The seven essential wardrobe categories

In all my years of creating and refining my wardrobe (okay, honestly, it’s only been about ten years, but who’s counting?), I have found that a helpful way to figure out what you have in your wardrobe and what might be missing is to divide it into categories. Seven categories to be exact!

Those seven main categories are – basics, staples, statement pieces, special occasion pieces, signature pieces, work/play pieces, and accessories.

Dividing your wardrobe into these categories can significantly help you understand how each item contributes to your wardrobe as a whole and will also help give you a much clearer picture of why you might have a wardrobe that is bursting at the seams and yet always feel as if you have nothing to wear.

(On a side note, just to avoid any confusion…undergarments, loungewear/pajamas, swimwear, and activewear are all separate categories unto themselves and are not discussed here.)

Okay, so let’s get into the details of the seven main categories!  

BASICS

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Basics are just that…basic!

These are the items that work well in anyone’s wardrobe, regardless of their personal style preferences. They may not be the most exciting pieces, but they work very hard by helping everything else work together seamlessly. Think of basics as the foundational stones that are essential for creating a highly functional, practical, and versatile wardrobe.

Basics would typically be pieces in a neutral color palette (think varying shades of cream, tan, navy, black, or gray) so that they pair well with anything and everything else in your wardrobe – lots of mixing and matching (aka, lots of versatility!). Examples of basics may include short and long sleeve t-shirts, layering tank tops, denim, sweaters, or button-down shirts.

(You can also read my Ultimate Guide to Wardrobe Basics for even more info on this category)

STAPLES

These are pieces you own that suit your personal style, the ones you would never want to be without, but may not necessarily be everyone’s cup of tea.

Similar to basics, staple pieces can typically be worn with almost anything else in your wardrobe, but don’t necessarily have to stick to a neutral color palette. Examples of staples may include a trench coat, tailored trousers, a leather jacket, or blazers.

Staples and basics are the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe and can really help solve the “I have nothing to wear” dilemma! (You can read about the key differences between staples and basics here).

STATEMENT PIECES

Just as the name implies, these are pieces that make a statement! They immediately draw the attention and do all of the talking for an outfit.

Statement pieces might be something in a vibrant color or bold print, but may also be an exaggerated shape or interesting construction in a more neutral color (think big, billowy sleeves or exaggerated shoulder pads). Examples of statement pieces might include patent leather pants, anything with tons of sequins, or even a tailored coat with huge lapels or over-the-top shoulder pads.

Statement pieces are definitely a great way to inject some fun and variety into your wardrobe, but keep in mind that they can be difficult to style in a multitude of ways, so if you have a ton of statement pieces but are lacking basics/staples you may find that you have the problem of having “nothing to wear”.  

SPECIAL OCCASION PIECES

Just as the name implies, these are pieces that are typically reserved for going out or for special occasions!

A special occasion piece may be a statement piece but doesn’t necessarily have to be. A great example is the famous little black dress! It might be the simplest and most unassuming dress, but it still may be one that you only wear on special occasions. Examples of special occasion pieces might include a special pair of shoes, silk dresses, or (as I’ve already mentioned) a little black dress.

Special occasion pieces might be the ones that go unworn for the longest amount of time so try to come up with new, creative ways to wear/style these pieces so that you’re getting the most use out of every single item in your wardrobe.

SIGNATURE PIECES

These are the pieces that are synonymous with you! The items (or looks) that you’re known for and that you wear with any/every outfit, regardless of occasion.

These are the pieces that can really make getting ready a breeze because you don’t even have to think about what you’re doing…it’s become second-nature to you because it’s part of who you are!

Examples of signature pieces may include an heirloom piece of jewelry, a specific style of sunglasses or handbag, while examples of signature looks may include the way you always fix your hair, the color you always paint your nails, or the way you do your makeup.

WORK/PLAY PIECES

Honestly, one of the most underrated, undervalued categories in a wardrobe, but probably one of the most important! These are the pieces that you might need for your job, housework, yardwork, taking the kids to the park, walking the dogs, helping a friend with a paint project…the list goes on and on!

They are probably not “perfect” pieces and may even have a stain or small hole here and there, but they are an essential part of your wardrobe.

Remember, if you’re trying to create a well-rounded wardrobe, one that is versatile, practical, and functional, you need to be sure you’re including this category! Examples may include an old pair of sweatpants, work boots, a heavy-duty rain jacket, or scrubs.  

ACCESSORIES

These are the finishing touches to an outfit and are the pieces that can really help transform a simple outfit from “okay” to “wow”!

Accessories typically don’t take up much space (with the possible exception of shoes!) and can exponentially increase the versatility of your wardrobe, so don’t be afraid to experiment with all different kinds of accessories. Examples of accessories include jewelry, handbags, scarves, sunglasses, belts, or shoes.

Remember that you can have “basic” accessories that go with essentially everything else in your wardrobe (maybe a slim, black belt or classic nude pumps), or you can experiment with “statement” accessories that really help a more neutral/simple outfit stand out (maybe oversized earrings or bold, colorful sunglasses).

Keep in mind that each of these categories is purposefully very generic and the pieces that fit into each category will vary from person to person. For example, you might say that your staple pieces include skirts, chunky loafers, or baggy denim pants, but someone else might say that their staple pieces include blazers, tailored trousers, or trench coats. That’s what makes each wardrobe unique!

Also, remember that there may not be clear lines of delineation between some of the wardrobe categories and some items may fit into more than one category. For example, a basic piece might also be a staple in your wardrobe, or a special occasion piece could simultaneously be a statement piece, so don’t get too hung up on trying to neatly fit every item in your wardrobe into its own specific category.

The whole point of dividing your wardrobe into these categories is to help you understand which pieces you may be missing or which ones you may have too many of so that you can create and refine your own version of a functional, practical, versatile wardrobe.

I’d love to hear if you tried this out and if dividing your wardrobe into these categories helped you on your journey of creating a well-rounded wardrobe.

You can email me or send me a message any time. If you want to dive even deeper into the process of creating a well-rounded wardrobe and learn how to create your own, check out my digital audio course Creating A Well-Rounded Wardrobe.

Amber

Hi, I’m Amber

Creator and founder of A Well-Rounded Wardrobe. Whether you’re looking to start building a wardrobe from scratch or simply want to fine tune what you already have, you’re in the right place. Start exploring.