9 Specific Basics I'll Probably Keep Buying for the Rest of My Life

While I love trying new brands and It items, there are certain basics in my closet that I will not stop wearing and buying. Some of them have been favorites for a decade while others were discovered far more recently, but all have become items I reach for time and again—no matter how long I've had them. These tried-and-true basics include my go-to white T-shirt, the denim shorts I buy in every wash, the sneakers I wear for all of my workouts, the versatile straight-leg jeans I tell everyone to buy, and the leggings that are better than all the rest, to name a few.

If you're in need of new basics or perhaps are just curious, keep reading to find out which ones I highly recommend and shop them in the most useful colors. I promise you won't be disappointed and that it'll be money well spent.

My favorite jeans: Levi's 501 '90s Jeans

As I've gotten older, I've gotten increasingly picky about jeans and have some criticism about most pairs in my closet—but never my Levi's 501 jeans. They're not too straight, not too baggy, not too high, and not too low, and they come in great washes.

My favorite tee: Leset Margo Tee

T-shirts are another thing I'm quite picky about, and I adore Leset's Margo Tees. I wear my white and black ones a ton, but I'm happy to report that the brand is now making the popular tee in a variety of colors. It's thick and well-made, the sleeves aren't too tight, and it has a nice boxy, slightly cropped shape.

My favorite leggings: Lululemon Align Leggings 28-Inch

I've tried practically every legging brand under the sun, but the pair I'm constantly reaching for is my Lululemon Align pair. They're so comfortable and flattering, and it takes ages for them to show any sign of wear. At 5'4", I prefer the 28-inch length, but there are four different inseams to choose from.

My favorite denim shorts: Agolde Parker Long Shorts

I live in the South and wear denim shorts a lot in the summer, but I'm kind of over cutoffs and prefer something more polished. I was so happy when Agolde made its popular Parker Shorts with a finished hem and longer length, and I promptly ordered multiple pairs.

My favorite cardigan: Reformation Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan

Sure, crewneck cardigans are trendy right now, but I appear to be hooked and will be wearing them for life. The one that I think stands above most is Reformation's cashmere cardigan. The fit of it is cool as opposed to frumpy, and it's impossibly soft. You might want to think about sizing down (I did), as it's a bit oversize.

My favorite workout sneakers: On Cloud 5 Sneakers

When it comes to workout sneakers, I want something lightweight and comfortable that I can easily slip on and off. On's Cloud 5 sneakers check all of those boxes for me, and they require zero breaking in. I wear them on the treadmill and to walk my dog almost every day.

My favorite sleeping shirt: Everlane Air Oversized Crew Tee

While Everlane's Air Tee is perfectly lovely to wear outside, it's my go-tos for sleeping. It's gotten to the point where I won't sleep in any other T-shirts. It's super light and comfortable, and I've been tempted to buy the style in bulk.

My favorite button-down: Reformation Andy Oversized Shirt

Reformation's button-down shirts are perfection. I like the Will shirt, too, but prefer the Andy because it's a little shorter. The seasonal colors and striped patterns are always spot-on.

My favorite socks: Nike ankle socks

After determining that Nike's crew socks were too high and its no-show socks were too low, I landed on the brand's ankle socks, and I've never looked back. They're just right.