I'm 49, and These Are My "Any-Age" Wardrobe Staples

More than ever, we’re feeling a pull to spend our money on pieces that will stay in style for longer. For many of us, it feels refreshing to slow down our consumption and more thoughtfully choose how we engage in the relentless trend cycle. But how does one cultivate a timeless wardrobe? One place to start is to pay attention to the types of pieces that you reach for time and again. We can also look to fashion experts like Kimara Mitchell, the woman behind J’Adore Couture who also happens to be the art director at Banana Republic. Her life centers on aesthetics, so it’s no surprise that she’s nailed the art of dressing. Her fashion philosophy centers on wardrobe staples that she calls her "any-age” items. She’s worn them for yearsthink of them as outfit foundation blocks with no expiration date. Scroll down to see the pieces that made Mitchell’s list—we bet you already own many of them!

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Graphic Tee
(Image credit: @kimair)

"I have been a graphic T-shirt collector for many years. I used to stick to neutral shades, but I've recently been branching out into colors and brights. They're a great way to show off a bit of your personality."

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High-Rise Jeans
(Image credit: @kimair)

"There's a reason Levi's have been around for over 150 years. They never go out of style. The 501 Skinny with no stretch is my preferred style because it's not a tight fit; it's more of a slim-straight on me."

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Moto Jacket
(Image credit: @kimair)

"I've had this AllSaints leather jacket for years, and it just keeps getting better with age. It adds the right amount of sass and sexiness to any outfit."

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Oversize Button-Down Shirt
(Image credit: @kimair)

"An oversize button-down shirt can be paired with more classic pieces like denim or trousers, layered with tees underneath, tied at the waist, and it's so chic as a swim coverup."

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Pencil Skirt
(Image credit: @kimair)

"My taste in skirts has gone from minis to fuller A-lines, but the pencil is one I come back to again and again. Everyone should have a great black pencil skirt that fits them like a glove because you'll wear it with everything from sweaters and boots to dressier tops and heels."

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Slip Dress
(Image credit: @kimair)

"My love of the slip dress didn't end in the '90s! I've got short and midi versions and love to layer sweaters and hoodies over and under. I make mine ready for the weekend by adding fun sneakers or flat slides." 

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Statement Blouse
(Image credit: @kimair)

"This may not be considered a staple to everyone, but a blouse in an interesting print, color, or silhouette is something that adds frivolity to your wardrobe. I have some from Mango and H&M and from higher-end brands like Jacquemus."

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Blazer
(Image credit: @kimair)

"A good blazer is the ultimate dress-up/dress-down piece. I've got a whole blazer wardrobe that includes thrifted men's versions, double-breasted, prints, and tuxedo varieties."

Editor in Chief

Kat Collings has over 15 years of experience in the editorial fashion space, largely in digital publishing. She currently leads the vision for editorial content at WhoWhatWear.com as the site's editor in chief, having risen through the editorial ranks after joining the company in 2012. Collings is a Digiday Future Leader Awards nominee, was named Buzzfeed's best fashion Instagram accounts of the year, and is a member of the CFDA Awards Fashion Guild. Prior to Who What Wear, Collings worked on styling projects for brands such as Vogue, Teen Vogue, Lucky, and Oliver Peoples. She graduated from UCLA with a BA in communications and calls Los Angeles home.