Classic Outerwear Essentials ⋆ Style With Basia

This blog post series teaches you how to create a classic wardrobe. This is the second part of the series discussing classic outerwear essentials.

In the first post of this series, I laid the foundation for your classic wardrobe when we discussed the key components to focus on before starting to build.

* As a reminder, I have simplified the process by creating an optional checklist you can print and use throughout your journey of building your classic wardrobe from scratch. Definitely print it and keep it somewhere safe, put it on your fridge, and check off the items you collect over time. This checklist will ultimately help keep you on track toward building the timeless wardrobe of your dreams.

DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST!

This post is all about classic outerwear essentials.

Classic Outerwear Essentials

A classic wardrobe emphasizes quality over quantity. This is a bit different than a capsule wardrobe, as we discussed in the first post of this series. The pieces in a classic wardrobe are unquestionably characterized by timeless, versatile, and neutral pieces that likely won’t ever go out of style. The ultimate goal of a classic wardrobe is to provide functional, elegant options to wear every day.

Outerwear pieces are, without a doubt, a bigger investment than most items in a classic wardrobe. I want to emphasize that building your wardrobe is not an overnight process. I also want to remind you that you are under no obligation if you do not vibe with one of the items below. In particular, you do not need to run out and grab all of these pieces at once.

One of my favorite tips is to shop off-season. I’ve snagged quality pieces at 75-80% off simply because I shopped off-season. It definitely does require some planning, but this checklist will be able to help you with that. For example, when we enter the fall and winter seasons, it is the ideal time to shop for spring and summer-specific items. With a classic wardrobe, you’re clearly not focusing on trends, so you already know what you’re looking for. You could get a high-quality pair of linen shorts for over half off.

Outerwear essentials

Let’s review all the coats, jackets, and blazers you can add to your classic wardrobe!

Coats

Wool Coat

A classic wool coat is an absolute staple.

Down Jacket or Parka

Secondly, down coats and parkas keep you warm in the winter while keeping you chic.

Trench Coat

Reach for a trench coat in both spring and fall!

Peacoat

A peacoat is an elegant and classic staple.

Jackets

Leather Jacket

You can never go wrong with a leather jacket. This gives your classic wardrobe the edge it undoubtedly needs.

Puffer Jacket

A puffer jacket is an excellent option for transitional weather or when the weather isn’t cold enough for a wool coat or downpark.

Moto Jacket

Whether you want to wear this to work or date night, this versatile piece always slays.

Denim Jacket

A simple and classic jacket for every day.

Suede Jacket

Suede may not appear classic, but this style tends to appear repeatedly.

Bomber Jacket

Bomber jackets have been around for long time and aren’t going anywhere.

Cape or Poncho

This early fall staple can dress up a casual fall outfit.

Blazers

Classic Blazer

A classic blazer elevates any outfit.

Tweed Blazer

Tweed gives a super elegant Chanel-esque vibe to an outfit.

Leather Blazer

Leather is timeless and a leather blazer gives your outfit an edge.

Please remember to have fun with this. A wardrobe is for you to express your style. We can most definitely get so caught up in what others are wearing or doing that we must remember to have fun. I have always thought of fashion as art and a form of self-expression. If some pieces on this list don’t fit your lifestyle, you are under no obligation to buy or wear them.

Good luck and I can’t wait to see your classic style!