The 14 Style Basics You Shouldn’t Spend A Lot Of Money On
by The Candidly Team
When it comes to wardrobe staples, we are willing to admit some things are worth investing in. Particularly these nine things. And, ok fine, maybe also this one super important thing.
We often try very hard to abide by the chic French-lady philosophy of spend once, save later. We like it when we save for something we absolutely love, so we don’t wind up buying some sad, cheap version of that thing over and over and over again.
But some things don’t have to cost a fortune. Any masterful closet (or outfit for that matter) mixes highs with lows. It’s the reason why we’ve written about the most essential things you need at pretty much every price point.
So, what are the things that don’t skimp on quality and can easily dress up? The pieces that look fancy-French-lady fantastic despite being a total steal? These, my friend, are those things.
1. A Soft Denim Button Down
J. Crew Factory Chambray Shirt In Signature Fit
Is there anything easier to throw on than a classic denim shirt to make you feel as casual and cool as Kate Moss on a beach in the 90s? Well, ok besides this?
Price: $44.50
2. A Perfect Pair Of Black Wide-Leg Pants
Tronjori Women High Waist Casual Wide Leg Long Palazzo Pants
We knoooow Amazon pants often fail to inspire confidence, especially when styled this hideously with cartoonish heels. But please, please take a look at them on a real human HERE. because they honestly blew us away with their perfect fit. We wear them all the time with everything. But pair them with these much more attractive heels (#6), and they’ll instantly look like the most expensive pants you own.
However, if you want a wide-leg with a bit more weight and stretch (you know, for colder months), these pants will change your life.
Price: $34
3. A Classic Cashmere Sweater
Quince Mongolian Shrunken Cashmere Sweatshirt
It’s exceedingly rare to find a cashmere pullover that looks this chic and feels this cozy for this price. And we’re currently having trouble finding a single color it comes in that we don’t want.
Price: $70
4. A Lightweight Crewneck Tee
Madewell Whisper Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt
A white tee should be light and airy. And so too should be its description.
It’s less than $20. Which gives us the excuse to layer it under something luxe like #4 on this list.
Price: $19.50
5. A Curve-Complementing Pair Of Jeans
Curvy High-Waisted OG Straight Ankle Jeans for Women
Great jeans can really run the gamut on price. Our all-time favorite pair is actually less than $100. But these ones, at less than $50, are soooo special because of their super high-waist. AND they leave absolutely zero waist gap while having plenty of space for those of us with ample junk in the trunk.
Price: $45
6. A Well-Fitting Ribbed Tank
Banana Republic Factory Ribbed Racer Tank
The fit. The colors. Just your standard flawless tank that you can layer under EVERYTHING you own… but especially this gorgeous blazer (#8).
Price: $15
7. A Casual Tote
We get that handbags are one of those lifetime items that are worthy of investment. But if there’s a style we don’t need to splurge on, it’s that one glorious tote that magically contains the odd collection of carry-everywhere “essentials” we’ve accumulated over the years. This one is casual, yet chic in every solid and print it comes in.
Price: $38
8. A Graceful Ballet Flat
This incredibly comfy, perfectly shaped flat comes in every color you can imagine. Get them while they still exist. We wear them with everything we’re wearing this season.
Price: $28 - $40
9. A Well-Cut Single Breasted Coat
Allegra K Women's Notched Lapel Single Breasted Outwear Winter Coat
Coats are arguably one of those nine things we talked about that are worth an investment. And believe me, we know Amazon does itself no favors with their cheeseball photos, but this coat fits so well and looks undeniably more expensive than it is in person. Plus, it goes with all our favorite fall things.
Price: $87
10. An Effortlessly Cozy and Flattering Sweater Dress
LILLUSORY Womens Turtleneck Oversized Long Batwing Sleeve Fall Sweater
We know sweater dresses can feel scary. But we believe we have a rock solid case for how to make them your favorite thing to wear all winter. Pair it with warm tights and your finest boots or booties. It will easily be your chicest cold-weather look. But you get to feel like you’re wearing your warmest loungewear.
Price: $32
11. A Foolproof Rib Knit Long-Sleeve Shirt
Women's Long Sleeve Ribbed Scoop Neck T-Shirt - Universal Thread™
The precise way we want a long-sleeve rib shirt to fit, and it’s $12.
Price: $15
12. A Cute Little Wool Cardi
Quince Baby Alpaca-Wool Cropped Cardigan
The shape of this Quince sweater is soooo flattering, but it’s the insane softness that won us over. We like it half-tucked into our favorite wide-leg jeans or hitting in just the right spot with these unbelievably drapey pants.
Price: $60
13. A Classic Cashmere Wrap
J. Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap
You may be thinking, should we be calling this “affordable?” But a cashmere wrap of this size can run in the $600 - $800 range. And J. Crew is known to cut the price even further on any given day, so you’ll probably spend closer to $100. As far as we’re concerned, a huge cashmere wrap, while luxe and chic, is also the next best thing to living in bed all winter. And it looks especially gorgeous over any of our favorite dresses.
Price: $198
Girlfriend Collective Moonstone Cloud Pant
Girlfriend Collective has truly achieved a new level of softness with this one. With loungewear this sublime, it may be wise to grab an extra pair as a gift.
Price: $68
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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