7 All-Season Closet Staples You Need, Stylists Say

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While there’s a place in every closet for some trendy pieces , those aren’t the items you’ll be reaching for year after year. That’s why stylists recommend focusing on building a strong foundation with some all-season clothing staples that never go out of style. For example, think of a pair of well-fitting straight-leg jeans or a sleek brown leather jacket .

According to Sunica Du , a fashion designer and founder of Sunica Design , investing in these kinds of pieces is smart for several reasons. It simplifies the process of putting together a stylish outfit, it’s better for the planet, and it’s more budget-friendly in the long run.

“Seasonless pieces guarantee maximum cost-per-wear because they can be mixed and matched with seasonal items,” explains Yenia Hernández Fonseca , a stylist, luxury fashion expert , and contributor to Margo Paige. “This easily allows you to create an infinite number of outfits suitable for varied weather conditions. Seasonless staples also simplify the need for extensive seasonal storage or decluttering.”

So, which of these key closet must-haves do stylists recommend shopping for? Read on to find out.

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“The iconic trench coat couldn’t look dated even if it tried,” says Elizabeth Kosich , a certified image stylist and founder of The EveryBody Wrap . “It’s just about the most sensible purchase anyone could ever make.”

“Look for quality features like removable quilted liners, back vents, and double-breasting to maximize its versatility and overall function, and choose a color that’s in your most flattering neutral,” she recommends. Additionally, she says the fabric weight should be neither too heavy nor too light to ensure year-round wearability from temperate April showers to brisk October nights.

“In the summer, a trench acts as a lightweight cover-up for chilly evenings,” adds Fonseca. “Layer a trench over a cozy sweater for extra warmth in the fall or a turtleneck for a chic winter look. Once spring comes, you can drape it over a slip dress, or a cami and jeans combo.”

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Experts agree that everyone, regardless of age or personal style, should have a white button-down in their closet.

During the spring, Du suggests pairing it with a floral midi skirt and a light scarf. Come summer, you can wear your white button-down as a swim cover-up, says Fonseca—or, Du recommends wearing it unbuttoned over a tank top with linen or chino shorts. As the temperatures drop in the fall, try layering it under a chunky knit sweater with skinny jeans .

“In the winter, it goes perfectly with a wool skirt and a double-breasted blazer,” adds Dominique B. Dupuis , fashion expert and owner of URAD .

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“A tailored blazer is a classic menswear-inspired look that never goes out of style,” says Kosich. “Invest in a quality one with a timeless cut—no shoulder pads or oversized boyfriend styles—and make sure the hem sits above the hips for the most flattering look.”

Kosich suggests avoiding materials that are less flexible for all-season wear, like velvet and wool, and opting for a mid-weight fabric instead.

Jaclinne Cheng , style expert and director of sales and marketing for Spicy Lingerie , notes that a blazer can also be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. For a more casual take, try pairing your blazer with rolled-up jeans, a striped T-shirt, and tennis sneakers. For a more polished date night look, pop your blazer over a sweater dress with knee-high boots.

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A maxi dress is another timeless piece that works for all ages and all seasons.

“For summer, just pop on a pair of embellished sandals and some beaded bracelets and you are all set,” says personal stylist Margaret Stone . “When fall comes around, consider using a belt to cinch in the waist for some definition, and then pair the maxi dress with some ankle booties.”

According to Kosich, you also can’t go wrong with a wrap dress. “Play it safe with solid black, or consider a print in your best accent color,” she tells Best Life. “ Pair it with a fashion sneaker and safari jacket by day, or a classic pump and trench by night. Accessorize the look with a statement handbag during the daytime or dangly chandelier earrings at night.”

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Dupuis calls her jean jacket the most versatile piece of clothing she owns. And is it any surprise? It can be worn with almost anything in your closet, regardless of the time of year. You can even use it to dress down a little black dress or patterned pencil skirt for more casual occasions.

Dupuis suggests throwing your denim jacket over a maxi dress during the spring and summer, or with a cozy sweater and leggings during the colder months. You can even pair it with black or white jeans for a laid-back yet trendy look.

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“A cardigan is another seasonless wardrobe staple that can be worn in different ways, depending on the weather,” says Fonseca.

In the springtime, she recommends layering a cardigan over a sleeveless blouse or basic T-shirt. “You can always take it off and wrap the sleeves over your shoulders when the temperature rises,” she adds.

In the fall and winter months, try pairing your cardigan with jeans and wearing an elegant belted wool coat on top—or wear your cardigan as a button-down shirt with a knee-length skirt, tights, and boots.

Kosich advises having one cashmere cardigan since this ultra-soft material is just warm enough for chilly winter days yet lightweight enough for spring and summer nights.

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Du says a comfortable T-shirt dress is another seasonless must-have. “Wear it with espadrilles and a straw hat during summer, and add some bangles and hoop earrings for a beachy vibe,” she suggests. “In fall, a leather jacket, scarf, and ankle boots give your dress a new life.”

Some T-shirt dresses can have a boxy, shapeless fit—so, keep in mind that you can use a belt to cinch the waist, adds Du.

6 Prints You Need in Your Wardrobe as You Get Older, Stylists Say

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If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably started many sentences with the phrase: “My wardrobe would be complete, if I only had”—and then ended it with a closet essential like trousers , a button-down, straight-leg denim, or a leather jacket . Without these core pieces, it’s difficult to put together cohesive outfits, and you might often feel like you have nothing to wear. But staples don’t only apply to clothing items and silhouettes. There are also core prints you should own, especially as you get older. Here, personal stylists spill their favorite clothing prints that create the backbone of a mature, sophisticated wardrobe. With these in your closet, you’ll be able to create interesting, layered looks that truly shine.

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There’s no way around it: Stripes are a classic .

“Pairing a chic striped top or bottom with a basic [bottom or] top will balance a look well and give it an effortless Parisian vibe,” says Sahra Schukraft Brandt , personal stylist and founder of Shop the City . “If your style errs maximalist and bold, pair it with another print like a floral or an alternating stripe!”

If you opt for a second stripe, choose one in a different size. If you match your stripes with a second print, choose one in a similar size as the stripe.

You’ll also want to pair the color of your stripes to your outfit properly. “Use the color in the pattern, not the background of the pattern, to match other garments or accessories,” says Michelle Barrett , stylist and founder of Capsule Closet Stylist . “This way, the block color of other garments or accessories will lift and link the colors in the pattern.”

So, if you have a cream sweater with a black stripe, you’ll want to pair it with black pants, as opposed to cream ones. It’ll make the pattern pop.

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Polka dots have been on-trend for ages, and you can expect them to retain that status. Add them to your wardrobe for an easy way to make any outfit more fun.

“Remember that the larger the dots, the bigger the trend statement, so go smaller the older you get,” says Elizabeth Kosich , certified image stylist and founder of Elizabeth Kosich Styling .

She also says it’s important to consider the dots’ contrast in comparison to your own. If you have a low contrast between your complexion and other features (say, if you have dark skin and dark eyes), you’ll want to avoid dots that have a high contrast (like black and white). It’ll take your entire look to the next level—even if people can’t quite put a finger on why.

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This print doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, Schukraft Brandt says it can be timelessly chic.

“I think going small with leopard print can help it feel more approachable—think a leopard-print shoe, neckerchief, or hair scarf,” she shares. “Pairing it with other basics and using it as a neutral ensures that it isn’t too statement-making but just enough of fun.”

If you want to try something bold, team a leopard midi skirt with a streamlined black heel or boot.

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Add some grooviness to your wardrobe with a funky swirl print piece. “A cool psychedelic print can really be a statement item that can help you feel bold and young,” says Schukraft Brandt. “I love a bright ’70s print paired with a bold solid color dress or pants and top for a monochromatic look, paired with a more tame shoe.”

If you go big on this print, you’ll want to keep things fairly minimalist elsewhere.

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It wouldn’t be a list of essential prints without a floral. “The key is to complement your skin tone,” says Barrett. “As a general rule, if you have pale skin and hair, choose pastels ; if you have dark hair and medium to dark skin, you can choose brighter tones; and if you have dark skin and hair, choose medium to dark or bright tones.”

No matter what, you’ll be able to style florals year-round. Barrett is particularly fond of wearing them on a silk scarf that’s paired with a Breton striped top.

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Similar to florals, there’s paisley. “It’s a classic, traditional motif that—depending upon color palette—can skew either fresh and youthful or stately and mature,” says Kosich. “Shop paisleys in summer brights like turquoise, teal, orange, and coral to project a light-hearted, spunky mood, or choose a quieter palette in earthy tones like mustard, burgundy, and forest green to send a conservative, quiet message.”

It’s a fun pattern for a scarf, dress, or shirt. Try a paisley tank top under a solid-color blazer to dip your toes in the trend.