You've finally gotten your closet full of unusable clothing cleaned out and donated, so now what? You yearn to look polished, but your wardrobe still seems lacking. The problem? You are short on wardrobe basics. Whether you are on a tight budget or have some wiggle room to purchase, here are some key ingredients for a workable wardrobe.

Bare Minimum

• A flat-front, bootleg-cut pant in dressy khaki, dark denim or classic black
• A man's classic white shirt
• A sheath dress (cut A-line if you are bottom-heavy)
• A cashmere twin set in your favourite colour
• A skirt that flatters your figure (straight if you are petite or top-heavy; A-line if you are heavier around the hips/thighs; bias if you have a boyish figure)
• A classic pump
• One great bag — a casual tote or structured top-handle bag
• Denim jacket
• Fresh new T-shirts in black and white
• Gold hoop earrings

A Little Bit More

• Two pairs of dark pants (one simple, skimming cut in a crisp fabric for day and one fuller-leg flowing fabric for evening)
• Two pairs of jeans (one hemmed to wear with heels, one hemmed to wear with flats or sneakers)
• Three skirts (one with clean lines – like a pencil, trouser or a-line – in black or lightweight wool, one a-line, bias or circle in a drapey fabric and one neutral in a mixable fabric)
• A white button-front shirt
• Three sweaters (one black, one skin-flattering neutral and one rich colour – all in a seasonless lightweight wool or cashmere)
• Two jackets (one tailored to matches one pair of your dark pants and one sporty shape in a refined fabric)
• Three coats (one trench for in-between seasons, one knee-length coat that works for day or night and one winter coat)
• Little black dress (one little black dress or little party dress in a classic color like burgundy or blue)

Know Thyself

• No matter what piece of clothing you're considering adding to your wardrobe, be sure to keep in mind which fabrics suit you best.
• If you live in a cold climate, you'll probably get more use out of a wool garment than if you live in a warm climate where cotton is more versatile. If you're not keen on ironing, stay away from linen and ramie. If you travel a lot, consider purchasing more nylon/spandex blends. They wear well and are easy to care for on the go. If you prefer the luxuriousness of silk, go for it. Just be sure you don’t mind the special care it requires — like dry cleaning or hand washing.
• By knowing the basics and yourself, it's easy to assemble a wardrobe that's not only fabulous but functional too!