4 Basics I Wear Under Jackets and Sweaters Every Damn Day

I love investing in fun jackets and coats, but I really can't be bothered to switch up the pieces I wear underneath them. I've accumulated a core basics collection that has proven time and time again to work with every single thing in my closet. If it ain't broke, why fix it? I keep my tees, sweaters, and jeans very simple and instead spend my money on quality outerwear.
Below, I've rounded up the four basics that I swear by for fall and winter. I wear them with everything from shearling jackets in Sweden, satin blazers in L.A., and double-breasted coats in Italy. (Yes, I had to use photos from different cities because it's still sweltering out in L.A. in early November). Scroll down to see and shop my favorite basics to wear under jackets and coats.
1. Black Mock-Neck Sweater
My black mock-neck sweater gets a ton of wear this time of year. I prefer it to a full-on turtleneck because it's less stuffy to wear while inside with the heat on. I also think it's quite professional-looking for the office.
What I'm Wearing: Topshop jacket and mock-neck sweater; Frame jeans
2. Band Tee
My top drawer is reserved exclusively for my special band tees, many of which I've picked up at concerts for Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and more. Besides the real-deal concert merch, my favorite brand for band tees is Madeworn. They're pricey, but they have this amazing broken-in feeling I love.
What I'm Wearing: House of Harlow 1960 jacket; Madeworn T-shirt
3. White Crewneck T-Shirt or Sweater
On my recent trip to Italy, I packed my new favorite Veronica Beard coat along with my fail-safe wardrobe basic: X Karla's crewneck T-shirt. For colder climates, a white sweater is one of my all-time favorite pieces.
What I'm Wearing: Veronica Beard Senna Coat ($795); x Karla The Crew Tee ($30); Reformation Vintage High Straight Jeans in Sydney ($128); Dôen Mary Jane Slippers ($188)
4. Colorful Striped Sweater
Now it's time to have a little more fun. In addition to the aforementioned basics, I also love a striped sweater to wear under jackets and coats and I always stock up on new ones every year.
What I'm Wearing: Ganni jacket; Stine Goya sweater; J.Crew jeans; Warby Parker sunglasses; Gimaguas bag
Next, five investment jewelry pieces that are rivaling Rolex watches.

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern in 2011—back when the site only published a single story per day. (We have since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC and lives in Los Angeles. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2015, where she is now the Associate Director of Fashion News. From the Oscars to the Met Gala, she leads the site's entire red carpet coverage strategy. She specializes in celebrity and fashion news but also enjoys writing travel features and runway reports. She frequently contributes to WWW's social accounts and has a sizable following on her personal TikTok.
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