Shopping Seasonal Wardrobe Staples

Finding Your Staples

For a little under a year now I’ve been trying to shop more mindfully, slowly building up a wardrobe of better quality pieces that I really love.

With the start of every new season I love to make a wishlist because it helps me think really carefully about which pieces I actually need. It also gives me an idea of how everything will work together and what types of pieces I gravitate towards most while shopping.

Many of these items I find myself relying on season after season are the staples that make up the base of most (if not all) of my outfits. For me, a functional wardrobe relies heavily on being able to mix and match staple pieces.

Through trial and error I’ve started to recognize which pieces make up the staples in my book: a pair of straight denim, a thick knit cardigan, a crew neck tee. It’s really the simplest items that make me feel most comfortable and on which I’m able to experiment with more unique pieces - although they are still usually pretty minimal because that’s just what I gravitate towards.

Your staples might allow you to experiment with more color or dramatic silhouettes in your wardrobe. But there is something to be said with having the basics down first - that’s how all the fun stuff comes together cohesively.

Looking to Fall

Each season I try to asses what is lacking in my wardrobe. For me this is not usually a matter of replacing items because my wardrobe is pretty minimal to begin with, a consequence of shopping slower and paying more for better quality when I can.

I like to approach shopping seasonally the same way I approach my basics - I look for things that will easily integrate into my existing wardrobe and which I can see myself wanting to wear year after year.

It’s good to know what types of items you always want to reach for each Fall. While I may love the look of a corduroy mini skirt one season, I know that it’s not something I’ll reach for when it’s cold out. Certain styles and silhouettes I always love - a midi length dress, a light knit crewneck, and a button down shirt - so I know it’s safe to buy them any season.

I’ve found some lovely seasonal staple items fit for a capsule wardrobe so I’ve created a small edit in case you’re in the market to update some pieces or fill in some holes in your capsule wardrobe.

SHOP THE EDIT