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5 Basics You Need in Your Closet This Fall and Winter

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois State chapter.


We all fall subject to the consumerism scheme that is fast fashion. If you’re like me, you’re constantly trying to keep up with all the latest trends and buying all the new and latest fashion items, only for them to go out of style the following season. So, this is my guide to filling your closet with timeless and versatile clothes for every season and occasion! 

Firstly, the five basics you need in your closet for fall and winter are: 

  1. A long sleeve bodysuit 
  2. Comfy high-waisted jeans 
  3. Black boots
  4. Oversized sweater
  5. Leather jacket or blazer

You may wonder how you can build your entire fall/winter wardrobe around just these five essential clothing items. 

Well, this is how! 

  1. Stick to keeping these items in a neutral color palette: Buying stable pieces that are either black, white, brown, or gray allows you to create so many different outfits and wear them during different seasons. These neutral colors will never go out of style and pair nicely with other color pallets used in different seasons. When you’re looking to add a pop of color, it’s easy to do this through accessories like handbags, sunglasses, jewelry, or makeup. 
  2. Invest in good quality clothing: For these five basics, Investing in higher-quality brands will save you money in the long run because they’ll last you longer. Some of my favorite brands are DryGoods, Ambercrombie, Aritzia, Zara, and Nordstrom. 

Overall, these five clothing items are perfect because they are incredibly versatile, as they can be dressed up or down for different occasions. Plus, if you live in a colder area like I do, layering basic pieces like these are always your best friend. 

Hopefully, these tips and tricks for creating a more versatile fall and winter wardrobe were as helpful for you as they were for me!

Julia Schweitzer

Illinois State '23

Julia is a senior at Illinois State University pursuing a BA in English Publishing. When she's not studying, you can find her reading her favorite romance novels, practicing yoga, or grabbing a coffee on campus.