Want an efficient and durable wardrobe? Need to find or refocus your style by starting from scratch? Does your wardrobe seem inconsistent and lacking in timeless pieces to tie your strongest pieces together? We have put together the ultimate guide to the essential basics of women’s wardrobe, with our advice for choosing and wearing them, and where to buy them.
Knowing how to dress well is, ultimately, a bit like knowing how to cook well. Beyond the technical side and taste, the same key element is found in a good recipe as in a good outfit: good basics .
Think of your wardrobe as a well-stocked fridge or pantry, armed with the essential ingredients (salt, pepper, butter, eggs, milk, flour, etc.) for anyone who wants to whip up a delicious little dish. Your basic, timeless pieces are the foundation of your style. Once you have mastered them, all you have to do is add the finishing touches here and there that will make your look unique and unique.
What basics should you focus on? What are the essentials of a woman’s wardrobe, those reliable, easy and durable pieces that you can count on when you don’t know where to start? How to choose them and which brands should you turn to?
We’ve put together the ultimate guide for you – like a big recipe book, but without the cooking time because between us, it’s not recommended to put a trench coat in a fan-assisted oven. A complete list of the basics to have in your wardrobe, which is not to be followed to the letter: pick from it according to your desires, take the advice you need, and above all, have fun.
TIMELESS TOPS IN THE WOMEN’S WARDROBE
1. A WHITE T-SHIRT
This is the most famous and popular of the basics. Mixed, versatile , it can be worn in all seasons and can boast of being THE piece to turn to on mornings when you have no inspiration for getting dressed. Casual clothing par excellence, it can be transformed into an ally of elegance when combined with beautiful jewelry that it highlights thanks to its minimalism.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WHITE T-SHIRT?
The simpler a garment is, the more the devil is in the details. To start, turn to a model made of natural material (cotton, linen, hemp), thermoregulating and more durable, as opposed to synthetic (polyester at the top of the list), which is much less recommended. For the cut, opt for a model fitted at the shoulders, but with ease at the chest. If you want to tuck it into a skirt or pants, make sure it is long enough (but not too long, so as not to create folds).
A FEW MORE POINTS TO CHECK:
- The overlocking of the t-shirt must be regular (this is the seam located at the ends of the piece, which prevents it from fraying where the fabric has been cut)
- The structure of the collar must be solid – otherwise it may deform over time.
- Has the cut been well thought out? To make sure, lay the t-shirt flat. If it sits askew, it means that its seams are “twisting” and that its manufacturing is not of very good quality
To find out more, check out our t-shirt guide right here:
HOW TO WEAR YOUR WHITE T-SHIRT?
We could tell you that it goes “with everything”, but even if that’s true, here are some combinations that guarantee you a flawless look:
- with a flowing patterned skirt, a pair of heeled sandals and a basket bag
- with blue straight jeans, a blazer and heeled ankle boots
- under a colorful costume
- tucked into leather pants and paired with an open denim shirt
- with high waisted shorts, low top white sneakers and a cardigan
- under a blazer in a natural shade, with black jeans and black sneakers
WHERE TO BUY A WHITE T-SHIRT?
- Organic Basics: A pure white model in 100% GOTS-certified cotton ? , close-fitting, and with the ideal length to tuck into high-waisted pants.
- BonneGueule : We offer you one knitted in Portugal, in organic cotton and recycled cotton, with a cool, slightly oversized cut that flatters the figure.
- Everlane: Offered for less than 30 euros, this organic cotton t-shirt with a slim fit stands out with its heather white color with a vintage look, to pair with denim.
- You can also go to: Petit Bateau, Les Sublimes, Balzac, Patine, Solstice Editions, Asket, Colorful Standard.
2. THE PERFECT WHITE SHIRT
Picked from the men’s wardrobe, the white shirt now has a special place in the women’s wardrobe. Chic and timeless, this chameleon piece can be adapted to suit different styles and desires.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WHITE SHIRT?
Opt for a durable model with an impeccable cut , which you will keep for as long as possible: pay attention, therefore, to the material and the details. Ideally, choose one made of 100% cotton.
Check the size of the collar and its fit, as well as the fall of the piece. Run away if one side of the collar is longer than the other, or if unsightly folds appear – they are surely caused by poorly executed sewing. The seams, themselves, must be regular, and the stitching must follow the curve of the garment.
If you want to tuck your shirt into your socks, don’t choose one that’s too long.
HOW TO WEAR YOUR WHITE SHIRT?
In a professional setting, it is the best ally of a suit or a pencil skirt. In everyday life, the white shirt can be worn in a more casual way, slightly open, with jeans or high-waisted pants.
In winter, it can be worn layered under a beautiful knit, leaving its collar visible, or over a fine turtleneck. In summer, slip it into your suitcase: it can be worn open over a swimsuit or tied over a light dress for cooler evenings.
WHERE TO BUY A WHITE SHIRT?
- BonneGueule : For a chic cotton popover shirt, light but not transparent.
- Figaret: The brand offers around thirty references of white shirts in silk, crepe, linen or poplin, to choose according to your preferences and body shape, for around a hundred euros.
- Les Sublimes: There is an oversized and ethical version, designed to mimic the one we stole from our partner’s closet, but better, because its collar has been narrowed, its bottom rounded and its cuffs adjusted, for a more feminine cut.
- Bourrienne: For high-end.
3. A BEAUTIFUL KNIT
A wardrobe without a knitted item (sweater, vest, cardigan, etc.) is an incomplete wardrobe. Essential in winter to keep warm, a pretty knit is also a very useful garment to create transitional looks between seasons, for example by layering it over a little summer dress.
Ideally, choose natural materials that will keep you warm and last over time (wool, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, etc.), and avoid pieces that contain polyester, polyamide or acrylic (as David explains in this article , you may have a real crush on an original model with such a particular design that it is impossible to find an alternative without synthetics – but in the case of a good basic, we recommend that you do not give in and bet on a durable piece).
For winter, wool is the most common material for knitwear. Good to know: if you have sensitive skin, be careful with virgin wool, which stings (because it is not treated and retains small scales that surround each fiber). Avoid, therefore, if you prefer “comfortable” sweaters (or wear with a skin knit that will act as a barrier between the material and your body).
For summer, you can opt for cotton, linen or even silk knits, lighter and finer materials.
As for the cut, round necks, high necks and turtlenecks are safe bets. The V-neck will be less easy to wear, and its exposed throat increases the risk of catching a bad cold during the winter period.
HOW TO WEAR AND CARE FOR BEAUTIFUL KNITWEAR?
Warning: knitwear is fragile. Always follow the care instructions on the label: wash by hand or on a delicate cycle . Dry flat. A wool comb can be used to maintain knitwear, and a lint remover (manual or electric) can remove any unwanted pilling. Finally, keep moths away by placing a few drops of essential oil or cedar balls in your cupboards.
In terms of looks, a nice big cable-knit sweater goes just as well with jeans as with a wool skirt and thigh-high boots, for a seventies-inspired look.
Cardigans can be worn open over a pretty blouse or buttoned and tucked into pants. You can also mix knits with more summery pieces to create contrast. Here, white jeans and a basket.
