Suggested Style Staples

I would like to preface this by saying that this is an extremely long list and should not be purchased all at once.  When building your staple collection you must remember: it is a marathon, not a sprint.  Take the time to try out different brands & price points to see what you like before buying the item in every color.  Once you decide that you love it, then buy it in every color.  It's a trial and error process, as after a few washes some pieces don't hold up as well as others or you realize that you no longer like the fit.  

**Please read my article "The Significance of Simple Staples" BEFORE reading this!**

 

TOPS: (by color)

White:

  • Long Sleeve Button Down
  • Long Sleeve Silk Button Down
  • Long Sleeve Crew Neck (basic & ribbed)
  • Long Sleeve Cropped Top
  • Long Sleeve Turtleneck
  • Long Sleeve Turtleneck Sweater
  • Long Sleeve Crew Neck Sweater
  • Long Sleeve Crew Neck Bodysuit
  • Long Sleeve Turtleneck/Mock Neck Bodysuit
  • Hoodie
  • Short Sleeve Crew Neck Tee (oversized)
  • Short Sleeve Cropped Tee 
  • Short Sleeve Fitted Tee
  • Short Sleeve Bodysuit
  • Turtleneck/Mock Neck Tank
  • Fitted Tank
  • Tank Bodysuit
  • Bandeau
  • Bralette

Black:

  • Long Sleeve Silk Button Down
  • Long Sleeve Crew Neck
  • Long Sleeve Cropped Top
  • Long Sleeve Turtleneck
  • Long Sleeve Turtleneck Sweater
  • Long Sleeve Crew Neck Sweater
  • Long Sleeve Crew Neck Bodysuit
  • Long Sleeve Mock Neck/Turtleneck Bodysuit
  • Hoodie 
  • Short Sleeve Crew Neck Tee (unisex)
  • Short Sleeve Cropped Tee 
  • Short Sleeve Fitted Tee
  • Short Sleeve Bodysuit
  • Turtleneck/Mock Neck Tank
  • Fitted Tank
  • Tank Bodysuit
  • Bandeau
  • Bralette 

Grey:

  • Hoodie
  • Turtleneck Sweater
  • Crew Neck Sweater
  • Long Sleeve Tee
  • Short Sleeve Tee

 Browns:

  • Hoodie
  • Turtleneck Sweater
  • Crew Neck Sweater
  • Long Sleeve Tee
  • Short Sleeve Tee
  • Bodysuits

DENIM:

  • 1 nice pair of dark denim
  • 1 nice pair of light denim
  • 1 nice pair of black denim
  • 1 nice pair of mom jeans
  • 1 nice distressed jean (any blue wash + black)
  • 1 nice pair of light denim shorts
  • 1 nice pair of dark denim shorts
  • 1 nice pair of black denim shorts

 BOTTOMS:

  • Black Dress Pants (tapered leg, wide leg or both)
  • Tan Dress Pants (tapered leg, wide leg or both)
  • White Dress Pants (tapered leg, wide leg or both)
  • Black Leather Legging/Pant
  • Tan Leather Pant
  • Dark Brown Leather Pant
  • Black Mini Skirt
  • Black Midi Skirt
  • Black Leather Skirt
  • Black Shorts
  • Tan Shorts
  • White Shorts

JACKETS: 

  • Longline:
    • Black, Tan, Grey
  • Puffer:
    • Black, Tan, Army Green
  • Blazer:
    • Black, White, Tan, Brown, Grey 
    • Black Leather
  • A Nice Black Leather Jacket
  • Light Wash Denim Jacket
  • Dark Wash Denim Jacket

SHOES:

  • CLEAN White Sneaker (I have 2 pairs, ones that I don't care about and ones that I wear out)
  • Black Sneaker
  • White Sneaker with Grey Accents
  • Black Leather Bootie
  • Black Chelsea Boot/Flat Bootie
  • Brown Chelsea Boot/Flat Bootie
  • White Heeled Bootie
  • Black Loafer
  • White Loafer
  • Brown Loafer
  • Black Pump
  • Nude Pump
  • Brown Pump
  • White Pump (buy this one last)
  • Black Heeled Sandal
  • Black Flat Sandal
  • Brown Heeled Sandal
  • Brown Flat Sandal
  • White Heeled Sandal
  • White Flat Sandal
  • Black Combat Boot

BELTS:

  • Black w/ Gold Buckle
  • Black w/ Silver Buckle
  • Brown w/ Gold Buckle

HANDBAGS: (by color)

  • All Black (no silver/gold)
  • Black With Gold
  • Black With Silver
  • Brown 
  • Tan
  • Cream
  • White
  • Grey

 

This may seem like a lot of items, but think about all of the pieces in your closet that you hardly ever wear, yet refuse to throw away because they still have the price tags on them or bear some kind of weird sentiment.  If I had to guess, there are probably more pieces that you own and don't wear than there are listed above.  I promise you, you will actually wear the pieces on my list.  All of the time.  With everything.  As a matter of fact, if you had the staples suggested above, you would probably wear the items you do own, but seldom wear, more often because you would be better equipped to style them. 

The bottom line is, you can never go wrong with basics.  When in doubt, just style basics with more basics and boom.  Cute outfit with minimal effort. 

Once a decent amount of staples is obtained, then you can start buying pieces that are more trendy and less neutral in color.  

Please feel free to print & laminate. 

Thank you.