Recently, I asked myself the question of which items I would buy if I had to build a wardrobe from scratch. I came up with under 30 clothing items, 5 pairs of shoes, and 10 staple accessories, with examples in both Luxe and Less budgeting categories. Over the next few days I’ll be sharing these items with you.
Below are the clothing items that I picked. You’ll notice that I chose a color scheme of mostly black, with some navy and white/khaki. Buying a lot of black, of course, is a great way to ensure that your wardrobe contains items that are chic and interchangeable. In order to extend wearability, I also suggest buying items in seasonless fabrics.
Black Pants
LUXE
LESS
Dark skinny or bootcut jeans, depending on your preference
LUXE
LESS
Little Black Dress
LUXE
LESS
A sleeveless dress in a color (other than black) that can be worn year round.
LUXE
LESS
Black Pantsuit*
LUXE
LESS
Black Skirt Suit*
LUXE
LESS
White Shirt
LUXE
LESS
I also find Banana Republic’s button down shirts to be extremely durable.
2+ Black Tees
LUXE
This is the best tee if I have ever owned. Several years later, and it still looks like new.
LESS
Target is one of my favorite sources for inexpensive tees.
Black Wool Coat
LUXE
LESS
Trench Coat
LUXE
LESS
Ankle Length Pants
LUXE
LESS
These pants (in black and navy) are a staple in my wardrobe.
Summer Skirt
LUXE
LESS
5 Sleeveless Tops
LUXE
Stella McCartney, Halston Heritage, Diane von Furstenberg, Marni, Lanvin.
LESS
Banana Republic, Mango, Aqua, Olive & Oak, Calvin Klein.
Crewneck Cardigan in Black
LUXE
LESS
Cozy Sweater
LUXE
LESS
Casual Black Blazer
LUXE
LESS
Navy Blazer
LUXE
LESS
This is one of my favorite pieces of clothing.
Khaki/White Pants
LUXE
LESS
*With the exception of the 2 suits, I believe that this list of clothing will allow any one to be appropriately dressed for almost any occasion. For those whose activities don’t regularly require a suit, I suggest swapping out the 2 suits for 2 outfits comprised of a top and pants.
This little exercise makes me wonder if I should have focused my 25 Things List on acquiring upgraded versions of each of the essentials on my list. And, it has made me aware of my need for a navy sheath dress!
FYI, the total cost of all of the “Luxe” items is $18,219 and the total cost for the “Less” items is $1,884.95. Keep in mind that I didn’t take into account additional discounts for which some of the “Less” items were eligible. That means that the “Less” wardrobe is approximately one tenth of the cost of the Luxe wardrobe. Adding up these costs definitely puts things in perspective. Given an unlimited budget, I don’t believe that I would choose to buy the Luxe version each time, would you? Of course, the old adage “You get what you pay for…” always applies; clothing made of higher quality fabric will last longer. I believe that in some instances, buying the Luxe version is not just more stylish, but also more cost effective. For example, a Burberry trench can be worn for years beyond its cheaper counterpart.
What do you think of my list? Is there anything that you feel should be added or removed? Which items do you believe are indispensable to building a wardrobe? From which designers would you purchase Luxe items and which brands are your go-tos for looking stylish when spending Less?
I love this exercise. I did this a while back too – though not as comprehensively – and found it really helpful. I’m a huge fan of Theory pants for work! xo
My sister bought a pair of black Theory pants during a London trip in 2003. She still owns and wears them. That LUXE pick proved to be a long-lasting one. Your picks are great classics! Maybe one day I’ll try on some Theory, I hope!
I find the pull between luxe and less to be a near constant one that (for me) really comes down to the individual item and my current wardrobe needs. A suit has no place in my life, but my wardrobe would feel incomplete without slim black pants, a casual black blazer, and slouchy tees. I could live in my Jcrew Minnies!
Thank you for the feedback, ladies! I think I might be adding a pair of Theory pants to my wardrobe soon! Lucy, I also find that the choice between choosing Luxe/Less depends on the individual item and current wardrobe needs. I always find it fascinating how others (and myself) decide to buy what they do.