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When it comes to fashion, there is so much to play with, all of the time—from new-season color trends and modern outerwear (like scarf coats and oversized shearling) to party wear for the holiday season, including velvet and contemporary draped tops. But, no matter which trend you choose to indulge in, there is still a core list of essentials that every wardrobe requires. Without these basics, no closet is complete. Luckily, there are plenty of them on the market today, and we have found essential styles all under $100.
Vogue’s Ultimate Under-$100 Basics Edit:
- The Plain White Tee: Everybody.world tailored Trash tee, $44
- The Long-Sleeve Layer: H&M fitted cotton top, $10
- The Everyday Tank: Skims cotton rib tank top, $38
- The Striped Shirt: Madewell EASY y-neck button-up shirt, $88
- The Simple V-Neck: Gap Cashsoft high v-neck sweater, $70
- The Pointelle Top: Leset pointelle-knit cotton-jersey tank, $78
- The Coveted Jeans: Levi's 501 '90s jeans, $98
- The Cold-Weather Tights: Uniqlo Heattech knitted tights, $20
- The White Poplin: J.Crew Étienne oversized shirt, $98
- The Layering Piece: Aritizia HomeStretch crew longsleeve, $35
Although we put an emphasis on leather midiskirts and cinched blazers as part of our everyday rotation here at Vogue, it’s those sweet, sweet necessary basics that serve as the tasty ingredients to our cake tiers. We’ve covered all ground, from classic white T-shirts and layerable tank tops, to essential knits like crewnecks and casual V-neck sweaters. We’ve also got you on the denim front, with favorites from Everlane, Zara, Gap and more. All that and more affordable basics for under $100, ahead.
Tank Tops
What looks good paired with a tank top? The answer is, basically, everything. However, when winter rolls around the tank top becomes a layering tool rather than a focal point. From Éterne to Leset, use yours as a base beneath cardigans, cashmere sweaters, and boxy blazers.
Éterne
stretch-modal jersey tank
$95
NET-A-PORTER
Cos
ribbed tank top
$25
COS
Skims
cotton rib tank top
$38
SKIMS
Donni.
The Rib tank
$98
DONNI
Intimissimi
cotton tank
$20
INTIMISSIMI
Leset
pointelle-knit cotton-jersey tank
$78
NET-A-PORTER
Long-Sleeved T-Shirts
The best affordable long-sleeved T-shirts serve as more than just an undershirt. With the crop of options available now, it’s clear that these tees are meant to be seen. Take Kule’s for example—the red stripes would look so chic poking out from beneath a tonal knit or ladylike jacket. For tried-and-true classics in cotton, look to James Perse, Aritizia, and Splits59.
Leset
Margo cotton-jersey T-shirt
$78
NET-A-PORTER
James Perse
slub cotton-jersey top
$100
NET-A-PORTER
H&M
fitted cotton top
$10
HM
Kule
Modern striped long-sleeve tee
$98
BERGDORF GOODMAN
Splits59
Louise ribbed long-Sleeve crop top
$78
BERGDORF GOODMAN
Aritzia
HomeStretch™ crew longsleeve
$35
ARITZIA
T-Shirts
Every wardrobe needs an arsenal of T-shirts for a variety of different occasions. There’s the lounge-around-the-house tee, from Skims and Cos. Then, there are the T-shirts ideal for summer and early fall dressing, like Banana Republic’s and J.Crews—they tuck so easily into high-rise trousers and skirts.
Agolde
Adine cropped organic cotton-jersey T-shirt
$90
NET-A-PORTER
Banana Republic
refined shruken t-shirt
$50
BANANA REPUBLIC
J.Crew
vintage jersey classic-fit t-shirt
$30
JCREW
Everbody.World
tailored trash tee
$44
EVERYBODY.WORLD
Cos
clean cut regular t-shirt
$45
COS
Éterne
Boyfriend cotton and modal-blend jersey T-shirt
$90
NET-A-PORTER
Button-Down Shirts
When it comes to wardrobe staples, a white button-up shirt is as classic as it gets. But these days, a crisp, poplin shirt has range. Discover Madewell’s striped and Uniqlo’s pale blue 100% cotton options, Zara’s chocolate brown shirt with a rounded hem, and Everlane’s oversized black iteration, crafted from Tencel. You’d probably catch the Olsen twins sporting one of these styles while browsing around New York.
Uniqlo
cotton shirt
$40
UNIQLO
Cos
oversized tailored shirt
$99
COS
Madewell
Easy y-neck button-up shirt
$88
MADEWELL
Zara
poplin shirt
$70
ZARA
Everlane
The Oversized shirt
$98
EVERLANE
J.Crew
Étienne oversized shirt
$98
JCREW
Knitwear
While knitwear is an essential for the winter, they can also lean quite expensive. Never fear, there is an affordable sweater that is just as chic as it is well made, below. Try Cos’s cotton-linen style, Everlane’s organic dropped shoulder style, or Gap’s tried-and-true grey knit.
Aritzia
biscotti sweater
$88
ARITZIA
Cos
merino wool turtleneck top
$80
COS
Mango
cotton-linen round-neck sweater
$60
MANGO
J.Crew
cotton turtleneck sweater
$98
JCREW
Everlane
The Boxy sweater
$98
EVERLANE
Gap
cropped high v-neck sweater
$70
GAP
Jeans
In the world of affordable basics, denim is perhaps the most transitional. From morning to night, and from summer to winter, the best denim spans a variety of silhouettes and washes. Looking to replace your beloved high-rise dark wash pair? Mango has the answer! For the trending crossover closure, look to Zara. And, for a mid-weight medium wash that will outlast all trends, opt for Levi’s.
Levi’s
501 '90s jeans
$98
LEVI
Mango
mid-rise straight jeans
$70
MANGO
Aritzia
Remy high-rise relaxed jean
$90
ARITZIA
Everlane
The Original Cheeky jean
$98
EVERLANE
Gap
high-rise barrel jeans
$80
GAP
Zara
wide-leg crossover jean
$60
ZARA
Tights & Socks
Come fall and winter, socks and tights are fundamental. Wolford, Uniqlo, and Commando are a go-to brand for many Vogue editors—their tights are so high-quality and soft. Another must-have affordable basic? A pair of socks! Although these category isn’t as glamorous, it’s still needed for winter boots, loafers, and knee-high styles. Look to Deiji Studios and Johnstons of Elgin for perfect everyday picks.
Wolford
velvet de Luxe 50 denier tights
$38
NET-A-PORTER
Deiji Studios
The Woven set of two stretch-organic cotton socks
$60
NET-A-PORTER
Madewell
3-pack Cloudlift Ankle Socks
$32
MADEWELL
Commando
semi-opaque tights
$40
BERGDORF GOODMAN
Uniqlo
Heattech Knitted Tights
$20
UNIQLO
Johnstons of Elgin
ribbed cashmere-blend socks
$95
NET-A-PORTER