I'm Ignoring Boring Basics and Adding These 6 to My Closet Instead

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Mara Hoffman)

My core idea about getting dressed revolves around having a closet that is stocked with amazing basics that I want to wear again and again. For me, that’s the easiest and most foolproof way to get an outfit together without thinking about it too much. Or, pulling off something a little more "styled”, but having the essential items needed to pull it off. That’s why my wardrobe is pretty much built around a collection of great basics, with an exception for some special pieces that are in the mix.

My idea of solid basics shifted a bit recently, though. On the S/S 21 runways, I spotted a number of wardrobe essentials that were tweaked and updated from the standard silhouettes I have in my closet. Button-down tops were found in oversized proportions, jeans were relaxed and baggy, and dresses were in maxi lengths with long sleeves and body-skimming silhouettes. All of these feel like such cool, trendy fashion basics that I need in my closet immediately and I think have true staying power as we look to fashion in 2021.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Chloé; Courtesy of Louis Vuitton)

I've had my eye on the relaxed suiting trend this year and have adopted some pieces into my own wardrobe, including oversize blazers and trousers. The trousers I've been wearing can definitely be described as loose, but the ones we'll be seeing in 2021 are a whole new version that take the word relaxed to the extreme in the best possible way.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Valentino; Courtesy of The Row)

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I've been living in button-downs this year—especially upsized versions. So, when I saw the oversize silhouettes that were on the runways everywhere from Valentino to The Row, I instantly knew they were a piece I would want in my closet immediately.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel; Courtesy of Victoria Beckham)

In the past, I've tended to gravitate towards more tailored styles of denim. In the past couple of years, though, I've been all about the wider, looser jeans that have been arriving on the market. Now, we're seeing the baggiest styles in years—including cuts in the S/S 21 collections of Chanel and Victoria Beckham, so you know they're going to be big.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Miu Miu; Courtesy of Prada)

You've probably heard our editors talk about second-skin tops before and that's because we're obsessed with them. It's is a must-buy piece for 2021. This is the item I'll be wearing with everything from a simple outfit with jeans to the Prada-inspired look above

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Baum und Pferdgarten; Courtesy of Mara Hoffman)

If you're looking for a luxe alternative to a regular tee, a knit polo is what you'll want to add to your closet. With everything from warm, cozy sweaters to tissue-thin versions, this is a piece you can add to your look any time of the year.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Sportmax; Courtesy of Peter Do)

While long-sleeve tees and turtlenecks are a key piece in my wardrobe, I've never tried out their dress counterparts. After spotting so many of these long-sleeve maxi dresses on the runways, though, I'm convinced I need this silhouette in my closet.

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Next, read up on the pillow shoe trend.

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.