Are There Such Things as Wardrobe Essentials?
July 20, 2024
Lately I’ve been thinking about the idea of Wardrobe Essentials. We often see articles in fashion magazines, blogs and other forms of contents on social media about items that everyone must have. These items are typically classic items mixed in with some trend pieces but there is always a version of a white shirt and jeans in the current cut.
Even when I was younger, I've always wondered who's coming up with these lists? and do people actually have and wear all of these items? So I decided to look up one of these lists for 2024 and see what I actually own and if I would consider them wardrobe essentials?
The list I am using is from Glamour Magazine called The Wardrobe Essentials that Belong in Every Closet According to Style Editors
The White T-Shirt: I definitely have heard people talk about how essential this white t-shirt is but to be honest I don't actually own a white T-Shirt. I own a black T-Shirt and have 2 T-Shirts total in my wardrobe as I'm not much of a T-Shirt person so I don't have this so-called essential white t-shirt.
The Slim Sneaker: I have something that is similar to this item. I own the classic Adidas Stan Smith (you know the ones that are white with a green patch on the back) which would be considered a slim sneaker. I love them and think they are a great sneaker because they look great with dresses and pants. I think I bought them about two years ago and I wear them a lot but prior to that I didn't own anything like it so they are more of a new essential item in my wardrobe.
The Straight Leg Jeans: I don't have this in my wardrobe. Maybe it's surprising I don't own any jeans as I am not a jeans gal even though I used to be! For me, jeans are not a wardrobe essential.
The Everything Bag: I have a Longchamp Le Pliage bag that I use for work. It's a great bag and I love it for work as it fits everything. Would I call it a wardrobe essential? I'm not sure because I don't really use this bag other than for work. I’ve used it for travel in the past but now prefer using a backpack with a luggage strap instead so I can travel handsfree. As for The Everything Bag, I would say if you need something like it for work then it could be an essential item but if your needs are different then you can totally go without.
The Crew Socks: I own sock but I don’t own any that looks like this. The article said all the cool girls are wearing crew socks with everything - loafers, sneakers, heels, you name it! I can’t see myself doing that so I guess I'm not a cool girl and I am ok with it!
The Black Leggings: The article showed Lululemon Align leggings as an example. I actually own them but I only wear them for working out. I don’t wear leggings for the other parts of my life so this would only be considered a wardrobe essential if I include my activewear.
The Just Right Blazer: I don’t have this in my wardrobe and I don't see how I would ever need to wear a blazer. I think other people look great when they wear blazers with jeans etc but when I wear it, I feel like I'm dressing up for a life that I don't have so it is not a wardrobe essential for me.
The Ballet Flats: I don't own any ballet flats in my wardrobe. I am not sure If I've ever owned any ballet flats in the past. I also don't own any regular flats right now either so this item would not be a wardrobe essential for me.
The Tank Top: Specifically The Ribbed Tank Top. I do not own anything like this. The article said you can pair it with anything - tailored suits, wide leg jeans, full skirts, running shorts, etc. I don't own any of those items so I guess that's why I don't have the tank top either.
The Trench Coat: I own a trench coat but mine is not beige, it is black. I have a Burberry trench coat that I've had since 2012. I actually don't wear it a lot because when I wear it with my dresses and skirt, the proportion just cuts my body in half. The trench coat is a classic item that will never go out of style and I still love it but I don’t consider this an essential item in my wardrobe.
The Little White Dress: I don't have a dress that's all white. Being a mom, I'm always worried about things getting dirty, splashed on, etc. I am always cooking but I don't always remember to wear an apron so I don't trust myself to wear white. The Little White Dress is not a wardrobe essential because I know the moment I wear that white dress, I'm going to spill a coffee all over myself and then it's game over.
The Updated Huggies: I don't have any hoop earrings as it's not something that I like so it is not a wardrobe essential for me.
The Cashmere Sweater: I have a couple of Cashmere Sweaters and I love them. It can get very cold where I live and cashmere sweaters are so much softer and warmer than other materials so I tend to wear mine a lot. I have a full length cashmere sweater dress that's one of my favourite things in my wardrobe so this is an essential item for me in my wardrobe.
The Button-Down Shirt: I do have a couple of shirts and I like wearing them with some of my dresses as a layering piece almost like a light jacket so this could be considered a wardrobe essential for me.
The Everyday Sunglasses: I have a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers and I think everyone needs a pair of sunglasses so this would be a wardrobe essential for me.
The Denim Skirt: I think I had a skirt like this probably in my 20s but I currently don't have a denim skirt and I don't plan on getting one so for me that is not a wardrobe essential.
The Wedding Guest Dress: Everyone has different preferences to what they would wear as a wedding guest. I think the majority of the dresses I wear on a daily basis would be considered appropriate to wear as a wedding guest so I don’t like the idea of having dresses that you only wear to weddings or special events as I wear mine to the grocery store and hanging out at home. That being said, I do think everyone should have something in their wardrobe that they can wear to weddings and events so yes, I would consider this a wardrobe essential.
The Slim Loafers: I don’t have any shoes like this but I like the look of them and I think it's a classic style so I am considering getting a pair in the future. Currently, they are not a wardrobe essential for me.
The Relaxed Trouser: I have a pair of pants that could fall in this category. They are the wide-legged pleated pants from Uniqlo and I really like them because they’re super comfortable. I wear them lounging around the house and I also think they look really great with silk shirts, blouses and sweaters. It's a great pair of pants so I would consider having something like that a wardrobe essential.
The Lightweight Cardigan: A lightweight cardigan is always a good idea. Even though I currently don’t have anything that looks like this, I definitely owned many of them in the past. I think if you don’t have anything that can serve this purpose then something like the Lightweight Cardigan can be useful to have in your wardrobe as a layering piece but I am not sure if I would consider this an essential piece.
The Claw Clip: I have claw clips but I use them when I take a shower, not when I go out. They're not a wardrobe essential for me because it's not really my style to clip up my hair and go out like that as I can never really make it look good. I'd just look like I'm about to go into the shower at the grocery store, which is not the look I'm going for.
When it comes to Wardrobe Essentials, it's okay if you have them and it's okay if you don't. I think when you read these lists, don't think of it as a rule and just take it with a grain of salt because they're just for fun and entertainment purposes. It’s not like if you don't have these items, you can't get dressed. We're all wearing clothes when we're out every day so even if you don't have these items, it's not like you're showing up to events naked! When I think about lists like this, I think we need to get used to “de-influencing” ourselves.
Instead of thinking about all the things that you don't have and think you need to have this item in order to have great style, we need to focus on the items that make you feel good and items that you actually want to wear. At the end of the day, if you're not using an item, it's just being wasted sitting in your wardrobe.
Fill your wardrobe with stuff that you love and things that you actually wear and things that suit your lifestyle and don't fill it with things that you see on these types of lists because there is nothing in the world that “everybody should have” especially when it comes to your wardrobe.