Wardrobe staples/essentials

[Ferns78]

What wardrobe staples or essentials should everyone have? Trying to sort my clothes put and want to buy things I can wear all the time regardless of what's 'fashionable' or 'trendy' if that makes sense.

I've just bought some basic but very nice quality black and white short sleeve t-shirts from Uniqlo. They were £12 each, and they're lovely thick cotton. I also got a pair of good quality mid- blue jeans that fit well, and a pair of boots in the winter sales. I'm on the look out for a pair of trainers too. I think that those are good quality basics that will go in every wardrobe.

In my personal wardrobe, cullottes are an essential.

I don't think there's anything that 'everyone should have' but things I always like to have include:

• black v neck jumper
• black round neck jumper

-black turtle neck jumper

• black biker jacket
• black long sleeved and short sleeved t-shirts
• jeans that I can roll up and wear with boots, trainers or sandals

-some dresses

• for summer, denim shorts and some floppy white cotton tops

• black jeans
• blue jeans (not too distressed)
• jersey blazer
• ankle boots
• white trainers
• smart coat
• casual jacket

I wouldn't wear most of what the others poster's have put because everyone has different essentials. I don't wear white, blazers culottes, smart coats or black except on my bottom half for example.
My list of things I wear the most:
Black leather jeans
Dark blue skinny jeans
Taupe leather midi skirt
Grey wool mini skirt
Biker ankle boots
Plain t-shirts and long sleeve t-shirts in various colours but mainly grey, green and blue
Cashmere jumpers in neutrals
Biker jacket - I have several in different colours.
Khaki denim jacket
In summer - denim shorts, denim or plain cotton/linen dresses.

Agree it's down to personal choice and circumstances, but this is what I wear most often so would be my essentials

Black skinnies - don't care what's in or out, they work with different types of boots, dress up or dress down. Blew my mind that M&S currently have great ones - they were recommended on here.

Mid blue or indigo boyfriend jeans - conversely I prefer blue jeans to be baggier

Wide leg palazzo trousers - my 'going out' ones are silk and from Grana a HK brand, day time I love linen ones from Seaside Tones.

Long maxi dress than can be thrown on but also always looks put together, mine favourite 'going-out one' is from Arket, my favourite during the day one is Whistle. I also have an insane one from Daughters of India, which I love and is perfect for the hot country I live in but which is so big its a bit of a pain in the arse.

Variety of long and short sleeve tshirts - long sleeves are wide jersey tops from hush, short are supersoft slash neck from boden

Silk shirts - I have the same in blue, black and cream also from Grana, but sized up

Shoes - Tiger Mexico 66 slip ons, sandals by Sam Edelman and funnily enough my most comfortable boots are a few years back by Boden.

Probably didn't word my question properly , obviously everyone has different tastes. I didn't mean everyone should literally have the same essentials, some nice ideas here, thank you

Black silk shirt, well, silk shirts in flattering colours, mine are Bordeaux, raspberry, navy, cream, white and silver.
Leather trousers, dark indigo straight leg jeans, same in black, good blue, white.
Cashmere jumpers in black, grey, navy.
Black roll-neck silk jumper.
Scoop neck, deep v-neck t-shirts in black, white, grey and navy.
Sleeveless roll-neck silk tops.
LBT or several.
Tuxedo and evening trousers, not worn together, mind.
Black strappy jersey maxi dress, easy to pack and wear and dress up or down.
Blazer or few.
Black well cut straight trousers.
Black thick jersey pencil skirt, easy to pack and wear.
Espadrilles, loafers, ballet flats, heels, tall boots in black and brown, ankle boots, same.
Long black cashmere coat, leather jackets.
🤓

What the LBT is, no-one knows 🙄, LBD however, is a must for me. Several, actually.
My list reads so boring, but to these basics, I can add whatever whimsical bit I happen to like.
By straight leg jeans I mean slim, not skinny at the ankle 🤓.

It all depends on your personal taste really. Choose items that you can see yourself wearing multiple times and with each other. I don't really ever wear black, and I don't even own a t-shirt. For me the basics would be

A stylish blazer that fits me in a colour that works with the other pieces in my wardrobe

Several vests & blouses to weer underneath the blazer

Knitwear - I love it!

Angle grazing relaxed fit / straight leg jeans

Black 'chunky' boots

Trainers

A few dresses

Good quality stylish accessories

Agree with most of these but would add:-

Breton top/jumper
Long cardigan either chunky or thinner
Chelsea boots
Good basic vest tops - I like jigsaw with lace trim
Blouses or shirts - bought my SIL a great green satin shirt that she’s worn a lot.
Skirts - I prefer to mix and match them
Biker jacket leather
Biker boots
A few sweatshirts

For a lot of people some of what works for them won’t work for you.

I find cashmere tricky to look after so although I have it I don’t buy lots of it. Leather skirts/trousers etc. Not really for me.

Also I don’t suit brown, taupe, grey or even white so apart from basics I don’t buy items in these colours. But I do suit black.

I agree with accessories, jewellery etc - a nice statement eg bangle or bag really makes an outfit. You don’t need a designer bags. I’ve got designer bags but I don’t wear/carry them just to show off the label!

Bags and shoes - yes!
For me that means: Longchamp Le Pliage tote (and I've just bought a baby version with a long shoulder strap too and love it) plus a couple of nice ones for going out in the evening (very small black one, a red one)

Black ankle boots - flat ones, block heeled ones and (much less these days) high heeled ones

Day to day trainers and 'going out' trainers (currently New Balance and Paul Smith)

I like leather skirts (or faux) but not a fan of the trousers

@valerianaofficiana Where are you getting your deep v t-shirts?

Yes to the Jigsaw vests - lovely and pretty much indestructible.

@RemusLupin, my best deep v-neck came from Massimo Dutti, would pay 💰 to find few more. Bought a few from Esprit years ago that are still going strong but always on the hunt for my MD holy grail.

What I found helpful when trying to think of essentials was to also think in terms of occasions. I read it on a post on here a while back and it makes sense, plus there's no point buying someone else's essentials if they don't actually fit with your own lifestyle.
I would never, ever wear a trench coat for instance and yet they always pop up on these lists.

Do I have something to wear for funerals/ job interviews/ similar appointments? Plain black M&S trouser suit, different tops to wear underneath.
Last-minute invitation for drinks or meal with friends, black Levi's and Mint Velvet blouse, gold jewellery.
Everyday dog walks, cheap Next t-shirts and jeans
Weekend dog walks when we might call in somewhere for brunch, smarter jeans and top, maybe a gilet too.

I use the Stylebook app to keep track of what I've bought and it's really helpful, looking at my closet on there I realised I didn't need to buy yet another pair of black ankle boots.

Following with interest, I’m doing a temporary wardrobe update but this thread is great for long term clothes update ideas!

Thanks @valerianaofficiana
I did try one on in Cos recently but the v was a bit too deep/revealing on me.

I like the 'occasions' thing @ChristinePerfect
Here's a few of my favourites:
Out for a 'nice' meal - flippy mini dress, black tights, heeled boots, biker jacket
or midi dress, heeled boots, biker jacket

Local pub:
rolled up jeans / trainers / slogan t-shirt / longish cardigan / flat boots
Or wide legged trousers / fitted top / trainers / biker

Casual meal - jeans as above but with a blouse instead of t-shirt and cardigan
same wide legged trousers but with a slightly nicer fitted top!

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

I don't think there's anything that 'everyone should have' but things I always like to have include:

• black v neck jumper
• black round neck jumper

-black turtle neck jumper

• black biker jacket
• black long sleeved and short sleeved t-shirts
• jeans that I can roll up and wear with boots, trainers or sandals

-some dresses

• for summer, denim shorts and some floppy white cotton tops

Apart from loads , rather than some, dresses I don't own anything on your list.

I really don't think there is something which everyone should have apart from knickers

The only truly essential for me are really good coats. No matter what else I might be wearing, or how I feel a really good coat covers a multitude of sins and disasters.

So my 2 Max Mara icon coats.

I really only wear dresses and cardigans and a few tailored jackets that are wearable with dresses.

My list:

Black slim jeans
Grey slim jeans
Black tailored trousers for work
Navy tailored trousers for work
Black pencil skirt
Long black skirt

V neck jumpers - currently one coral and one grey
Round neck jumpers - currently in navy, link and pale blue
Polo neck jumper - black
Cardigans in black and grey, various lengths
Coatigans - two black one dark grey

Tops
Patterned silk for going out - currently live one from Boden one from Saint and Sofia
Plain tops for work in white, black
White button down shirt

These are my personal basics that I rotate for work and going out. I have various fleeces, sweatshirts, blue jeans, lumberjack shirts etc for lounging around and the gym. And I add some more fun things when possible - just bought a gorgeous biker jacket and Mint Velvet faux leather leggings with a longer jumper to go with it 🤩

So many typos. Oh dear!

Enjoying everyone else's suggestions too!

@KimikosNightmare That was my point. There's no such thing as an essentials list.