I Made a List of 15 Anti-Trend Pieces I Would Recommend Investing In

Recently, I’ve been thinking more about how to create a closet that has all of the cool wardrobe staples I want to wear again and again. While I have plenty of tried and true basics, there are some pieces that are glaringly missing. Yes, I have items like straight-leg jeans and button-down shirts that are mainstays in my everyday looks, but other items including strappy heels and a classic watch are absent. To figure out the building block pieces I want to invest in, I made a list of the key anti-trend pieces I personally think are important wardrobe essentials.

Ahead, see the 15 cool wardrobe staples that made the cut. Here, I included everything from affordable basics to investment pieces that you can wear forever. I’ll be working on acquiring each of the pieces on this list over time since they’re so versatile and withstand the seasonal trends.

Tailored Trousers

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Tailored pieces always read as polished, and I would recommend ordering a great pair of trousers if you don't already have some.

Leather Flats

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(Image credit: @clairerose)

As we head into summer, leather flats are a great item to order, whether you're headed on vacation or not.

Crisp Button-Downs

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(Image credit: @champagnemani)

The styling possibilities of a crisp button-down shirt are endless.

Tweed Jackets

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(Image credit: @ariviere)

A tweed jacket is one of the easiest ways to look instantly polished.

Straight-Leg Jeans

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(Image credit: @fakerstrom)

Straight-leg jeans are the silhouette that withstands every other denim trend.

Classic Watches

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(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen)

A beautiful timepiece will never go out of style.

Retro Sneakers

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

There is a reason retro sneakers keep coming back.

White T-Shirts

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(Image credit: @palomija)

The ultimate basic.

Structured Bags

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(Image credit: @pernilleteisbaek)

A structured bag makes any look feel elegant and pulled-together.

Denim Shirts

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(Image credit: @anoukyve)

If you want a button-down with a more casual vibe, go for a denim style.

Baseball Hats

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(Image credit: @basicstouch)

Sun protection has never looked so good.

Strappy Heels

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(Image credit: @jordanrisa)

Strappy heels are the versatile shoe to wear with everything from trousers to dresses.

Classic Sunglasses

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(Image credit: @sophiaroe)

Sunglasses trends can be fleeting, but you can never go wrong with a classic shape like wayfarers.

Loafers

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(Image credit: @deborabrosa)

To wear all year long.

Tailored Blazers

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(Image credit: @filippahagg)

Just add jeans and a button-down top.

Next: I'm Going Through a '90s-Fashion Phase—35 Pieces Sitting in My Cart

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.