I have worked in the fashion industry for over 15 years. Even if it’s not a tax deduction situation (can you imagine?), there’s no denying that the two go hand in hand. My personal shopping list provides story ideas, and the brands and designers I buy serve as de facto research.
As my career got older, my budget increased and so did my skills on the second-hand market. I definitely don’t pop into designer ateliers or text with personal shoppers in the city’s luxury retail enclaves, but I do have some good pieces in my wardrobe. I bought the best used clothes, the price tags of which still shock my mother and terrify my grandfather. As much as I would argue that there are many things that are absolutely, arguably, and deliciously worthwhile, I also do not deny that there are some very good basics and daily necessities. Never waver.
Like all of us, I search Amazon at least every week for the gadgets that pop into my head while I’m brushing my teeth, washing the dishes, or sitting with my daughter. Its various in-house labels. After decluttering my closet earlier this season, I noticed that some pieces proved their mettle more than others. Those are the five I share below.
Daily Ritual Fashion Quilted Liner
Daily Ritual Fashion Quilted Liner
15% off now
1. This reversible jacket
For those based in temperate climates who don’t have an entire wardrobe of jackets and coats, I’m honestly sorry. clothing may be required. The latest addition to my arsenal is this reversible style of Amazon Brand Daily Ritual.
The weight alone tells you the fact that it’s not cheap (it slips off the back of your dining room chair if it’s not properly positioned; you have to roll it up and stuff it in a canvas tote). A boxy cut makes you feel fashion, not fitness. Fuzzy, knobby Sherpa fabrics, like the ones behind this reversible style, are a delight this year, and most of the other options in my closet tend to feel really sporty.
Worn with either woolly fabric or quilted nylon side facing out, this new favorite matches literally everything I pull from jeans and sneakers to high-heeled boots and skirts.
The Drop Ilana Loose Sleeveless Wide Hem Poplin Maxi Dress
The Drop Ilana Loose Sleeveless Wide Hem Poplin Maxi Dress
2. This white dress
White dresses are overrepresented in my closet, but this 100% cotton piece is one of the ones that saw the most action throughout spring and summer. The scoop neck and ruffled hem are very simple. The roomy shape is comfortable (I wore it before, during, and after my most recent pregnancy) and fits in with LWD’s casual vibe.
There are no darts, seams or waistbands, making it perfect for layering. Structurally, when you have a lot going on with your clothes, tucking a blouse under or a sweater tucked in is a silly errand (most of the time it looks rumpled and bumpy). , the open nature of this find allowed me to wear it under my favorite silky long-sleeved tops and knits. I’ll be doing a lot of the latter in the coming months.
As a final kicker, it also comes with a lining, which shockingly isn’t always the case with contemporary branded dresses that cost hundreds of dollars.
Amazon Essentials Classic Fit Long Sleeve Crew Neck T-Shirt
Amazon Essentials Classic Fit Long Sleeve Crew Neck T-Shirt
3. This striped shirt
I own too many (way Too many) striped shirts, but it’s a real addiction in my mind: no wardrobe situation or need that can’t be fixed. Along with the heavier options that Heritage Stripe brands tend to offer , there is always a need for a good, lightweight style like this find.
This long-sleeved pick from Amazon Essentials is all about the size of the stripes (thick but not too thick), the shade of blue (more fun than traditional navy, but not too light blue and cheesy), and the details (the white collar is a nice touch if someone wants to design it). (which is a very deliberate choice). I’m usually small, but I buy up to a medium size for a little extra length on the sleeves and bodice.
Daily Ritual Relaxed Fit Terry Cotton and Modal Patch Pocket Joggers
Daily Ritual Relaxed Fit Terry Cotton and Modal Patch Pocket Joggers
23% off now
4. Midweight sweatpants
Universally, we’ve all come out of the peak of the pandemic with a greater knowledge of sweatpants cuts and weights and an awareness of what we personally need. Before coming to the game, I went high and low in this category and never found the perfect choice.
The perfect weight for beginners. I’ve even gone so far as to say I hate sweatpants that are too thin (think: anything that clings to your kneecaps and makes you look like you’re pilling the moment you pull them). These aren’t revealed as such, nor are they in the chunky fleece category of old. They are all here. In fact, they’re so good that I had to routinely remind myself that I didn’t really need another pair of sweatpants.
Amazon.com Aware Super Soft Cotton Bikini Briefs: Clothing
Amazon.com Aware Super Soft Cotton Bikini Briefs: Clothing
5. This cunning underwear
Ten years ago, there was a sea change in women reaching for briefs if thongs were the underwear of choice, both personally and in fashionable pop culture in general. New cuts and fabrics prove that villainous styles are just as comfortable and discreet under clothing, and many women go big. I decided to try this two-pack from Amazon Aware, a conscious brand of fashion, beauty, and home essentials retailers.
Made with certified organic cotton and crafted in a carbon-neutral manner, two factors gave me a comfort factor when ordering.This classic bikini cut is exactly what I wanted. , goes well with jeans and dresses. The fabric is soft, they wear well, and honestly they feel just as good as the expensive pair I stash with them.
Leah Melby Clinton is a writer, editor, and serious shopper who loves discovering new labels, detailing the best ways to build a wardrobe, and interviewing interesting people. is.
