Since I often gravitate toward a uniform approach to dressing, I’ve always loved basics—the foundation of any wardrobe, especially a minimalist one. I recently wrote about the updated summer basics of 2026, including boatneck tops, colorful T-shirts, black slip dresses, white cotton dresses, capris, cropped flare pants, and knee-length skirts. While working on that story, I started thinking about the brands I rely on most for high-quality basics and the ones I hear fellow editors mention time and again.
The first that came to mind was Flore Flore, which is available at Net-a-Porter and is easily one of the basics labels our editors talk about most. Then there’s the basic I’ve been reaching for nonstop lately: CDLP’s Ribbed Stretch Lyocell and Cotton-Blend T-Shirt. The brand is also carried by Net-a-Porter and makes some of the softest, most comfortable tops I own.
Last summer, I picked up my first Cou Cou pieces from Revolve—a pointelle midi dress and a matching tank-and-midi-skirt set—and they’ve become the most-worn items in my warm-weather rotation. I’ve even heard a few colleagues say that Cou Cou is the only underwear they wear. Revolve also stocks Enza Costa, which is known for staples like its Bias Slip Dress and Everyday Pants, as well as the L.A.-based label Rue Sophie and Australia’s St. Agni.
For more retailer-specific recommendations, I’d say Baserange and Matteau at Ssense; Donni at Shopbop; and Almina Concept, Leset, Vir Vita, Loulou de Saison, and Skims at Nordstrom. Others that consistently come up among fashion editors include Kotn, Los Angeles Apparel, J.Crew, Gap, and Organic Basics. Ahead, shop the brands we go to for high-quality basics.
Shop Editor-Favorite High-Quality Basics
Flore Flore
CDLP
CDLP
Ribbed Tencel Lyocell-Blend Tank
CDLP
Ribbed Cotton-Blend T-Shirt
CDLP
Ribbed Cotton-Blend Jersey Tank
Almina Concept
Almina Concept
Classic Round Neck Tank
Almina Concept
High V Neck Tank
Almina Concept
Oversized Cotton Shirt
Leset
LESET
Arielle City Shorts
LESET
Cotton Pointelle Slim Fit T-Shirt
Loulou de Saison
LOULOU DE SAISON
Vasali Skirt
LOULOU DE SAISON
Bruzzi Oversize Sweater
LOULOU DE SAISON
Telanto T-Shirt
Vir Vita
VIR VITA
Pauline Halter Top
VIR VITA
Siena Organic Cotton Poplin Pant
Cou Cou
Cou Cou
The Midi Slip Dress
Cou Cou
The Cami Slip Dress
Enza Costa
Enza Costa
Cotton Rib Halter
Enza Costa
Silk Rib Ankle Length Tank Dress
Enza Costa
Cotton Rib Bandeau Top
Rue Sophie
Rue Sophie
Milou Halter Top
Rue Sophie
Tealia Cami Top
Rue Sophie
Amelia Long Sleeve Top
Baserange
Baserange
Black Ade Maxi Dress
Baserange
Off-White Claude Shirt
Baserange
Black Cinder Halter Top
Matteau
Matteau
Black Rib Baby T-Shirt
Matteau
Blue Relaxed Shirt
Matteau
Black Sheer Midi Skirt
Donni
DONNI
The Baby Rib Baby Tee
DONNI
The Baby Rib Square Neck Tank
Kotn
Kotn
Drop Waist Tank Dress
St. Agni
St. Agni
Organic Cotton Off Shoulder Top
St. Agni
Sculpted Ballet Knit Top
St. Agni
Organic Cotton Baby Tee
Los Angeles Apparel
Los Angeles Apparel
Ponte Spaghetti Dress
Los Angeles Apparel
Ponte Scoopback Top
Los Angeles Apparel
Baby Rib 3/4 Sleeve Boatneck Top
J.Crew
J.Crew
Garçon Classic Shirt
J.Crew
Cashmere High V-Neck Sweater
Gap
Gap
Modern Crewneck T-Shirt
Gap
Modern Square-Neck Crop T-Shirt
Gap
Pointelle Crewneck T-Shirt
Reyèm
Reyèm
Strapless Bandeau Top
Reyèm
Straight Midi Skirt
Tank Air
Tank Air
Teardrop Halter in Black
Tank Air
Volar Tank in Milk
Tank Air
Eternal Tee in Black
Organic Basics
Organic Basics
Core Tie Halter
Organic Basics
Pointelle Dress









