Starting Style from Scratch: Where to Shop for Closet Staples

Welcome to the latest in the Wardrobe Oxygen style series, Starting Style from Scratch. I've provided you with the basic closet staples for a woman in midlife. But now, where the heck do you buy them? We grown-ass women know that online recommendations can't always be trusted. They're motivated by influencer commission rates and biased by age, size, ability, and lifestyle. I'm here for some real-life prices, brands, and styles great for us.

As a refresher, here is the list of basics that can create a strong foundation for a grown-ass woman's closet:

straight leg dark wash jeans | black ponte pants | black or navy blazer | NSLBD | pretty color sweater | black refined top | hot weather bottom | warm weather bottom | interesting summer top | Breton striped bracelet-sleeve top | white linen big shirt | black refined tank

black leather ankle boots | low-contrast trendy sneaker | low-contrast dress shoes | leather sandals | black leather dress belt | interesting earrings | clutch purse | tote-style purse | everyday bag | sunglasses | light-colored sun hat

In 2025, it is near impossible to guarantee that something is in stock at the time of publishing. Even old reliable brands are becoming fast fashion with quick turnaround of new products and discontinuing of old favorites. However, I am sharing the places I have found success time and time again over the decades.

Where to Buy Jeans in Midlife

Jeans are one of the hardest things to shop for, right up there with bras and swimsuits. It's hard enough to find a pair that fits, but to find a pair that fits, holds up, and you like how they look on your body? That's priceless.

This collage shows the places I recommend when searching for straight leg dark wash jeans:

1. Talbots: High quality, classic yet modern fit, carries curvy cuts, petites, plus, and plus petite. I recommend the “Melrose” or “Adelaide” wash. Here is the Straight Leg in Melrose (misses, petite, plus, and petite), here is the curvy version (misses, petite, plus). Here is a plus exclusive style in Adelaide (plus, plus petite), here is the curvy fit version.
2. Old Navy: I don't find Old Navy jeans to hold up for more than one season, but I know many Wardrobe Oxygen readers swear by them. And the straight-leg style that comes highest recommended is the High-Waisted Wow Straight Ankle Jeans. Get the Dark Wash; they come in sizes 0-30 with tall, petite, and misses have short, regular, and long lengths.
3. Madewell: Again, I personally don't have success with this denim retailer but I seem to be in the minority. The Madewell bestselling Stovepipe Jean is a classic cut and comes in Standard sizes 23 – 33, Petite, and Tall. I like the Deming or Rinse Wash.
4. Democracy: I think Democracy often has hokey washes and finishes on their jeans but the fit and stretch is pretty fantastic. The “Ab”solution® Indigo High Rise Straight Leg Jeans aren't as dark as I would like, but can pass and are a great option if you struggle to find jeans to work with your curves. Here is the link for Misses 0-16, here is Petite 0P-16P, here is Tall 2T-16T, and here is Plus 14W-22W.
5. NYDJ: Back in 2005 when I started Wardrobe Oxygen, I wore the NYDJ Marilyn jeans, and here 20 years later, I still recommend them for fit, quality, and adding sustainable business practices. NYDJ now offers Waist-Match™ Marilyn jeans, which feel more like pull-on jeans but look traditional and go by letter (S, M, L, etc.) than a number. Available in XXS-5X and Petite PXXS-PXL.
6. Good American: My hourglass friends, Good American is a great place to look for jeans. The GA Always Fits Good Classic Slim Straight Jeans are a one-size-fits-four design that adapts to your body’s changes. Available in 00-32.

Do not wash your jeans after each wear, and when you do wash them, wash them inside out and line dry. Once dry, you can throw in the dryer for a bit to bounce out the wrinkles. This will keep the wash crisp, and prevent the Lycra from breaking down. Spot clean when necessary, and than g them up outside or in a well-ventilated space and spray with a combo of vodka and water to get out smells. Essentially, the less you launder, the longer you'll be able to wear your jeans.

Where to Buy Ponte Pants in Midlife

Not all ponte (AKA Ponte di Roma knit) is created equal, and a higher price doesn't mean the quality is better. Look for a heavier-weight fabric, one without much of a sheen and one that bounces back when you stretch it. The collage shows in order (left to right, top row then bottom row) of the recommended ponte pants below:

1. Universal Standard: Universal Standard has become a favorite go-to for all things ponte, and the ponte pant selection is pretty fantastic. Offering sizes 00-40 in every style and color, Universal Standard sometimes also offers different inseams/lengths. I am a personal fan of the Audrey pant and the Smart Signature Pant if you're new to their pants; if in doubt, size down.
2. Spanx: Spanx is another retailer that has an entire category of ponte pants, offering them in sizes XS-3X in regular, petite, and tall. I find the Slim Straight Pant and the Wide Leg Pant to be good basics.
3. Eileen Fisher: Quality and sustainability, Eileen Fisher is a trusted brand for ponte knit separates in sizes XS-3X and PP-PL. Eileen Fisher adds new styles every so often; my current recommendation from the designer is the Washable Flex Ponte Wide Trouser Pant.
4. Liz Claiborne: Ponte doesn't have to cost and arm and a leg. For a wallet-friendly option I recommend ponte pants from the Liz Claiborne collection at JCPenney. In sizes 0-30 with tall and petite options, it is also a relatively size-inclusive option. From the current selection, I like the Audra Tailored Ponte Straight Fit Straight Trouser, which is available in Misses, Petite, and Plus.

Even if the washing instructions say you can throw your ponte pants in the dryer, I recommend you line dry them to keep the black saturated, reduce the chance of shrinkage and breaking down of the elastic.

Where to Buy a Blazer in Midlife

The blazer may be the hardest item to buy in this collection of items. Find one to fit your shoulders, and the sleeves are a mile long. Fits in the arms but won't button over the vest. And how do you get one that looks cool, and not like you're half dressed for a client meeting or as a flight attendant?

First things first: don't buy a suiting jacket. If it has matching pants, that's not what you're looking for. You want a standalone blazer, which will be a more casual fabric, and where you'll find more variety in regard to construction. My picks on where to look, which are also in the collage above:

1. Banana Republic: Banana Republic carries sizes 0-20 with petites 00-14 and makes classic yet chic blazers. It has been a go-to destination for me for years. For several seasons, they have carried a version of the Captain's Blazer which is a classic double-breasted option. I also like the Boyfriend Wool Blazer. Occasionally you can find just as nice of a blazer for less at Banana Republic Outlet.
2. J. Crew: J. Crew is another great go-to for non-suiting blazers that are classic yet contemporary. J. Crew offers sizes 000-24 with petites 00-12 and talls 2-20. I like the Madelyn blazer in four-season stretch that J. Crew offers this season.
3. Ralph Lauren (and the budget-friendly offshoots): Yes, Ralph Lauren is a high-end designer, but Ralph Lauren carries Polo Ralph Lauren and Lauren Ralph Lauren which are high quality and far more reasonably priced. You can find these Ralph Lauren brands at department stores like Macy's, Bloomingdale's, and Dillard's, as well as the Ralph Lauren site, which often has the most extensive collection as well as size range (00-22W with petites). The Wool Crepe Double Breasted Blazer from Lauren Ralph Lauren is a classic and IMO, worth the money. You can find it at Nordstrom, Dillard's, and the Ralph Lauren site has it in Misses, Petite, and Plus. For a softer option, check out the Rib Knit Double Breasted Sweater Jacket. Available in Misses and Plus on the Ralph Lauren site as well as Misses and Petite and Plus at Bloomingdale's.
4. Everlane: Everlane was the 2010s darling and with so many new brands with a similar ethos, it gets easily dismissed. But Everlane keeps their style, and IMO, their quality consistent. And Everlane has always been a good destination for closet basics. I got an oversized Everlane blazer in 2019 and I just got rid of it this fall, and that was just because as I mentioned back in 2019, it would make a good fall coat and I regularly wear and love this Nili Lotan x Target coat in a too-similar plaid. But the blazer was still stylish and in great condition. The Oversized Blazer comes in different fabrics dependent on the season; the Buttersmooth fabric is a TENCEL/cotton blend that would look great almost all year long.
5. Universal Standard: You're going to see Universal Standard mentioned a lot in this article. The label does a good job of democratizing fashion with a beautiful size range of wardrobe staples with an edge. And this includes the collection of blazers, with the most classic and versatile IMO being the Henning x US Warren Blazer.

Where to Buy an NSLBD in Midlife

You can buy a dress most anywhere, and gems can be found at all pricepoints. However, if you're looking for an NSLBD (not so little black dress), these are the places I have had the most luck:

1. Ann Taylor: I have had an on-again, off-again relationship with Ann Taylor apparel. Back in the 2000s I was obsessed, but then the company was bought and the style and quality changed. Well, in the past couple of years Ann has been bringing it with better quality and cool style that is still appropriate for the office, the house of worship, and the special occasion. Ann Taylor is also one of the few companies that carries such apparel in petites up to size 16 (Ann Taylor carries 00-18, 00P-16P, and 0-18 tall). Filtering to dresses and then the color black, at the time of this writing Ann Taylor had around a dozen options that could be considered an NSLBD. Check out the midi flare, the flare dress, the elbow sleeve square neck dress (link to curvy fit).
2. Talbots: Talbots is a personal favorite. If you connect Talbots to a certain aesthetic or age, you need to take another look. The quality is better than most department store brands, the size range is extensive (misses 2-18, petite 0-16, plus 14W-24W, plus petite 14-24, and even curvy options. Talbots even has a “little black dress” category on its site though not all those dresses would be considered NSLBD. From the current selection, check out the easy travel long sleeve dress.
3. Lauren Ralph Lauren: Again, this is a label that carries classic elevated basics, and you are very likely to find NSLBDs in each season's collection. For example, this season the surplice georgette midi dress is a beautiful option.
4. Boden: Boden is a great destination for dresses; filtering down to black dresses in the current collection, most are jersey but through the season Boden carries some dressier fabrics such as the Ivy dress. Boden offers apparel in sizes 00-20/22 and petite 0-22.
5. Eileen Fisher: I cannot believe I am recommending Eileen Fisher for this category, but the brand does carry a silhouette hard to find elsewhere and make that silhouette dressy enough to wear to your nephew's wedding. A lot of Eileen Fisher's dresses are jersey or linen but there's always at least one in a refined fabric (right now it's the Crushed Silk Jewel Neck Tiered Dress).
6. Universal Standard: See, it's Universal Standard again! But Universal Standard always has at least one black ponte dress that would be perfect for many of the life events thrown our way. When perusing Universal Standard black dresses, my personal opinion is liquid jersey is not the best fabric choice for an NSLBD. Look at ponte, double luxe, and crepe.

I don't care what the label says, launder this dress as if it cost you $1K. Once it starts looking faded, it has lost its versatility. The less it is laundered, the better. Consider undershirts like Numi to keep it fresh.

Where to Buy a Breton Top

Honestly, you can find Breton striped tops absolutely everywhere. I have bought them from and found great ones this year at Target, Old Navy, L.L.Bean, Lands' End, Boden, J. Crew, Sézane, Joules, Appleseed's, Everlane, Saint James, Talbots, Universal Standard, and Lilycoco on Amazon (read my $35 Breton striped top review).

Look for the terms Breton and mariner; that will guide you to the heavier weight tops. And if you find the perfect one with long sleeves, it's not ridiculous to have a tailor or even your local dry cleaner shorten the sleeves for a more polished effect.

Where to Buy a Cotton Shirtdress

Recently, I went on Threads to ask for places to find cotton shirtdresses. The reason is I thought Boden discontinued their cotton shirtdress. I am happy to report that Boden is bringing back cotton shirtdresses this year. The Amy (currently out of stock but was in stock a week ago) is essentially the same dress I featured in the original staples, and very similar to the one I bought at Boden a few years ago (see me wear it in this video).

However, there are many other places to find a versatile cotton shirtdress:

• Gorman: An Australian brand that ships to the U.S., you can narrow down the dress selection to cotton options. U.S. sizes 0-16.
• Gretchen Scott: There are a lot of twists and ruffles, but also you can find some classic cuts of shirtdresses in the collection. Sizes XXS-XXXL.
• Kemi Telford: With sizes XXS-XXL, Kemi Telford has cotton and cotton silk shirtdresses along with a range of other styles of dresses.
• Lesley Evers: Really fun prints and a few styles of cotton poplin shirtdresses in sizes XS-2X.
• Nooworks: The prints are really out there wacky colorful, but they carry a few styles of shirtdresses that are primarily cotton with a hint of stretch in sizes XS-5X. I own Nooworks cotton jumpsuits and like the fabric and the prints hold up well to gentle laundering.
• Pari Passu: Pariu Passu carries plus sizes but also three body shapes. Pari Passu also makes custom pieces with the fabrics you desire for styles the label carries such as this cotton poplin shirtdress.
• Ralph Lauren: A good place to find classic stripes in cotton shirtdresses.
• Seasalt Cornwall: This UK company ships to the U.S., occasionally has cotton shirtdresses in interesting prints, and carries U.S. sizes 2-22/24.
• Talbots: Each spring and summer Talbots has short-sleeve and 3/4 sleeve cotton shirtdresses with pockets and self belts in fun colors. I now own three; you can see me wear a blue and white one on a very humid July 4th, and here I wore a black and white polka-dot one in Savannah in August.
• Tuckernuck: Tuckernuck carries a range of retailers as well as an in-house brand and the aesthetic is totally cotton shirtdress in pretty prints in sizes XXS-XXXL.
• Universal Standard: Known for jersey dresses and solids, the label came out with a poplin shirtdress that is in a windowpane plaid. I hope they continue this dress and offer different prints and colors each season.
• Zuri: Great prints, and a good choice if you prefer a looser fit. Sizes XXS-3X. Here I link to the ligher-weight cotton dresses that will better fit this concept.

Where to Buy Refined Black Tops in Midlife

Refined tops is so vague, and it's hard to say where to buy these, but below are some retailers where I have found interesting and elevated black tops. Each link goes to their current selection of black tops:

• Universal Standard
• Banana Republic
• ELOQUII
• Frankie Shop
• Chico's
• Allsaints
• J. Crew
• Anthropologie
• Wray
• Bloomingdale's

Again, baby these tops to keep the black saturated. If they fade, they lose their versatility. This is also something that needs to be steamed or ironed to look crisp. This is more elevated than a t-shirt, and your care for it will determine how well it reads as dressy/cool.

Did I miss your favorite retailer? Do share it in the comments. I hope to continuously update this post to have the latest information and the best retailers!