39 Stylish Basics You'll Be So Glad You Bought
Wardrobe fillers good enough to become da belle of da ball.
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Hey! While we try to keep our posts updated as much as we can, this post is actually from 2018, so we can't guarantee that the pricing and/or availability of the products featured are accurate. For our most up-to-date recommendations, check out the 2019 version of this post!
1. A cowl-neck tunic dress that'll look so incredibly chic and low-key that people may assume you're a heroine of a Nancy Meyers movie.
Lemme see that spacious, gorgeous kitchen of yours!
Get it from Amazon for $30 (also available in gray and sizes XS–2XL).
2. A metallic pleated skirt that'll look ANYTHING but basic YET will match so many things that it'll earn its keep in that category. (And this story.)
Get it from Amazon for $12.69+ (available in seven colors and sizes XS–2XL).
3. A trusty leather tote to contain all the everyday items you require on the reg.
Get it from Amazon for $51.60 (available in four colors).
4. Or a ~reversible~ faux-leather tote that'll give you a little more flexibility when you realize your outfit would look so much better with a black bag. Dump the contents, flip it inside out, rake everything back in, and be on your merry way!
And you can't deny how handy that wristlet looks, either.
Get it from Nordstrom for $49 (available in two color combos).
5. Hunter rain boots for keeping your feet dry while frolicking through fields of wild flowers or dodging suspiciously dark puddles on city streets.
6. Knit jeggings so you can get away with wearing not-pants while wearing a socially acceptable semblance of pants.
Get them from Amazon for $20 (available in five colors and short, regular, and long sizes XS–2XL).
7. Ankle booties in a range of colors (not just animal print!) that'll look fantastic with all kinds of ensembles. Dresses and tights, shorts, jeans, soooo many possibilities.
Word to the herd: Leopard print is totally a neutral and goes with everything. Just ask me, even though I just told you. Seriously, treat it as a neutral and then all of a sudden your outfits will be so much more interesting!
Get them from Amazon for $56.34+ (available in seven colors and women's sizes 5–12).
8. A water-resistant packable puffer coat for everyday wear or that bucket-list trip to Iceland where you plan to *just* carry on.
Get it from Amazon for $49 (available in eight colors and sizes XS–2XL).
Also check out a packable down vest and shorter jacket from the same line.
9. A minimalist faux-leather bag roomy enough to fit the essentials you just may carry for weeks on end because it goes with everything.
The best kind of bag, IMO.
Get it from Free People for $19.95.
10. A rubberized rain coat for gloomy mornings when you can't stay indoors. Sigh.
Get it from Forever 21 for $44 (originally $88, available in two colors and sizes 1X–3X).
11. And a vinyl smock as a lighter option that won't fall prey to sudden showers.
12. Dr. Martens that'll be a tough go-to for days when the sun is shining or it's gray AF.
Get them from Amazon for $95.99+ (available in 10 colors and a range of sizes).
13. A solid-color sweater with a lil' something extra in the back so you'll look anything but boring.
Get it from Nordstrom for $42.90 (available in five colors and sizes XS–XL).
14. Pointed-toe flats with just enough flash (and a few colors) to add a little fancy flair to an outfit you picked up off your bedroom floor.
Everyone knows that pointed-toe shoes make you look chic. It's math.
Get them from Amazon for $34 (available in four colors and sizes 6–11).
15. A solid T-shirt (and cute lil' pocket!) for elevating a pair of old jeans without sacrificing your comfort level.
Get it from Pacsun for $12 (available in three colors and sizes XS–L). And check out a similar striped T-shirt.
16. A trendy teddy coat in a neutral tone that'll help you ease into the style without feeling like you're committing to a fad.
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in five colors and sizes S–3XL).
17. A plaid scarf you can nuzzle into allll winter long. And into the spring when it's still a tad chilly.
Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in four color combos).
18. Toasty lines jeans that won't feel (or look) bulky on that day you agreed to go to a bowl football game. Sigh.
Get them from Old Navy for $35 (available in regular, tall, and petite sizes 0–20).
19. White Superga sneakers as a fashion girl step up from your Keds (sorry Keds).
Get them from Amazon for $21.15+ (available in a range of colors and women's sizes 5–11.5).
20. A Buffalo plaid flannel shirt for a winter classic that'll be the next best thing to wearing your flannel PJs out in public.
Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in 15 color combos and sizes XS–2XL).
21. A seamless turtleneck bodysuit as a base for a multitude of cute outfits. Your skirts will wonder why it took you so long to make an intro.
Get it from Free People for $48 (available in 12 colors and sizes S/M–M/L).
22. Versatile ballet flats you'll throw on in a million different ways on the days when you can't or won't with heels.
Get them from Amazon for $19 (available in three colors and sizes 5–13).
23. A solid dress with pockets for so much wardrobe versatility, you'll wonder why you didn't buy it in every color from the start.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 20 colors and sizes XS–2XL).
24. A cozy eco fleece sweatshirt ready to replace that old stained one. Or at least you can wear this one out in public and the stained one *just* in the house, k?
Get it from Amazon for $14.61+ (available in 15 colors and men's sizes S–3XL).
25. And a sweatshirt dress for the times you'd prefer to leave the house in a sweatshirt and no pants. Well now you can!
I'm out here granting wishes.
Get it from Amazon for $30 (available in four colors and sizes 1X–7X).
26. High-heel ankle booties as a boost for really most anything in your closet.
Gray is the best neutral!!
Get them from Amazon for $65 (available in five colors and sizes 5–12).
27. A belted denim skirt to give your old band T-shirts new life. (BTW, the belt is removable.)
Get it from Free People for $49.95 (originally $78, also available in black and sizes 24–30).
28. A Carhartt beanie that'll look good on anyone and everyone. And it comes in so many colors, everyone in the fam can have their own. Maybe even two!
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 28 colors).
29. A lightweight tunic that'll easily go with whatever pair of leggings are clean atm.
Get it from Amazon for $13.79+ (available in five colors and sizes S–2XL).
30. A simple cardi you can throw on in your frigid office for a toasty layer that'll keep you looking polished.
Perhaps walking around with a blanket on your shoulders isn't the way to work your way up the ladder.
Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in nine colors and sizes XS–2XL).
31. A slip dress with cool details like a low back and raw hem that'll let onlookers know they can bow down now. Thanks.
32. Stud earrings as a finishing touch before you head out the door.
Get them from Amazon for $8.40+ (available in three finishes and nine sizes).
33. A ribbed turtleneck ready and willing to bring a little more texture to your look.
Get it from Free People for $30 (available in 11 colors and sizes XS–XL).
34. A faux-leather motorcycle jacket to throw on over nearly anything, even when you're running to the gym!
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 12 colors and sizes XS–2XL).
35. Slip-on sneakers in a perforated metallic style that'll make every well-cushioned step look a bit fancier.
Get them from Amazon for $15.17+ (available in 10 colors and sizes 5–12).
36. A lacy LBD (that comes in other colors!) to get you through the rest of holiday party season. And weddings. And cocktail hours. And any other events where you need to look like a slightly better dressed version of yourself.
Get it from Amazon for $59 (available in five colors and sizes 0–16).
37. A mock turtleneck in a range of colors that'll be perfect for layering under your fave summer dresses or flying solo.
Get it from Amazon for $12 (available in nine colors and sizes XS–2XL).
38. A colorful wrap dress for something that's office dress code-approps without being a total snore.
Get it from Amazon for $49 (available in six colors and sizes 1X–5X).
39. Rubber flats with a fancy lil' bow on top for drizzly days when you can't bear to pull on rain boots.
Get them from Nordstrom for $104.95 (available in three colors and sizes 5–10).