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37 Staples You Should Have in Your Closet

It’s important to have a closet with items that are going to work anytime, anywhere, any season. Obviously, not all clothes can do all things, but so many items can work double-duty or can be layered up or stripped down. I love to weed through my wardrobe when it gets a little too stuffed and replace some much-loved items with some higher-quality, staple items that can work with just about anything I’ve already got in there.

Whether you’re looking for nipple covers for backless/strapless/revealing outfits or you need an awesome, evergreen skirt, this list has you covered. There are staple items for everyone’s closet here and so many of these items would work with all sorts of different closets. Heads up; my very favorite staple item on this list is this great pair of joggers. They go with just about anything and they make great workout pants for winter or summer, running or yoga.

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The Ultimate Skort

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A skort is something everyone should have in their closet. I know we all threw them out after the early aughts, but we shouldn’t have. You never know when you’re going to need to look nicer, but also need to workout or go for a hike.

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The Best Bike Shorts

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Bike shorts are one of my favorite things to wear. You can almost always find me rocking these with a large t-shirt or a sports bra, depending on the event. On top of that, these are also great for working out, and I love the versatility. A must for everyone’s closet.

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Keep ’Em Covered

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It’s smart to keep these nipple covers in your closet — you never know when you might need them and you never want to be without them in important moments. These are some of my favorites to use because you can just slide them between your dress and your chest.

Tape for Any Occasion

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It took me far too long to discover the amazing tool that is boob tape. This tape keeps everything right where you want it, even while you’re sweating, so you can wear whatever you’d like without worrying about how your chest looks in the outfit.

‘Jump, Jump, Jump Around

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Jump around without worrying about hurting your back with this awesome sports bra. I love to use this for my yoga routine, but it’s also great for other exercises you might want to do. Plus, it looks fashionable and cute with just about any yoga pants you might have.

Stay Warm, My Friends

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Bodysuits are a great tool for those that like to tuck their shirts in, but don’t enjoy actually tucking them in. You can stay warm, accentuate your face (with the turtleneck collar), and everything can easily fit into whatever bottoms you’re wearing with the outfit.

Keep It Casual

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It’s not easy to keep it casual and keep it cool, but these t-shirts combine the best of both of those worlds. You can wear your favorite jeans, work pants, or even leggings and this shirt, which comes in all sorts of awesome colors, won’t look out of place at all.

The Best Bodysuit

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This bodysuit is just about my favorite closet item. It’s an absolute staple. It can go with anything, it can be layered for any season, and it stands out as a gorgeous top no matter how casual or exciting the bottoms you’re wearing may be.

Tank Tops for Any ’Fit

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Tank tops, especially spaghetti strap tanks, are an essential tool for layering. I have this pack of tank tops in my closet so I can pull them out for a workout, on hot days, or I can layer them under sheer tops or add some warmth in the winter.

Wear This Anywhere

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I’m loving the casual blazer trend. It’s so fun and so simply high-fashion. I love wearing this one with jeans to work because I look fashionable and cute for after-work drinks later. But this is just as cute with a skirt or some nice pants.

Embrace the Flowy Dress Vibes

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I love flowy dresses. They’re just so easy to wear and you can wear them to just about any event. Weddings? You know it. Work? Check. Dinner out? Yup. Everyone should have at least one flowy dress in their closet, and this is the one I love to have in mine.

We Love a Good Sweater Dress

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The sweater dress is very 2003, but there’s a reason it’s endured for so many years. These dresses are comfy and easy to wear, and you can enjoy a dress without worrying about freezing during the winter. It’s got everything. Couple with a great pair of boots and you’ve got a killer ’fit.

Shorts?

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Not shorts. Not quite a skirt. Not really a skort. It’s sort of all of the above and I love that! You can run in these, you can play tennis in these, and you can add a cute top and wear them out and about. They’re so comfy!

Everyone Needs a Good Jean Short

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Jean shorts, or jorts as they’re often called, are something everyone needs at least one pair of in their closet. You can wear them with just about any tops in your closet and you can even pull them on over your bathing suit bottoms and have a total outfit created.

An Easy, Breezy Polo Shirt

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One of the most important things to have in your closet is a collared shirt like this one. You can wear it for just about any occasion, whether it’s professional or not, and you’ll look put together and like the big boss no matter where you are.

An All-the-Time Skirt

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I love having skirts in my closet that are good for all sorts of occasions. The last thing I want is a skirt that’s only good for one event. This is the best skirt I’ve found for all of my events and it’s super comfortable, too!

A Comfy Tee

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You’ve gotta have a comfy tee on hand. That’s just facts. This comfy tee is my favorite because it’s comfortable, but it’s also pretty cute. I like to pair this with my favorite bike shorts and cute tennis shoes. Or my Crocs on a super lazy day.

A Three-Piece That’s Not a Suit

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Suits aren’t the only thing that comes in three pieces, y’all. This awesome workout set is also three pieces with a great pair of shorts, an awesome sports bra, and a fun, one-shoulder situation that looks much more grown-up and elegant than the sports bra.

You’ll Love This Sporty Dress

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Sporty dresses are my favorite. I love to have one solid one in my closet so I can pull it out and use it for tennis or a hike on which I’m expected to look a little fancier and put together. And this tennis dress? It has shorts attached.

A Sweater for Any Outfit

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I love a good cardigan like this one. It doesn’t button up, but I love that it doesn’t button, honestly. You can wear it with just about anything and it can turn an outfit that shows off a little too much into one appropriate for anywhere.

The Best Paper Bag Shorts

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These shorts are comfortable and can go from casual to fancy with a change of shoes or the right top. I wear these all the time and this green-khaki color really goes with so many items I’ve already got in my closet. Great with neutrals and earth tones!

Palazzo Party

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These palazzo pants are so fun to wear and so comfortable. They’re simple, but they pack a good punch. I love wearing these with the halter top body suit I listed above. It goes with just about anything and is so easy and fun to wear!

Rock the Sporty Spice Look

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Sporty Spice was always my favorite, and these joggers are my favorite way to channel my inner SS. They’re great for yoga, for a casual ’fit, or even for, you know, jogging? If that’s you’re thing. They’re so comfortable and just so easy to wear.

Your New Favorite Long-Sleeved Shirt

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This top is one of my favorite things I own. I always love a good Henley — the buttons just make it look so dynamic and cool and it’s great to pair with anything from jeans to joggers for a quick, easy, and warm outfit.

Layer Up

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I love everything about this jacket! It doesn’t look like a jacket, it’s more like a thick over shirt, but it’s got the warmth of a jacket, and that’s what matters the most. It’s super fashionable and just so fun to pair with your favorite looks.

The Best Graphic Tee

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This graphic t-shirt is one of my favorites of what I own, and I own quite a few. It’s so easy and great to wear with just about any bottoms. I enjoy wearing it with the paper bag shorts I listed above or even tucked into the cute, long skirt.

The Best Jeans

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Levi’s makes the best jeans out there, that’s just my humble opinion, and these skinny jeans are my favorite of their great jeans. You can wear them with anything, but I think they look the best with simple shoes and a nice, comfy t-shirt.

Cute and Flirty

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This dress is a great length for cute and flirty looks. When I look at it, all I can think of are farmers’ markets and wine tastings. You should always have a good, flirty, fun dress in your closet for fun all sorts of fun and flirty events.

Everyone Needs a Good One-Piece

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It’s true! Even if one-piece suits aren’t your thing, you should have one in your closet. You never know when you’re going to prefer wearing a simple, elegant one-piece to a bikini that shows a little more than you’d like for a kid’s birthday party or an event with your grandparents.

An Elegant Two-Piece

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I chose this as my staple two-piece because it’s elegant and classic without showing off too much so you can wear it for any occasion. It gives a great silhouette that you’ll love showing off at the beach or at your next pool party.

Downward Dog-Worthy Pants

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These yoga pants are so comfortable and great for workouts, but they’re also thick enough that you don’t have to worry about showing too much during your workouts. And, they’ve got pockets! And I don’t know anyone that wouldn’t be excited about that cool addition.

Business Casual Pants

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Everyone should have a solid pair of business casual pants. The older we get, the more important it is that you have professional-looking outfits on deck in your closet. These are my favorite pair because they’re youthful and pretty and fun, but they also fit right into a business setting.

Business Casual, but Make It Shorts

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Shorts aren’t usually something you see in the workplace, but my workplace is one that allows them, which makes me super happy. However, just because I can wear shorts doesn’t mean I can go super casual. Fortunately, these awesome shorts give me the comfort of shorts and the business edge of pants.

You’re Going to Love This Jumpsuit

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I know, because I love this jumpsuit! You get a glamorous silhouette in this, (I mean, just look at that bow!) but it’s not too stiff. It’s so comfortable to wear and you can easily dress it up or down with the right cardigan or heels.

Not Quite a Full Sleeve

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I used to make fun of my mom for wearing three-quarter-length sleeves, but now I totally get it. They offer the comfort of a t-shirt without looking too casual. It’s a must-have staple for your closet for those days when you’ve got to meet the teachers but have tons of errands afterwards.

Button It Up

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I love this button-up. There’s something so fun and breezy about it. Everyone needs a good button up and this is my absolute favorite. Its versatility is what I love the most, but the cute little tied accent at the bottom is a close second.

Everyone Should Have a Chunky Sweater

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Chunky sweaters are my favorite thing! When I say I’ve got six of them in my closet, I’m not joking. They go with everything, they can go over anything, and they look gorgeous no matter what. Plus, you’ve got to keep some warmer options in your closet for the winter.