Do you have days when you are completely lost and don’t know what to wear? Are you looking for basic yet stylish outfit ideas that are affordable and on-trend?
Here are 14 must-have basics and outfit ideas that will provide endless options for what to wear when you have nothing to wear! Outfits that are easy to style in any season of the year!
What if getting dressed could actually be fun and easy? I promise that it is possible! Getting dressed every day doesn’t have to be challenging.
In this post, I took 5 basic foundational outfit ideas and give you examples of ways to interchangeably style each differently simply by changing up layers and footwear.
Having just a few key basics is essential to creating a capsule wardrobe that is sure to offer you a stressless way of getting dressed every single day!
We are talking about the effortless style of having the right basics that are affordable and will offer on-trend fashion style season after season!
I know as a working professional myself how important getting dressed quickly needs to be. So I created this short list of 14 must-have basics and give you a few outfit ideas to get you started.
14 Must-Have Basics List:
Investing in the pieces on this list will create an endless number of outfits to style week after week and year after year!
The best part is that any of these outfits can be dressed up for work or date night just as easily as dressed down for everyday errands or casual wear.
And let me just add a crucial tip here. When you find an outfit that you love and feel comfortable in, then make sure to document it for future wear.
Take a photo of yourself and keep stored on your phone or write it down on paper by using a capsule wardrobe checklist and create a binder full of your favorite go-to outfits.
[RELATED POST: HOW TO BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE | IMPORTANT TIPS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN BUILDING A CAPSULE WARDROBE WITH CLOTHES THAT YOU WILL LOVE]
This will most definitely help you on any given day when you are in a complete slump and just don’t have the time to put together an outfit that you know will work for you.
This is post #5 and the final post in the Capsule Wardrobe Basics Simplified Series. A series designed to simplify the process of beginning a capsule wardrobe.
Helping you find budget-friendly basics that will provide purpose and function in your closet all while ensuring you feel cute & confident!
Simple outfit ideas:
Outfit idea #1: White t-shirt & blue jeans outfit
GAP White Vintage T-Shirt ($19.95)
It doesn’t get any more basic than the traditional white t-shirt and blue jeans base outfit. Of course, it is effortless style on its own, however, the foundation it sets for creating a crazy number of outfits is also what makes this combo ideal!
Aside from the fact that they are traditional basics, mixing and matching layers and shoes with this base outfit are where your head should be. The possibilities here are literally endless!
From our list of basics, we can add any of the layers or shoes to this outfit and create at least over 20 outfits easily!
For example, simply add some heels and a blazer to dress it up or a cardigan/coat and sneakers to dress it down.
Other options to try:
Cotton Modal Crew Neck | Banana Republic
V-Neck White T-Shirt | Banana Republic
Outfit idea #2: White button-down shirt & black jeans outfit
LUCKY BRAND White Button-Down Shirt ($20)
Probably the second most basic foundational outfit is the white and black option. However, using a crisp white button-down with the sleek color of black jeans helps elevate this look a notch from the last outfit option we covered.
These two together create a canvas to build upon and create weeks worth of cute & stylish outfits.
Style with sneakers and a camel coat for weekend wear or add a black blazer and booties for a more professional look.
Other options to try:
Tailored Poplin Button-Down Shirt | Banana Republic
Boyfriend Button-Down Shirt | LOFT
Oversized Flowy Button-Down Shirt | Mango
[RELATED POST: THE BEST CAPSULE WARDROBE JEANS | 5 STYLES YOU SHOULD BE ADDING TO YOUR CLOSET THAT STYLE PERFECTLY IN ANY SEASON]
Outfit idea #3 : White monochrome outfit
ZARA White Culotte Jeans ($47.90)
If you are just completely clueless on where to start a good rule of thumb is to go with a solid monochromatic look. All white or neutral monochrome outfits set a foundation for a clean and soft elevated look.
If all white is not for you, try ivory or ecru to offset the stark brightness of an all-white attire. Or even an all tan base outfit would work just as well.
Regardless of which you choose, the lighter softer tones of white can really set the foundation for tons of great outfit ideas for both professional or casual wear.
Try adding a pullover sweater, a blazer, and heels for work or a denim jacket and mule slides for a more casual day out.
Other options to try:
Culotte High-Waist Jeans | Mango
Frayed Button Front Crop Jeans | LOFT
Outfit idea #4: Black dress outfit
LULU’S Smocked Black Midi Dress ($69)
When I have nothing to wear my go-to is a black maxi dress. It offers crazy versatility with a feminine touch and can style seamlessly any time of the year.
What I like best about this option is the comfort level it provides all day long! Especially on days when we just don’t feel our best but we can still look our best.
On warmer days this is an ideal option with a denim jacket and nude open toe sandals or white sneakers.
For cooler temperatures style with a pullover black sweater, a black aviator/biker jacket, and some booties.
Other options to try:
Asymmetrical Pleated Dress | Mango
Racerback Tank Dress | Banana Republic
Spaghetti Strap A-Line Dress | Zara
Outfit idea #5: Black monochrome outfit
& OTHER STORIES Flare Black Jeans ($50)
I love a monochrome black outfit. For me it is ideal simply because it is such a chic look all its own. Not to mention that we all know how slimming black can look on any body type.
This is by far one of my favorite choices on any given day. Every year I invest in new basic top layers and shoes so that I can easily create new looks every year without breaking the bank!
Throw on a long camel cardigan/duster and some dark snakeskin booties for work. Style down with sneakers or white mules and a denim jacket for casual Fridays at work.
Other options to try:
Cotton Blend Black Wash Jeans | Asos
High Waist Boot Cut Black Jeans | Mango
ZW Marine Straight Black Jeans | Zara
To Wrap Things Up:
Outfit ideas are endless with just a few great basic pieces that are must-haves and essential in any capsule wardrobe.
These are only 5 of the outfit ideas that you can achieve with the 14 must-have basics covered in this post. Mixing and matching these 14 basics will provide an endless number of outfits that can offer quick and easy on-trend looks!
So start snagging a few of these basics and say goodbye to the stressful days of not having anything to wear!
This post is about outfit ideas.
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