Fashion People Are Relentless When It Comes to Chic Basics—These Get the Nod
A controversial opinion during award season, but red carpet looks are only so interesting to me. I'm always more interested in seeing how people with great style approach the most low-key pieces in their wardrobe—I mean, love a gown, but maybe I love airport style more? I want to see the comfy pants of chic people. Their jeans! I definitely want to know which is their choice of black tank or white T-shirt, plucked from that bottomless sea of options that await us on the internet.
When it comes to such basics (the cool ones, the ones that feel on-trend and make simple outfits look expensive), there's a slew of go-to brands and designers that hit the spot at different price points. From that effortless Reformation cardigan (gestures frantically above) to my favorite Toteme tank (aka $105 well spent) and the jeans everyone seems to own, here are some picks that deserve a spot in any wardrobe.
If you're wondering where their jeans are from, the answer is probably Levi's.
Mango deserves all the love for making this excellent suiting in a range of sizes (from XXS to 4XL).
It's about the neckline. Keep it casual (and under $60) like this, or…
When the brand co-founder is Vogue Australia's editor in chief, Christine Centenera, and the HB stands for Hailey Bieber, you click.
Just some excellent cashmere in an excellent shade of brown at a pretty excellent price.
If a sweatshirt isn't fleecey on the inside, I don't want to know about it, thank you.
Not all dresses pair flawlessly with a blazer or a chunky sweater, but this one sure does.
Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and contributing fashion editor. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects across fashion, luxury, beauty, home, and travel.
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