I’m Adding These Practical and Elevated Basics to My Cart for Winter, Starting at $15
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Including a Spanx blazer and classic J.Crew turtleneck.
Spanx / J.Crew
I don’t know what it is about the end of the year, but my fingers are always itching to shop — even if there aren’t deals to be had. As a former fashion editor, though, what I’m searching for has changed over the years. I stop and think about how many times I’m likely to wear something and what fabric it’s made of, for example, rather than just buying something shiny that catches my eye.
Most of this has to do with practicality (I work from home in gremlin mode most days in sweats), but a lot of it has to do with simply needing less clothing and wanting to be more strategic with my outfits. Every now and then I’ll throw in a trendy shoe like a ballet flat or a viral internet-famous dress, but even these tend to veer toward the classic. In that spirit, here are five elevated basics I’ve got hovering in my cart this week that are practical, versatile, and bound to be in my rotation for a while:
J.Crew Tissue Turtleneck, $15–$60 (Originally $60); jcrew.com
J.Crew Ella Open Front Long Sweater Blazer, $70 (Originally 178); jcrew.com
Spanx The Perfect Oversized Blazer
Spanx
If you’ve never bought items outside of shapewear from Spanx, then you’re missing out — the brand has some of the best workwear basics out there, including its The Perfect Oversized Blazer, which is exactly as it says it is. Available in sizes XXS to 3XL, it’s just slouchy enough to give you a relaxed fit but fitted enough to be work-appropriate. The ponte fabric lies nicely, has four-way stretch, and is machine washable, making it a hassle-free option. It’s available in three neutrals — classic black, classic navy, and a navy and gray pinstripe.
J.Crew Tissue Turtleneck
J.Crew
We often brand things cult classics, but J.Crew’s Tissue Turtleneck is a cult classic if ever there was one, helping keep people in style in colder months since its inception in 2007. This year’s style is slightly shorter than past styles, making for a more modern fit. It’s available in tons of bright, poppy colors like festival red, emerald beryl, and polished azurite, as well as standby neutrals like white, black, and rich coffee. Available in sizes XXS to 3XL, it makes for a soft and cozy layering piece under larger sweaters, blazers, dresses and more.
Nordstrom Seamed Wide Leg Pants
Nordstrom
Instead of wading into the great debate about skinny pants, I’ve relied heavily on one style in the past few years to make me feel equal parts trendy and comfortable, and that’s a wide-leg. This style from Nordstrom’s in-house brand is elegant, with vertical seams that draw the eye down, making your legs look longer. A pull-on style and the fact that they’re machine washable satisfies my lazy side, and the leg opening is wide without being comically so. A little bit of Spandex helps give them stretch, too. The great thing about these basic wide-leg pants is that they’re essentially a blank canvas; you could dress them up with a cashmere turtleneck, blazer and heels or dress them down with a T-shirt and sneakers.
J.Crew Ella Open-Front Sweater Blazer
J.Crew
J.Crew is known for its layering pieces — it’s how the brand gets that effortless preppy cool look you just want to drink up. The Ella Open-Front Sweater Blazer is definitely a layering winner. Slightly oversized, it can be worn with everything from thick fishermen-style sweaters to tissue tees, depending on weather and dress code. Available in sizes XXS to 3XL, it comes in three neutral colors, heather birch, heather charcoal, and black, and is made from a cozy cotton blend to keep you warm. Plus, the shopper-loved style is on sale for 61 percent off right now.
Amazon Essentials Classic Crewneck T-Shirt
Amazon
If you love a basic tee, then you’ll know it can be hard to find a good one sometimes. That’s why when people on the internet find *the* one, they really lean in. Take this long-sleeved T-shirt on Amazon, which has more than 15,000 five-star ratings. One person said they’re “impressed by the fit, stretch, and softness,” while another reviewer said that it “washes up nicely, feels soft and isn’t too thin.” Made from a cotton jersey blend, this machine-washable T-shirt comes in more than 20 colors and in sizes XS to 6XL. It’s a great layering piece for under sweaters and blazers in fall and by itself in warmer months.
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