If You Want to Always Look Chic, These 5 Closet Staples Will Do the Trick

Every fashion person knows that closet staples are the foundation on which a forever wardrobe is created. The feeling of having a solid set of no-fail pieces that will always work is unmatched. As a fashion editor, I'm constantly surrounded by the most well-dressed people, and many of them rely on the same handful of staples as the jumping-off point to craft chic outfits all year round. I've recently done a deep dive into top-tier retail websites and found some seriously amazing finds you'll want to wear over and over again.

Since I deeply believe in sharing the love, I've decided to clue you in on the top five must-have closet staples with this fashion person's seal of approval. Ahead, read exactly what these pieces are and where to shop them. Whether you're building a wardrobe from scratch or looking to do a little refresh, the shopping selections ahead are sure to help out in your personal style endeavours.

Jeans

closet-staples-311996-1706865011294-main

(Image credit: @aishafarida)

While cuts and washes can vary greatly, there's no denying the stronghold jeans have in fashion culture. If you're unsure of what to get, a straight-leg cut in a medium-blue wash can be great for almost any situation. I love to don a wide-leg pair when I'm trying to dress up a denim look.

Shop Jeans

Cashmere Sweater

marina wears black sweater and polka dot skirt with black sling backs and a white clutch

(Image credit: @marina_torres)

Whether you're dressing up for a night out with your besties or a casual day of running errands around the city, a simple cashmere sweater can make all the difference. I know it's not a year-round item, but when the temperature dips, you won't regret having this versatile layering piece.

Shop Cashmere Sweaters

Button-Down Shirts

closet-staples-311996-1706841674302-main

(Image credit: @dominiqueedangelo)

Endless possibilities exist with a few great button-down shirts in your wardrobe. At the most basic level, I recommend starting with a slightly oversized white or blue-striped cotton option that's great year-round. As you build out your shirt collection, add a linen style for hot weather and a heavier-duty shirt for cold temperatures.

Shop Button-Down Shirts

Trousers

closet-staples-311996-1706865265979-main

(Image credit: @louisahatt)

A pair of trousers has always been a go-to for professional attire for good reason. It's hard to look bad with the right pair of trousers in your closet. I'm partial to trousers with pleats and a wide leg, but feel free to try other varieties as you see fit. I'd change things up by dressing them down with a pair of sneakers every so often.

Shop Trousers

closet-staples-311996-1706866663662-main

(Image credit: @the_oluwaseun)

Black Shoes

While I love fun-colored shoes as much as the next person, every fashion person knows it's important to have a couple of black shoe options that can go with multiple looks. It's hard to go wrong with black, as it always lends itself to a refined look no matter how dressed up or casual the outfit is.

Shop Black Shoes

Chichi Offor
Associate Shopping Editor

Chinazor "Chichi" Offor is a Georgia-born, Los Angeles–based associate editor who relocated from Brooklyn, New York, and joined Who What Wear's West Coast office in 2022. At WWW, she utilizes over 10 years of editorial experience to dish out shopping advice to the masses and analyze key pop-cultural moments. Chichi previously worked at Refinery29, where she helped revolutionize the brand’s plus-size and inclusive fashion coverage. In her spare time, she’s keeping up with the latest movie releases, enjoying a relaxing day at the spa, or obsessing over her latest ADHD-fueled hyperfixation (e.g., Jesse McCartney's underrated career, the negative effects of bicoastal intellectual elitism, and Gen Z’s loneliness epidemic). You can find her online @thechichio on Instagram.