When you think of the bare bones basics—we mean, the utter necessities of the modern functional wardrobe—what do you picture? A sexy black dress? The monochrome sweater that will pair with everything? Those pieces are all well and good, but for spring, we're feeling a slightly fresher approach to the foundations of fashion. Designers are happily reworking our wardrobe staples so that getting dressed for work and play is a lot more fun. Why not let your little black dress be a bit more interesting and a little less obviously sexy? How about a super-colorful chunky sweater as your new everyday knit? We're especially feeling a new take on the everyday flat: one that's more statement than demure. Click through for reasons we're excited to remix our wardrobes with the newest twist on your everyday staples.
The New Basics: 10 Cool Twists on the Usual
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Little Black Dress
The essence of the LBD is to be a go-to sexy frock. We say, turn that concept on its head with this swingy long-sleeved dress. A demure, floaty answer to an endless row of expected body-cons.
$150 at Topshop.
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Everyday Flats
When you think of flats for everyday, you're probably picturing Repetto ballet flats, right? Those would be a great investment, but so would these cool slip-ons. It's clear that metallics are basically always in style, and the cool, deconstructed silhouette brings these shoes a bit of edge.
$188.99 at Modcloth.
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Stripes Galore
When we find a soft, well-fitted striped shirt, we tend to pounce. But we also like the stripe theory on this pretty silk-georgette blouse. The floral element makes it fresh for spring, but this shirt could definitely work year-round.
$285 at Net-a-Porter.
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Work-Apropros Skirt
The knee-length skirt is a necessity in every working girl's wardrobe. This voluminous number by Comme des Garçons is sneakily subversive.
$410 at Barneys.
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Wear-With-Everything Sweater
The thick gauge of this multicolored sweater makes it an attention-grabbing piece, but we can totally see it working with both leather pants for errand-running and with a mini for party-going.
$114.34 at ASOS.
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The New Button-Down
Equipment is definitely the ultimate brand in button-downs, and we like this one for its sheer properties—with modesty pockets, of course—and cool polka-dot-inspired gold flower pattern.
$246 at Net-a-Porter.
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Cool Cardigan
The cardigan is pretty much a necessity. We like the cool sheer-textural thing going on with this Alexander Wang number. From Opening Ceremony, natch.
$525 at Opening Ceremony.
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Trendy Satchel that Endures
This bag is unabashedly trendy—hello, pretty color and metal animal hardware—but it's a kind of combo that we can see coming back in a few years, the way fads go. It's also mighty cute and pitch-perfect for spring.
$61.57 at ASOS.
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Reasonable Heels
Sensible heels are crucial. We like this super-affordable pair because of the pastel-pretty floral pattern. Semi-quiet statement shoes for the win!
$79 at Nordstrom.
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Fresh Earrings
The mixed-media approach to these danglers is super fresh—it's like a remix of nostalgic bracelets and princess baubles—and we sense that they'd look really cool with tons of different outfits. They're just begging to be paired with a gray crewneck sweatshirt.
$28 at Topshop.
