It’s Basic…
It’s been the cri de coeur for many femmes d’un certain âge for some time now. Let’s face it, a few simple, season-spanning garments that fit well are the foundation of a cohesive wardrobe. They’re what we grab on those rushed mornings when we don’t have time to experiment but need to look pulled together (um, that’s pretty much every morning for me). They provide a backdrop to favorite accessories or our Hero pieces, a blank canvas on which we paint our personal style. They’re the gold coin of the realm, and can seem as rare. (OK, so I’m a little obsessed about the return of Game of Thrones…)
At times it feels like there’s a wide chasm between retailers like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and Talbot’s who offer classic basics at low-to-medium price points in a wide range of sizes (and sometimes inconsistent fit and quality) and the “bridge line” designers who tend to be more fashion forward (or specialized) and limited in sizes but with better quality fabrics and construction, and who occasionally deliver up a season- and trend-spanning item that you wonder how you’d ever lived without.
A couple of newer clothing lines seem to be attempting to fill this gap.
Dobbin Clothing launched last year, and while at the time while I applauded their intention of creating wardrobe “workhorses,” I’ll admit I wasn’t that impressed with the range of styles offered. They seemed a bit, well…dowdy. However Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen absolutely rocked their “Belle” dress here, which made me reconsider. I keep checking back at the website and hoping they’ll add some new styles and colors.
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| Dobbin “Belle” dress |
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| Dobbin “Harper” Stretch Silk Charmeuse Blouse (Pretty color for Spring!) |
Right now many items on the website are on sale, and they’re offering an additional 20% off your first order with code FIRSTTIMEVISITOR.
Across the pond, LUCZA London has launched, offering simple, elegant basics from dresses to loungewear in luxurious fabrics.
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| LUCZA Gabrielle Dress in Liberty Print |
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| Gracie Shirt |
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| Lauren Jumper (that’s “sweater” to those of us in the US) |
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| Hepburn Cigarette Trouser |
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| Olivia Dress |
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| Diane Jacket |
Some LUCZA collections offer several coordinating pieces in the same fabric (dresses, shirts, jackets, skirts, tops, pants). The prices are definitely in the “bridge line” range, but the timeless design of many of these pieces translates to years of wear. For those looking for more classic, tailored styles, LUCZA may well be worth checking out.
My own best source for wardrobe basics for the last couple of years has been Eileen Fisher.
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| Silk jersey tee |
Items like this silk jersey 3/4 sleeve tee above, and ponte knit jeans are the kind of basics that suit my own style and lifestyle. Most are washable, and fabulous for work or travel.
Do you have a go-to source for your wardrobe basics?
Disclosure: some links in this post may generate commissions for www.unefemme.net.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States License.
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I’ve never heard of Lucza but like what I see here, for real basics it’s Marks and Spencers for me or Lululemon as that’s what I wear most of the time.
I’ve never heard of Lucza but like what I see here, for real basics it’s Marks and Spencers for me or Lululemon as that’s what I wear most of the time.
Love the look of the Audrey cigarette trousers – that would make a season-less piece for me. I am with you on the reliability of EF. I’m always pleased with her pieces, although I tend to wait for sales : >
I too am watching Dobbin, whose styles I’d buy for business casual. EF is good quality- but after imported to Canada, quite expensive. I rely on a few local designers and selectively chosen pieces @ LL Bean or Lands’ End. Stocked up on LE’s slim ankle cords on sale, hip colours and $17/pr.
But you really have to look hard, still! Am desperate for stylish skirts that do not hit me at thigh.
Duchesse, I know you are tall (taller than I am I think, I am a bit taller than average). I think you should try some of the longer skirts from EF. OR, another idea is to try their sleeveless oval viscose jersey dress (several colors available right now) and use the dress as a skirt. I have several of the dresses and played dress up last night trying some tops over the dress. I thought it worked well. On me (at 5’8″), the dress hits at the lower calf. I enjoy belting it also. Check out the reviews of the dress. There are a few other skirts you might like. I know the import expense is an issue.
My basics come from several sources. Last fall and winter (and still now), my go to pant is the Frankie pant from Worth NY. None available at their site right now, but I expect this style will be back in the fall. It’s a thick ponte type knit that is flattering on me.
I also wear a lot of Eileen Fisher. I think I have four (or maybe five) of their black dresses in the very comfortable viscose jersey. I change them up with accessories and can go most anywhere in them.
I know une femme loves EF’s silk. For some reason, silk tops do not feel right on my skin, so I prefer the viscose jersey tops. I have some pants in the same fabric and also the ponte knit. While I stay away (most of the time) from the voluminous styles of some of the EF’s tops, I find a lot online and in the local EF shop that works for me. I do think some of the pieces are a bit pricey.
For the upcoming summer, I have EF’s oval sleevelss viscose jersey dress in a great blue, a tulip dark red, and in a dark navy called ink. I plan to belt these dresses some of the time, accessorize with scarves (sometimes as belts) and jewelry.
For my farm basics, I wear cotton t-shirts from The Gap. In cooler weather, I favor the v-necked long sleeve shirts. I wear short sleeved or sleeveless in the summer.
My basic shoes when a lot of walking is involved are my Naot flats.
Susan, Many Canadian retailers carry EF. It’s more expensive here but I’d buy it if I loved it. It does not fit my body very well. The pants inseams are too short and the skirts are boxy and fall at the wrong place. I’ve tried, as I so like the clothes on friends and in ads.
PS. Susan: I am 5’10” but a lot of that height is in my long legs.
I like Eileen Fisher pieces and our local boutique is now stocking a few of her things. The price point is quite high though so I would not buy many. Like Duchesse I look for basics at Lands End and they offer sales regularly making it easy to snap up a bargain.
That same boutique offers great basics by a Vancouver company Gilmour and the garments are well made and the fabrics are heavy enough that they drape well and look polished.
I am off to check out Dobbin.
Hope your week is going well.
I have found some very simple silk blouses by Vince, but they are pricey. I am also waiting for Winser London to start shipping to the US (also pricey), but the concept is enticing. I will have to check out EF.
If I were independently wealthy I would create a brand of clothing that only used ponte, merino, and matte jersey. Petites, tall, plus, maternity, basics with occasional updates each year for current trends. I think I could dress for every occasion that came my way with those three fabrics and they are so easy to care for, comfortable, and make for flattering garments. The places I used to go to for such basics (AT, BR, J. Crew) seem to have lost their way and keep changing silhouettes, directions, and fit models. I look forward to the comments from your readers!
I’m in love with the LUZCA Gabriella dress and a few of the EF pieces but they are simply way, way out of my budget. I understand that often you get what you pay for and I do try to buy better quality anchor pieces. Things that are clearly only going to be around for one season, two at best, I buy on the cheap.
Spashionista (Alicia)
Totally agree. I also checked out Dobbin but wanted to see more fitted styles, great reminder to keep checking back. I’ld love to shop Eileen Fisher if they offered more non-black basics as that’s a colour that doesn’t work very well on me. The search continues!
My wardrobe basics are all over the map. I have to try them on..they have to have great fit..they have to fit the budget. I tend to avoid websites like this because I want to try things on and if they don’t work be able to either not purchase or return easily. I will check out Dobbin and see what I think. Right now, I have purchased the most basics from Talbots…they do have good sales occasionally.
Poor Scarlett, I sympathize. I spent weeks looking for a light-weight boat neck sweater that wasn’t too loose, or too long, or too bulky, etc. It seemed like every store I went into wanted to sell me a highlighter yellow peplum shirt. Finally found one (on sale!) this weekend at Banana Republic.
I don’t have a’ wardrobe basics’ answer here. I usually shop consignment stores, so whatever fits is what I go with. I would like to find a brand that consistently works for me, but that hasn’t happened. I do love the cigarette pants that you featured.
My go-to source for the basics is also Eileen Fisher. I live in a very small community and like the fact that I can order EF’s basics online and their quality and fit is always spot-on. I don’t mind spending so much on the basics as I can (and will) wear them for years accessorizing them with simple jewelry or silk scarves. Never buy any of here trendier item though, I am just not a trendy woman of certain age, I guess. I do like your blog a lot!
I’ll say this, Dobbin is not dowdy. My friends and I (professionals in our late 20’s/early 30’s) are loving Dobbin for it’s ability to keep us looking chic, classic, and fresh. Not to mention, getting a phenomenal product at a fair price. They use quality fabric, have incredible fit (hello, for real bodies) and are Made-In-America (duh, no brainer to buy from them.) Also, I had a ton of questions before my first purchase that they happily answered. Top that off with their easy shipping policy (free both ways!), and I was a very happy lady. There may not be hundreds of pieces, but I’d rather have a few right, solid pieces for my wardrobe. P.S. I know I’m a bit younger than a few of you (not an ageist), but wanted to add that my mom (early 60’s) loves their stuff, too.
For tailored pieces such as suit jackets and formal pants I rely on the Max Mara and all it’s subsequent lines, I’m very fond of Max Mara weekend for the perfect business casual pieces and Sport Max for sporty off bead styles. Their Marella brand is super feminine so I stick to their accessories. I’ve been pining after Toast and DuBarry, they’ve got some super chic super casual pieces I’m just longing to add to my wardrobe.
Thanks for reminding me, I think MaxMara make the most beautiful, timeless clothes.
I like that Olivia dress and jacket… I find I shop across the board and tend to mix all different price points together… Some items are worth investing in … some not so much…
My go to for cashmere is Uniqlo and they have some other fabulous basics too… xv
I get basics from a store called COS – they do great basics in good fabrics and they are reasonably priced – you should go when you’re in London, I think you’d like it!
For the basics, you really can’t beat Land’s End with a stick. Not sexy, but solid, basic pants, skirts, and sweaters. They have petites, talls, plus sizes, and do alterations. After becoming frustrated with the inconsistent offerings of AT, JCrew, et al, I’ve returned to LE for my basics. I’ve saved a ton of cash and have yet to come away disappointed. I’m not getting anything from them, either, in case you wonder. For special items, I head to my local Nordstroms, which still has knowledgeable sales people, a disappearing species.