The Basics Our Editors Will Never Stop Wearing

“To me, spring and summer calls for pointelle baby tees. I fully realize that $55 for a tee is an investment, but Cou Cou is just a cut above the rest. It’s surprisingly thick, so it’s not as see-through as others, and I’ve washed it a million times and it’s held its shape. The length is quite cropped, but it comes in a longer version if you prefer that.” —Martha Upton ($55, Revolve)

“As the weather warms up, the thought of wearing denim shorts can become more and more unbearable. But I discovered these dad shorts from Abercrombie & Fitch last year, and they’ve become a staple for me during the spring and summer. They’re made of a midweight denim that isn’t constricting, and the cut is somehow perfectly not too tight, and not too loose.” —Margo Ghertner ($70, Abercrombie & Fitch)

“This is the best basic tee I own (and I have three of them). It’s not too cropped or too fitted, making it great to wear underneath a sweater. The boxiness isn’t shapeless, either. When I pull this on with jeans, I feel like the main character of a rom-com whose tee just happens to fit them perfectly so they look effortlessly cool.” —Martha Upton ($45, Buck Mason)

“These pants from Cozy Earth are kind of my holy grail. I wear them all the time — when I’m traveling, running errands, or even to the office. The waistband is stretchy, so they feel cozy on, and they provide just enough movement and flexibility. Sometimes I’m so sick of wearing jeans and the constrictive feeling that comes with them. These are my go-to pants that look clean and are comfortable.” —Alexandra Napoli ($131.35, Cozy Earth)

“When I first saw this sweater in the wild, I thought it was a much more expensive version. It’s so soft, looks cute worn open or closed, and hits at the exact right place at my waistline. The price is frankly insane (in a good way), so I’m grabbing all the colors for spring.” —Martha Upton ($18.49, Old Navy)

“This is the top I reach for several times a week. It’s super stretchy, holds up well in the wash, and has a slightly compressive fit that feels comforting, not suffocating (and also means I don’t have to wear a bra with it, which is always a win in my book). This is perfect for layering underneath sweaters, but I also think one of the chicest outfits of all time is a fitted tee, baggy jeans, and flats. I have it in several colors.” —Caroline Goldstein ($28, Organic Basics)

“A good ribbed tank is also a wardrobe essential for me. What I like about this one is how thick it is, so I don’t technically have to wear a bra, especially with the black version. I also like how it’s sort of a tank-cami hybrid, so it has skinnier straps than most. The neckline isn’t too low, so I even feel comfortable wearing it to the office. The new Villa Pink color is on my wish list.” —Martha Upton ($25, Aritzia)

“I’ve had Cou Cou's cropped pointelle cardigan on my wish list for literal years, but I just can’t bring myself to spend that much on a simple cotton cardi. I was thrilled to find this similar one from Gap. I’m very impressed with the quality — it’s soft and thin, but not flimsy — and it fits perfectly. The delicate pointelle detail along the neckline is so pretty. I wear mine as a top with jeans and maxi skirts, or shorts with knee-high boots for nights out.” —Caroline Goldstein ($19+, Gap)

“This T-Shirt went viral last year and with good reason. It’s pretty much always on sale — I’ve usually only paid about $8-$12 for it. Its ribbed material is thick and feels luxe, plus it washes well. If you want an opaque T-shirt that you won’t ever see a bra through, go for this one. It’s also the perfect tuckable length.” —Margo Ghertner ($7.49+, Old Navy)

“I have this basic top from A&F in a few colors. It’s thin in a good way — breathable for warm spring days and unbearingly hot summer days. I pair it with linen pants or jean shorts, throw on some Adidas or Vans, and out the door I go. Add some chic sunglasses, gold hoops, and I instantly feel put-together. No frills about it, and the price point is good, too.” —Alexandra Napoli ($19, Abercrombie & Fitch)