Starting from the ground up.
There are many reasons to refresh your wardrobe’s basic support system. Your closet has become a hodgepodge of unrelated pieces with missing elements, your body has changed, or styles have changed. If you aren’t certain you need an accessory refresh, ask yourself if you ever try on one clothing item after another but are missing the basic accessory that would make each work. Those accessories might be the right under garment, a shell, belt, socks, tights, etc.
The goal is to build a solid wardrobe infrastructure that you can rely on to make your favorite wardrobe pieces work. For example, I bought a beautiful blouse recently. When I went to wear it, I realized it was more sheer than I’d noticed, and I did not have a camisole that would work. It has remained unworn on its hangar ever since. Building a solid foundation is not simple, easy, nor does it provide instant gratification. It requires planning and buying well-made quality items. No impulse purchases are allowed or browsing sales racks. Generally, these basics are best in solid colors so they will work with most of your wardrobe pieces.
Here are the items I consider necessary as basic wardrobe infrastructure:
Classic Belt
A classic belt can complete an outfit. A classic-style belt in black, grey, or ivory leather is the ultra-versatile basic for your wardrobe. The one pictured here comes in suede for $79.50, croc-embossed leather for $69.50, and three colors in Italian leather. $59.50-$79.50.
Shell
A shell is a collarless, sleeveless, slip-on top that is usually silk or cotton depending on how dressy you want to be. These tops can be worn on their own or under a jacket or sweater. Quince makes a nice one in washable stretch silk that comes in navy, forest green or black. $39.90.
White T-shirt
A perfect white tee shirt should be simple, versatile, and low key. I can’t tell you how often I throw a white tee under a snappy blazer or nice jacket to go out to dinner, and it handles being dressed up very well. When you return home, you remove the blazer, and it becomes a casual white tee shirt again. It is a very useful staple to have. Madewell, Everlane, and Quince all have good white tee shirts.
Socks
We’re not talking athletic socks here. We’re recommending micro socks and knee-highs for when you’re dressing up a nice pants outfit. No distracting socks with prints that will fight with an outfit. These Wolford ankle socks are $30.00 for 10 and come also in nude.
Wolford knee highs are $31.70-$35.00 for 10 and come in five colors.
Camisoles
I wear a camisole when I need more coverage due to a low-cut neckline or because the top is too sheer. Camisoles are more form-fitting than shells and not usually worn on their own. Choose a smooth, stretchy, fabric in your skin tone if you need no lines. If you want the camisole to add some glam, find one in silk with lace along the top.
White lace camisole – Vanity Fair, machine washable, Nylon and spandex. It comes in three colors. $18.08
Neutral nylon camisole, machine washable. $16.74. It comes in four colors.
For a barely-there camisole try the commando Whisper Weight Tank. It comes in white, black and nude. It can be machine washed. $58.00.
Bodysuit
Bodysuits are a great closet basic. They stay tucked into your pants and skirts and are easy to layer. They come sleeveless, short sleeved, and long sleeved with a wide range of necklines and fabrics.
The above bodysuit is the Mangopop Women’s Crew Neck Short and Long Sleeve Bodysuit. It comes in fifteen colors, and it is 95% cotton and 5% Spandex. $19.99.
Sheer mesh long sleeve top
I get cold easily in the winter and often need to add an extra lightweight layer. I love these sheer mesh tops for that purpose. They can also serve as a camisole with long sleeves if you have a sheer top that needs an underlayer. These from Gap come in four colors, are acrylic and nylon and can be machine washed on gentle. $55.00.
Knee-length full slip
This piece helps smooth out the look of dresses that might show clinginess, visible panty lines, or have see-through issues.
Vanity Fair offers two-pack (either white and neutral or neutral and black) full slip that measures 18” from the waist to the hem. This link takes you to a size medium. If you need a different size, put the item description into Amazon search and other sizes will come up. $34.71
Knee-length half slip
This is a Commando Classic Half Slip. High- waister with a weighted hem. $64.00.
Convertible bra
Convertible bras come in very handy, especially when you failed to note a halter style or a low cut back on your purchase. Maidenform women’s strapless bra with convertible straps with 5 ways to wear it. $23.99
Seamless high-waist panties
Another very handy item to have on hand. Wacoal Women’s B-Smooth seamless full coverage high cut brief panty, available in 10 colors. $19.00
Once your new infrastructure is in place, you must let go of the items you have kept for years and thought worked but never seemed to be right. They are no longer your friends, and they probably no longer fit anyway. Out they go.
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