Have your ever not understood why your closet filled to the brim but, miraculously, on multiple occasions, it feels as if you still have nothing to wear? Why do we wear the same few outfits time-and-time again despite all of the garments hanging in our wardrobes? Like all other areas of our lives, our dressing habits follow Pareto’s principle – colloquially known as the 80/20 rule. Indeed, we wear only 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.
Science shows that the three main reasons that we primarily wear a fifth of the items that we own: justifying a purchase because the item is on sale, the garment fits the persona of who we would like to be rather than who we authentically are, or we overlook a major flaw in the product in the midst of our shoppers’ euphoria.
According to the Guardian, a Weight Watchers survey revealed that, collectively, in the United Kingdom, women hoard £10 billion worth of unworn clothing. From the evidence, it seems that we pack our wardrobes with way too many items out of emotional need. Whether we keep garments and accessories that we do not wear for nostalgic, motivational (such as future weight loss), or aspirational (saving an item in hopes of wearing it for a future special occasion or to fit the image of our future self) reasons, it seems that it is nearly impossible to not separate our thoughts from the things that we buy.
Have you ever heard the someone say that “Our thoughts turn into things?” Consequently, what we wear is directly linked to our emotional well-being – as shown by studies a growing discipline of thought, enclothed cognition. A study was done by Hajo Adam and Adam D. Galinsky at Northwestern University shows that “[a]lthough the saying goes that clothes do not make the man, [the] results suggest they do hold a strange power over their wearers.”
Our self-perceptions, daily mindsets, habits, and ways of interacting with those around us truly are dictated by how we present ourselves to the rest of the world – and the mirror in front of us each morning. Therefore, a decluttered closet filled with reliable, stylish pieces is essential to our success.
Building a capsule wardrobe easily can seem daunting, especially given how saturated apparel and accessories retailers are, and leads to the continuous, sartorial paradox of choice. Of all fashion product categories, finding the right top to wear on a given day usually seems to be the most overwhelming. Unlike your favorite pair of jeans and leather jacket, it is unlikely that you would want to wear the same shirt or two every day (unless you are in Silicon Valley, of course).
To cut through the seemingly endless clutter, here are 10 types of tops that every woman should have in her wardrobe.
Silk Cami
Whether it’s a hot summer day or a night out, a silk cami is an easy way to dress up your typical tank top and jeans ensemble. For the office or a cooler evening, throw on a tried-and-true jacket and look effortlessly put together.
Scoop Neck Tee
Everyone knows that a basic white tee shirt is a staple in one’s wardrobe. For both the sake of fashion and function, scoop neck tee shirts are essential to have on hand. While crewneck and v-neck options work for many individuals, it seems that this style is the most universally-flattering and goes with any outfit.
Structured Peplum Top
For a more formal goes-with-everything top, try out a peplum-style blouse. With their nipped-in waists and flared hemlines, this style is very form-flattering (especially after a big meal).
Button-Down Shirt
Of course, a button-down shirt is a workwear staple, but this garment works equally as well as an addition to your weekend wardrobe. With denim shorts, jeans, or a skirt, these collared shirts add a touch of sophistication to even the most casual of outfits. Pair with a statement necklace and arm full of bracelets for a smart, stylish look.
Tie-Waist Top
To best accentuate your shape, wear one of these blouses to streamline your silhouette. By tying at the waist, the shirt’s cut highlights the smallest part of your waist make you look slimmer and taller. Pair with skinny jeans and heeled shoes with an even more elongated look.
Statement Top
While, often, we tend to rely on our accessories to personalize our outfits, bolder tops are an easy way to stand out from the crowd and show off your personality. Of course, shirts such as this one from LPA, are not necessarily appropriate for all occasions. However, there are a plethora of simpler or bolder statement tops to choose from when creating the perfect outfit for any time and day of the week.
Wrap Blouse
This style of shirt highlights your best features while simultaneously hiding any evidence of bloat. Perfect for the office or happy hour, these blouses pair well with slacks or jeans and delicate jewelry for any time of the day.
Patterned Shirt
To add some depth and intrigue to your look, add a fun patterned shirt to brighten up your mood when looking in the mirror. These shirts easily allow you to wear a simply-cut and comfortable shirt while turning heads with your attention-grabbing look.
Turtleneck Top
While halter tops can be very flattering, they are not appropriate for all occasions. To achieve a similar look, making your arms look slimmer and your torso elongated, stock up on some turtleneck tops in both sleeveless styles for summer and long-sleeve ones for the colder months. These shirts pair well with almost any pant or skirt style and are a slightly more sophisticated alternative to your typical basic top.
Statement Sleeves
While bracelets and intricate arm candy look great, these accessory options are not always the most practical. To simplify your look without sacrificing your style, try wearing a statement-sleeved shirt to add interest to your outfit with next-to-no effort. With so many styles, patterns, and embellishment options to choose from, you are bound to find at least one of these types of shirts that compliments the rest of your capsule wardrobe.
To stay calm and chic, always remember that maintaining a clean closet keeps your mind clear.
