12 women’s basics brands that deliver on quality and feel nice against your skin

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.

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.

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.