5 Wardrobe Basics That Everyone Should Own • The Fashionable Housewife

While everyone has their own individual style, there are still wardrobe basics that you NEED to own. There are various articles of clothing and footwear which are essentially universal in terms of who wears them and you’ll find them in almost every woman’s closet.

The following is a list of items we’re willing to bet you either have in your closet, in the wash or are wearing right now and if you don’t own these must-haves, we’re linking to some of our favorites from Shopbop so you can rectify that situation ASAP!

T-Shirt

Once strictly worn as an undergarment and only by men, t-shirts became an acceptable top for everyone beginning in the 1950s and 60s. Nowadays, everyone has a handful of t-shirts they wear throughout the day, whether it’s the Next Level 3600 crew t-shirt in several colors, graphic tees of beloved TV characters, sports-themed shirts, or any number of looks and designs. The basic premise is the same: a simple item to throw on in a pinch which can come in an almost endless variety of styles.

Denim Jeans

Nearly everyone owns at least one pair of denim jeans. Let’s take the assumption one step further and assume you own at least one pair of Levis, which continue to represent the gold standard of denim. Whether we can fit into them is another story, but there’s always hope! The durability of denim both as fabric and fashion has much to do with why jeans are so popular. A properly taken care of pair of well-made denim jeans can last for decades – which is why it’s not uncommon for people to find themselves squeezing into them at some point down the road.

Sneakers

Whether they’re meant for running, tennis, basketball, or some other physical activity, athletic footwear commonly referred to as sneakers are a fashion mainstay. It wasn’t always this way; athletic shoes were once considered strictly acceptable only in (you guessed it) athletic activities. You were expected to switch to more formal footwear as soon as you left the court. This changed during the mid-20th century, and sneakers have been worn by just about everybody ever since.

White Button Down Shirt

The white button down top is a universally appropriate piece of clothing for more than one occasion. Whether for working, celebration, or mourning, a white button-up blouse or dress shirt is the go-to for most women. It’s therefore no surprise everyone probably has one in their closet. Just make sure you keep it clean and white with Clorox!

Hooded Sweatshirt or “Hoodie”

The hooded garment is centuries old but fell out of common fashion at some point during the late-18th century. Hoodies reemerged during the mid-20th century and have been with us ever since. Practical and comfortable, hoodies are particularly popular in temperate climates like here in New Hampshire, where chilly weather is common. Even in tropical regions, hoodies provide the perfect level of comfort on cooler than normal nights. It’s for these reasons it’s likely you have at least one hoodie in your wardrobe. It’s like mac and cheese for your wardrobe. It’s just one of those “feel good” pieces of clothing that everyone has and loves.

We all find a way to create our own unique style. With that said, just about everybody falls back on a few go-tos on a day-to-day basis. Who doesn’t have at least one graphic t-shirt? Can you think of a time when you didn’t own at least one pair of jeans? Could you imagine never wearing sneakers? Is it possible to be social and business-like without a white dress shirt? Would you feel okay on a cold autumn night at a bonfire without your favorite hoodie? We’re going to bet the answer is no to all of the above!

If you are missing any of these wardrobe basics, now is a great time to grab yourself some solid, high quality choices from these 5 must-haves during Shopbop’s annual Buy More Save More Sale!