6 Timeless Basics My Niece, Sisters, Mom, and I All Appreciate

In my family, there happen to be a lot of women. My mom, for one, has two sisters, three daughters, and even three granddaughters already, and she's not even 60 yet. Growing up, this definitely had its perks, the most relevant of which being that there was always someone to borrow something to wear from. More recently, the dynamic has evolved on a deeper level and manifested itself into a strong bond among women spanning many decades, with fashion being just one of many things we have in common.

Since fashion is the main focus of this site (and my job), let's dive into that some more. Sure, my mom's not necessarily interested in dressing like a TikToker, and my 12-year-old niece has probably never clicked on the suiting tab of her favorite online shop, but among all of us and despite our ages, there are basic essentials we all appreciate and acknowledge as being a crucial part of a well-balanced wardrobe. What are they? Just keep scrolling to find out and to shop our picks for each. 

Given that there are so many ways to style them, it's no wonder women of all ages can appreciate the classic button-down. While my mom opts for a buttoned-and-tucked situation, my niece and I prefer to wear them open and layered.

With so many options to choose from at any budget, the shoulder bag is really a cross-generational staple and, to be honest, I'd be happy with any of the below.

I don't know where my wardrobe would be right now if cardigans didn't come back in such a major way over the last few years. Naturally, my squad agrees.

Want to feel casual but still polished? Throw on a clean pair of white sneakers with jeans and a blouse. Want to look cool and low-key? Pair white sneakers with your favorite trendy dress. 

After polling the group, we all unanimously agreed that straight-leg jeans are the style to wear right now. Whether you opt for longer, shorter, dark wash, light, or distressed is up to you.

It goes without saying, but none of us could get dressed on a day-to-day basis without an arsenal of basic white and black tees. 

Next: 33 Cheap Finds You'll Wear This Summer, Fall, and Beyond