Trust Me—Buy These 22 Basics
Today I’ll be rounding up some of my favourite pieces of late but with more of a personal spin than your usual shopping story because it focuses on what I’m actually wearing in real life—not just eyeing up on the internet. This time I'm focusing on the items in my wardrobe that I use more than anything else: my basics.
Despite loving a statement piece here and there, I describe my day-to-day style as simple, so you can imagine how seriously I take my essentials like T-shirts, jeans, sandals, and more. Are you ready to learn what made the cut? Just keep scrolling to shop my absolute favourite basics of all time.
Jackets
Whether it's to work, for nights out, or travelling, I rarely go more than a couple of days without wearing this black denim jacket.
If you're looking for the perfect, polished black blazer that's interesting but not overly trendy, this is it.
I invested in this biker jacket a few years ago, and I'm so happy I did. It gets better with time as I wear it more and more, and I always have a million uses for it.
Tops
At 5'2", anything cropped is pretty much normal length on me, and this sweatshirt from Cotton Citizen is the perfect everyday jumper.
If you're looking for a super-simple, affordable white T-shirt, this is it. It has a boxy cut that's classic and tucks well into jeans.
The three-quarter sleeve and thick material of this top gives it an almost dressy vibe, so I wear this a lot in evenings.
I have an old Reformation bodysuit that's very similar to this that's perfect for wearing with midi skirts. It's super tight so it gives a really polished feel.
This tee is also 100% cotton, but has a softer feel than the Hanes one and a more relaxed, vintage-inspired look.
This mock-neck top is perfect in white because it's not see-through, but also not super thick.
Trousers
Yes, I have them in this faded black too, which brings the total to three pairs of these exact jeans.
These leather pants are the perfect alternative to jeans when you want to make a little more of a statement with your outfit.
After minorly tapering the leg of these (since I'm on the shorter side the flare looked a little exaggerated on me), they became my go-to "dressy" jeans. You know when you probably shouldn't wear jeans to something but really want to so you need a pair that's definitely not distressed and especially nice? That's these for me. I even wore them to my wedding rehearsal dinner.
I have an old pair of leather pants from H&M that I bought over four years ago and are very similar to these. They're the perfect cut and fit just like jeans, so they're a no-brainer to style.
Shoes
One of my latest (and greatest) buys are these perfectly minimalist heeled sandals from Aquazzura. They go with pretty much any dress or evening outfit.
This is similar to the colour of my favourite trainers—my Air Max 97s—and I highly recommend getting them before they're gone. I love how comfortable they are, the little bit of added height, and how the metallic colour scheme goes with everything.
These comfortable and classic Manolos (that I borrowed from my mother) are my go-to pumps.
I have these in black (though I'm starting to think I need this new colour, too) and I think I wore them six out of seven days a week last summer. They're so flattering and comfortable.
These simple Western boots are also hands down the most comfortable shoes I own. They have some kind of cushion at the ball of your foot that feels like a pillow.
Another recent buy, these block heels are comfortable enough to wear all day but also high enough to serve as a good shoe for night. I love how they're basic but still interesting.
Up next? See our guide to the key trends for spring summer 2019.
Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2024, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.
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