As a shopping editor at Who What Wear, I’d like to think I know a thing or two about searching out a great new piece or a timeless classic, but it’s only recently that I learnt the trick to piecing together a truly great outfit. Let’s face it: We’re all guilty of spending valuable time agonising over what to wear in the morning, and no matter how many statement dresses or exciting new pairs of shoes I find, everything has a time and a place, and I invariably end up turning to the same forever pieces to dress up my day-to-day look. A case in point, the “basic”.
Calling anything “basic” gives it a bad rap, but rest assured in this case I don’t use basic to mean boring; instead I’m referring to simple, understated, well-thought-out pieces that can be worn time and again, and end up being the hardest-working things in your wardrobe. Often these are the best investments you can make (and well worth spending a little extra money on for their sheer cost per wear), as these core pieces can be building blocks in creating the perfect capsule wardrobe.
As a staunch advocate for high-low dressing and someone you’ll always find in a high street jumper and a reliable designer bag, I’ve made the decision to shop in a way that favours buying less but better, and getting my wardrobe into good shape means shaping up its foundation. So I began the quest to find the very best designer pieces you can count on for exceptional quality, timeless design and versatility, eschewing all flash-in-the-pan trends that will fall out of fashion as quickly as they come in.
After hours of research, I’ve put together a list of the luxury pieces that I think are really worth the investment. Think forever buys that aren’t tied to a trending hashtag, just quality wardrobe essentials like a good quality jacket, the perfect pair of jeans or the attention-grabbing handbag that you’ll be happy to wear on rotation.
Not only do these pieces seamlessly weave into your current wardrobe, but they’ve got the outfit-elevating power of any other designer buy, so the next time you’re putting on a simple T-shirt and jeans, you can upgrade the look with a key blazer or smart pair of shoes. Wondering what makes the cut for best of the best? Well, on this list you’ll find old favourites like Frankie Shop tailoring, elevated classics from Toteme and luxe offerings like the perfect flat shoes courtesy of The Row. Sound good?
Keep scrolling for the best designer basics, including simple coats, jeans, blazers, dresses and accessories, to invest in now but wear for years to come. These are pieces that will never go out of style.
The Frankie Shop’s boxy fit set the standard for the oversized tailoring we now know and love.
It’s a best seller for a reason.
Add a dose of colour to a monochrome look with this supremely cool shade of avocado green.
Leather makes traditional womenswear silhouettes feel contemporary.
Cool beige will go with everything in your wardrobe.
The tank top that caused mass hysteria last summer is back, and you’ll want to break it out every year without fail.
A stretchy, dressy, easy-to-wear top that suits every body? Sign us up.
Size up and wear oversized with a pair of straight-leg jeans.
I still haven’t bought a camisole top, and every time I wonder what to wear with a jacket in summer, I know exactly what the answer is.
You can’t beat all white for versatility.
Strike the perfect balance of cosy, cool and chic in this knitted tank top.
Whether you’re wearing a casual white tee or a structured blazer, a denim skirt immediately makes your look cooler.
I don’t know if it’s the cut or beautiful draped details, but I haven’t stopped thinking about this skirt since I first saw it.
For these warmer days, you’ll need something light and airy to keep you cool—and look it too.
According to Instagram’s most stylish, the trousers to invest in now are the ultra-slim cigarette pants, the perfect accompaniment to ballet pumps.
The ’90s are calling.
For high summer, ensure you have a pair of light linen trousers in your arsenal.
If you haven’t already tried Khaite denim, I can promise you won’t be disappointed.
Call off the search: I’ve found the perfect pair of jeans.
Black denim doesn’t get enough credit for just how chic it really is.
I love the unique shape of this pair.
Flare and skinny trends may come and go, but the flattering straight-leg is eternal.
Pull-on-and-go dresses don’t come any chicer than Ninety Percent’s shirt dress.
The ideal dress for sweeping around in the sun or layering up with knee-high boots and a blazer.
If ever there were a dress that could go seamlessly from work to weekend, it’s this one.
You can build 100 outfits with a simple knitted dress.
The ultimate all-in-one outfit for balmy days.
Every wardrobe should have an LBD. (That’s a long black dress.)
It may be summer, but with September around the corner knitwear is still just as relevant.
Bored of Breton? Neither are we. But this is a fresh new take on stripes.
Yes, the cardigan Katie Holmes made famous looks just as good three years later—and in new colourways.
Anine Bing knits are everywhere right now, but you’ll get more wear out of a classic turtleneck than a logo sweatshirt.
This comes in no less than six colours, so you can mix and match depending on your mood.
The ultimate goes-with-absolutely-everything mule.
According to reports, ballet flats are back. But the truth is they never left.
Loafers are one of the only styles of shoe you can comfortably wear all year round, so with that much pavement time, you’re going to want a pair that goes the distance.
Fisherman Sandals have been a hit for another summer.
If you aren’t already familiar with Porte & Paire, consider this the perfect introduction.
It’s so difficult to choose between the raffia basket, the Flamenco pouch, the Gate crossbody and even the Luna, but our money is on the Puzzle bag for Loewe’s best-selling bag of all time.
With fans such as Harry Styles and Cate Blanchett, the Jackie is reclaiming its status as an iconic bag for the ages.
Need a bag big enough to carry all of your essentials (and then some)? You just found it in this stylish shopper.
You can spot The Row from a mile away. The sleek, minimalist designs are a sure sign that the wearer has serious taste.
I’m sorry. It’s back to the Puzzle. Did you catch this colourway too?
The khaki green was an instant hit, but there’s a lot to love about the sleek black version.
Okay, so we know it’s summer, but there’s no bad time to invest in wear-forever outerwear, and this light denim jacket will be a perfect addition for the current climate.
The leather jacket has undergone a luxe makeover in recent seasons.
Just when we thought it couldn’t beat the scarf jacket, Toteme is back at it with another best seller in the making.
The trench coat deserves a spot in the style-staples hall of fame for its sheer longevity.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
