7 Best Year-Round Wardrobe Pieces
No matter where you live, certain pieces make more sense for some seasons than for others. Whether you live in a place where you need to don a heavy-duty parka just to grab the mail in the winter or you’re somewhere with muggy summers, we all have our own versions of a seasonal wardrobe rotation. While a certain amount of closet re-organization will inherently be necessary as the seasons shift, several wardrobe pieces are on-point year-round. From versatile bottoms to tops that offer endless options, we’ve created a list of the seven best year-round wardrobe pieces. Read on for a breakdown of the essentials that’ll keep you looking and feeling your best from season to season.
A Cardigan Sweater
A lightweight cotton women's cardigan sweater is first up on this list. That’s because an open-front cardigan layer in a breathable fabric makes layering a breeze. For the warmer months, rock a cardigan sweater as your top layer, or keep it on hand if you’re going in and out of air-conditioned spaces on even the hottest of days.
In the cooler months, a cardigan works great as a middle layer. Wear it over a short-sleeve shirt and under a light jacket layer in the fall, or over a cozy turtleneck and under a down parka in the winter.
A Great Pair of Jeans
We all know the magic of finding a pair of jeans that fits perfectly. It’s only understandable that you’ll want to wear these jeans on repeat! The good news is that you can easily make jeans work for you year-round simply by styling them for the weather.
Opt for a versatile and on-trend pair of comfy, light denim straight leg jeans. Straight-leg jeans are particularly ideal for year-round wear because they look as amazing with sneakers and sandals as they do with ankle booties or rain boots.
A Cotton Pullover Sweater
Similarly to a cardigan, a cotton pullover women's sweater definitely makes this list thanks to its versatile layering options.
Wear a cotton pullover sweater over a crisp Oxford button-up in the fall, over a thermal or warm turtleneck in the winter, under a raincoat on a drizzly spring day, or as a top layer on a breezy summer night.
A Midi Skirt
A silky, high-waisted print midi skirt is another fun wardrobe item that works great for year-round wear.
Rock a midi skirt with an airy blouse or a tucked-in tank in the warmer months and complete any of these looks with strappy sandals or cute sneakers. Or, pair your skirt with a solid color turtleneck plus a light duster coat layer in the fall, or with an outer winter coat layer, fleece-lined tights or leggings, and boots in the winter.
A Stretchy Pair of Cotton Leggings
Speaking of leggings, these versatile standbys definitely make this list as well. For a pair of leggings, you’ll want to wear again and again, opt for a black or navy blue pair in a stretchy cotton material.
Wear these as a bottom layer under dress pants or jeans in the colder months, or rock them as-is for walks, hikes, and coffee runs in the fall and spring. In the summer, you’ll love having these on hand for weekend lounging or yoga, pilates, or cycling classes in an air-conditioned gym.
A Fit and Flare Dress
It’s never a bad time to don a flattering yet oh-so-comfy dress, which is why a quarter-length sleeve cotton fit and flare dress is such a great option for year-round wear.
Wear this universally flattering dress as-is with strappy sandals in the summer, under a cardigan layer with sneakers or ballet flats in the spring, and with a thicker sweater or blazer layer plus a coat and tights in the fall or winter. This dress also looks great with ankle booties or even knee-high boots, so you can truly enjoy this wardrobe staple no matter the weather.
A Classic White Oxford Button-Up
We’re going to wrap up our list here with a timeless wardrobe staple: the women’s oxford shirt. Having a white Oxford button-up in your closet will help you create a ton of timeless looks year-round.
Wear it open as a top layer over a tank or tee in the summer, as a bottom layer under a crewneck or V-neck sweater in the fall or winter, or rock it as-is tucked into a midi skirt or jeans in the spring.
Having these seven wardrobe essentials in your rotation will make getting ready a breeze, no matter the season. Plus, with clothes that you can comfortably wear year-round, you’ll be well on your way to cutting back on closet clutter, or even building a sustainable capsule wardrobe!