6 Classic Pieces That Are Set to Be the Foundation of My 2024 Wardrobe

There are plenty of 2024 trends to get excited about, but personally, it's always the more classic pieces that linger in my mind—a perfect-fitting pair of jeans, for example, or an artfully tailored blazer that looks like it should hang in a museum. Right now, there are six items that I've eagerly added to my wish list.

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(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Most trends are transient by nature, but some pieces have been in circulation for decades, making them a wise investment if you're planning on updating your wardrobe in 2024. There's no better time than the New Year to evaluate the gaps in your closet and add clothing and accessories that will make getting dressed easier and more satisfying. Prioritizing versatility and honing in on the styles you already wear a ton is one way to ensure you always feel like the chicest version of yourself. For me, this means pressing pause on trends (however hard this may be) and making sure the foundation is in place first.

With that, the following six categories are where I'll be focusing my shopping energy this season. I know that each will be a worthwhile purchase that I'll still wear in two, five, and 10 years' time, from the simple knitwear style I reach for daily to the fail-safe blouse that I always fall back on. Take a look at the classic pieces below.

1. Olive Outerwear

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(Image credit: @vikilefevre)

Style Notes: Olive is as versatile as beige and black in my eyes, but the slight hint of color creates a multidimensional look. Sitting somewhere between green and brown, it adds a premium feel to every outfit.

Shop olive outerwear:

2. Silk Blouses

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(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Style Notes: For dinner parties and date nights, a silk or satin blouse is an elegant option that can easily be chucked on with jeans. I already own one, but given how frequently I reach for it, I plan on picking up another in 2024.

Shop silk blouses:

3. Pearl-Adorned Jewelry

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(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)

Style Notes: They say diamonds are forever, but I'm convinced pearls are just as enduring. Choker-style pearl necklaces are one of the most timeless trends of the year alongside hoop earrings featuring this sophisticated stone.

Shop pearl jewelry:

4. Collared Knitwear

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(Image credit: @isabellecoheen)

Style Notes: Add a collar to a knit and it immediately takes on a preppy quality. Both cardigans and V-neck jumpers benefit from this understated detail.

Shop collared knitwear:

5. Burgundy Bags

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: Bright red was the color of 2023, but for 2024, all signs are pointing to burgundy being the dominant shade. I was already planning to add a merlot- or ruby-hued bag to my collection, so this is music to my ears. 

Shop burgundy bags:

6. Check Suiting

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(Image credit: @livmadeleine)

Style Notes: Both men and women have been wearing check-print suits forever, but I have yet to invest in one. With all the chic iterations out there now, I'm hoping 2024 will be the year.

Shop check suits:

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.

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Freelance Fashion Editor

Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine.

A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor to Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.

In her spare time, Bébhinn enjoys perusing Edinburgh’s best vintage shops, working through her out-of-control book collection and watching dog reels on Instagram.