Wardrobe staples may seem like a major cliche, but in reality, they are wardrobe game-changers. Investing your time to make pieces that you truly adore and reach for time and time again will prove that they were well worth the while. They’ll serve faithfully as the base of many outfits when other garments fall short. Make sure your wardrobe arsenal is always armed with the garments below to minimize outfit fails or last-minute shopping trips to pick up that one thing.
Every wardrobe needs a steady go-to pair of jeans. Make the Nolana Jeans while catering to your taste. The Nolana free sewing pattern serves as a perfect base for any wash of denim or fit that you desire. With a button fly and high rise waist, these jeans are flattering on virtually every body type, offering waist definition and fully tummy coverage. Adjust the length and fit through the leg to speak to your perfect pair of staple jeans.
Elevate the look:
Add panels or trim to the side of each leg for a bit of zest. Cuff the bottoms with a ruffled flare or leave them raw for a slightly more lived in or rugged aesthetic.
Fabric Suggestions:
Never underestimate the power of a well-fitted button up top. It’s a perfect base for any outfit or occasion. Style it with a blazer for work, casually leave it open with an undershirt and your fave pair of jeans, or even let it play peek-a-boo with your winter garments creating a layer that subtly makes its presence known at the collar, shirttail, and sleeves.
Elevate the look:
Don’t be shy, put some more by adding dolman sleeves (or any sleeve type that your heart desires), tie it up, play with the collar, and more.
Fabric Suggestions:
The basic tee is comfortable, reliable, and matches with anything— It’s a safe bet for those days when you have no idea what else to wear, or when another layer is just too itchy or sheer to be endured on its own. Sew your ideal tee in a few hours with the Lavender sewing pattern. To make it your own, adjust the neckline and hem length. Once you’ve mastered your signature t-shirt style and fit, you’ll find yourself reaching for it before it has made it through the last wash cycle.
Elevate the look:
Add front panels to your staple tee to make a criss-cross effect to instantly transform a staple item to a trendy t-shirt that just got a major upgrade. See the Lavender Tee Hack for instructions on how to complete this garment upgrade.
Fabric Suggestions:
Suits aren’t just for business anymore. They’re an effective way to be professional while also putting together the perfect outfit with minimal effort. Suits are becoming more casual, so depending on the fabric used to make the suit it can be suit-able from day to night and can also be worn together or separately.
Elevate the Look:
Use reversible fabric for the blazer (like the fabric used in the Ercilla Redux) to get two times the wear with a contrasting look no matter which way you choose to wear it. Another option is to go bold using powerful prints and grosgrain trim like the Ercilla Redux pt. 2.
Your skirt is your choice, but the juniper is a great place to start, offering a length that hits just above the knee for movement without restriction. It offers a moderately relaxed fit and high-waist. It’s a perfect contender for your go-to staple skirt. It can go from the office to the mall, depending on how you style it.
Elevate the Look:
The Juniper Skirt was originally a skirt with an additional fabric flap that crosses to the front like a skort, so you can start with that pattern or perform the pattern hack to achieve the staple look.
Fabric Suggestions:
A little black dress (LBD) is another staple that you don’t know you need until you’ve found the right one. The Todea Dress is a perfect place to start- its neckline is elegant and always in style while the bodice is form-fitting with a bit of forgiveness. Don’t be afraid to make the Todea dress your own— consider changing the closure to more easily fit your body type like adding a side zipper instead of the lace-up detail at the back.
Elevate the Look:
Transform the dress by adding a fun fabric with a ton of dimension. Don’t be afraid to add sleeves or side cutouts to add some oomph.
Fabric Suggestions:
Make sure you and your staples are ready when duty calls. I wear my staples every day, and when you find the ones that best suit you, so will you. Play around with the details to make pieces that work best for your needs and body type. Once you achieve your desired look, you will find that the work was well worth it (although with moods free clothing patterns, a lot of the guesswork is eliminated), so there’s no need to stress.
What is your holy grail garment?
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5 comments
Good Morning
Am loving the patterns makes me feel like a designer
I would love to see a tutorial on a Peter Pan collar please
How about some styles for us dumpy older women? ❤️
Or at least show some plus size models. I’d like to get an idea if the garments look work for a women with more curves!
Our patterns are available up to a size 30 and anything modeled by me is a size 18/20. 🙂
Love your designs…. Living in hot humid tropical Panama does make life easier in shorts and your summer outfits.