We've all had the same dilemma: a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear. In those moments, you pull out the essentials — classic, reliable pieces that look good no matter what. When you own enough comfortable basics, you take the guesswork out of getting dressed and are free to use that mental energy elsewhere.
Just about every brand offers its own take on the basics, but after wearing and washing ours for years, we found a few that were more durable than others. We look to these brands when we want to look simply stylish (picture some classic jeans paired with a crisp white tee), or even rock loungewear that doubles as business casual.
Combining high-quality materials, affordability, and versatility, these brands make the best women's basics you'll want to wear every day.
See more upscale picks in our guide to the best luxury basics for women.
A quick look at our favorite places to buy women's basics:
- Quince is our favorite place to buy women's basics overall. Our team of style editors has tested nearly all of their pieces, and we're continually impressed with the lower-than-expected prices. You can check out our full Quince review for a detailed breakdown of what we love and don't love about specific styles, but suffice it to say that it's a great choice for budget-friendly cashmere sweaters, cotton T-shirts, and office-ready staples.
- Buck Mason is the MVP when it comes to natural textiles. If you're someone who hates how a cheap polyester blend feels against your skin, then rest assured that you'll have no issue with anything from Buck Mason.
- Marcella was founded by Siyana Huszar after she realized that as much as she wanted to dress like a casually chic New Yorker, she couldn't afford to on a budget. Marcella delivers on the project of its inception, with minimalist maxi skirts and otherwise plain black tops with discreet mesh details. Each design is simple with a subtle edge.
- Uniqlo is the omnipresent, Japanese-founded brand with tons of affordable staples for both men and women. They have a huge selection of T-shirts for under $15 and seasonal fabrics like Heattech for budget-friendly prices.
Best overall: Quince
Quince is a treasure trove for timeless wardrobe staples in top-notch fabrics such as cashmere, silk, and organic cotton. Plus, the fabrics are the real thing — no hiding behind language like "cotton blend" in order to conceal the use of synthetics like polyester.
Plus, thanks to its direct-to-consumer model, everything is more affordable than its competitors. To give you an idea of how budget-friendly the brand is, they sell cashmere sweaters that would typically cost hundreds at other retailers for only $50.
I personally own tons of basics from Quince. I wrote a review of Quince's silk slip dress, which is one of my essential wardrobe staples and retails for $80. I also love their stretchy Ponte pants that made our list of the best comfy work pants for women, a seasonally-appropriate featherweight cashmere long-sleeve tee, and tons of other basics.
Here are just a few of my favorites. Plus, you can see the whole team's favorite Quince pieces in our full Quince review and Quince plus size review.
Best materials: Buck Mason
You may know Buck Mason as a men's brand, but they've since expanded to womenswear. Above all, they use the highest-quality fabrics.
They produce their own textiles from slub and pima cotton that feel incredible to the touch. From thick-knit fabrics to airy, lightweight materials, you can really feel the difference when you're wearing one of their famous T-shirts. Plus, don't forget to check out Buck Mason's men's section for more oversized fits.
Best basics for summer: Mint Velvet
In summer, two fabrics rule the style space: linen and cotton. And Mint Velvet happens to be excellent at both. I have a past-season linen midi skirt from the brand that I've worn weekly for two straight summers, and it looks just like it did when I first got it. And I've recently been wearing their Linen Lilac Bow Midi Dress on repeat — so suffice to say, Mint Velvet's linen is a win.
The brand is excellent at trend-informed basics in breezy fabrics that are made to last. We always look for brands that eschew synthetic fabrics whenever it makes sense, and most of Mint Velvet's summer pieces are made from 100% linen or cotton.
Best for button-downs: With Nothing Underneath
A button-down is perhaps the most versatile of all garments — or at least, it's the only piece of clothing that belongs in a boardroom just as much as it does on the beach. The button-downs from With Nothing Underneath are perfect for either. The brand specializes in high-quality blouses made from materials such as linen, hemp, seersucker, silk, and more.
I'm a huge fan of their poplin shirts. The fabric is crisp, cool to the touch, and washes well. If you want a full outfit (and to get in on the boxer shorts trend), I highly recommend checking out their co-ord sets.
Best sets: Leset
If you're into co-ords, Leset is the first place you should look. The brand has tons of "Le Sets" in a wide variety of fabrics and cuts. These sets are made to be mixed and matched — and they come in fabrics like Japanese satin, 100% cotton, and extrafine merino wool.
I'm a huge fan of their Kyoto Carpenter Pant, which is the perfect low-slung, breezy summer bottom. I haven't stopped wearing it; the pure cotton material is cooling and airy, but still holds its structure beautifully.
Best for building a capsule wardrobe: Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher wants to help you create a simple, high-quality wardrobe that will get you from the workplace to the weekend. Their Foundations collection is meant to be the essence of a capsule wardrobe. It includes pants, cardigans, and a few basic top silhouettes that work together no matter what. Plus, the brand also offers petite sizing and is available in sizes XXS-3X. The garments are also made from high-quality wool, silks, and cotton.
Best for edgy basics: Marcella
"There came a time in my life when I realized that, as much as I liked to dress like a cool, edgy New Yorker, I couldn't really afford it. That's when I decided to change that for myself and for tens of millions of other women around the world," says Marcella's founder, Siyana Huszar. And Marcella's basics are absolutely fit for a chic New Yorker — there are edgy silhouettes, tailored fits, and asymmetrical cuts. Plus, everything is incredibly versatile. One of Marcella's bestsellers is the Alyssa Infinity Top, a chic wrap shirt that can be worn in eight different ways.
Best T-shirts: AYR
AYR (short for "All Year Round") has carved out a reputation as a go-to brand for elevated wardrobe essentials — and its T-shirts are the epitome of an excellent clothing basic. At about $78 each, they're considerably more expensive than other options on this list. However, the difference is felt in the material quality and longevity of each piece is worth the splurge. It helps that you can take 20% off when you order two T-shirts at a time.
All in all, AYR's tees serve as wardrobe anchors. Their proportions are super flattering, and the simple, clean silhouettes are easy to wear in any setting. They're typically made from premium fabrics like Peruvian cotton and premium modal knits that feel soft against the skin, which retain their shape and continue looking and feeling great wash after wash.
Best for relaxed fits: Donni
If you hate jeans, then let me introduce you to Donni. They're famous for their collection of knit pants that feel like sweatpants and still pair perfectly with a button-down and flats. Their Baby Rib Scallop Pant has quickly become a holy grail closet staple for me.
In addition to pants, they have tons of other basics like 100% cotton tees and pointelle tops. More than almost every other brand on this list, Donni really cares about comfort, so all their basics are made with top-grade cotton that feels fantastic to the touch.
Best for shaping: Spanx
If you want your pants to have lots of stretch, Spanx is the place to go. The shapewear label has tons of pieces that we love, including jeans and T-shirts.
But their PerfectFit Pants deserve a special shout-out. The stretchy ponte pants are some of the best leggings for work and work pants we've ever tested. They're made from thick material that lifts and shapes without restricting you.
We also love their AirEssentials sets, which are sweatsuits made from cloud-like fabric and come in different lengths. Mostly everything on Spanx's site comes in mostly black and white, but their sweats are delightfully varied and bright.
See our full Spanx work pant review for more of our favorite pieces.
Best for youthful basics: Splendid
If you're bored of basics brands offering the same neutral color palette, then Splendid is your answer. They're no stranger to pinks, butter yellow, and other pops of color. Plus, they even offer cute prints and unique textures that you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
We recommend checking out its cozy selection of Two-Piece Sets, where you can find soft matching tops and bottoms that make you feel put together simply by their coordinating color schemes. Throw them on with the right jewelry, a comfy pair of sneakers, and you're dressed and ready for the day.
Best for professional basics: Everlane
Prior to working at Business Insider, I had never bought a piece from the brand, but after hearing my teammates' consistently rave reviews, I bought two pieces that soon became outfit go-to's.
Their site is transparent about pricing and manufacturing to the last detail. Beyond the brand's sustainable, ethical practices, its clothes and accessories really deliver on quality and style. You'll find simple T-shirts, sweaters, work pants, and more in universally flattering fits and a wide range of colors — there's really something for everyone.
Read more on the Editions collection in our Everlane women's workwear review, plus our overall Everlane review.
Best coastal: Dissh
If you love coastal palettes and breezy fabrics, Dissh is the brand for you. The Australia-based label is rife with linen pieces in all forms. Dissh is also excellent at making sure their basics are on-trend. You'll find tons of drop-waist dresses and coordinating sets on their site.
My only bit of buying advice is to stick to their cropped cuts if you're petite and looking to purchase one of their maxi skirts or pants. I've found that some of their items run on the long side, so just be aware of inseam lengths.
Best for layering: Uniqlo
Chances are, you've already heard of Uniqlo. This Japanese-based brand specializes in affordable basics. Thier pieces are simple and smartly designed, with no frills or loud colors that can be unappealing for some. Plus, you can get fantastic deals. For example, you can get a great basic T-shirt for under $15. We love Uniqlo's budget-friendly capsule clothing that washes well and will last you longer than lots of other brands at the same price point.
Best for size-inclusive basics: Universal Standard
Universal Standard is widely considered among the top places to shop for the best plus-size clothing. Besides the modern, stylish collection of versatile clothing, the "Foundation" section includes simple tees and tanks that make great base layers for any outfit.
If you're not sure what you want, Universal Standard also offers the option to purchase a capsule — it's a curated collection of some of its bestselling pieces catered to your lifestyle, like workwear and activewear.
Best petite: Petite Studio
If you're five feet three inches or under, we highly suggest checking out Petite Studio for basics. The petite-only retailer specializes in trendy yet classic staples for the shorter set.
"I love how the pieces from Petite Studio fit on my five-foot-one frame. It's a fantastic feeling to buy something online and know that I won't have to get it tailored. Normally, I'm used to seeing pictures of clothing on willowy models and having to do mental fashion arithmetic to guess at if it will work on me or overwhelm me. But I love that even the models on Petite Studio's website are shorter, so that I have a good idea of what the pieces will look like on me." — Samantha Crozier, style editor
Best for lounge basics: Richer Poorer
There was a time when Richer Poorer was almost bankrupt. Now, the brand garners thousand-person waitlists. Their success lies in this fact: the entire collection is seriously comfortable and high quality. Richer Poorer actually pre-washes many of its pieces with silicone so that they already feel comfortable and broken in. The T-shirts and undergarments are mostly in the $40-70range. The fleece sweats are on the pricier side (about $78 apiece), but they cost far less than other high-end athleisure pieces while still having a luxurious loungewear feel.
Best for minimalist basics: Cuyana
Cuyana embodies a "less is more" ethos, advocating for a closet that's full of fewer, but better pieces. "Better" here means beautiful pieces that are thoughtfully made every step of the way. Other than clothing, we're fond of what we consider their best work bags for women. While pricier than the other brands on our list of the best women's basics, Cuyana prides itself on the idea that these will really be all you need (remember: fewer, better).
Learn more in our Cuyana bodysuit review and Cuyana Tote Organization Insert review.
Best knit basics: Naadam
Naadam is best known for its luxe cashmere sweaters, the most popular of which is a basic crewneck priced at $98. But beyond this, the brand also has breathable organic cotton and lightweight cashmere for milder forecasts. The key to dressing warmly, though, is wearing natural fibers right against your skin so they'll retain heat from your body's warmth.
"When it's really frigid out, my first layer of defense is a cashmere sweater from Naadam, " says senior associate style editor Gabrielle Chase. "The soft fibers keep me warm, and they don't get damp from sweat once I step inside. My Naadam Cashmere Sweater is thin and fitted, but it does its job at insulating. This way I avoid any extra bulk beneath my winter coat."
Check out our favorite base layers that insulate using synthetic fibers instead.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
