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As Vogue editors, we love the thrill of wearing a trendy tomato red dress or perfectly imperfect skirts, but, to be honest, the backbone of our wardrobes is built on classic closet staples that will never go out of style. Think timeless button-up shirts that can be worn solo or as a lightweight layering hero and tailored trousers that do double duty in our office ensembles and in our weekend wardrobes. Of course, finding the best brands in the basic (in the best way) arena is quite a challenging task, especially since there are so many labels expertly crafting essentials.
But never one to shy away from a shopping quest, I challenged my colleagues to highlight the one brand that they believe is skillfully mastering the art of fashion essentials. As you can imagine, each editor highlighted a need-to-know brand that’s designing wardrobe staples in a way that speaks to their personal style. The results unearthed a mixture of celebratory labels that are undeniably elevating everyday dressing. From the artisanal allure of Proenza Schouler to the luxurious minimalism of By Malene Birger, read on to discover the essential brand that Vogue editors can’t live without.
“I love the easy elegance of Toteme. Every piece feels elevated enough for every day, yet still perfectly polished. From white tees to delightful denim, Toteme’s masterfully minimalist designs always have a place in my wardrobe.”—Laura Jackson, commerce writer
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“I love relaxed essentials that pay great attention to design details. Under-the-radar brand Raey, which is also owned by Matches, has mastered the technique so well that I recently purchased the same pair of pants in two different colors to wear throughout the summer. I’m not the only one in love with the eco-friendly label’s beautiful quality. Raey is also a favorite amongst many of my Vogue colleagues, from Virginia Smith to Sarah Harris and Naomi Smart.”—Lisa Aiken, executive fashion director
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“As a Lower East Sider, I’ve been a longstanding fan of The Frankie Shop. The original location was just a few blocks from my apartment, perhaps a little too close for my wallet’s sake! The newly relocated Soho boutique stocks a thoughtful curation of independent labels and household luxury brands. Between the convenience and the undoubtedly chic finds, I’ve been a loyal customer for staple items like an oversized blazer or classic shirts and more unique pieces like funky gold jewelry or even their in-house candle line for years. In a city where many stores can be overwhelming and overflowing with products, TFS makes browsing a breeze with tighter racks and timeless silhouettes. At this point, my wardrobe is basically an archive, and I don’t plan on straying from TFS any time soon.”—Eliseé Browchuk, experiences production and marketing manager
“I have been lusting over basically everything from By Malene Birger. The silhouettes are timeless, but gorgeous pops of color and details like a bell sleeve transform these wardrobe staples into modern classics. Their clothes feel sophisticated and cool and the quality is excellent.”—Mai Morsch, editor
“Cos is my go-to for all things wardrobe essentials because it has a lot of affordable pieces that have longevity in your closet!”—Naomi Elizée, editor
“Basics don’t have to be boring. I like my wardrobe staples to offer both an ease of sophistication plus a seductive allure. Wardrobe.NYC’s sleek essentials check both boxes for me and have even gotten the approval of several fashionistas, from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to Kendall Jenner. Even Hailey Bieber collaborated with the label to create a dream capsule wardrobe.”—Alexis Bennett, commerce writer
“I’m a Proenza Schouler girl through and through. Whether it’s a dress off the runway, a blazer, a handbag, or a heel—I can wear the brand head-to-toe to the office and in my everyday life. In my mind, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez are excellent designers at making classics feel fresh, vibrant, and 100% irresistible.”—Julie Tong, commerce director
“I love a brand where I can get everything from my office basics to my fun evening wear, and Scandi brand Saks Potts hits all the check marks. You can tell how much the founders Catherine Saks and Barbara Potts love their brand because no one is wearing Saks Potts more than they are. If you stalk them on Instagram as much as I do, you will know that they always provide their followers with new ways to wear their pieces, making it super easy to style your outfits. And every time I wear a Saks Potts item out, like the Jimmy jacket from the spring 2023 ready-to-wear collection, I get stopped by many people from different age groups asking me who I’m wearing.”—Irene Kim, editorial and production coordinator, Vogue Runway
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