If your new normal these days includes more virtual meetings, streaming workouts, and zoom happy hours than you’d ever thought possible – we totally get it! You’re not alone. And while we’re all itching to get outside and back to the good ol’ days of real-human-interaction, there are some great advantages to staying home. That’s right – with all the money you’re saving on commutes and cocktail bars, it’s the perfect time to reinvest in your closet by building (and rebuilding) your wardrobe foundations with everyday essentials. But don’t worry, we’re not just talking about plain ol’ tees and tanks here. Nope! These awesome top 15 everyday essentials brands will add a cool twist and sophisticated touch to wardrobe must-haves for your virtual world and beyond!
1) Bassike
Contemporary Aussie brand Bassike offers wearable everyday fashion with a flare. Founded in 2006 by Deborah Sams and Mary Lou Ryan, the brand that has become synonymous with versatility and quality is also one you can count on for sustainable methods of design and manufacturing. Offering awesome premium Japanese denim pieces like the Denim Paperbag Pants, designers Deborah Sams and Mary Lou Ryan will ensure you always have a versatile style and rad options for pairing any cool tee, pretty blouse, or cozy sweatshirt. With a 100% cotton shell, long-rise silhouette, and drawstring closure, the Bassike Denim Paperbag Pants will get you all set for a stylish lounge day.
2) alexanderwang.t
If your impression of everyday wardrobe basics has you less than inspired, then you have not properly met the unique stylings from alexanderwang.t. Offering its own unique take on ripped tops, sweaters, jersey dresses, and tanks, this hip label is anything but boring and offers a twist on understated basics. One of our fave looks from alexanderwang.t? The knotted silk-charmeuse mini dress in black of course. With its super chic esthetic which channels the cool 90’s vibe that has come back with full vengeance, this flattering take on the little black dress proves that less really is more when it comes to sophisticated basics. Can you think of anything more luxurious than chillin’ in silk? Yeah, we can’t either!
3) A.L.C.
If you’re looking for contemporary wearable basics from a cool-girl who knows street style, then designer Andrea Liberman is going to be your style guru with her label A.L.C. Known for an esthetic that can be described as a little bit hip hop and sprinkled with a touch of internationalism, you’ll be grabbing up all the dresses, tops, skirts, pants, and sweaters this fresh brand has to offer. Just ask style icons like Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Cameron Diaz, and Drew Barrymore – just a few of the stars who have entrusted Andrea Lieberman to their styling long before she launched her own brand. Created in 2009 with the mission to deliver effortlessly elevated wardrobe essentials that make women look and feel their best, there is truly no time like the present to do just that and to build your core wardrobe! And how can you feel anything less than your best in looks like A.L.C.’s Libra Dress?
4) MOTHER
Is there anything more classic and essential than a great pair of basic denim? The answer is a resounding no! That’s why we would be remiss to leave out the mother of all contemporary denim labels – (pun intended) Mother Denim. The Los Angeles based denim brand that made its debut in 2010 has quickly become a favorite and a wardrobe staple for fashion lovers in and out of tinsel town. And while the extensive denim backgrounds from the brand’s experienced designs prove they truly are experts in the field – they also insist on not taking themselves too seriously. And aren’t we all game for a little fun these days? So whether you’re more of a flare ankle-fray kind of a denim girl, or you prefer an high-rise flare, you can trust MOTHER to take care of all your needs!
5) L’agence
Luxury fabrics and modern designs are what make up the essence of fashion label L’agence. For timeless ready-to-wear pieces created with that quintessential California esthetic in mind, the L.A based brand that has an understated Parisian influence really comes in handy in and out of the confines of your home. Take the Bianca Band Collar Blouse for instance. Made from 100% silk and boasting buttoned cuffs, a front button closure, and stitched collar detailing, this gorgeous top feels as good as it looks. Simply pair this pretty blouse with your favorite denim and dangle earrings to create a put-together and sophisticated look that never goes out of style. And if you’re not yet convinced about L’agence, maybe the slew of the popular brand’s ambassadors including Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Cindy Crawford, Emma Roberts, Karlie Kloss, Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Lopez, Kaia Gerber, Lilly Collins, Demi Lovato, Ashley Graham, and Scarlet Johansson will do the trick!
6) Kondi
When creating and curating your new wardrobe essentials, do not, we repeat, do NOT forget your tracksuit! But of course we’re not talking just any ol’ tracksuit! No amateur hour here! We’re talking luxurious and shimmery velour track suit pieces from contemporary everyday fashion brand KONDI. Created by designer Suzie Kondi and gaining traction for its signature velour tracksuits, this effortlessly cool versatile fashion brand is sure to finish in first place. The rich gold hue of the Kondi’s Stretch Cotton-blend velour track pants which are inspired by the traditional Eastern European touman styles that designer Suzie Kondi‘s grandmother used to wear, boast a high waist design and are made from plush stretch cotton-blend velour. Pair this layering essential with its matching velour sweatshirt and you’ll be good to go in gold!
7) Ba&sh
Best friend designer-duo Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief created the everyday fashion brand Ba&sh, and boy are we glad they did! Drawing inspiration from their own wardrobe, the French label that launched in 2004 has become a staple in its own right among the fashion-loving French, for versatile fashion and understated basics. Parisian cool pieces with an effortless feel ranging from jumpsuits, to blouses, to skirts and sweaters will have you covered for all your wardrobe essentials needs. Looking to keep things light? Ba&sh designers Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief’s super cute lightweight slubbed jersey Hope Tee with a “I will Hug You Later” graphic is the most timely and essential shirt you’ll need during quarantine and beyond! Pair with the label’s Mauve colored Doze Shorts for a summer-perfect look.
8) Apiece Apart
Looking for clean lines, chic and graphic shapes, and tailored styles in your wardrobe essentials? Look no further! New York City based contemporary women’s everyday fashion brand Apiece Apart offers just that, and then some. With a deep belief in collaboration, color, connection, and feminine zeal among other things, this sophisticated and long-lasting label is just the thing to give your essentials the right kick in the pants! Speaking of pants, we are obsessed with Apiece Apart‘s Bendita Pant in Pistachio, and when you slip them on, you will be too! Made from 60% linen and 40% cotton, the elasticized belted waist design and side slant pockets make these the perfect go-to pants for pairing with stylish tops or your favorite breezy blouse.
9) AGOLDE
Nothing is more essential these days (save for essential workers) than premium denim to round out your wardrobe — and AGOLDE is the L.A-based premium fashion denim label that will work with all of your everyday fashion staples! The Cali cool brand known for pushing boundaries in the denim department, offers unmistakable looks like these 90’s Mid Rise Loos Fit pants, these Nico High Rise Slim Jeans, and even this super cute Zora Romper. With a strong focus on design, sustainability, comfort, and an attention to detail, it’s no wonder AGOLDE, which was originally founded back in 1989, has been able to successfully re-launch in 2014, to rave reviews and a new generation of fashion fans!
10) The Great.
If you’re looking for wardrobe essentials that stand out from the crowd and are better than good, well, then its essential you check out women swear fashion brand The Great. Founded by Emily Current and Merrit Elliott, the vintage-inspired pieces with a cool-girl edge coming from this label, are so pretty and classic, you’ll wear them for years to come. The Cali-girl perfect Eyelet Kerchief Top made from lightweight fabric is ideal for summer months and is the perfect alternative to the basic white top. In the mood for a little label loyalty? Then grab for The Great.’s very-vintage Shrunken Sweatshirt which boasts a nod to the brand itself with its “The Great Barracudas” graphic front design. Step into greatness with the charming feminine details and super easy and wearable designs from Emily Current and Merrit Elliott fabulous label.
11) Alex Mill
You gotta respect the laser sharp focus that comes with creating a brand whose sole purpose is to deliver the perfect shirt. And that’s exactly what contemporary fashion brand Alex Mill set out to do when it was established in 2012. Known for its quality items that are timeless and not trendy, Alex Mill is the epitome of uncomplicated and iconic. The best part? While the brand has made good on its original mission to create the perfect shirt, like the Charlie cotton-poplin shirt and the Pinstripe cotton and linen-blend shirt , it has also expanded (lucky us!) into mix and match essentials ranging in sweater knits, dresses, pants, and blazers.
12) LnA
California natives Lauren Alexander and April Leight really hit the nail on the head when they created their label LNA back in 2007. Since then, the brand that sought out to create the perfect men’s inspired t-shirt for women has evolved into a super popular label offering everything from tees to jackets to cashmere sweaters – and has even become a favorite among fashion’s heaviest hitters (Kate Moss anyone?) In fact, Lauren Alexander and April Leight’s LNA has even graced the pages of Vogue, Elle, and Harper Bazaar on more than one occasion. Not too shabby if you ask us. But when you can pair together looks like these uber comfy Brushed Joggers, with the stylish Leopard Tank Bodysuit, is it any wonder they’ve made our list of top for everyday essentials brand?
13) Monrow
Real talk. The best part of staying home is slipping into your favorite cozy pair of sweats, amiright?! But who says that has to mean old embarrassing sweats you wouldn’t be caught dead in, in public? Not us! Mastering the world of luxe-leisure, L.A brand Monrow has the most fabulous and fashion-friendly casual wear you’ll love, in a trademark “supersoft” fabric you’ll be addicted to in no time! Ranging from tops to dresses, to rompers, jumpsuits and shorts, Monrow is the perfect brand for a wardrobe essentials overhaul. We’re over the moon for looks like the Vintage Sweats with Black Out Tie Dye, and the Zebra Chill Sweatpant. For staples that compliment the rest of your wardrobe in the best way, and that are equal parts fashionable and comfortable, Monrow is the way to go.
14) Susana Monaco
Fashion designer Susana Monaco is committed to flattering the female form, and we are oh so grateful for that! With her namesake brand of party-ready, special occasion dresses and day-to-night looks, this creative designer made our everyday essentials list with looks like the Deep V Mini Dress, and the Flared V-Wire Tank Dress. The New York fashion design school graduate with Italian roots has a true love affair with design, and it shows! With looks that have caught the attention of fans worldwide, its her high quality fabrics, attention to detail, and the timeless nature of her pieces that keep her appealing to a wider and wider audience every year. So once you’ve settles on your essential denim and tees, and you’re ready to build your elevated essentials, Susana Monaco is going to be your go-to-girl. Trust us!
15) The Row
Style icons and twinsies to boot Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, have long been in the fashion game (and might we mention, winning!) And their contemporary women’s fashion label The Row is no exception. Relaxed and timeless everyday essentials made from quality fabrics that boast the perfect fit is what this brand is all about. Sophisticated basics from these two tiny powerhouse designers will elevate anyone’s core wardrobe. Cut from tweed woven with wool, The Row’s Zooey jumpsuit has a free-flowing sleeveless bodice that is as comfortable as it is chic. Established back in 2006, this timeless label that favors simplicity and quality, is the perfect addition to your wearable basics and beyond.
