Base Outfit Essentials That Will Simplify Your Closet And Get You From Season To Season In Style

Let’s talk base outfits. Any clue what I’m talking about here?

Last fall I put together my capsule-ish wardrobe, consisting of colors and styles that were mix and matchable to allow me to get plenty of outfits out of the same pieces.

This is so important for me as a busy work-from-home-mama who just doesn’t have the time to worry about what I’ll be throwing on in the morning.

I don’t like to have a closet full of things that I hate wearing. I’d much rather create fun, cozy outfits out of the same pieces I love wearing day in and day out.

And if you follow along with me on Instagram, you know I tend to wear the same things often, purposefully.

This is for those reasons stated above!

But I do like to buy new clothing. I just like to do it intentionally.

Cue capsule-ish wardrobes that help me pick a color palette, figure out where my needs are, and purchase a few select pieces per season to enhance my wardrobe without breaking the bank.

But before we get too off on that tangent, what I really want to talk about with you today are base outfits.

BASE OUTFIT ESSENTIALS THAT WILL SIMPLIFY YOUR CLOSET AND GET YOU FROM SEASON TO SEASON IN STYLE

Base outfits are the bottom layer outfits I wear season in and season out. They consist of jeans and leggings and plain tank tops and t-shirts.

These base outfits are just that – the base outfit. In the summer, they can be worn alone. In the fall you can add some cute boots and lighter cardigans with a fall color palette in mind.

In the winter you can toss on some sweaters and jackets. And in the spring you can add a fun kimono or lighter cardigan and flats or sandals if you wish.

Base outfits are the zero thought first layer you put on in the morning.

You don’t have to think about them and you already know you love them.

Base outfits make your life EASIER, trust me.

So each morning I have a few small choices to make.

Do I want to wear jeans or leggings? What color t-shirt or tank top do I want to wear?

Then how do I want to accessorize?

For me, this usually ends in a cardigan and boots because that is the perfect outfit for life in my world. But to each their own!

Base outfits are comfortable, cozy, and can easily be dressed up or down.

So now I know what you’re thinking — what are those magical pieces you never want to take off?

I’m so glad you asked.

HERE ARE A FEW OF MY BASE OUTFIT ESSENTIALS

JCREW SIGNATURE LEGGINGS

Please don’t take this lightly when I say that I own 5 pairs of these leggings.

I’m the pickiest legging snob that ever did live. And part of that is because ever since I was a child, I’ve had issues with the ways certain fabrics feel on my skin.

These leggings fit true to size, don’t lose their stretch, are thick enough so you feel good about bending over, and suck in all the stuff you don’t want sticking out.

They’re thicker like athletic leggings without being too performance-driven and still holding some of that looser comfort.

Just please trust me when I say go buy yourself enough pairs to get you through to laundry day right now. You won’t regret it.

AMBER HIGH RISE JEAN

Don’t let me scare you away with ‘jeans’. These jeans aren’t your ordinary jeans! They’re high rise (can I get an ‘amen’ from all the mamas out there!), stretchy (hallelujah), and are ripped and distressed in all the right places!

This is my new go-to pair of jeans. I love ripped jeans, but honestly, most of the time jeans are too ripped for my taste. These are ripped to perfection. (Is that a thing?)

They fit just right and pretty true to size. I’m wearing a 24 and am 5’6″. They’re the perfect length and color. Really I can’t say enough about how perfect they are!

JCREW JEANS

Old picture, but same love for these jeans!

I love JCrew’s toothpick jeans for the quality and the fit. These darker jeans allow me to dress them up easily but are still stretchy enough and comfortable enough to wear for a whole day.

MADEWELL TANKS

And you knew this was coming. My absolute go-to favorite tank tops are from Madewell. These v-neck pocket tanks are perfection when it comes to layering anything on top, but they’re also perfectly loosely fitted on their own too.

You see me in these on the daily, and I have no apologies for that! These tanks (which are under $20 might I add) hold up well and are the perfect base outfit staples. I have them in so many colors as well as multiple grays, and I have a few new colors in my shopping cart right now too!

I highly recommend these tank tops for any base outfits you’re creating! Just a little front tuck and cardigan, and you’ve got yourself the perfect outfit for literally any occasion.

THE BOTTOM LINE?

Base outfits make your lives easier, and they free up your wallet to splurge on the item or two you’ve been wanting to add to your capsule without you instead having to go out and buy a bunch of new items you’ll wear once and toss into a corner.

And these essentials I’m sharing today are my tried and true base outfit go-tos. Don’t believe me? Watch my Instagram stories to see me in two of these items today.

Grab a few of your own, and let me know which ones you’re most excited about in the comments below!