Sneakers - 

A staple in a capsule closet. An essential in a busy girl’s life. You’ll always want to have a pair of white sneakers. They are super versatile and comfortable. Don’t be afraid to wear these with your fancy outfits and your statement pieces! Experiment :) 

Sandals - 

As summer approaches, the weather gets hot and boots may not be a sustainable choice anymore. It may be time to start whipping out the sandals. Depending on your style, you could go with a more casual sandal or a pair of more fancy sandals. I currently have a very casual pair of sandals and I’m on the market for a pair of dressier sandals. I have thoughts on what I want, but I think I’m going to wait a bit before getting them (since I have to save up for them).

Black Ballet Flats / Small Heels - 

Last but not least, black ballet flats/small heels. I chose this as the last item because they can really up your outfit game significantly. I also specify small heels if you don’t want to do flats because tall heels are not sustainable for the majority of the population. I can’t stand in high heels for more than 3 hours and I can’t walk in high heels to work (a 25 minute commute). Let’s go with a more practical option.