The Complete Capsule: Our List of the Best Basics Money Can Buy
Behind every immaculate outfit or fabulous wardrobe is an arsenal of reliable basics. Scroll down to see my edit of the best basics for women.

Behind every immaculate outfit or fabulous wardrobe is an arsenal of reliable basics. It's all well and good having Wholesale Replica Bag "it" bag or trend piece, but getting dressed will always be difficult if you don't have the foundations right too. Once you find the perfect black blazer, pair of jeans or pair of loafers, you never need to find another one again. So it's worth putting in the time to find the best versions of these staples—when you own the perfect tee or white shirt, there's no need for mediocre duplicates that won't ever make you feel as good. This only-go-for-the-very-best approach to shopping leads to not only a tighter wardrobe that is made to last but also a more polished look overall.
Together, ourBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing editors have over 30 years of experience in the fashion industry, and so we have learned first-hand the best places to find all of these basics. And it's not just a case of spending more money on things—our list includes investment pieces by Gucci, Celine and The Row, but many of the items we are championing are also under £100. This list will also help you to identify the gaps in your own wardrobe, as we believe that these 35 items make up the complete capsule.
Shop the Best Basics for Women, According to Fashion Editors
1. Tops
Best T-Shirt: COS
It can be difficult to find the perfect white T-shirt, as they are often a little too sheer, tight or have a neckline that doesn't sit quite right. This slightly heavier cotton COS style has none of these drawbacks, and the premium-feeling material stays crisper for longer. Size up if you prefer a boxier fit.
Best Breton Top: Sézane
Best Tank Top: H&M
Trust me when I say I've tried all the tank tops out there, from expensive designers to the cheapest high street. And I can confirm it's H&M's £7 number that takes the cake as being the very best style. It's thick cotton, so you don't need a bra if you don't want to wear one and it doesn't go flimsy or out of shape after a few washes. I've bought one (read: a few) in every colour—they're the fashion industry's best kept secret. Thank me later.
Best Cashmere Jumper: Uniqlo
A cashmere jumper is a wardrobe classic, for all year round (I always throw mine over my shoulders on cooler summer evenings too). While there are numerous beautiful knitwear brands working in higher price points, we don't think you can top Uniqlo for value and number of colours. It creates quality, durable cashmere that—if you look after it properly—will last for years.
Best White Shirt: With Nothing Underneath
Best Camisole: Reiss
Best Linen Shirt: Arket
Casual, cool and endlessly chic, Arket's linen shirts are the best I've ever tried. Available in plenty of colours, including neutrals, stripes and bright, bold hues, it's a high-street item I really recommend investing in. Plus, it comes in long-sleeved and short-sleeved options too.
2. Accessories
Best Crossbody Bag: COS
COS creates its iconic swing crossbody bag in every colour and material you could hope for, but since it's currently out of stock, their new 'Tome' style is just as chic, simple enough to go with every single outfit and not to mention practical too thanks to the size and compact shape.
Best Hoop Earrings: Mejuri
Best Tote Bag: Demellier
A leather tote is an item that everyone needs for carrying laptops, makeup bags, kids' toys and the kitchen sink for work or travel. This Demellier style is a timeless classic made of leather. It comes in seven colours to suit your wardrobe. Serapian also does a beautiful, modern, relaxed style that insiders love. Chloé's canvas Woody tote is another brilliant option and COS does the best affordable version.
Best Chain Necklace: Missoma
Best Basket Bag: Loewe
For summer, a basket bag has become an absolute essential whether you're heading to the beach or not. Of course, Loewe is the gold standard. If you're looking for something more low-key with less logo, though, Dragon Diffusion's woven styles are completely timeless too.
Best Belt: Anderson's
Buy a good belt, and you never need to buy another one again. Anderson's black leather belt comes in gold and silver hardware options, and its subtle design is timelessly elegant, elevating any outfit you wear it with. For one that's more affordable, try COS's classic leather belt.
Best Sunglasses: Celine
Celine's sunglasses are popular for a reason. The brand's various styles are flattering on almost everyone and most are shapes that won't feel dated in a year or two. Whether you're a fan of mod oval sunglasses or statement cat-eye sunnies, there is bound to be a silhouette to suit your face shape.
Best Watch: Cartier
Cartier's iconic Tank Must watch can be dated back to 1917—proving just how timeless the shape is. The brand is world-renowned for its timepieces and offers the kind of investment watch you'll wear for the rest of your life. The smooth black leather is probably the most classic, but I also have a soft spot for this incredibly elegant alligator version.
Best Silk Scarf: Toteme
Best Wool Scarf: Acne Studios
3. Shoes
Best Loafers: Gucci
Gucci's horsebit loafers were first launched in 1953 and are a classic piece worth investing in because they will last for decades. With a timeless shape and a cool horsebit detail, you will never feel like these are dated. You can also fold the back down for a slightly different look.
Best Heels: Manolo Blahnik
Undeniably, the best heels in the world come from Manolo Blahnik. Whether you're looking to invest in a wear-with-everything pair of simple, comfortable court heels like the BB 90s (a favourite of Meghan and Princess Kate), or you want a bit more sparkle in your life with the Hangisi, you just can't beat them. On the high street, Charles Keith's Emmy heels are the best alternative.
Best Trainers: New Balance
Best Sandals: The Row
Sandal trends come and go, but The Row always makes classics. Whether you want a leather slider or a pair of fisherman sandals, the brand has probably already created the perfect pair. My feet are like tissue paper, and so I am very fussy when it comes to shoes, but these sandals always pass the no-blister test for me. They're frequently out of stock, so get them while you can.
Best Ankle Boots: Aeyde
When it comes to ankle boots, you really can't beat Aeyde. Whether you're after a round or pointed toe (or a mixture of both), Western suede style or classic leather, Aeyde has them all. The brand truly isn't ruled by trends, but hurry because its styles sell out quickly.
4. Bottoms
Best Designer Jeans: Agolde
Best High-Street Jeans: Arket
All our editors are in agreement that Arket does the best affordable denim. It's all organic and recycled cotton, and there's a mix of comfortable stretch styles and vintage-inspired rigid versions. The cropped designs are perfect for petites, and the loose wide legs feel incredibly fresh for right now. It's the Cloud low loose jeans that I wear on repeat, though.
Best Satin Slip Skirt: Ghost
A simple slip skirt might not be the most exciting purchase, but it really is useful, especially for between seasons. They look just as good with a strappy top and sandals as they do a cosy knit and boots. Ghost's satin pieces are famously good, and we love its Luna skirt, which comes in eight different colours. The black is evergreen, but I'm excited to wear the white this summer.
Best Trousers: Reformation
5. Underwear Drawer
Best Hidden Layers: Uniqlo
For those days when you need a discreet layer underneath your outfit, Uniqlo is the go-to. The seamless style cropped cami top is made to go unnoticed but will also provide you with an extra layer to keep you warmer on cooler British days. It's my hidden secret I'm willing to share.
Best Bodysuit: Skims
It should come as no surprise that Skims is our number one for bodysuits. We love that you can choose a nude colour shade for wearing underneath your clothes, but they also look great worn to be seen as well. This one will hug you in all the right places to smooth, sculpt and support. It's a stylish, useful and practical addition to your wardrobe.
Best Socks: Adanola
Best Underwear: Next
There's so many lovely smaller labels doing pretty lingerie (we love Cou Cou Intimates and Hanky Panky) but if it's reliable comfort, practicality and long-lasting quality you're after—no one can beat Next. Personally, I rely on the full brief styles but even the thongs are incredibly comfortable, and they don't show under any of my clothes.
Best Tights: Falke
6. Outerwear
Best Blazer: Arket
A classic tailored blazer is a wardrobe essential, and you can call off your search for the perfect one with Arket. We can't recommend this jacket enough, partly because of the exquisite tailoring mixed with the relaxed fit and partly because there are plenty of ways to style this.
Best Trench: Burberry
The original Burberry trench was designed for soldiers for the first world war and uses the gabardine fabric, which was created by Thomas Burberry in 1879. According to the Burberry website, the fabric is now created at a textile mill near Keighley, England, and there are 127 stages in producing one coat. It is quite simply timeless. We rounded up everything you need to know about choosing your perfect Burberry trench here, but you can never go wrong with the Waterloo Heritage style.
Best Denim Jacket: ME + EM
ME+EM's denim jackets aren't cheap, but they are all beautiful quality and have an unbeatable fit. From cropped styles to more relaxed silhouettes and even bomber jackets, it's hard not to find a style you'll fall in love with for transitional seasons like spring and autumn.
Best Leather Jacket: Whistles
Why Trust Us?
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.
We regularly try pieces ourselves, everything from bestselling jeans to designer shoes, speak to external experts and fashion insiders and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.
This piece was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Emma is a freelance fashion editor with over 15 years experience in industry, having worked at The Telegraph, Grazia and, most recently, British Vogue. Emma was part of the founding team of Who What Wear UK, where she worked for six years as Deputy Editor and then Editor—helping shape the team into what it is today is one of the biggest privileges of her career and she will always see herself as aBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing girl, contributing to both the US and UK sites. Whether she's writing about runway trends or spotlighting emerging brands, she aims to write about fashion in a way that is democratic and doesn't promote over consumption.