Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo

20 Things You Need in your Closet Before Turning 20

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UK chapter.

1. The perfect White Tee! A good fitting white tee is possibly the most underrated item in a women’s wardrobe. The best thing is that it doesn’t have to be anything more expensive than this $10 tee from target.

2. A LBD! It’s okay to splurge a little bit on this because it is something you can wear a millions times. The most important thing is to find a little black dress that you feel comfortable in, because comfortable is sexy. I found this dress for $248 from Revolve.

3. Pointed toe heels are perfect for a transition from that internship you have, to a night out with the girls. A well made heel will completely change your life and your aching feet will thank you. A classic black heel is great for everyday use, but something like these calf hair pumps from J. Crew Factory ($103) are a lot more fun.

 

4. Classic skinny jeans, who could live without a great fitting pair of jeans? The perfect pair of skinny jeans could be life changing. It’s also the ultimate way to show off all your work at the gym. There are millions of styles and washes out there, a dark wash like these 7 For All Mankind Skinny Jeans ($126.40) are extra slimming.

 

 

5. Non-label leather tote, there is something very effortless and timeless about an easy leather tote. Ditch the free advertising and opt for something that wont go out of trend. You don’t have to spend and arm and a leg because you are paying for quality not the letters on the outside pocket. This reversible faux leather tote from Street Level ($48) is perfect for everyday use.

 

6. A classic watch, I think that a leather watch is a good modern everyday watch. One like this Daniel Wellington ($199) watch is great because it could be dressed up, or dressed down.

7. Lace Underwear, a matching set of lace underwear is a great confidence booster. No one knows but you but everything it put together underneath. As long as it fits right you don’t have to spend a crazy amount either. This black lacey bra is only $18 from H&M. 

8. A timeless double breasted trench coat will never go out of style. It can be worn wither nearly any outfit. There are tons of trench coats with different price ranges. I found a good one by Jones New York for $124.

9. Every girl needs a good classic pair of sunglasses. Aviators will always be in style no matter what decade you are in. Of course personalize your sunglasses to your signature look, but you really can’t go wrong with these Ray-Bans ($120).  

10. A signature scent is something every woman absolutely needs. Find what you like best by testing out samples at a Sephora. One good one is Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent ($68).

11. Pearl studs are the perfect way to complete any look. Diamonds and pearl studs are the only earrings you can wear from the gym to a grand ball. Investing in a quality pair (about $150) will last you your entire life. (or you can fake it til you make it with a $10 pair from literally anywhere!)

12. An evening clutch is another essential. A great idea would be to get one that doubles a cross body for the nights you want to be more casual. Black faux snake skin will never go out of style and this clutch, from Lori’s Shoes ($34.95), checks all the boxes.

13. Genuine leather boots are a great investment. They can be worn everyday and look great with a pair of leggings or jeans. Frye makes great riding boots and these are currently on sale for $299.

14. As a twenty-year-old women, you need a tailored blazer in your wardrobe. It can be worn causally or dressed up for an internship. It is no question that J. Crew does it best with this classic fit blazer for $159.

15. A sleek pencil skirt flatters nearly every woman’s figure. It is great for dressing up a simple look. Once again you can not go wrong with J. Crew’s No. 2 pencil skirt ($79.50).

16. A chic cardigan is another item that is an understated look for work. It can also be worn over a white tee with jeans. A great affordable cardigan is from J. Crew Factory at $54.50.

17. In addition to a white tee, a white button down is another staple. It is classic, it is timeless, and it can be worn for any occasion. This one is from J. Crew factory ($49.50). 

18. A leather jacket is great for a girl’s night out, a chilly night baseball game or even a fall day at the park. This would be perfect over a white tee with jeans. There are hundreds of different styles out there but one I really like is from BLANKNYC ($98).

19. Leather sandals are perfect for the summer. They are mature and dress up a causal look. They are perfect with jeans and a white tee. Steve Madden does it best with these flat sandals ($59.00).

20. Every girl needs a simple every day necklace. It is what polishes off every look no matter what the occasion. I wear my Kendra Scott Elise Necklace ($65.00) every single day. 

Photo Credits:

1.     http://www.target.com/p/women-s-crew-neck-micromodal-tee-with-pocket-mossimo/-/A-16530607?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Women%2BShopping&adgroup=Tee+Shirts_SC&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9060070&gclid=CPvqx_Kam8sCFQktaQodlmINJg&gclsrc=aw.ds

2.     http://www.revolveclothing.com/dresses-mini/br/b19f8d/?navsrc=left#/filter/true

3.     https://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/shoes/pumpsandheels/PRDOVR~E4543/E4543.jsp?color_name=leopard

4.     http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/7-for-all-mankind-skinny-jeans/4190272?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=DARK+DUSK+INDIGO&resultback=278

5.     http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/street-level-reversible-faux-leather-tote-wristlet/3559375?origin=productBrandLink-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Cognac%2F+Coral&resultback=731

6.     https://www.danielwellington.com/us/classic-st-mawes-lady

7.     http://www.hm.com/us/product/21739?article=21739-C&cm_mmc=pla-_-us-_-ladies_lingerie_bra_wire-_-21739&gclid=CMKLzd2um8sCFQ-oaQodDfcCMg

8.     http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/jones-new-york-double-breasted-belted-trench-coat?ID=2617554&pla_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla&CAWELAID=120156340005641668&catargetid=120156340001235360&cadevice=c&cm_mmc=Google_Womens_PLA-_-RTW+Womens_Women%27s+Coats_Jones+New+York-_-66680779261_-_-_mkwid_enUSbOKO|dc_66680779261%7C-%7CenUSbOKO&gclid=CJXBvPixm8sCFQKTaQodhSAC5g

9.     http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ray-ban-large-original-aviator-62mm-sunglasses/3912212?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=5422

10.  http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/yves-saint-laurent-black-opium-eau-de-parfum/4079855?cm_mmc=Google_Product_Ads_pla_online-_-datafeed-_-women%3Afragrance%3Aperfume-_-1155982&amp%3Bcountry=US&amp%3Bcurrency=USD&mr%3AreferralID=ccce7119-de77-11e5-94ab-0050569451e5&gclid=CM_Po_7Vm8sCFQYIaQod6t4D8Q

11.  http://www.jcpenney.com/cultured-11-12mm-freshwater-pearl-10k-yellow-gold-stud-earrings/prod.jump?ppId=pp5004820865&selectedSKUId=26160030000&selectedLotId=2616003&fromBag=true&quantity=1&cm_mmc=ShoppingFeed-_-GooglePLA-_-Stud%20Earrings-_-26160030000&utm_medium=cse&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=stud%20earrings&utm_content=26160030000&gclid=CP6I1_nYm8sCFQKTaQodhSAC5g&kwid=productads-adid^45810124298-device^c-plaid^67371540698-sku^26160030000-adType^PLA

12.  http://www.lyst.com/bags/loris-shoes-python-clutch-black-1/?product=STMSXZX&atc_country=USA&atc_grouping=Google-PLA&atc_content=USA-PLA-Lori%2527s%2BShoes%2BClutches-Clothing%2B%2526%2BAccessories%2B%253E%2BHandbags%252C%2BWallets%2B%2526%2BCases%2B%253E%2BHandbags%2B%253E%2BClutches%2B%2526%2BSpecial%2BOccasion%2BBags-AAA-no&atc_source=google&atc_medium=cpc&atc_campaign=USA-PLA-AllBrands&gclid=CKK6zNmNnMsCFQyHaQodEXYIWw&gclsrc=aw.ds 

13.  http://www.thefryecompany.com/melissa-button/d/77167?country=US&currency=USD&mr:trackingCode=DB20FEA8-5A17-E411-80FE-90E2BA028069&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&gclid=COSp8bjpm8sCFYU2aQodyNQHXw

14.  https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/blazers/regent/PRDOVR~B0323/B0323.jsp

15.  https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/skirts/pencil/PRDOVR~E8883/E8883.jsp

16.  https://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/sweaters.jsp?srcCode=PMG%7cG%7cFactory-US-Sweaters-B-BMM%7c+jcrew%20+factory%20+sweaters&NoPopUp=True&gclid=CPPAoqj_m8sCFQEJaQodI7UPUw&gclsrc=aw.ds

17.  https://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/shirts_tops/dress_shirts.jsp

18.  http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/blanknyc-faux-leather-jacket/3485962

19.  http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/steve-madden-donddi-flat-sandals?ID=1977872&pla_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla&CAWELAID=120156340001584477&catargetid=120156340002596373&cadevice=c&cm_mmc=Google_Womens_Shoes_Adchemy_PLA_PLA-_-Womens+Shoes_Steve+Madden+-+GS_Steve+Madden-_-75854380990_-_-_mkwid_B9qM4LDr|dc_75854380990%7C-%7CB9qM4LDr&gclid=CMeq3OWEnMsCFQiUaQodc-wNDA

20.  https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=kendra+scott+necklace&tbm=shop&spd=13652424068790790101

 

Jackie Mangin is a freshman at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Integrated Strategic Communications. 
"All you need is faith, trust, and pixie dust."