13 Best Women's Basics Brands, Tested and Reviewed

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We've all had those moments, standing in front of a closet full of perfectly good clothing, but still unable to find an outfit we like. In those "I-have-nothing-to-wear" moments, you pull out the essentials — classic, reliable pieces you can always count on to look and feel great. The best women's basics clothing brands are — or, should be — the foundation of your wardrobe.

When you have a few simple pieces you love, getting dressed in the morning is much easier. Just about every brand offers its own take on the basics, but these are the ones we always come back to. We look to them when we want to look simply stylish (picture the best women's jeans paired with the best white button down), or even rock loungewear that doubles as business casual. Combining high-quality materials, affordability, and flattering styles, these brands make the best basics you'll want to wear every day.

Quince is a treasure trove for timeless wardrobe staples in top-notch fabrics such as cashmere, silk, and organic cotton. Plus, the fabrics are the real thing — no hiding behind language like "cotton blend" in order to conceal the use of synthetics like polyester.

Plus, thanks to its direct-to-consumer model, everything is more affordable than its competitors. To give you an idea of how budget-friendly the brand is, they sell cashmere sweaters that would typically cost hundreds at other retailers for only $50. And you can get Italian leather totes for just under $100.

I personally own tons of basics from Quince. I wrote a glowing review of Quince's silk slip dress, which is one of my absolutely essential wardrobe staples and retails for $80. I also love their stretchy Ponte pants that made our list of the best comfy work pants for women, their seasonally-appropriate scoop-neck linen dress, and tons of other basics.

Here are just a few of my favorites. Plus, you can see the whole team's favorite Quince pieces in our big Quince review.

You may know Buck Mason as a men's brand, but they've since expanded to womenswear. Above all, they use the highest-quality fabrics. They produce their own textiles, using slub and pima cotton that feels incredible to the touch. From thick-knit fabrics to airy, lightweight materials, you can really feel the difference when you're wearing one of their famous T-shirts. Plus, don't forget to check out Buck Mason's men's section too for oversized fits and even more selection.

My favorite Buck Mason pieces:

Eileen Fisher wants to help you create a simple, high-quality wardrobe that will get you from the workplace to the weekend. Their 12 Shapes collection is meant to be the foundation of a capsule wardrobe. It includes pants, cardigans, and a few basic top silhouettes that work together no matter what. Plus, the brand also offers petite sizing and is available in sizes XXS-3X. The garments are also made from high-quality linen, silks, and cotton.

The three Eileen Fisher garments that I mix and match with everything (I have them all in petite):

Frank & Oak is one of the best places to find basic styles that will get you though the winter. Their selection of outerwear ranges from sleek trenches to warm puffers, all in enduring styles. Plus, their sweaters and cardigans are versatile and easy to launder.

I've also been super impressed with the quality of their professional basics. Frank & Oak's blazer and pencil skirt set has become my new go-to suit when I want to look put together. The material is luxurious, and the skirt sits perfectly on my slightly curvier hips.

"There came a time in my life when I realized that, as much as I liked to dress like a cool, edgy New Yorker, I couldn't really afford it. That's when I decided to change that for myself and for tens of millions of other women around the world," says Marcella's founder, Siyana Huszar. And Marcella's basics are absolutely fit for a chic New Yorker — there are edgy silhouettes, tailored fits, and asymmetrical cuts. Plus, everything is incredibly versatile. One of Marcella's bestsellers is the Alyssa Infinity Top, a chic wrap shirt that can be worn in eight different ways.

Here are some of my favorites from the brand — I'm especially a fan of the Lotte top:

Prior to working at Insider, I had never bought a piece from the brand, but after hearing my teammates' consistently rave reviews, I bought two pieces that soon became outfit go-to's. One of my colleagues shared a similar sentiment after trying pieces from the men's collection in his Everlane Uniform review. Their site is transparent about pricing and manufacturing to the last detail. Beyond the brand's sustainable, ethical practices, its clothes and accessories really deliver on quality and style. You'll find simple T-shirts, sweaters, work pants, and more in universally flattering fits and a wide range of colors — there's really something for everyone.

Read more on the Editions collection in our Everlane women's workwear review, plus our overall Everlane review.

Chances are, you've already heard of Uniqlo. This Japanese-based brand specializes in affordable basics. Thier pieces are simple and smartly designed, with no frills or loud colors that can be unappealing for some. Plus, you can get fantastic deals. For example, you can get a great basic T-shirt for under $15. We love Uniqlo's budget-friendly capsule clothing that washes well and will last you longer than lots of other brands at the same price point.

If you're bored of basics brands offering the same neutral color palette, then Splendid is your answer. They're no stranger to pinks, oranges, and other pops of color. Plus, they even offer cute prints and unique textures that you'll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

I'm a particularly big fan of their Breeze Dress, which is a true lounge dress that you won't want to take off — and you might never need to since you can just as easily wear it to bed as you can to the grocery store.

My favorite Splendid picks:

There was a time when Richer Poorer was almost bankrupt. Now, the brand garners thousand-person waitlists. Their success lies in this fact: the entire collection is seriously comfortable and high quality. Richer Poorer actually pre-washes many of its pieces with silicone so that they already feel comfortable and broken in. The T-shirts and undergarments are mostly in the $30-40 range. The fleece sweats are on the pricier side (about $76 apiece), but they cost far less than other high-end athleisure pieces while still having a luxurious loungewear feel.

Read more in our full Richer Poorer review.

Based on its name alone, you might guess that The Normal Brand is great for basics. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, the brand brings a rugged touch to simple dressing. The materials feel great to the touch and the denim was both stretchy and clearly durable. Their signature Puremeso fabric is soft, washes great, and has a touch of Spandex for extra comfort. I also highly recommend their sweater selection as we go into the fall.

Pact is committed to making super-soft, comfy apparel using organic cotton in Fair Trade factories. While organic is usually synonymous with expensive, Pact makes it considerably accessible— leggings are $38, T-shirts go for $25, and hoodies for $60, to give you a sense of pricing.

Pact offers products for men, women, and kids — clothing, undergarments, and even bedding — though within each category, the selection is small. If you have trouble making decisions, you'll appreciate Pact's thoughtful selection of just the basics.

See our full Pact review to check out our other favorite pieces.

Universal Standard is widely considered among the top places to shop for the best plus size clothing. Besides the modern, stylish collection of versatile clothing, the "Foundation" section includes simple tees and tanks that make great base layers for any outfit. If you're not sure what you want, Universal Standard also offers the option to purchase a capsule — it's a curated collection of some of its bestselling pieces catered to your lifestyle, like workwear and activewear.

Read more in our Universal Standard denim review, Universal Moto Jacket review, and Universal Standard Tee Rex T-shirt review.

Cuyana embodies a "less is more" ethos, advocating for a closet that's full of fewer, but better pieces. "Better" here means beautiful pieces that are thoughtfully made every step of the way. Other than clothing, we're fond of what we consider their best work bags for women. While pricier than the other brands on our list of the best women's basics, Cuyana prides itself on the idea that these will really be all you need (remember: fewer, better).

Learn more in our Cuyana bodysuit review and Cuyana Tote Organization Insert review.

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