I recently sorted through my wardrobe, and as a former data analyst, I noticed two things: 1. I almost always wear the same items—that is, basics. 2. Yet my wardrobe is made up of about 80% statement pieces (think beautiful coats, blazers, delicate cashmere sweaters, tailored trousers, occasion dresses, etc.). I believe it’s because when I purchase something, I want value for my money and prefer pieces with unique details or superior quality to justify the price (and probably to rationalize an impulsive or emotional buy ;)! ).
Am I the only one in this situation? Take a look at your own wardrobe, and let me know in the comments if you can relate ;).
The conclusion is simple: I use only about 20% of the items in my wardrobe. So this week, I felt the urge to restock my wardrobe with all those basics I love to wear and asked myself: where can I buy these? By basics, I mean short- or long-sleeved T-shirts to layer under sweaters, classic shirts, fine-knit sweaters, and knitwear that are easy to machine wash (I’m a bit tired of hand-washing my super delicate and expensive knitwear), comfortable yet chic jeans, cozy socks, and also pajamas and loungewear (I work from home, so loungewear is super important for me—and maybe for you too?). While I love investing in quality statement pieces (mainly coats, bags, and shoes), I’m a bit more hesitant to buy expensive basics that need to be replaced regularly (if a beautiful coat or bag can last a lifetime, I’m not sure the same applies to a T-shirt).
So, after spending my weekend and week searching for affordable basics that are easy to care for and remain effortlessly chic, whether worn alone or paired with statement pieces, I thought the results of my research might interest you as well. In today’s article, I’m sharing all the chic basics I’ve found and the ones I’ve purchased :). I hope you find it useful!
This post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. I only feature products I truly love and personally select. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Merci!
Chic Basics I’m Loving Right Now—and Where to Find Them
1. Long-Sleeved T-Shirts
I think this is the wardrobe essential that’s easiest to wear every day. Just tuck it into a straight-leg or wide-leg pair of jeans (whichever you prefer), add a simple leather belt (I recently got this one from Sandro), and then finish off with ankle boots, loafers, or sneakers for extra comfort. Top it all with a great coat, et voilà! It’s really the coat, shoes, and bag—those statement pieces—that elevate this look, giving it a chic touch while keeping it effortlessly chic.
I’ve found some great long-sleeved T-shirts at Mango that are perfect for layering or wearing on their own. They’re all machine-washable and super affordable: first, this black round-neck long-sleeved T-shirt; then this classic boat-neck long-sleeved tee; there’s also this sand-colored knitted long-sleeve, this light pastel grey pointelle T-shirt, and finally, this ribbed knit T-shirt, which I loved so much I bought it in three colors!
In a similar style and price range, I recommend checking out brands like J.Crew, Madewell, and Everlane (I’m especially thinking of the Luxe rib long-sleeve crew) for great basics as well.
2. Classic Yet Chic Shirts
I’ve recently had a “coup de coeur” for the Parisian shirt brand Marie Marot! A few weeks ago, she kindly sent me the Amber shirt (with no obligation to post), and after wearing it to a soirée with friends in Bordeaux last Saturday, I’m absolutely obsessed! The fit is just perfect—not too tight (I can’t stand feeling restricted in my shirts) and not too loose. The fabric is beautiful, and I love the little details like the collar design and the discreet “MM” logo embroidered on the right sleeve.
These shirts are effortlessly versatile for everyday wear; you can tuck them into jeans with a simple leather belt or style them as Marie does with classic cropped tailored trousers and Gucci Jordaan loafers. And as the saying goes, “quand on aime on ne compte pas” (meaning “when you love something, you don’t hold back,”) so I’ve added a few more Marie Marot shirts to my shopping wishlist, especially from the latest collection—the Riva (yes, I have a definite weakness for blue!).
3. Pajamas & Loungewear
I’m also loving Marie Marot’s pajama pants—they’re so chic! Especially the Ellie style, which is perfectly paired with a classic white tank, a T-shirt (you probably already have one in your closet), or a cozy long-sleeve knit like this ribbed T-shirt from Mango. If you’re looking for a matching pajama set, I just picked up these adorable pajama pants and a matching shirt. And I couldn’t resist adding these chunky knit socks to my cart for a cozy winter!
4. Cozy Sweaters
Finally, I found some lovely, cozy sweaters for winter that pair perfectly with any jeans or trousers and are easy to care for—machine wash cold, gentle cycle. This gorgeous beige pure cashmere crewneck from COS caught my eye, along with a thicker knit turtleneck that looks ultra-cozy and would layer beautifully under a beige blazer (check out my latest article if you’re on the hunt for a chic beige blazer for fall/winter).
Et voilà! I hope my guide helps you stock up on warm, chic, and cozy basics for the winter ahead :). À la prochaine!
This post is most timely for me as I have been going through that typical fall clean-out. With styles changing and a trend toward a more casual lifestyle I find I am not wearing my dressier pieces as often. But, I have a hard time letting go of them. In the south we tend to be a bit dressier anyway, but even that is changing. I bought a cashmere sweater in a lovely shade of blue, sort of an ice blue, from Quince, and I was amazed at the quality for the price, $50. I kept seeing their ads so decided to give them a try and I wasn’t disappointed. Check it out.
Thank you so much for your comment! I completely understand the struggle of letting go of dressier pieces, especially with lifestyle changes affecting our wardrobes. I won’t miss the chance to check out this brand, merci for your recommendation :)!
For the past two years, I’ve donated so much clothing and been able to flip my wardrobe to 80% basics and 20% statements. The 20% still sits in my closet ready for my fantasy life but still barely touched. My 80% makes me so happy, comfortable and most like myself. My go to brands are The Great, Alex Mill, Xirena, and a beautiful Canadian company called Ca Va de Soi – my all time favourite for exquisite cottons.
Thank you so much, Gk, for sharing this! It sounds like you’ve created a beautifully curated wardrobe with just the right mix of timeless basics and those special pieces for your “fantasy life” (and I have to say, I love that term—I totally relate whenever I’m shopping for clothes!). I’ll definitely check out your go-to brands; they sound wonderful. So glad to have you as part of this community!
This brilliant post make me feel there is hope. That deep V washable sweater underneath our cashmere sweaters is essential, keep asking washing machine manufacturers for more stable drums so we can was our sweaters in the machine. We did so before digital and there was a wool mark! Remember. So you could machine wash. Any vintage coats you want to sell. Jamela King.
Bonjour Jamela and thank you for your thoughtful comment! I’m so glad you found hope in this post :). You’re absolutely right about the beauty of a washable sweater; it’s such a practical layering piece, especially under cashmere. And yes, it’s true; there was a time when we could count on those washing machine wool settings! Here’s hoping manufacturers bring that level of stability back. As for vintage coats, I’ll definitely keep those tips in mind. Merci <3