"It’s natural to want to take stock of your life this time of year, and if you’re like me, there’s no better place to start than in your closet. That new-year wardrobe overhaul looks different for everyone, but regardless of your starting position, I think I speak for everyone when I say that behind every closet clean-out stands one common goal: looking stylish for the year ahead. And since we never have enough hours in the day, not only do we want to look more stylish, we want to do so in little-to-no time.
Get 70% off of select areas until March 3!
Though I get paid to report on the latest trends, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t struggle to keep up every now and then; nevertheless, there are a few ‘ole reliables us fashion girls come back to season after season. Be it a fun bag or a statement shoe, they’re the kind of pieces that make you look considerably more stylish than you might feel. In lieu of my own wardrobe audit, I realized that my style would be nowhere near as award-winning—that’s right, Fort Mill High’s Best Dressed of the Class of 2012 over here—if not for these six closet heroes.
1. Everyday Jewelry
As someone who likes to post on the internet, questions about my wrist stack are by far the most-fielded inquiry I get. I’ve always believed in the power of accessories, but it wasn’t until last year that I introduced bangles to my everyday rotation. In the words of Pharrell Williams, it might seem crazy what I’m about to say: A handful of bangles completely changed my style for the better. Worn with a simple tee or layered over a chunky sweater, they’re the must-have accessory guaranteed to smarten up any look.
And trust me, I get it, clasping your own bracelet is one of the more challenging tasks in life, but brands like Jenny Bird are making it easy—their Gia and Ola Bangles are designed with a hinge that take less than a second to maneuver.
2. Classic White Tees
I’m not exaggerating when I say that I have a drawer that’s exclusively devoted to white tees. In a day and age when finding the right top seems nearly impossible, I know that without fail, a classic white tee is the ultimate chameleon. Perpetually in style, a white tee can act as a stand-alone piece or a steady base layer. As easy as they are to style, though, the quest to find the perfect one can feel like quite the opposite. Not sure where to start? I’ve been repurchasing the ones below for years.
3. Oversized Blazers
My desert-island closet pick would probably be an oversized black blazer (imagine me roasting fresh-caught fish over an open fire, blazer belted with whatever kind of pliable vegetation I can find). For years, my thrifted, three-sizes-too-big blazer has gotten me out of several last-minute, “I have nothing to wear” predicaments. Pair yours with an easy black dress or a white tee and jeans for effortless, cool-girl style that’s right on par with some of your favorite internet creators. Because I managed to score the perfect oversized blazer way back when, and because it seems to never go out of style, I’ve yet to feel the need to replace it; but if I did, these would be my top contenders.
4. Staple Bags
It sounds trivial, but being the accessories-obsessed gal that I am, I believe the right bag makes all the difference. So often, my near-perfect outfit dissipates the second I’m forced to throw on my old, worn-out leather crossbody, so much so that I’m forced to debate changing my outfit or choosing to go bag-free (I’ll take the latter, please).
When it comes to adding a new bag to your collection, many of us feel the need to choose something ultra-versatile in a neutral that’ll never go out of style; however, if you’re looking for your accessories to work harder, this may just be the time to amp up the fun and choose something with a bit more personality. Completing your all-black outfit with a leopard bag instead of a black one? That equates to one more go-to outfit in your arsenal.
5. Go-To Denim
Denim, though universally loved, looks different from person to person. These days, it isn’t necessarily about owning the trendiest pair—though I do love my barrel-leg styles—it’s about wearing what you feel confident in. While the market seems to be more saturated than ever, with just about every denim silhouette making headlines as of late, I’m partial to slim-fit, straight-leg pairs.
6. Statement Shoes
For someone with a strict budget, you’d be surprised to hear that a majority of my clothing allowance is spent on shoes. There’s a chance it could be the result of 2006 me repeating “lets get some shoes” ad nauseam, but my guess is that it’s mostly the result of me being a full-fledged accessories enthusiast since I began to walk.
In case I haven’t already drilled the point home, think of it this way: Imagine you’re wearing your usual tee and jeans, and then imagine that same combo with an added wrist stack, a red bag, and some tiger-print shoes. Which would you choose? Yeah, same.
Tinsley Crisp, Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer
Tinsley Crisp is a Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer at The Everygirl and specializes in reporting on the season’s latest trends and hottest products. As a New York City-based stylist, she’s committed to injecting joy into the art of getting dressed and delivering attainable yet aspirational content to our readers.