Okay, I admit it: I’ve raided my grandma’s closet more than a few times.
Sounds crazy, right? Here is the thing: Grams is a stylin’ lady. She still takes great care of herself and is more up-to-date on fashion than my well-meaning mother, who, while she tries, is not the best at putting together timeless outfits or buying fashion-related gifts without a list.
I love my momma, but Grams’ closet is definitely where it’s at. I learned most of what I know about makeup from her, too, and her one gorgeous (seriously, GORGEOUS) maroon and gold sequined dress has been calling to me for as long as I can remember. I want to steal it and pretend I’m heading to one of Gatsby’s legendary parties. That particular dress, however, is sadly off-limits. She has some other great classic pieces I decided to use as inspiration for this post.
While we all love buying bags and bags of items from Forever 21, these items don’t have much staying power. They tend to be very “in the moment,” and you’ll probably give half of what you bought away next season.
Instead of spending your next paycheck on superhero crop tops and more kitty cat sweaters, put some money aside for these staples. I promise you won’t regret it, and you’ll find yourself turning to these items again and again.
I hope you have a pen and paper ready because you’ll want to jot this down.
1. Cardigans
No matter who you are, you can benefit from a few essential cardigans. Cardigans are never going out of style, no matter the style of the cardigan itself. The type of material, the fit, etc., can make a difference in the overall look, but it’s something that can be worn with a variety of outfits by a variety of ages.
I love a thick-knit, oversized, snuggly cardigan when I’m feeling kind of hipster. (It’s okay; we all have a little hipster in us, even if we refuse to admit it!) I like a more fitted cardigan to wear on slightly chilly Spring evenings. There are tons of cuts, fabrics, and styles that can be worn in many different ways.
2. Ballet Flats
As a teen, I remember being all about heels and never wanting to wear a pair of flats, but now… oh now, my ballet flats are a lifesaver.
I still love my heels, but ballet flats are usually very affordable, and you can wear them in so many different ways. Plus, you can throw them in your purse and pull them out after those sparkly heels you thought would be a great idea turn on you halfway through the party.
Don’t spend a ton of money on these, as they don’t usually last more than a year or two if you wear them a lot. Instead, buy a lot of more affordable pairs and have a variety of colors and materials to choose from.
3. Dark-Wash Bootcut Jeans
If there is one thing that changes more frequently than my handbag, it’s the current “popular” jeans style. The bootcut jean is one style that always works and looks good, no matter the current jeans trend, be it skinny, boyfriend, flared, or trouser. Choosing the style in a dark wash means you can pair them with many different items for many different looks.
Avoid fading and embellishments, and make sure the hem hits the bottom of your heel exactly.
4. Pea Coats
It gets chilly here in the winter, and I need to keep warm when I go out. I love coats, and the pea coat is one style that seems to not only be on trend forever but has ridiculous lasting power and doesn’t need to be repurchased over and over. I have had my favorite for 5 years, and it still looks great.
You’ll find lots of black, blue, and gray when shopping for pea coats; while these are great, they aren’t the only options. I personally love my cobalt blue coat, but I’ve seen them in animal prints and even neons if you’re feeling spunky. The classic deep colors, however, are timeless.
5. Black Pumps
You probably already have a pair stashed away in your closet somewhere. These shoes are never going to let you down. They can be worn with a dress to your brother’s wedding, with a pair of black dress pants for a job interview, or on a hot date with that cute barista who grins wickedly when he hands you your morning latte. They go with pretty much everything, and if you don’t already have a pair, um, I’m not sure we can stay friends.
6. Leather Handbag
I have a bit of a bag obsession, so a blog post about timeless fashion items would only be complete with mentioning a handbag.
A black or brown leather handbag is going to be functional and attractive. I like big bags and small clutches but get one somewhere in between for a bag with true lasting power. You want one that can hold your essentials but isn’t clunky and looks too casual.
7. Diamond Stud Earrings
What girl doesn’t feel glam when she is wearing diamonds? You only need one pair of diamond studs; these will last you forever if you don’t lose them (or one of them if you’re anything like me.)
8. Black Blazer
Step a casual outfit up a notch by adding a classic black blazer into the mix. Take a simple pair of jeans and a white tee shirt, and you can go from looking like you’re about to paint a house to looking ready for dinner with your sweetie.
9. Brown or Tan Knee-High Boots
There is no end to the number of ways you can wear a pair of knee-high boots. I feel like I’ve been saying that a lot, but that is the point of this post.
When shopping for knee-high riding boots, look for a pair that doesn’t have a lot of added embellishments; this way, you’re not limiting yourself at all.
10. A String of Pearls
I remember receiving my first string of pearls as a gift, and I’ve never quite been the same. I love my pearls, and I think they get about as much use as my favorite little black dress – that’s a lot of use! Channel Audrey Hepburn and feel truly timeless while wearing a string of pearls.
11. Little Black Dress
Of course, this post had to mention a little black dress! Every fashionista needs one, just like every girl needs the black pumps I mentioned earlier. Or, if you’re like me, you need a few. An elegant, flirty black dress looks perfect on all body types. For one that will be wearable for a long time and work in various settings, choose a dress that isn’t too short and doesn’t show too much cleavage.
12. White Dress Shirt
If you don’t already have one, get one, and once you do, this shirt will be your new best friend forever.
The one thing that is a little tricky for us larger-chested girls is finding one that isn’t going to leave awkward gaps or pull around, well, the girls. To avoid this, consider splurging on a slightly pricier shirt that is going to last a long time, and that is going to fit correctly, as you’ll be wearing this shirt A LOT. When choosing fit, go up a size just to be safe.
13. Simple V-Neck Tees
V-necks are comfortable and flattering and can be worn in many ways. Layer them under jackets, wear them with comfy pj pants, or to the gym. Get solid colors, and you’re golden. Mix them with patterned skirts, jeans, yoga pants… you get the idea.
14. Infinity Scarf
This one will apply the most to those of us living in colder climates. A warm knit infinity scarf is a great way to keep toasty while the Jack Frost is nipping at your nose and can pull your entire outdoor ensemble together.
I like having a bunch of infinity scarf options to choose from, but if you can only get one stick with a neutral tone like black or tan, that will work with almost everything.
Build Your Wardrobe!
I could go on and on, discussing my favorite style pieces. You’ll find many ways to wear every one of the items I have mentioned, and they work well no matter how old you are. Grams and I love them all, so you should, too!
Do you have other “essential” and “timeless” items to add? Let me know! I’m always looking for new things to add to my wardrobe.