The Complete Women's Wardrobe

It's a strange and exquisitely uncomfortable feeling to walk into a room--whether it's a party, the office, even a coffee shop--and realize, with a quick look about, that you're wearing the wrong thing. It's tricky for women to dress themselves, with almost too many clothing options available; believe it or not, a closet full of clothes doesn't mean you'll always be dressed to impress. Any wardrobe may be missing the key pieces you need to look appropriate in all sorts of situations. Have no fear, ShopWiki's here with a quick guide to basics every woman needs to look effortlessly fabulous. And speaking of fabulous, our guide to Figure-Flattering Clothes for Women can help you work your body type to its best advantages. Work it!

Bottoms
Jeans  Forget diamonds, denim is a girl's best friend! Bootcut is universally flattering and hip without sacrificing appropriacy. Dark denim is dressy enough for a casual office, and slimming to boot! Skip embellishments; if you find a pair of jeans that really fits you well, you'll want them to be versatile. Our Women's Jeans guide is a great place to start your hunt!	Casual Trousers  If you can bear to peel off your beloved jeans, casual trousers are a nice upgrade. Often as comfy as denim, a nice pair of slacks are a good choice for times you need to look professional, but feel a little more laid back (ie. if nobody wears heels to work at your office, you're probably in the Work Casual zone and it's safe to wear these). Khakis or chinos call for interesting but casual shoe choices like leather lace ups, sturdy flats, or even comfy ankle boots.	Dressy Trousers  These are a fabulous wardrobe staple! You can wear them to work but also dress them up with a fancy top and go out. Careful with your choice in trousers here; you're at risk of panty lines. Wear thongs or boy shorts to look sleek. Make sure the trousers cover all but the front of your shoe. They look best when they fit at the hip and fall straight down from there.	Long Skirts  There's a time and a place for these; ankle length can look mumsy, but something shapely and to the calf is effortlessly sophisticated. Wear with strappy sandals to a party or casual event, close-toed shoes for work. Balance a long, flowy skirt with a  fitted top or even a blazer to look balanced (and structured for work). Avoid bright colours and patterns for the greatest match-a-bility.	Mini Skirts  Fabulous, but probably not appropriate for work (do the classic pencil skirt  instead). Still, minis are versatile: Footwear can take your mini all sorts of places: flip flops for the beach, casual sandals for lunch, fancy flats for a night out, and tights and boots for fall wear. Watch the high heels here; depending on the skirt (and it's length), pumps with a mini can look a little too tarty.

Tops
Shirts  Classic, tailored shirts are classic and clean for work, casual and crisp for weekends. Invest in expensive, durable fabric and a nice fit for these, as they'll be worth it--and they'll need to survive all the washings they'll get. Check the following: that the shoulders fit, the buttons don't gap at the chest, and the sleeves cover your wrists but not your hands. Have fun with colours because you'll most likely be pairing these with basic solids (ie. dress trousers, casual trousers, suits).	Blouses  Between fabrics, necklines, and fits, the options here are endless! Fancy, feminine tops can balance menswear basics for work, like a pair of dress trousers, or a very tailored skirt and/or blazer. Flirty tops dress up jeans for evening. A demure blouse can give a sophisticated edge to any look; it can dress up jeans and a cardigan, or go great with dressy workwear. Read our guide to Women's Tops for a better understanding of your many options!	T-Shirts  T-shirts are a wardrobe favourite you're probably already comfortable with. Jeans and tees are a match made in weekend heaven. A collection of different sleeve lengths, necklines, and colours ensures lots of layering options. They can make fancier pieces casual chic;  pair a blazer with a funky graphic tee, or top tights and a pencil skirt with a solid one. Long sleeved,  short sleeved,  and sleeveless  t-shirts will have you mixing and matching in every season.	Sweaters  Sweaters are a cool-weather answer to t-shirts. They can be fancy or funky, depending on what you mix them with. Just as with t- shirts, sweaters come in all cuts, shapes, and necklines: try a sweater vests  and  turtlenecks  alone or under blazers for a preppy look. Throw cardigans  over everything as the weather turns cool, and as a cover up for dresses. Matching sweater sets  are an effortless way to look perfectly coordinated, and you can break up the set to make more outfits.

Dresses
Casual Dresses  Dresses have long had a bad rap for being high maintenance, and for no good reason--what's easier than throwing a dress over your head and running out the door? Many of today's styles are also machine washable for extra low-keyness. Pair with sweet sandals  to look put together and pretty in warm weather. Toss a cotton dress over a swimsuit to take you from the beach to lunch in no time. Do fancier shoes and a cardigan to dress up for a warm night out.	Cocktail Dresses  Okay, so these are less low-maintenance than casual dresses. But they're so alluring, who cares. You can never go wrong with a Little Black Dress. A classic, flattering LBD will be a go-to piece for every party you get very short notice for. Just switch things up with jewellery, a cardigan, fab shoes, or scarves--it's up to you! Undergarments will have a lot to do with how good you look in your cocktail dress. Put on your dress and check yourself out from all angles. Then shop for seamless knickers,  a slip,  hose, a strapless bra,  or even shapewear --whatever you need to rock the dress.	Formal Dresses  Formal dresses are usually something you shouldn't worry too much about until you have an event in mind; different occasions can call for very different styles of dresses. But always keep formal dresses you've already worn. You never know when one can come in handy again!	Career Dresses  You know how easy it is to throw a casual dress over your head? Getting dressed for work can be that easy too! A sheath dress  in a dark or neutral color is the work equivalent of the LBD; on its own with pearls, under a blazer or cardigan... the options are endless. Check the hemline before buying for work; if you're in a conservative office, you won't want to go too short.

Activewear
Tank Tops  With more shape than the sleeveless t-shirt, tank tops can look great on their own or mix with a diverse array of outfits. Stock up on solid-colour tanks; they'll layer great under low cut tops that are too racy for work. Embellishments are welcome here! A casual tank with a specialy detail, like beading or embroidery, can be unleashed from underneath a blazer to take you from work to happy hour.	Jackets  Fleece jackets  are perfect for outdoor activities in the fall, easy to wash, and thin enough to layer under coats for very cold weather. Windbreakers  are also a great layering piece, and extremely lightweight. Slip one over a fleece for protection from the elements without extra bulk or weight. Check out our Ski Jacket guide for best buying practices, as this piece needs to perform more functions than just look good!	Sweatpants  Once an at-home-only piece, sweatpants have become almost a fashion accessory, thanks to an upgrade for designers. Look for a fit similar to that with dress trousers; Sweatpants should fall straight from the widest point of the hip for the most flattering shape. Watch out for VPL if you wear these in public!	Turtlenecks  Warmer than long sleeved T-shirts, turtlenecks are a preppy, versatile top. Great under jackets and blazers. Skip them if you have a short neck or a big bust.

Loungewear & Intimates
Pyjamas  Just reading the word pyjamas probably put you in a more relaxed state of mind. They're great for every season! Flannel  is deliciously soft and warm for winter, while cotton is airy and comfy in Summer. Silk  can even make pyjamas sexy. Read our Women's Sleepwear guide for more tips.	Robes  An essential part of your sleepwear wardrobe! Terry robes  are cuddly and soft, and can be a much warmer substitute for a towel when you're stepping out of the shower--especially on a cold winter morning. Silk  robes are a slippery, sexy way to cover up a nightie--or nothing at all.	Knickers  Good underwear is an important foundation of any wardrobe: the correct undergarments will make all your clothes look better! Thongs  are perfect under clingy dresses, skirts, and dress trousers to prevent panty lines. Bikinis,   hipsters,  and briefs  are comfortable and casual, and fine under jeans and casual trousers. Boy shorts  are a great alternative to thongs for VPL and provide more coverage.	Bras It's hard to find the perfect bra, but essential. Get professionally fitted and check out our Guide to Bras to be sure you're investing in the right pieces for your bra collection. Underwire  is the ultimate in support. Soft cup  is the most common kind of bra, and provides moderate coverage and support. Racer back  is great under tank tops of the same cut. Strapless  is an evening wear essential. Minimizers  can help busty gals slip into button down shirts without any gapping.

Outerwear
Blazers  A great lightweight cover up for work or play. Check our our Women's Blazers guide to find the right look--professional or funky, girly or all business.	Jackets  Heavier than a blazer, lighter than a coat. You'll need a couple of these for either spring or fall. Try one on with heavier clothes--like a bulky sweater--to know for sure you'll be able to fit them under it come cool weather.	Raincoats  Once you're got a beautiful wardrobe, protect it from the elements with a raincoat. Invest in a durable one in a neutral colour so it goes with all your outfits.	Coats  The ultimate in outerwear--make sure it's warm enough for your climate. Find a nice balance between trendy and classic. You'll be wearing it every day all winter, so you'll need to feel pretty--not dull but also not conspicuously "last season."