I Moved From Sydney to NYC—I Wear These 5 Trendy Basics in Both Cities

After spending most of my 20s as a New Zealander living in Sydney, I've just had my eight-year anniversary of officially moving to New York. They're two very different cities with two very different lifestyles, but in terms of fashion essentials, there's a lot that translates. I'm personally thrilled that New York is finally on the flip-flop train. There are a few other key fashion items in my wardrobe that have traveled with me all the way from my sunny little Bondi Beach flat to my New York City apartment, pieces that have remained just as relevant as I changed cities and moved into my 30s.

The strength of great basics is that they're versatile enough to be styled approximately a zillion different ways. They travel well, and they evolve with the mood of the city I'm in. As someone who travels a bunch, I'd argue that this is the greatest test when it comes to the fashion basics that are the building blocks of my wardrobe—do they only feel right in one place and worn in one specific way, or can I reimagine styling them again and again? Do they begin to feel dated, or do I find myself looking for new iterations of them season after season? These five transeasonal basics pass the versatility test while still feeling on-trend and relevant this fall. Here's where to shop these cool and classic pieces for the season ahead.

Liquid Pants 

I love relaxed silky or satiny pants year-round. The vibe is very chill thanks to the elastic waist and perfect pairing with flats yet elevated because the fabric feels a bit fancy. They pair as perfectly with oversize button-downs and chunky knits as they do with blazers and tanks.

Oversize White Tee

An oversize white tee is hardly revolutionary but absolutely essential. The Tibi style that I'm wearing here is such a great find. The weight of the fabric brings a little structure to the silhouette and is perfect as we head into fall.

Crewneck Cardigan

I've become an absolute cardigan convert, whether it's cropped or long, a Prada-coded gray or a pop of color. I'm admittedly a bit late to the game, but it turns out an unexpectedly preppy touch is the perfect quirk to carry my favorite summer looks into fall.

Creamy Jeans

They seem like more of a spring and summer staple, but I wear my creamy-hued jeans much more during the cooler months. It's so easy for me to slip into the habit of all-black outfits, so having go-to denim in a lighter neutral is an easy, instant refresh.

Black Blazer

My wardrobe is home to several black blazers—from a relaxed Zara style that I've had for almost six years to slightly cinched hourglass silhouettes to a new cropped, collarless style from a great New Zealand brand called Harris Tapper. As a blazer is guaranteed to reliably get me through everything from last-minute meetings to fancy weddings, I never travel without one.