The Easiest (and Chicest) Basics to Throw On When You Have Zero Creativity
I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of decision fatigue, but it’s what happens to us at the end of the day when we’ve used up nearly all of our energy reserves making, well, decisions. We’re busy people, which means we make so many choices throughout the day. From what to eat for dinner to how to word that client email, we’ve got a lot on our minds. That’s why when it comes to dressing, I like to keep things easy and rely on a carefully curated arsenal of basics to make my outfits as effortless as possible.
This season for me is all about breezy, wide-leg pants (preferably drawstring) paired with either a button-down or fitted T-shirt. From there I like to slick my hair back into a low bun and throw on some Mary Janes or a pair of slides and voilà! I’m dressed and I’m cute! Coordinating sets are another go-to option for me when my styling capabilities are at a low point. Zara has a few great options in this department. My favorites are a heavyweight T-shirt and pants set and an A-line midi skirt and crop top in a festive red, both of which I’ve included in my roundup of easy basics below.
If the look doesn't have stripes, I'm not interested.
The ultra crop of this Breton-stripe shirt puts a fresh spin on a classic.
Wear this with a pair of straight jeans and flip-flops for a laid-back '90s look.
Basics with texture like this open-weave tank are a great way to elevate an everyday outfit.
From the slit to the puff sleeves, this dress is incredibly versatile.
I'm jumping on the barrel-leg train and not looking back.
I don't usually go for cashmere come summertime, but this is the perfect weight.
This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven 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. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.
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