Wardrobe Staples Must Haves & How To Style Series

Wardrobe staples are quality pieces that act as a foundation for the overall look of your outfits. In every closet, I organize one of my goals is to ensure that clients have all the key wardrobe staples, and more importantly know how to create easy go-to-looks for any occasion using those pieces. As a gift to my readers, every month this year, I will pick one essential wardrobe staple piece and suggest three stylish ways to wear it. The goal is that you wear more of your closet by owning the right pieces and have a quality base to build a signature wardrobe.  This will help you become more creative and confident in how you wear your current items and avoid saying, “I have nothing to wear!”. Subscribe to the Wear To Style Newsletter and be the first to receive this blog series each month.

First in the series is the white button-down shirt. Whether you have it in silk, sheer, the classic oxford or all the above, this key piece should have a prominent space in every closet. The white button-down shirt value lies it in its versatility, and its a failsafe. It can go with anything, a full skirt on date night or underneath a sheath dress for the office.

Here are three stylish ways to wear the white button-down shirt to work, on the weekend, and a Friday night.

Go from morning meetings to lunch with clients in the afternoon in this easy to move in shape defining three-piece look.

WHITE BUTTON DOWN SHIRT +MAXI SKIRT + BELT

Pair a stretch blend white button-down shirt and maxi skirt with a princess seam (princess seams add shaping or a tailored fit to closely follow a woman's shape). Accessorize with a wide or textured belt to create the hourglass shape and add a signature touch.

How To Style - Pop the collar to keep the attention on your face or draw the eye to dazzling earrings. Take it further by rolling up the sleeves to highlight bangles and matching wristwatch.

I love the Original Long Sleeve Essential Shirt by Express. Its an ideal fabric blend for durability, maintaining its shape, and keeping a crisp classic look through multiple washes.

Have a long Saturday planned? Then you need a chic layered look that can take you through chilly mornings, sunny afternoons and windy nights.

WHITE BUTTON DOWN + CAMISOLE + SWEATER + WOOL COAT + DENIM

A trick to wearing layers correctly is to start with thin warm layers rather than a couple of bulky layers. A lace camisole can peak out underneath a sheer white button blouse. Create a cinched waist with a lightweight merino sweater, when you don’t need it on, then throw over a fitted wool coat. Finish the look with figure-flattering fashion denim.

Stylist Note - The color palette, for whatever season you are in should be your guide in choosing what layered pieces will look best together.

Value is not just about price its in the choice of textile and feel. This, Equipment Adalyn Blouse is made of silk crepe that will feel so lovely against the skin, and the discreet sexiness of this blouse will have you returning to it again and again.

Enjoy Friday night in both a comfortable and cool look with a glass of wine, good music and great style on the rooftop lounge or at a friends house.

WHITE BUTTON DOWN SHIRT + CABLE KNIT SWEATER + LEATHER PANTS

To have an effortlessly chic style, invest in pieces that are high in quality and texture. A white oxford shirt is a perfect backdrop to oversized cables knit sweater, choose (faux) leather pants with a sleek, tailored leg to balance and slim the hips. Complete the look with an unexpected shoe in neon color or design.

How To Care - Keep makeup wipes handy when wearing white. The chemicals won't cause harm to the garment but are strong enough to remove makeup and food from clothing in a pinch.

Grab your husbands or brothers button-down to create this outfit, but eventually, you will want your own, and I recommend the Citizens of Humanity Kayla Button Front Cotton Shirt.