8 Basics Inspired By the Most Famous Fashion Uniforms

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It's an interesting dichotomy: Many of the people responsible for the most fanciful, mesmerizing, statement-making clothes and magazine shoots dress in a way that starkly contrasts their creative visions. Innovative designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Carolina Herrera, along with powerful editors like Emmanuelle Alt and Edward Enninful, have all relied on different versions of uncomplicated, simple personal uniforms—and they're ripe for copying.

Unlike fashion chameleons such as Naomi Campbell and Cara Delevingne who are constantly reinventing their personal style, these eight famous fashion insiders are known for signature pieces. You have Lagerfeld's infamous skinny jeans and gloves, as well as Anna Wintour's printed midi dresses worn with nude sandals. Yep, Virgil Alboh, Alexander Wang, and Grace Coddington made the list too. Scroll down to shop eight basics inspired by the most famous fashion uniforms.

White Button-Down Shirt

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Before retiring from her namesake brand in 2018, Carolina Herrera took her runway bows in her signature crisp button-down shirts, typically white and usually paired with an A-line skirt. 

Black Skinny Jeans

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The late, great Karl Lagerfeld almost never wavered from his uniform of a blazer, skinny jeans, and suede ankle boots—oh, and don't forget the gloves. 

Nude Heeled Sandals

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As I've covered before, Anna Wintour is a die-hard loyalist to her Manolo Blahnik nude strappy sandals, which she wears with a printed dress nine out of 10 times.

Nike Sneakers

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Considering he has a popular Off-White x Nike collaboration, it's no surprise that designer Virgil Abloh is rarely seen without Nike sneakers on.

White T-Shirt

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Emmanuelle Alt, Vogue Paris's editor in chief, is one of the most stylish women in fashion without ever having to try very hard (or perhaps because she doesn't try hard). Her simple go-to uniform consists of a white T-shirt, oversize blazer, jeans, and ankle boots. 

White Sneakers

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Grace Coddington, one of American Vogue's most beloved editors, is known for creating fanciful and over-the-top editorials, but IRL she prefers understated pieces like black trousers and classic white sneakers. 

Suit Jacket

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British Vogue's editor in chief, Edward Enninful, always keeps it classy in a sleek suit (and often has a famous model or designer on his arm to boot). 

Baggy T-Shirt

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Alexander Wang's personal style is similar to his namesake brand in that it's cool, laid-back, and never overdone. A baggy T-shirt is required, but his low-slung jeans are optional. 

Next, six white tees with cult followings in Hollywood

Erin Fitzpatrick
Senior News Editor

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 12 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of senior news editor (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.