I'm a Senior Shopping Editor—I Recorded My Outfits for a Month and Found I Wore These 5 Basics the Most

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fashion collage featuring five style influencers including Marina Torres, Mimi Nguyen, Coco Schiffer, Clara Dyrhauge, and Marilyn Nwawulor-Kazemaks wearing chic basics like straight-leg jeans, oversize coats, V-neck sweaters, white T-shirts, and kitten-heel boots
(Image credit: @marina_torres; @mimixn; @cocoschiffer; @claradyrhauge; @nlmarilyn)

As a fashion editor, you tend to be well aware of all the pieces that live in your closet, but it’s not until you stop and take a moment to document what you wear over a period of time, that you get a true sense of what you end up reaching for the most. I did exactly that over the past month, and it became clear more than ever that basics reign supreme in my wardrobe. It’s no wonder either, as I am a huge proponent of wearing pieces that are not only timeless, but comfortable to boot—as a mom to two little ones, it is key.

My goal when putting together chic outfits is to be able to keep the ensemble easy without sacrificing style. Enter five of the stylish basics I wore the most over a month. There’s the classic white T-shirt, which is great worn on it’s own or layered under a V-neck sweater. Then, I found that I didn’t go the whole stretch without wearing straight-leg jeans at various points throughout the week. What can I say, I am a creature of habit. Keep scrolling to see the other basics I can’t live without, plus outfit ideas on how to wear each.

1. Straight-Leg Jeans

fashion influencer Marina Torres poses on a sidewalk wearing a headband, chunky two-tone earrings, Freya black shoulder bag, gray belted cardigan sweater, straight-leg jeans, and black boots

(Image credit: @marina_torres)

Straight-leg jeans are my gold standard when it comes to denim, especially at an ankle length. The classic style goes with just about anything.

2. White T-Shirts

Scandinavian creative Clara Dyrhauge poses in NYC wearing an olive green trench coat, white t-shirt, a black belt, dark-wash jeans, and black boots.

(Image credit: @claradyrhauge)

White t-shirts are a forever favorite. I wear them year-round with everything from jeans to leggings to trousers.

3. Kitten-Heel Boots

British style influencer Marilyn Nwawulor-Kazemaks walks on a London sidewalk wearing a chic fall and winter outfit with black rectangular sunglasses, a brown turtleneck sweater, The Row bag, black jeans, and the kitten-heel boots trend for 2025

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

Over the past two years, I have been addicted to black kitten-heel boots, so it was no surprise I wore the comfy yet sleek shoe style a lot this past month.

4. V-Neck Sweaters

NYC based style influencer Coco Schiffer poses on a New York City crosswalk wearing black sunglasses, a black maxi coat, black V-neck sweater layered over a white tee, The Row bag, straight-leg jeans, white socks, and black loafers

(Image credit: @cocoschiffer)

I love all of my sweaters, but lately I have had an affinity for V-neck options. I wear them alone or layered over white tees.

5. Oversize Coats

NYC based style influencer Mimi Nguyen poses on a Subway platform wearing an oversized mustard green coat, a white t-shirt, jeans, and a black bag

(Image credit: @mimixn)

A great oversize coat cannot be beat. The trendy style is becoming increasingly timeless, plus it's an easy way to feel more polished.

Jennifer Camp Forbes
Jennifer Camp Forbes
Senior Shopping Editor

Jennifer Camp Forbes is a senior shopping editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities including creative director and various editor roles. She’s a well-known shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups. Jennifer's lifelong interest in fashion led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion.