We talk a lot about investing in a “forever” wardrobe – pieces that will last for many years, are timelessly chic, and that you will reach for again and again. These are the foundational pieces of your wardrobe – the things that make it tick. Two things every woman should own by 40, without question, are a black silk slip dress and a good white t-shirt (or two). And here’s why…
Dress (up to 8) | Bodysuit (sized up to M/L) | Shoes (down to 7) | Bag (similar)
2 Things Every Woman Should Own by 40
A Black Slip Dress
This is the best little black dress you’ll ever own. Dress it up, dress it down, and style it a million different ways. This style of dress is universally flattering and never goes out of style. This is an item that’s worth spending a little more on as the cost per wear ends up being very little. You’ll have this one forever.
Dress It Down
This is where many little black dresses falls short. They can be hard to dress down. Not so with a black slip dress! It’s one of our favorite ways to wear it. Seriously just add sneaks or sandals or any other casual shoe. If it’s cooler out or you don’t want to show as much skin, layering a tee under it is the perfect solution and gives it even more of a 90s vibe that we can’t help but love.
Dress (up to 8) | Bodysuit (sized up to M/L) | Shoes (down to 7) | Bag (similar)
Here’s a funny – when we were doing pictures, a guy rode by on his bike and said “the checkerboard Vans totally make the outfit”. YES! Guy on the bike gets it!
Honestly, any cute sneaker would work in this scenario, but you all know my undying love for checkerboard Vans…especially when wearing black and white. So good!
And when you are wearing sneakers with a dress, no problem when you get a little crazy.
Dress (up to 8) | Bodysuit (sized up to M/L) | Shoes (down to 7) | Bag (similar)
Here are a few other favorite sneaks that we’d pair with a slip dress – though any will work!
Tshirt (TTS) | Dress (TTS) | Shoes (similar) | Bag (similar)
Another way to dress down a slip dress is to add a t-shirt or sweater on top. Here, Rachel layered a favorite Anine Bing tee over her slip dress which gives it an edgier vibe.
Rachel created a reel last summer on all the ways to style a slip dress (up and down) and as you can see, the ideas are unlimited.
Dress It Up
You all went a little crazy for the sparkle fishnet tights we found at Christmas. A nice dinner (Valentine’s Day, perhaps?) is the perfect excuse to break out those tights…after all who wants to wait an entire year to wear them again? Not me!
Dress (up to 8) | Bodysuit (sized up to M/L) | Tights (up to M) | Heels (TTS) | Jacket (similar) | Bag
From the backseat, I slipped the tights on, black heels, plus threw on my leather jacket (it got cold, fast, once the sun went down), and I was good to go. Oh and I also swapped out my silver Clare V. bag for my Cult Gaia Hera, but either would have been perfect. So easy!
This was our early Valentine’s Day dinner with our daughter and her boyfriend (we rarely go out on actual Valentine’s Day).
In warmer weather we typically skip the layering piece and dress it up with heeled sandals. Or go casual with flat sandals or sneaks. It seriously couldn’t be easier. A denim jacket is the perfect layering piece for cool evenings.
Blazer (Rachel wears 2) | Dress (TTS) | Shoes
Adding a blazer over a slip dress is a go-to look and so classy. (Excuse Rachel’s wrinkled dress here – it was in need of a steam for sure. On that note – this dress is machine washable. Score!)
See Rachel’s article where she styled this Vince slip dress 5 different ways. And if you haven’t already seen it, go watch her reel now!
Here I added a delicate sweater on top. So effortless and chic. This sweater is more fitted which works best. OR, style tip – if you pair a slouchier sweater on top, add a belt and tuck the sweater under the belt to define the waist!
Add fabulous denim jacket for a quintessential cool-girl look. This is hands-down our favorite denim jacket. It’s butter soft and has the most amazing cut. So flattering and elevated.
2 Things Every Woman Should Own by 40
A Good White Tshirt
Okay this probably sounds a little basic, but it’s honestly one of the most important pieces in any woman’s closet. And trust us, there’s a huge difference between a cheap white tshirt and one that’s more elevated.
Rachel and I have a few favorites, and they each have their individual spots in our wardrobe.
Under a Slip Dress
Dress (up to 8) | Bodysuit (sized up to M/L) | Shoes (down to 7) | Bag (similar)
For wearing under a slip dress, a good fitted tshirt works best. Until recently, we both used our James Perse.
But recently I got the most amazing bodysuit, and it makes for a beautifully smooth finish under a dress, plus no worries about it riding up or needing to adjust it!
Dress (up to 8) | Bodysuit (sized up to M/L) | Shoes (down to 7) | Bag (similar)
I’m all about clothes I don’t have to tug at or worry about. And this is the first bodysuit that fits like a glove without giving the slightest bit of panty line or a wedgie.
I have a long torso and I often can’t wear bodysuits. This one is perfection. We both had to size up to a M/L, so I would say it runs pretty small.
Under a Silk Camisole
Don’t forget a good white tshirt (or bodysuit) is the perfect addition to making your silk camisoles wearable year-round.
A Long Sleeve Tshirt
We also love a good long sleeve white tshirt in the winter, for that bit of extra warmth when layering. Even when you take your top layers off, this tshirt will look chic.
This long sleeve tshirt would absolutely work in all the scenarios above.
In the Summer With Shorts
Finally, a good white tshirt can also stand alone. Is there anything much cooler in the summer than a good white tshirt with denim cut-offs? We don’t think so.
Our Very Favorite White Tshirts
We’ve already talked about a few, but the best white tshirt for wearing with anything and everything, by far, is the ATM Schoolboy. If you only want to invest in one white tshirt, this is the one. TTS, a beautiful slub texture, not too thin, not too thick, this is the Goldilocks of white tshirts and we each own several. Rachel recently talked about in this post as well. Also check out How To Look Good In Loungewear.
So we believe those are the 2 things every woman should own by 40. Do you agree with us? What’s on your list?
