I Like My Basics to Have a Little Spice, and These 29 Fit the Bill

If you were to get a glimpse at my closet you would see that my loyalty to fashion basics runs deep. I can't help it—as a mother of two little ones, dependable, stylish pieces make it super easy to get dressed in the morning. That's not to say that I don't like to have a little fun along the way—I am all about injecting fun basics into my usual outfit rotation.
In fact, I get a sartorial thrill when I come across a piece that fits the bill. It's often unexpected. Sometimes it happens while I shop my usual online haunts or even while perusing my favorite style muses on my Instagram feed. Nothing compares to landing on a classic with a twist. This season's highlights for me so far are all about subtle details like ruffles, micro pleats, cheeky earrings, cutouts, square-toed shoes, and much more. Keep scrolling to shop 29 fun basics I have my eye on at the moment. Trust me—it's taking a lot of strength from me to not add all of these to my virtual cart.
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Rather than your usual tan trench coat, give a cool green option a try. Bonus points if it's on the longer side.
Here for the waves and the '90s Gwyneth Paltrow vibes. Wear with the matching skirt for the ultimate look.
Try a striped shirtdress rather than a solid color. For a more fashion-forward boost, wear over pants or jeans.
Rather than a basic tank top, I'm opting for a more modern racerback cut instead.
Oh, hello, peekaboo shoulder. I can see this worn with jeans or a cool midi skirt.
Upgrade your usual black crewneck bodysuit for this standout option.
A French-inspired black tweed jacket can easily take the place of a basic black blazer from time to time.
Instead of your usual loafers try an edgy square-toe version with chunky chain detailing.
I am super into oversize blazers lately, as they give more dimension than the usual silhouette.
This turtleneck is a major upgrade to the usual style with its pleats and ruffled neck.
A bold midi skirt helps to inject some print and color. Help ground the statement piece with a neutral cardigan and simple slide sandals.
A classic striped sweater is great, but shake things up with a cool collared option.
The subtle side cutouts make this dress standout among the other puff-sleeve styles.
Lately, I've been living in solid color fleeces, but I am very into this one's colorblock details.
Strappy sandals are everywhere this season making them a basic in my book, but a different color like this light blue makes helps them stand out from the crowd.
I'll take this interesting woven tote bag over my usual black leather go-to.
Is it weird that I get a subtle thrill out of striped shirts that aren't black and white? Love this tan take on the classic.
I can't help but covet Monikh's stamped Loewe bag. It's most definitely a splurge, but I can totally see getting a lot of wear out of the style.
Stirrup leggings add some flair to your usual leggings uniform.
I'm here for chocolate brown dresses this season. It's a nice break from the usual black number.
Anissa Kermiche has the cheekiest designs (no pun intended), and this little guy is a quirky substitute for your everyday studded earrings.
This sweater gives the pullover trend an even more interesting neckline.
How fun is this checkered nightdress? Some may even be bold enough to wear it as an actual look.
A bold pair of sunglasses in an interesting shape and color other than black cat-eyes is one easy way to add a little spice.
Opt for a fun graphic print wrap dress and wear with edgy shoes for the maximum effect.
As I mentioned earlier, I am super in chocolate browns as of late, so why not incorporate that into my activewear collection as well?
The two-toned denim trend is starting to pop up more and more. Love the classic cut of this pair.
Next: 29 Affordable Picks I Think Are Immune to the Trend Cycle
Jennifer Camp Forbes is a senior shopping editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities including creative director and various editor roles. She’s a well-known shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups. Jennifer's lifelong interest in fashion led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion.
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