Metallics! Rosettes! No pants! There's no doubt we editors love a fresh and exciting trend to get our sartorial juices flowing, but equally as important in our wardrobes (if not more) are the reliable basics that we lean on time and again that ground our looks. These are the bread and butter of our wardrobes that we turn to daily, and they serve as the perfect backdrop to style with statement pieces.
So today, I asked a handful of our editors to share the trusty and affordable staples that they wear all the time that cost under $100. From everyday jeans to the perfect white tank tops, keep scrolling for plenty of inspiration from your friends who shop, write about, and are immersed in all things fashion day in and day out.
"No matter how many designer jeans I've tried, Levi's 501s are a must-have in my denim collection."
"If reliability is what you're looking for, these Sheertex tights are it to a T. I've been wearing and washing mine for years now, and they've never once snagged. They also don't pill or fade one bit."
"Finding the perfect tank top is a journey every fashion person goes on and oftentimes fails at. But after lots of testing and miserable attempts, this Hanes x Re/Done style is one of the only styles I've found that checks off every box."
"I wear these basically every day when the weather is warm. They're so light and comfortable. Take my advice and order them now—they sell out every summer without fail."
"Everyone needs a good turtleneck, and this one is my personal favorite. It's fitted enough to layer but not too tight, and it's the perfect slightly cropped length for when you don't want to deal with tucking your shirt in."
"This H&M sweater looks expensive, but my secret is that it's not. I've had it for years, and it's still in great shape. On days that I find myself pushing past my expensive cashmere options for this under-$50 moment, I remind myself that not everything has to have a hefty price tag."
"I'm over hiding my hair with beanies in the winter. This faux-fur headband makes one of my favorite designer brands accessible to all, and I just love that. It goes with everything, and people are always complimenting me on it."
"When it comes to reliable yet trend-forward jeans, this relaxed pair from Mango is an absolute winner. They fit beautifully, they're super comfortable, and they're easy to dress up or down. I bought them in various washes because I love them that much!"
"I own a lot of white tank tops, but I'll always reach for this Topshop one when I'm looking for a relaxed fit. The silhouette and U-neck are super flattering and easy to wear."
"It sneakers may come and go, but the Reebok Club C 85s are the anti-trend pair I always go back to. Yep, I'm already on my third pair."
"You might be surprised to learn that the white T-shirt I'm giving a rave review to is from Express, but lo and behold, it deserves all the praise. It's made from this sculpting material that smooths everything out for an always pulled-together look."
"When it comes to T-shirts, I swear by styles from both Bombas and Mott & Bow. They're comfortable and hold up flawlessly in the wash."
"I truly don't know how I operated before these sweater sleeves entered my life. They're so great for that in-between weather when it feels like committing to a whole coat or jacket seems like too much. I have it in both white and black, and I've worn it with a variety of tops and dresses."
"This is my favorite white button-down. I wear it so often, and it's really held up. I've tried a few other white button-downs from other brands, but this one is definitely the best."
"I'm absolutely obsessed with the fact that Old Navy has tall sizing, and I took full advantage of this with my recent denim haul. I love these wide-leg jeans, which are so on-trend right now. I wore them all over Zurich, and they were super comfortable and looked excellent styled with my ankle boots. In addition to tall sizes, they're also available in regular and petite."
"This may be my best purchase of 2023 so far. I first discovered these chunky Gap sweaters while scrolling through TikTok, and after searching for an expensive-looking turtleneck sweater, this solidly does the trick. Toteme lovers, beware: This sweater is constantly out of stock, but thankfully, the beige-and-oat colorway is available right now."
"Shopping for denim as a plus-size fashion editor is always a struggle, but these comfortable H&M jeans have been my favorite pair for years. I have at least five or six in my closet at this point. Not only are they affordable and go with everything, but they're also stretchy enough for days when I want to feel a bit more comfortable while lounging around or working in the office."
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