My Mom Somehow Always Finds the Best Items at Walmart—Here's What She Sent Me to Buy

My mom has a talent I genuinely envy: She always finds the best pieces at Walmart. She’ll send me a text with a blurry dressing room mirror pic and a note like, “You need this,” and sure enough, it’s something I end up wearing nonstop. While she shops in person at her local store in Kansas (she swears the selection there is gold), she’s taught me to check online, too. There are gems hidden in plain sight. That is, if you know what to look for.

The key, according to her—and now me—is to stick to simple, polished basics. Think no logos, no loud prints, and no obvious “I got this at Walmart” energy. We’re talking crisp button-downs, soft tees in elevated neutrals, and the occasional lightweight knit that somehow looks triple the price. These are the kinds of pieces you can throw on with denim, a leather jacket, or trousers and still look like you know what you’re doing.

Lately, she’s been sending links to things like a structured poplin shirt with subtle tailoring, a clean crewneck tee that rivals my favorite designer version, and even a minimalist tote bag that looks eerily similar to something I saw on Revolve. She’s got the eye, and I’ve learned not to second-guess it.

So if you’ve written off Walmart fashion in the past, consider this your nudge to take a second look, especially online. The best finds tend to be super under-the-radar, and they sell out fast. Just follow my mom’s rule: If it looks simple and expensive, grab it before someone else does.

Shop 30 items you’d never guess are from Walmart below.

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.