Basic wardrobe must haves please?

[HurricaneHalle]

I'm tying to improve my dire wardrobe and wondered what are the must have staples?

I seem to have lots of multicoloured tops and lots of mid blue summer trousers/cut offs and about 20 pairs of skinny jeans in dark blue - black - bright blue.

I've seen lots of animal print trousers but if I got some I would need to buy a top too as I don't have any plain tops!

I'm mid 40's. I would like to feel more put together rather than slung.

My basics are black jeans, well fitting tshirts, some kind of denim dress, suede boots, brogue shoe, new balance trainers, fake fur/teddy coat, long sleeved fit and flare dress and tights, oh and a dressing gown and slippers!

Totally dependent on your taste.... Mine would be some simple stuff like

1 x pair of uniqlo ankle trousers
1 x plain white T shirt good quality
1 x striped Breton top
1 x oversized demin dress from cos or monki
1 x pair of wide leg cropped trousers
1 x pair of mid blue straight leg jeans, rolled up at the bottom (try topshop or gap girlfriend)
1 x pair white plimsoles (superga/ vena)
1 x pair nice brogues
1 x pair nice real leather chelsea boots
dresses and jumper dresses from Cos

Plus manicured nails, good haircut, brows and good skincare routine all helps.

i like lots of the stuff from simply be, they have stuff like t-shirt dresses (which are casual but look put together) and loose fit trousers etc. i would recommend checking them out :) also liking lots of the stuff from h and m x

At the moment these are my essentials, I've just moved somewhere hot and I wash and wear these and other versions of them. My favorite piece is a thin denim shift/shirt dress which is loose and super comfy. I wish I could find a photo of it but I can't!

I think it depends on your age, what you like and suits you and also your life style.

I have young dc so I prioritise comfort, ease of washing and minimum effort at the moment!

My must haves are

Trousers
Jeans in black, dark blue, light blue
Black leggings
Harem jogger pants- I'm fussy over these as some are too baggy. I have a plain pair and a couple of patterned pairs.

Tops
Pure cotton plain t shirts- m and s ones are my favourite
Various chiffon type blouses, easy to chuck on over a vest if I want to look a bit smarter than a t shirt
3 Breton strip long sleeve tops

Biker jacket
2 long line cardigans
Decent rain coat
Wool coat
Statement coloured blazer

Chelsea boots
Trainers
Pair of loafers
Pair of brogues.

I'm not setting the fashion world on fire but I do look presentable now and then most of the time.

I think it's as much about fit as it is about the clothes themselves. So a perfectly fitting white shirt, a good quality pair of jeans the right fit and length for you, a smart dress which can be accessorized for a job interview or a night out, and good shoes, that fit well, are all important parts of my wardrobe. The other things I think are important are well fitting underwear and skin colored camisoles or vest tops, I wear them under so many things.

i would buy some plain tops, as they will mix better with all the bottoms you have.

I think you are doing the right thing looking at the gaps in your wardrobe.
Go through your wardrobe and throw or donate anything that is very worn or doesn’t fit first.
I think the solution is not going to be going out and spending lots more money on lots new things. Do some second hand shopping, cheaper chain stores just to experiment. Forbid yourself from buying any more skinny jeans or coloured tops.
From my 40’s I found dresses a godsend - just throw one on and you can look as casual or as polished as you like and you don’t need to think separates matching.
A good coverup - I love Cardigans or a good coat in winter or blazer trans-seasonally.

If I had to put together a wardrobe right now (coming into autumn) I would be thinking of these things - based on stuff I own and wear often.

Black skinny jeans (All Saints)
Blue barrel leg/peg leg jeans (Whistles)
Black culottes (Warehouse, but I think Boden might do some good ones)
Black ruched jersey skirt (Hush)
Black leather skirt (mine is White Company, and I love it so much)

Pinafore dress
Black sack-y dress, preferably that I could layer things under

A load of vest tops for wearing underneath everything (I like Topshop ones)
100 denier opaque tights
Breton tops (Cos)
Uniqlo heat-tech long sleeved tops
Printed blouses (Topshop)

Fine-knit, slightly cropped jumpers - on the waistband length, not stomach flashing (I think Whistles do these well)
Black skinny-rib polo neck (M&S)

Parka coat
Leather biker jacket
Calf-length wool coat
Denim jacket
Faux fur coat

Chelsea boots
Brogues
Biker boots
Stan Smith trainers - ideally a black pair and a white pair

As everyone says it depends a lot on your personal style. Blazers regularly feature on capsule lists but they never feel like me.

So for me:

1. Comfortable statement shoes For me these must be flat, not pinch, and be made of leather or suede. Make sure the lining is also leather. Otherwise anything goes, these are the items I want noticed and I have lots of colourful shoes but also about 5 pairs of navy shoes/boots in different styles.
2. Bras Nude and fits properly
3. Comfortable trousers For me must be cotton or wool. Shaped dictated a bit by fashion, colour usually navy, sometimes grey and rarely black
4. Silk blouses Much more flattering on boobs than the mythical 'crisp cotton shirt'. Various colours but mainly blue.
5. Blue dresses I have a couple of LBD, one red and one green dress. The rest are all blue. All lengths, some fitted, some loose. I have a variety of brightly coloured belts for the looser dresses.
6. Jumpers Cashmere or merino. Quite a few cropped styles since I'm short. Navy, grey, forest green and red
7. Coats/Jackets I struggle with blazers but like proper wool coats. For warmer weather I love a leather biker, denim jackets or military style jackets.
8. skirts As a short arse length can be problematic. I like minis or maxis. Not much in between.
9. T-shirts Cotton or linen, any colour, like a good slogan, don't like pattern.

My work wardrobe is mainly navy with a bit of grey, black, forest and sometimes red. Restricting colours works for lots of people but if you like colour embrace it and have a look at Fake Fabulous.