I Asked Family Members Ages 20 and 60 for the Closet Staples That Won't Go "Out"

Sure, trendy pieces are often essential for building forward silhouettes, but it's those more basic staples that more or less act as the foundation for many of our signature looks. While you may have a few go-tos in your arsenal, I thought some fresh perspective could be of interest in regards to the specific pieces other women rely on.

And given that a lot of my downtime is spent catching up with family on various Zoom calls, I decided to ask two women in my life for the list of wardrobe classics they’ll never ditch from their wardrobes. I specifically asked Nancy, my 60-year-old mother, and my future sister-in-law, Megan, who is 20. Basically, I wanted to uncover those basic pieces that women across age groups gravitate toward (while, of course, remembering that age has nothing to do with what you should or shouldn’t wear).

While both women gave me more extensive lists, I narrowed them down to the common items they said they relied on, along with a few others. With all this in mind, keep scrolling to check out the closet staples two women ages 20 and 60 believe will never go "out” given their timeless and versatile nature. What you’ll find below is a bit of visual outfit inspo along with some shopping recommendations, if you're interested in adding something fresh to your wardrobe at the moment.

The Common Closet Staples:

Floral Midi Dress

Nancy's Notes: "I'm all about the ease of a printed midi dress in that you can toss it on with minimal accessories, and you're set—a forever staple."

Megan's Notes: "Love that you can throw it on anytime and dress it up or down."

Denim Jacket

Nancy's Notes: "I think tossing on a denim jacket makes any of my outfits feel classic yet cool."

Megan's Notes: "That perfect style can basically work well with anything."

White Sneakers

Nancy's Notes: "I recently started wearing white sneakers more and more to keep comfortable and feel current. Definitely one of my go-tos."

Megan's Notes: "They go with everything. I wore them every single day when I studied abroad in Spain."

Nancy's Other Staples:

White Button-Down

Nancy's Notes: "I've always relied on my white blouses to feel sophisticated and polished with jeans or skirts."

Neutral Cardigan

Nancy's Notes: "I love the cardigan sets that are trending now but will also always rely on my classic neutral cardigans for a cute look. Timeless in my opinion."

Megan's Other Staples:

Tank Top

Megan's Notes: "A ribbed tank works as a base layer for many of my jeans or shorts looks. A staple for sure."

Platform Sandals

Megan's Notes: "They're cool and can instantly dress up an outfit."

Next, check out these under-$25 basics worth adding to your wardrobe.