The late Steve Jobs sported a black turtleneck, jeans and sneakers every day. For Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, it’s a gray T-shirt with jeans and – if he’s feeling formal – a black hoodie. And while President Barack Obama can’t be quite so casual, he keeps it just as simple by sticking to a gray or navy suit almost all the time.

Turns out there is a bona fide psychological reason some powerful people spend just seconds in front of their closets every morning. Limiting choices cuts down what’s called decision fatigue, leaving more brain power and mental energy to devote to productivity and judgments that are far more important than what shirt to wear that day.

But although most women probably can’t get away with pairing their clothing options down to a handful of the same shirts and jeans – and likely wouldn’t want to – there are a few work wardrobe essentials that deserve a place in your closet. These seven foundation garments will make getting dressed the easiest part of your morning routine while still ensuring your outfits are fashionable and functional – no matter what the day might bring:

7 Wardrobe Essentials for Working Women

Black pants

A pair of black pants in a fit that flatters your body type and a fabric that you can wear year-round is the first wardrobe piece you should purchase if you’re starting from scratch. The ideal pair can be dressed down with a casual cardigan or dressed up with a structured jacket.

A French-cuff dress shirt

Real Simple recommends a French-cuff dress shirt as an easy upgrade to the basic button down. The cuffs add elegance, yet still make the top appropriate for any occasion. If French cuffs seem too fussy for your office, a pinstriped oxford in a fun color is another option.

Black leather pumps

A pair of close-toed pumps can literally elevate a casual outfit or match up with your most formal pantsuit, making them the most versatile footwear option in your closet. The best options are plain or have a subtle pattern that will pair well with pants, dresses or skirts.

A dark suit

Take a cue from President Obama by choosing a tailored, well-made suit that works for almost any business occasion. Selecting a suit that can also be worn as separates also makes it seem less like a splurge if you spend a little more than you are used to in order to get a high-quality staple that could last years.

A shift dress

This one-piece wonder can be worn under jackets or stand alone as a sophisticated alternative to pants. You can even button a cardigan over it. A well-chosen shift dress can also make a seamless transition between day and night when you switch out accessories.

A dressy, fitted jacket

You can swap this out for your suit jacket, wear it over a shift dress or pair it with black pants to create several different outfit options. It can even elevate a pair of jeans for weekend wear.

Tanks, tees, and turtlenecks

Real Simple recommends stocking up on these basics in neutral colors in order to give yourself plenty of options when it comes to layering. And be sure to get both long- and short-sleeved Ts in both black and white so that you’ll be prepared for every season – and every fashion trend – that comes your way.

Save on the Basics

Americans spent more than $20 billion at clothing and accessory stores in March 2015 alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And even sticking to wardrobe essentials can strain your budget, especially if you’re new to the workforce or returning to the office after taking some time off with kids.

But there are some ways to save cash without sacrificing quality. Here are a few tips to help you build and maintain a work wardrobe on a budget:

Online consignment sites are a great option for stocking your closet on a budget because they make it easy to search for exactly what you want. If the sites have reliable acceptance standards, you can also count on the clothes being clean and in good condition (with no busted zippers that could cause an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction in the middle of a meeting with a key client!).

Sticking to neutral colors and limiting the number of patterns in your wardrobe not only saves time, but it saves money as well. Relying on neutral shades will ensure that most of your clothes coordinate, allowing you to create more outfits with fewer pieces, all while spending less time digging through your closet in the morning, according to Lifehacker.

Invest in quality if you’re going to use certain pieces regularly. This applies to shoes and bags in particular, as an investment in a good accessory will last far longer than several “fast fashion” purchases.

Dress up the essentials with accessories. Accessories such as scarves, tights, and jewelry can be an inexpensive way to add color, patterns, and a trend-conscious pop to your basic wardrobe – without dramatically boosting your credit card balance at the same time.

When considering a purchase, think about how many outfits you can make out a single piece and how often you can realistically see yourself wearing it, according to advice from S. News & World Report. If the piece will rarely see the light of day, you might want to pass.

Buy clothes out of season. Take an inventory of your wardrobe to determine what you need and stock up right before clothes leave the store shelves. For example, shop for swimsuits in late August and winter outerwear in late February.

Organize your closet to make sure you’re getting the most out of what you have. If you don’t wear an item regularly, consider selling it online or donating it to a good cause. This will not only streamline your “getting ready” process, it’ll help you decide what you really need next time you go shopping – and could convert unused items into a little extra cash as a bonus.

Take care of the clothes you have. Apartment Therapy recommends spending as much time maintaining your current wardrobe as you do shopping for new clothes. Making necessary alterations and repairs, hand washing clothes that require it, taking care of stains and properly hanging and folding clothes will help them last longer and look better.

Save on clothes you’ll replace often, like T-shirts and trendy wear, and splurge on items that you want to hold on to for a while, like black pants, shoes for the office or a jacket, according to Real Simple.

Focusing on essentials and applying these money-saving tips will help you be both frugal and fashionable without having to wear the same hoodie, T-shirt and jeans to the office every day.

What other tips have you uncovered as you’ve built your working wardrobe? Share your experiences by connecting with our community on Facebook!