18 Cheap Wardrobe Basics With Glowing Reviews
Psst: Did you know Prime Day is going on right now? There are tons of amazing fashion deals to be had on editor-loved products. Don't be shy!
Not to be dramatic, but my life has not been the same since I acquired an Amazon Prime membership a year ago. Thanks to the free two-day shipping, I rely on the site for all my household essentials such as coffee filters and toothpaste. The e-tailer stocks just about any product imaginable, from the chicest lingerie trends (we're talking under $20) to the travel item that will change your life. Next up: wardrobe basics.
At any given time, I have a handful of T-shirts, socks, leggings, and other wardrobe basics sitting in my Amazon shopping cart. Whenever I lose another pair of socks or am running low on plain tees, I know exactly where I can turn for an affordable fashion find. Ahead, I'm breaking down the best wardrobe basics to shop for on Amazon, along with the picks that (sometimes hundreds) of the site's reviewers have vouched for.
T-SHIRTS
Average rating (144 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "I am bringing a few of these traveling. They are made of rayon so you can work out in them. They will be used as a regular top, workout top and PJ top on my trip. Super versatile. Already worked out in one and the fabric was wicking and the swingy style allowed some nice airflow while running. The fabric is soft and not see through. I have a short torso so I like the length of the scoop neck."
Average rating (43 reviews): 4.1 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "This T-shirt is very good quality and goes perfectly with just about everything. I ordered one size up hoping it would be a little baggy but it wasn't as baggy as I wished it was. It's still very cute and I've been considering getting the black one."
Average rating (78 reviews): 4.3 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "I absolutely love this tee. It is my new favorite. The fabric is soft and thick. Even after multiple washes it is still soft. The sleeves are longer but not to the elbow. The length of the shirt goes past my hips so I have no worries I will show skin I want to keep covered."
JEANS
Average rating (1532 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "I tend to have a bit of a hard time finding jeans that fit my body well. I have a booty and thick thighs, so I need something that hugs my lower body in the right places and these jeans do just that! They're stretchy enough to make room for my curves which is a must for my body type."
Average rating (458 reviews): 4.3 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "These jeans fit very well and go in at the waist enough so that they don’t slide down but they also don’t rise up above my belly button. They hold up to more than one day of wear without losing their stretch. I am happy with the length (I could use another inch) for flats and sandals, but they will also work well with boots. Ankle boots may not work because I'd have too much skin showing between shoe and pant. Overall, though, they are great for the price and they accomplished what I was looking for."
Average rating (510 reviews): 4.3 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "The "Marilyn" fits me best because I like a higher waist. The fabric of this particular style number is of medium weight, what I would describe as traditional hammered darker blue jeans material (not summer lightweight). I really like them. I am 65, 5'7", 130 lbs, and the size 4 fit perfectly. It's important to remember that NYDJ should fit snug when new or clean out of the dryer, not tight, and because of the stretch of the fabric, they will miraculously loosen up to form fit your body after about half an hour."
LEGGINGS
Average rating (6,722 reviews): 4.2 out of 5 stars
Who What Wear editor review: Check out our editors' takes on these best-selling leggings.
Standout review: "These are definitely my new favorite leggings. I own them in four colors and plan to buy more. The colors of the actual leggings are just as bold and vibrant as the photos, which I love. They fit and frame my body like a glove and are also sooo soft and smooth. The high waistband is so helpful on days that I want to wear a crop top and not show too much. It also holds everything in so I don’t have to feel self conscious about my tummy. I can’t get over how soooffffttttt these leggings are. Usually leggings that are soft are a little too warm. These are great quality and feel silky smooth on my skin, keep me warm but are also breathable."
Average rating (11,835 reviews): 4.3 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "I don't know what kind of black magic sorcery they used to make these leggings so damn comfortable and NOT see-through. So buttery soft, warm, and flattering. Once I tried on my first pair and realized they're this amazing, I ordered a second pair because 'mom life' and I live in leggings. If you're debating wether or not to order these, do it."
Average rating (3627 reviews): 4.2 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "These are my favorite leggings, and I buy leggings a lot! I am 5'7", about 190lbs and bought a large, they fit perfect!! The best part about them (which is hard to find in most leggings) they are nowhere near see-through, even while doing squats. Some comments mention there is a seam that wasn't completely sewn in the waistband, it's not, it's actually a 'hidden' pocket and [is] quite convenient too. If I could give this a 10-star review I would!"
TANK TOPS
Average rating (1055 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "These are the awesomest inexpensive tank tops ever to be awesome. I'm really pleasantly surprised. They're a nice fabric and quality thickness and have solid hems and neck/armholes. I'm buying a bunch more right now. They are true to size."
Average rating (346 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "In the summer, I hit a point where I want to rebel against constantly wearing a bra. That's where these shirts come in. These are amazing for layering in spring/fall, but I have worn them stand alone in the summer as well. They are comfortable, semi-supportive without squeezing you in. (C cup so they've got some work here.) In a pinch, I even wore them to yoga class with no real issues. I can do stairs in the house with no problem, but I wouldn't go running in them. I have a longer than normal torso and I have no coverage issues or problems with the back constantly riding up during the day. A solid buy that will become a wardrobe staple for me."
Average rating (1,009 reviews): 3.9 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "This top is so flattering! I ordered my normal size and the flare is not so wide as to look like a maternity top; quite the opposite. It gives the "good old-fashioned tank top" a new look and I couldn't be happier. As a 50-year-old, I prefer to wear my tops untucked and with this top having the little flare at the bottom, it does not cling."
WHITE SNEAKERS
Average rating (345 reviews): 4.1 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "The cloud foam insole lives up to its name: they were comfortable from the get-go. I wasn't sure what to believe- there were reviews that said they fit a little big—a couple of reviews said they fit small. They do feel a little bit bigger but not enough for me to go down a size- especially if I wear them all day long. The style is classic court shoe—clean and without the ugly toe cap usually found on this style. The laces are way too long, an easy fix, I can live with buying a shorter pair of laces. If I had to say anything about the shoe that I would change is that I wish they had a bit more of an arch, which would make them better for all-day wear."
Average rating (155 reviews): 4.5 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "I have been shopping for white leather sneakers for some time and surprised that my childhood brand Keds actually make a great pair. It fits true to size and is very comfortable with no break-in required."
Average rating (2,442 reviews): 4.4 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "These are so much fun that just putting them on lifts my spirits! I love showing people the soles too. I was worried they wouldn't go with any of my outfits, but that kind of turned out to be the point. When I wear these, they just naturally become the focal point of my outfit, so it doesn't matter that they don't "blend" with much. As for comfort and fit, it's just as expected for Vans. In case this is your first pair, that means they're very comfortable and they fit great."
BODYSUITS
Average rating (24 reviews): 3.9 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "Honestly, I seldom find bodysuits that feel comfortable on my body. I'm tall and have a long torso, so they typically aren't "long enough". This bodysuit fits fine and isn't too snug (plus, it doesn't unsnap when I bend over). The fabric is very light, so it's ideal to wear under my sheer tops or layer under my other clothing depending upon the season. Thongs are tricky if you're not used to them, but I wear them on occasion so I don't find them uncomfortable."
Average rating (53 reviews): 3.9 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "This is such a cute and flattering top. Was very surprised at the material, I thought it would be thin because of the price but it’s actually well made. The bottom was just a tad long for me but I just sewed the buttons up."
Average rating (133 reviews): 3.2 out of 5 stars
Standout review: "These bodysuits are very well-made and maintain their fit all day. It doesn’t stretch much, either. The thong portion isn’t too thick so it's comfortable. The shirt bottom sits at the hip, so it's okay to wear with jeans or skirts. I'd say that a backless bra or going braless is a must so as not to show your bra."
Up next: may we interest you in some more fabulous Amazon content?
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The Trendiest Fashion Items Are Under $50 on Amazon
All the Fashion Items We're Buying on Amazon (Because of Instagram)
This post ran at an earlier date, and has since been updated.
Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.
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