The 10 Things Every Woman Should Own

Do you have these 10 specific items hanging in your closet? Every woman needs them…or does she?

If you’ve ever tried to improve you style or just figure out what the heck to wear, you’ve almost certainly come across one of these lists, if not a hundred of them, in the form of a Pinterest pin, Instagram post, youtube video, blog post, or downloadable freebie. 

In this article I’m going to debunk the idea that there are “10 things every woman needs to be stylish,” (plus give you my take on the 10 things you actually need in your closet.)

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If you’re new here, I’m Missy of Simplified Wardrobe, an Ethical Personal Stylist & Capsule Wardrobe Curator. I help ambitious, eco-conscious womxn who want to look great, feel confident, and simplify their lives.

Find more information about personal style, capsule wardrobes, and color analysis over on Instagram. You can also download my free 10-page Guide to Defining your Personal Style.

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10 Things Every Woman Needs in Her Closet

These lists promise a magic bullet for stylish dressing, but do they actually work?

It’s probably pretty obvious, but I personally don’t think they do. In fact, I hate these lists. I’ve gone through so many client closets and when we get to an item that doesn’t seem to fit their style at all, sometimes it’s never even been worn, I’ll ask them why they bought it, what did they like about it, and why they haven’t worn it yet?

Almost every time she tells me she thought it was something every woman needs in her closet, and even though she never wears it, maybe doesn’t even like it, there’s so much guilt around getting rid of it because if every woman needs it, she’ll probably need it someday!

Some of these items include a beige trench coat, a little black dress, a black blazer, skinny jeans, a denim shirt, and the list goes on.

There are three big problems with this kind of list. 

The first is that it doesn’t take into account your personal style. Not everyone will like every item on the list, but they’ll buy them because they feel like they have to, and sometimes those are expensive mistakes. Quality trench coats don’t come cheap, and I can tell you with authority, there’s no reality in which I’m wearing a beige trench coat.

The second problem is that they don’t take into account your lifestyle. If you work from home or in a more casual industry, you probably don’t “need” to own a suit. And if you live somewhere warm all-year round, do you need a peacoat? Maybe not.

The second problem is that these lists don’t account for your personal body type or coloring. Black is not a great color for most color types. Skinny jeans are not a great fit for certain body types. Just like with trends, it’s much better to dress for your own body, life, and personality instead.

These one-size-fits-all approaches to style leave women feeling like something is wrong with them if they don’t look amazing in the 10 things every stylish woman owns. But nothing is wrong with you, it’s always the clothes, not you. You just need to find the clothes that are going to make you feel as fabulous as you already are.

Now, I didn’t just title this video for the click-bait and then do a total bait-and-switch.

So what are the 10 things I think most women should own?

1. A shirt or dress in one of your best colors

2. A layering piece that works for transitional dressing

3. A comfortable, stylish shoe for days spent on your feet

4. Something you feel amazing in for a fancy event

5. A great bag that fits everything you need for a busy day; bonus if it has compartments for all your things

6. A pair of jeans that fit you like a glove

7. A fabulous coat or jacket that keeps you warm for the coldest days in your climate

8. A few camisoles or t-shirts for easy layering

9. One splurge accessory you wear for special occasions, or just on a Tuesday

10. A scent that that makes you feel confident and beautiful every time you put it on

Like I said, these are all great things for most women. Will even this more open-ended list work perfectly for you? Maybe not. If you don’t wear jeans, then skip that one. If perfume gives you hives, then consider essential oils, lightly scented lotion, or good-smelling shampoo. 

My point is that the only things required to be in your wardrobe are things that you love, make you feel great, and fit your body, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences. Anything else, don’t bother. Otherwise you’ll waste your money on clothes and accessories that you never wear and just clutter up your closet. And even worse, you’ll probably feel guilty about it. That’s a lose, lose.

Instead, define your style vision and invest in the best pieces to bring that vision to life. 

How do you define your style vision?

If you need help defining your style, you can get your hands on my free Signature Style Guide. I also made a video and wrote an article about how to find your personal style by asking yourself some more unconventional questions.

And if you need some more professional help, check out my private personal styling services. I would love to help you find your ideal style, simplify your closet, and create a versatile wardrobe of clothes that make you feel confident and prepared everyday.

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