Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via Getty ImagesWhen it comes to these closet staples, being basic isn't a bad thing.
If every single piece of clothing in your closet was a show-stopper, putting together outfits would be impossible. It's important to balance your incredible Olivia Culpo-inspired, netted, over-the-knee boots with a pair of everyday-wearable sneakers. Or your daring collection of crop tops with a basic white tee like Taylor Swift's.
Dialing it back can be difficult, especially when you're the type that loves to wear loud prints and bold colors, but it's possible and it is absolutely necessary.
Ahhh, the timeless white tee. This incredibly basic top creates endless possibilities worth of outfits. For weekend style, go for a laid-back look in denim (jeans or jean shorts) and a sweater around your waist. During the week, tuck one into a leather mini skirt or pair of low-rise trousers. You can never go wrong with one—only without one.
Shop Our Picks: Cotton Citizen Classic Crewneck, $65; H&M Linen T-Shirt, $18; Babaton Sami T-Shirt, $40
There can never be enough stress on the fact your closet needs a good pair of jeans to be complete. Joan Smalls literally stopped traffic when she wore a ripped pair with powder blue Timberland boots, but they look amazing with every and any piece of footwear under the sun.
Your heels, sandals, flats and sneakers will always work with denim. Consider it a universal language for all clothing.
Shop Our Picks: Closed Distressed Loose Fit Jeans, $345; Paige Verdugo Ankle Dalia, $189; Topshop Moto Stepped Hem Straight Leg Jeans, $80
If there were ever the ideal throw-on-and-go outfit, the jersey dress would be the main component. It's easy to layer (denim jackets, leather jackets and bomber jackets all work) and, like denim, it also looks good with just about any footwear. (Shoes like Gigi Hadid's ankle boots are perfect for strolling in style.)
Have you noticed they also come in all sorts of shapes and sizes? The common denominator is their midi length (not mandatory, but it does make the dress wearable in all situations), so keep that in mind when you're hunting for your own.
Shop Our Picks: Cotton On Kellie Muscle Midi, $25; Zara Basic Dress, $20; River Island Navy Racer Back Dress, $48
If you're ever worried about being over-dressed (or you just want to look super cool), have a pair of white sneakers be the base of your outfit. Kendall Jenner's crop top, bomber jacket and jeans combination would have been too much for a pair of heels.
Whether they're Nikes, Adidas or Converse, this basic wardrobe piece adds subtle edge while keeping whatever you choose to wear grounded.
Shop Our Picks: Nike Air Force 1, $90; Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Canvas Sneakers, $55; Adidas Superstar Shoe, $80
Now, you might not think of blazers as a basic, but they most definitely are. Every woman should own one for its ability to dress up casual outfits. Did you show up to work in a white tee and black jeans, but forgot about that big meeting at 1 o'clock? Hopefully there's a blazer hanging on your chair, so you can pull a Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
If you don't yet own one, start with classic black. Enjoy all of the bossy outfits you're about to wear!
Shop Our Picks: Mango Ruched Sleeves Blazer, $120; White House Black Market Double-Lapel Seasonless Blazer, $90; Karl Lagerfeld Nadya Satin-Trimmed Stretch-Pique Blazer, $365