Basics
Oct 29, 2021

5 Items That Aren't Really "Basics" But Should Be

by Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour

Whether it be for autumn, another season, or year-round, we all know the typical checklist for fashion basics. It includes (but isn’t limited to) tees, jeans, button-downs, trainers, and more. However, there are certain pieces not on those lists that—within my own wardrobe, among our editorial team, and throughout the fashion industry at large—are, at this point, so common and essential they’re due for an upgrade. Sure, they seemed just like regular trends at first, but when something sticks around long enough or makes a big impression within a short amount of time, it deserves to be recategorized accordingly.

As you probably guessed, today, I’m here to show, tell, and sell you on six such pieces. From shackets to sweater sets, these are the cool, new “basics” every fashion person is wearing on repeat. Trust me—you won’t regret investing in these. To see everything that made the cut, learn how they’re being styled, and, of course, shop them along the way, simply keep scrolling.

Photo:

@dinahansen

I own more of these than I'm willing to admit, so let's just say they are certainly basics in my book.

Zara

Corduroy Overshirt

£30

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Corduroy and this exact shade of green are two of my favorite things, so you know who's buying this.

H&M

Quilted Shirt Jacket

£30

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The quilting and ruffled collar take this to the next level.

Photo:

@basicstouch

You may have noticed that these are back, but in case you were unsure, they don't seem to be going away anytime soon. Wear it alone or over a long-sleeve shirt, depending on the climate.