I'm Shopbop's Fashion Director—These Are the Basics That Signify a Great Closet
Shopbop's fashion director, Caroline Maguire, is one of the industry insiders we turn to on a regular basis for fresh shopping tips given her sharp eye and unique personal style. While she recently provided insight into the key fall trends to consider, we thought we'd move to the other end of the sartorial spectrum to garner her advice on the specific basics she also thinks are worth it.
Maguire believes that incorporating one or all of these seven elevated basics can help signify a great closet because each is incredibly versatile and can help balance out a wardrobe. Essentially, you could take one of the staples in question and style it in a multitude of ways to create standout looks.
Keep scrolling to check out Maguire's full list. And because Shopbop always stocks an A+ assortment of basics, you'll also find product recommendations throughout. Oh, and the brand recently launched Shopbop Men, so there are a few men's items included if that's of interest.
1. Long-Sleeve Tee or Henley
"Everyone needs a good long-sleeve tee. They're great for layering and are the perfect basic to wear as a transitional piece between seasons."
2. Wide-Leg or Straight-Leg Denim
"Wide-leg denim is a must-have and should be a staple in everyone's closet. I am loving the pleated front on this Citizens of Humanity pair—it's a fun way to spice up any look."
3. Chunky Cardigan
"Everyone needs a chunky cardigan for fall! Comfortable and cozy, it's the perfect piece to add to your closet as it starts to get cooler out."
4. Classic White Tee
"A classic for any season. Amo has the best basic white tees."
5. Comfy Boots
"I am loving Ugg's Classic Mini Boots. These easy pull-ons are great when you're on the go—they are perfect for when I am picking up and dropping off my kids at school."
6. Gold Huggies or Hoops
"A classic pair of huggie hoops are timeless and always on-trend. I'm never taking these off!"
7. Tote Bag
"Everyone needs a universal tote. They're great for running errands and stashing everything in all at once! I love this versatile quilted Kassl bag. You can wear it as a tote or as a long shoulder bag."
Next, check out more chic basics.

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent 10 years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises.
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