Real question dear Coveteur readers... when did basic become such a downer? It's just a little amusing that at the same time Valentino gowns were being paired with Nike Frees, seas of camel and navy were outnumbering neon at fashion weeks, and athleisure officially became a "thing", the word basic also gained a negative connotation and was violently flung into our every day vocabularies to describe anything too mainstream... along with goals, squad, bae—wait, are you cringing yet? Anyways, what we mean is, we don't really get it. Because for us, a great pair of flats (albeit Gucci), Mom jeans, simple sweaters, and wool coats are the epitome of basic. But in the truest sense of the word; they are the essential building blocks of our wardrobes, the items we turn to on the daily. And they're also chic and effortless. Which are two adjectives that are okay by us. So yeah, you can call us basic.
Noah Lehava
Senior Editor
The above is literally my uniform—there's no other way to describe it. Kind of basic? Yup. But what can I say? I'd rather get in an 15 extra minutes of sleep in the morning than spend it staring into the abyss of my closet, only to finally land on my tried-and-trues. A good pair of denim, sleek AF leather loafers (these need to be in my life ASAP), a tee or silk blouse (occasion depending), and a good lip (color dictated by my mood). It never fails. Ever.
Meagan Wilson
Senior Editor & Social Media Manager
Want to a) feel super cute and b) super pulled together during the most brutal months of the year? Find a pastel-y coat in a great, classic silhouette that looks and feels expensive. Strangers will feel compelled to compliment you on the street and it makes you look pulled together even when you're wearing really weird outfits culled together while hungover.
I wish I fucked with jeans, but I don't. So: a crisp trapeze-y Stella McCartney dress. Because nothing says that you have your shit together like wearing white.
Finish the whole things off with classic, black sued loafers with pointy toes, plus an embellished heel to keep things from being boring. See also: compliment city. Business in the front, party in the back, et cetera.
Alicia Cesaro
Editor
I never thought I'd make a Nickelodeon reference in fashion, but there's a first for everything. You know how Doug Funnie had a closet filled with the same exact items? It was all green sweater vests, white polos and khaki shorts. Well, that's how I see my wardrobe as of late. Minus the green sweater vests, white polos and khaki shorts. Instead, it's mostly, well-worn denim, black and cream silk shirts and pairs on pairs of flats (although New York winter has other footwear plans in mind). It's basically the boring cousin and polar opposite to Jen Mankins' hyperbole of a wardrobe. Blame it on years of private school, but I've always thought having a uniform was the best; I've just been waiting to garner an adult version. And just FYI, I think Doug would be into it, too.
Emily Ramshaw
Senior Editor
Especially in the winter, I wear close to the same thing every single day. I would say that it's boring, but there's nothing that makes me feel better than a great sweater, a pair of well-worn denim and some really good boots (I so badly want this Isabel Marant pair, it's not even fair). Basic 4ever.