It Took a Pandemic, But Now We Realize How Useful These 6 Basics Are

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(Image credit: @chloepierreldn)

As cliché as it may sound by now, we're a year and some change into living through a pandemic, and, well, I'm definitely still processing everything. I wish the tragedy it's wreaked never happened, but it did, and it's only human of me to try to find some sort of silver lining in all of it. As a fashion editor, I naturally do a lot of thinking about the state of my own closet, and what I've come to realize after so many months of living in nothing but sweatpants and loungewear is that I had never really given my wardrobe basics the time of day pre-pandemic. 

So, yes, it took an unprecedented global event to bring it to my attention, but now I finally realize just how valuable the below closet staples really are. Hey, better late than never. At the very least, the pandemic (which, let's be real, is far from over) has inspired me to give these items a new emphasis. So while I navigate the in-between lifestyle of going out more while continuing to work from home, you can bet I'll be keeping a healthy stock of these items in my rotation, this year and beyond.

1. Sweatshorts

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(Image credit: @kelseykotzur)

How did we ever get by without sweatshorts? They've nearly replaced all my joggers as the easy, at-home option.

2. Big Button-Downs

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(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Wear them with sweats, wear them unbuttoned as a layering piece, or wear them dressed up—the options are quite literally endless.

3. Ribbed Knitwear

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(Image credit: @chloepierreldn)

Ribbed anything—the detailed texture just makes any piece seem that much more luxurious. 

4. Thick Tube Socks

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(Image credit: @discodaydream)

Because shoes are so 2019.

5. Plain Racer Tanks

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(Image credit: @bellathomas)

The unofficial basic in fashion-girl closets everywhere.

6. All the Knit Sets

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(Image credit: @jordanrisa)

Versatile, comfortable, chic. Name a more useful wardrobe staple… I'll wait.

Up next: Retro Rewind: The Vintage Trend Everyone Will Wear This Summer

Senior Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.