As one of the newest members of team Who What Wear, I have a lot of questions. One of the things I was most excited about when getting ready to start my new job was meeting my co-workers. I had been reading their style advice and shopping from their stories for years, so getting to work with them and learn from their expertise is definitely something I’m grateful for every day, and if there’s one thing WWW editors know well, it’s the power of a good basic.
Every member of my team is constantly scouring the web for the plain white tee that hits all of our bases or the new-year basic that we’ll all be adopting into our closets ASAP. I had begun to wonder what their “old faithful” wardrobe staples were, so I decided to bite the bullet and just ask. As you can imagine, I received quite the flurry of responses as I fired off Slack DMs, and each and every editor on my team was so passionate about their latest finds. As expected, their answers definitely impressed me. These are the kind of items that sell out fast, so read below to discover a few pieces they recommended that I’ll definitely be shopping as soon as possible.
“This super-thick ribbed-knit top is what I like to call a basic plus. It’s as easy to wear as your most classic item, but with the herringbone ribbing and pretty sage-green color, it has a little something special. It also comes in cream for those looking for a neutral.”
“I’m always amazed at how much mileage I get out of this striped shirt. There’s something about the green color, too, that feels just a bit more interesting than your more typical blue. The one I’m wearing from Alex Mill is called the Wyatt and is sold out in green, but this one has a subtle puff sleeve.”
“My closet is stocked with polo tops, but this two-tone version is the one I wear more than any other style. Paired with wide-leg jeans and slingback heels, it’s part of my go-to uniform these days.”
“I never used to be a hat person but now have a collection of baseball caps that I throw on for pretty much any occasion, whether it’s with bike shorts for a hike or jeans and a blazer for a weekend outing. Ralph Lauren’s Polo version is the one I wear more than every other style I own, and I can’t recommend it enough.”
“This boxy T-shirt is my idea of the perfect cropped tee. It’s a heavyweight material, which can be a bit tricky to find in a tee, and it hits at just the right place with high-waisted bottoms. I loved it so much that I ordered it in black, too.”
“This jacket was a splurge, but I’ve worn it so much that I think it’s fully worth it. It’s warm but not so warm that I have to take it off the second I step inside, and it’s such a cool oversize fit.”
“This basic is so good I wore it to my first New York Fashion Week after a long week off. I’m carrying this sailor vibe into the spring and summer seasons and love pairing this top with every pair of jeans in my closet.”
“This bodysuit is super famous. As it has graced the bodies of every celebrity in the book, I had to try it. I’ve had a couple in my closet for a few years, and they’re still going strong. I think it’s time for me to add a new color to my collection, and this shade will add some depth to my winter wardrobe.”
“I can’t believe the lengths that this puff-sleeve blouse has taken me. I’ve worn it in many different ways, most notably under vests and over sheer turtlenecks. I’d buy it again and again.”
“I’m always on the hunt for the perfect tee, and this just might be it. It’s so soft and hits at just the right spot. I wanted to show off my low-rise pants in the photo above, so I resorted to my Y2K fashion hack of tying a shirt back with a ponytail holder to give it a new look.
“I was a bit dubious at first about if I was going to love this Uniqlo trench coat, but it’s quickly become the only piece I throw on to shuffle down and get coffee every morning. It’s so comfortable and so chic, and I always get so many compliments when wearing it. It’s the perfect basic trench coat.”
“While it may not seem like a leather skirt falls into the category of ‘basics,’ I’m very much here to tell you that it does. In fact, since getting this Who What Wear Collection skirt, I find myself turning to it time and again when I’m in a pinch and need something chic to throw on. It’s the perfect leather skirt, no cap.”
“It’s hard to find an affordable black T-shirt that neither looks faded from the get-go nor becomes so over time. This one from Ninety Percent does the job perfectly and is still under $50. Plus, it has a great fit.”
“I buy this sweater in black at the start of every fall and wear it nonstop for the next six months. Yes, it’s that good.”
“I basically live in Madewell jeans at the moment. They’re super comfortable and hold their shape and wash. The straight-leg cuts in lighter washes are my jam right now.”
“Kotn makes fantastic elevated basics. I love the tees, socks, and especially this Fisherman Sweater, a new staple.”
“Like Bobby, I am also living in Madewell denim this season. I am particularly fond of the brand’s Mid-Rise Perfect Jeans in the Lunar Wash.”
“Shout out to Uniqlo for making the most versatile, compact puffer jacket in existence for just $60. I’m wearing it solo now but will layer it under longer wool jackets as the temperatures continue to fall.”
“This baby tee is my basics secret weapon. I first noticed For Days because of how it uses 100% recycled materials to create its garments, but I really fell for it once I saw its baby tees, which fit perfectly and are extremely elevated compared to most basic cotton tees. It’s no wonder the white is completely sold out. Luckily, black is still in stock.”
“I’m a sucker for good cashmere, and this crew-neck style from Nordstrom is no exception. Plus, it’s currently on sale. I try to always keep a basic cashmere sweater like this one in my wardrobe in a few colors—usually neutrals like heather gray, cream, black, brown, and navy—so that I can slip them on and tuck them into anything when I need a little extra warmth.”
“I’ll be wearing these long-sleeve tees on repeat all winter. It has the perfect boxy shape and lightweight feel to it, and the cropped length hits just right when I wear it with high-waisted jeans. Currently, I have it in white, but I think I might need to stock up on more colors now, too.”
“A dream—that’s how I’d describe this button-up henley sweater. It’s somehow both the perfect thing to wear while lounging at home and elevated enough to wear to work. Oh, and the thick-ribbed fabric is just about the softest thing ever.”
“I used to think all sweatpants were the same until I bought this pair. The cotton is really hardy, so despite the price, I think they’re worth it. The main attraction for me, though, is the fit. It’s slightly baggy with a high waist, which looks amazing with a slew of elevated athleisure looks.”
“If you’re an overzealous fan of white tees and are looking to upgrade, this tee should be next on your list. For sure, it’s a splurge, but for something you’ll likely wear a lot, the cost justifies itself. The material is pretty thick and wrinkle-proof, which comes in clutch for traveling.”
