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• Every closet should have a number of staple items that are versatile, durable, and chic.
• No matter your budget, you should be able to find these staple pieces in your closet.
• At least once a year, check on the status of these clothes to see that they're in good shape for your use.

Regardless of your budget, having a few staple clothing items in your closet allows you to be versatile in your everyday looks. You don't need to spend a ton of money to have an impressive wardrobe — you just need to get a lot of use out of a few, good-quality items.

These pieces should transition from season to season, and serve as basic, fundamental pieces to complement the more trendier, seasonal items you may pick up.

Take stock of your inventory, check out the various options, and make the fashion choice that's right for your financial resources and fashion preferences. Here are the basic clothing items you should definitely be keeping in your closet. We tried to include a variety of price points:

Leggings

You don't need to be sporty or super into working out to have a good pair of leggings. These will serve as your grocery-run bottoms, hanging-on-the-couch-and-reading pants, or your dependable item for hanging at a friend's. You can even dress them up with a longer top or wear them under dresses on colder days.

• lululemon Wunder Under Hi-Rise Tight Full-On Luon 28”, $98
• Old Navy Long Leggings for Women, from $7
• Athleta High Rise Chaturanga Tight, $74
• Leggings Depot Higher Waist Women's Buttery Soft Solid Leggings, from $11
• Zella Live In High Waist Leggings, $54

Business casual pants or skirt

You never know when you may have an impromptu job interview or important meeting to take up. Even if your normal office or daily wear leans on the side of casual, it's always good to have a back-up for the unexpected. Whether your preference is for dresses, skirts, or dress pants, we've got you covered.

• Vince Camuto Faux Wrap Jersey Jumpsuit, $98
• Banana Republic Twill Racer-Neck Sheath Dress, $128
• Boss Tulea3 Bootcut Wool Trousers, $275
• Emerson Rose Asymmetrical Pencil Skirt, $89
• Anne Klein Slim Suit Pants, $79
• J.Crew Knit Sheath Dress, $88
• Gap Long Sleeve Wrap Jumpsuit, $80

Blazer

Top off that business-cas look with something sharp and professional that will complete your outfit. A blazer can usually make or break an outfit if you're going for leaving that exact I'm-so-ready-for-this job impression, so pick what goes right for both your personality and your look requirement.

"A tailored blazer is classic, feminine and looks great on all body types," celebrity stylist Nicole Chavez told InStyle. "Pair it with anything: jeans, little dresses, trousers, skirts. Make sure to find one that fits you well and accentuates your waist—you don't want it to look like it's swallowing you!"

• Liverpool Jeans Company Knit Boyfriend Blazer, $98
• Forever 21 Stripe Double-Breasted Blazer, $40
• Everlane The Italian GoWeave Classic Blazer, $125
• Awesome21 Women's Stretch 3/4 Sleeves Open Front Blazer Jacket, from $15
• ASOS DESIGN Mansy Pop Pink Blazer, $87

Jean Jacket

This year-round staple will be easy to throw over any day look or cas-up any night outfit. Go for an oversized pick so you can layer underneath during the colder temperatures, and feel extra cozy during those breezy winter nights.

• ASOS DESIGN Curve Denim Girlfriend Jacket in Lightwash Blue, $64
• Forever 21 Button-Front Denim Jacket, $35
• Madewell The Jean Jacket in Printer Wash, $118
• Levi's Baggy Trucker Denim Jacket, $98
• Eliacher Women's Boyfriend Denim Jacket, $40

White T-shirt

This will be your fallback clothing top for those days you don't want to think about what you're wearing, but still want to look semi put-together.

• Gap Vintage Short Sleeve Crewneck T-Shirt, $20
• Forever 21 Ribbed Lettuce-Edge Tee, $9
• Hanes Women's Nano T-Shirt, from $4
• ASOS New Look Soft Textured Basic Tee, $10
• Madewell Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee, $20

A good-fitting pair of jeans

Slim, bootleg, crop, jegging. There are so many jean cuts to choose from, but you should at least have one in your closet rotation for school, work, or extra-curricular activities.

"Get two great pairs of classic wash, minimalist jeans and call it a day," fashion writer Carolyn Cho said in Quora. "Skinny is still the cut du jour after several years but straight cut jeans are also flattering on many."

• Old Navy The Power Jean, $35
• Good American Good Legs High Waist Ankle Skinny Jeans, $159
• Levi’s 715 Boot Cut Jeans, $80
• GAP Special Edition Mid Rise Favorite Jeggings, $70
• Madewell Wide-Leg Crop Jeans, $128

A well-fitting dress top

Keep one in your closet to either wear to work, or for that date that popped out of nowhere. For extra thinking-ahead points, choose a material that doesn't wrinkle, so you can throw it in your bag in case you need to change for later.

• Babaton Rena Shirt, $98
• Rosewear Women's Chiffon Blouse V Neck Short Sleeve Top, from $12
• Reformation Naomi Top, $98
• Topshop Ribbed Sleeve Bardot Top, $40
• Lulus On Gridlock Ivory and Grey Print Top, $40

White sneakers

Plain white sneakers will take you around wherever you need to go in comfort and in style. Keep them polished in their clean white new condition, or rough 'em up for that worn-in look.

Celebrity stylist Sky Gavin told WhenInManila.com that they "can easily be matched with any outfit," "can be worn in any [...] season," and "will never go out of style."  

• adidas Women's Originals Superstar Shoes, $80
• Keds Triple Kick, $50
• Nike Classic Cortez Premium XLV Sneaker, from $50
• Saint Laurent SL/06 Court Classic Sneakers in White Leather, $495
• Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Low Top, $50

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