Fill your wardrobe with versatile pieces that never date and you’ll save money year after year!

Often the best bargains are those clothes you wear so much you may as well never take them off. Not only can you wear them to all kinds of occasions, from a casual weekend coffee to your work meeting, but they also last years because they just never seem to go out of fashion. When they’re finally on their last legs, you can trim the hemline or add some detail and — voila! — they’re new again.

So where do you find these everlasting wardrobe wonders?
A good starting point is to gather the basics. US fashion consultant and TV personality Tim Gunn, best known for his role as mentor to contestants on the US reality TV show Project Runway, says there are 10 essential items that every woman must have to form the building blocks of her wardrobe. In his own TV show Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style on Arena TV, the fashion guru shared his coveted list with viewers. Choose timeless cuts, styles and colours and these wardrobe staples are guaranteed to last until next season, and the next, and the next!
 
Do you own the essentials below? If not, it could be time to go shopping!

Basic black dress: Also known as the “little black dress” or LBD, this multi-purpose must-have has hung at the helm of women’s wardrobes since 1926 when it was invented by none other than French designer Coco Chanel. Perfect for work, after hours and weekend occasions, you can wear it in winter over tights with boots or by itself with peep-toes in summer.

Trench coat: Invented by Thomas Burberry (the man behind the famous UK label) in 1901, this chic coat design has stood the test of time — and doesn’t look to be going out of fashion any time soon. Wear it buttoned up over a mini dress with boots in winter or casually open over jeans in spring. Choose monochromatic colours such as black, brown or cream for longer-lasting style.

Dress pants: Whether they’re black, brown or grey, a quality pair of dress pants is ideal for work and occasions where you need a smart edge. Accessorise them with a top, belt and heels and your outfit will last the day at work, after work drinks and the morning-after brekkie out. Look for classic cuts that flatter your figure.

Classic shirt: White is the obvious choice, but be careful pairing it with black pants or a skirt or you might have strangers asking you to take their drinks order! Search for colours and cuts that emphasise your best features. If you have broad shoulders, steer away from big collars. Petite women suit shirts that show off a little décolletage and are fitted for added shape.

Jeans: Denim jeans have been around since the 1850s and while the popularity of different cuts and styles has changed over the years, jeans are permanent fixtures in the street fashion vocabulary. Skinny-leg jeans have reigned this decade, with high-waist and baggy styles starting to make a comeback. Choose whatever style suits your body type. By the time they’re out of fashion you’ll be due for a new pair anyway.

Any occasion top: This is the top that goes with your black pants, skirt and jeans; can cross over from morning to night and is as good for work as it is for going out on the town and to coffee with friends. Try picking a fitted or stretch top in a casual material with a little flash of sparkle, colour or frill somewhere. Choose tops that reveal a glimpse of décolletage for an eternally feminine look.

Skirt: A basic black or versatile-coloured skirt behaves just like a pair of dress pants in your wardrobe in that you can match practically any top with them — only they’re a bit flirtier. Choose a length you feel comfortable with. High-waist bubble skirts hemmed above the knee are in right now for younger women, but a classic A-line or pencil-cut will never be far from the current trend.

Day dress: There’s always at least one day in every week where you want to feel feminine and pretty. A casual frock is the perfect thing to fulfil the need. There are so many styles in fashion at the moment — from breezy bohemian maxis to ’80s T-shirt dresses with a waist tie or belt. For a longer-lasting classic style, look for flattering ’60s-inspired mod cuts, shift dresses or empire cuts.

Jacket: What jacket you buy will depend on your lifestyle. Choose one that works in with your pants and skirt. This might be a traditional fitted business suit jacket or a more casual style. If your workplace dress code is more flexible, have fun finding a more interesting cut that goes with your jeans as well. Always make sure the design follows the silhouette of your figure.

Tracksuit: For those days when all you want to do is lounge about and be comfy, the tracksuit is the uniform of choice. While department stores stock nice styles of track pants, hoodies and jumpers, often the quality is not great. If you’re going to be doing some serious couch-potatoing, choose better-quality sport brands and you’ll get at least a few years out of your fleeces.