What basics should every women own?

[Anantara]

On holiday in a pair of denim shorts I've had for 10 years, and thought what are the staple clothes that everyone should own, that are useful and classics? Such as a great pair of jeans, black ballet shoes, trench coat, denim shorts what are yours?

Period pants.

A screwdriver multi tool kit. Handbag sized, of course. The amount of times I've used mine is unbelievable. I'm the only one I know who carries this.

A properly fitting bra and knickers that don't give you any VPL.

A good perfume

A flatteringly cut black blazer (doesn't have to be pricey, I found the perfect one in M&S for £55).

A flattering LBD...the one you can just throw on and know you look good.

Quality ballet flats (not cheapy ones)...I disagree that 'they make you waddle'. I certainly don't waddle, ta very much.

A good watch.

A few slouchy cashmere sweaters in black, grey, navy.

A flatteringly cut pair of jeans...doesn't matter if they are skinny, boy-fit, high waisted...whatever. So long as they flatter you, and if they do buy several identical pairs.

I think you just have to find your own set of basics, I have to own:
a pair of reefs
some decent running gear
a couple of big linen skirts
summer/vest tops
decent jeans
a school run dress with a smart coat and boots to fling on over the top at a moments
good bras
an a minimum of one dress that makes me feel amazing and shoes that go with and do the same

Jeans. Skinny and boyfriend.
Long & short sleeved cotton t shirts
Sweatshirt
Wool sweater/ cardigan
Blazer
Wool coat
Waterproof coat
Fake fur jacket
Black tie dress
Decent leggings
Heeled boots
Flat boots
Court shoes
Cool trainers

One pair of jeans does.
Sweatshirt - useless garment. Sweaty in heat, soaks up water
Fake fur - hilarious.
Cool trainers - as opposed to ones that actually fit and last?

I have a waterproof coat for normal use and a wool one for funerals. Useless otherwise but does look smart.

Never seen a ballet flat wearer not waddle. And they stuff up your feet.

Yes @specialsubject, you said that upthread.

I agree about the crisp white shirt. Only looks good if you are tall and slim.

My basics are:

Navy cigarette pants
Grey wool coat
Stan Smith trainers
Fine gauge knits in navy, grey and black
Decent high heeled suede ankle boots (not mum boots)
Soft cashmere sloppy joe sweater in grey
Good quality leather sandals

So if they're essential (which I agree they are) WHY are stylish waterproof coats so hard to find?

I think one trying which has really gone out of Fashion are those wedge sandals with raffia wedges. They just look so dated now.

Decent bra and decent jeans. Everything else is irrelevant.

Mercury I like the sound of your wardrobe but would sub converse for Stan smiths and forego suede boots for leather as I live in a wet climate. Could I ask where you buy the navy cig trousers please? I've bought and returned three pairs of navy trousers this month!

A few really great dresses that you feel fantastic in!

My staples are:

Dark wash skinny jeans
Ripped skinny jeans
Black or dark patterned yoga pants
A couple of white/grey/striped t shirts
Grey cardigans
Hoody and zip up hoody
Jumper dress
Casual blazer
Maxi skirt
Mix and match camisole tops

Shoes- trainers, sparkly sandals, flip flops, tan boots

My staples are:
Jeans and jeggings
T-shirts
Long sleeve tops
Cotton and wool jumpers
Denim jacket
Biker jacket
Trench coat
Ankle boots - flat and heeled
Flip flops
4 bras
Loads of knickers

Wardrobe essentials are one of those things that fashion magazines always go on about but are a load of arse.

I would never wear a "crisp white shirt" as white tops make me look like a corpse.

Well fitting underwear yes.

LBD is an absolute must.

A few good quality bags in good condition.

I'd also add a well fitting black bikini. However fat (like me) you are, no one wears one pieces overseas, and if you don't have a perfect body, plain black is the most flattering option IMHO

Agree with those saying this so much depends on your lifestyle.
Lots of items on some people's lists I've got to a good old age without ever having in my wardrobe. From denim shorts in the first post, ballet flats, trench coat, crisp white shirt, and quite a lot of others.

Things I don't wear every day, but get pulled out for many occasions:

Silk blouse (works for any vaguely smart work thing, also great for evening out, effortlessly cool and polished. Mine's from Massimo Dutti about 8 years old).

Denim jacket (mine's from TopShop, about 15 years old)

Leather biker (Whistles bought in sale, about 4 years old)

Black dress for funerals (8 years old, Banana Republic, thankfully only required a few times)

Loafers (when I need to look smart for work - I usually wear trainers - these come out. Russell & Bromley 5 years ish)

Pleather jeans (New Look about 3 years), always makes an evening outfit cooler (works well with silk blouse above).

Grey suede heeled boots (Pierre Hardy for Gap, about 10 years old). Will never get rid of these, every time I wear them people ask me where they're from.

None of these items get worn very much (unlike my uniform of jeans, Ts, trainers, cashmere jumpers in winter and blazers), but they'll never leave my wardrobe.

I agree that it's so personal. For me, staples are:

Black Chelsea boots
Black and white Stan Smiths (that's a pair in each colour)
100 denier Falke opaques
Black leather biker jacket
Denim jacket
Grey and black crew neck jumpers
A-line, short-ish skirts in winter, midi-length skirts in summer
Black high-waisted skinny jeans
Parka type coat with hood
Faux fur coat
Wool coat
Blouses for wearing with jeans
Vest tops for underneath everything in the winter

The perfect outfit if the man of her dreams or the.employer of her dreams calls and wants to see her in 10 mins

I also have no truck with crisp white shirts, or anything you have to iron. The only shirts I have ever worn regularly are denim or plaid.

My essentials: decent jeans (whatever suits you)
Thin-knit jumpers in grey, navy and a few bright colours as I don't suit pastels
Pretty flat shoes
Long-sleeved black/grey t-shirts (goes with myriad of more interesting bottom halves)
Nice coats can really up your game. I have four that make me happy every time I wear them - 2 long mannish winter ones, 1 leather jacket, 1 khaki-green trench which is so nice a woman stopped her car to tell me how great it was!
Good flat or low ankle boots - these are so hard to find.
Well-fitting bras, at least 1 nude and 1 dark - also bloody difficult to find and then they wear out and you have to do it all over again.
Layering vests

Then loads of whatever makes you happy! I have patterned or bright skirts, lots of pairs of slouchy trousers (none are staples as I've never found a perfect pair), culottes, dungarees, shorts etc to go with my staples.

Theycalledmethewildrose

I have navy cigarette pants from Max Mara and Zara. I prefer the Zara cut but the Max Mara fabric. Still on the hunt for the perfect pair!

Mercury Thank you.

One pair of statement shoes.