8 Basics That Deliver, No Matter Where in the World You Live

Something I've discovered since becoming a Who What Wear editor is that people love basics. Jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, jackets—you name it. These wildly versatile items are the bread and butter of a wardrobe, and they should make up a good portion of our wardrobes, so it's understandable that people want to know what the most essential staples are.

I currently follow 1300 Instagram accounts, many of which are stylish women around the world. And, naturally, they wear lots of basics. Among those basics are a handful of items I see so much that I hardly even notice them anymore, but they definitely shouldn't go unnoticed in your closet. The differences between how people dress in cities around the world are vast, so the fact that women that reside in (or are visiting) these cities around the globe have basics in common is significant. 

Keep scrolling to see and shop the eight basics I regularly spot on women around the world.

White Tank Tops

Are white tank tops the new white T-shirts? That might be a stretch, but everyone is wearing them as both a layering piece and on their own. Just makes sure it's fitted and preferably ribbed.

Pictured below: Atlanta, Greece, and L.A.

My pick:

Double-Breasted Blazers

The fashion-girl love affair with oversize blazers will never die. And when they go with everything from bike shorts to dresses to skinny jeans, why should they? If you want the coolest fit, opt for a double-breasted style.

Pictured below: NYC, Copenhagen, London

My pick:

Slip Dresses

I feel like a bit of a broken record talking about slip dresses, but they're too timeless and versatile of a dress style not to talk about (and wear) all the time.

Pictured below: India, Australia, Egypt

My pick:

Cardigans

Cardigans are one of those buzzy "grandma" trends everyone is wearing, but I don't believe they ever really went away. Whether fitted and cropped or long and loose, cardigans are a favorite of the global fashion crowd.

Pictured below: Paris, NYC, Lisbon

My pick:

White Pumps

Remember when white pumps were just a trend that we all thought would fade away? It's now clear that it's hardly a passing fling we're having with them. I routinely spot them in my Instagram feed being worn by women around the world.

Pictured below: Cannes, Milan, Paris

My pick:

Trench Coats

Trench coats may be a bit "boring" to buy, but when you see how much chicer it makes any outfit it touches look, you won't be bored anymore.

Pictured below: Milan, Hamburg, London

My pick:

Straight-Leg Jeans

Of course jeans are a wardrobe staple, but straight-leg jeans have truly achieved worldwide cool-girl domination.

Pictured below: Qatar, NYC, London

My pick:

Strappy Sandals

Sure, this is a bit seasonal, but the number of strappy sandals I see during certain months of the year is significant. (There's also the lucky L.A. and Miami girls who get to wear them year-round.)

Pictured below: Copenhagen, London, Milan

My pick:

Next up, 11 summer wardrobe staples women over 40 never forget to buy.