Call them wardrobe essentials, closet staples, hero items—every outfit is made up of a few foundational styles. It’s why you fill your proverbial cup with the best white T-shirts and the best white sneakers. It’s also why you devote precious time to researching the best black leggings—and why the perfect high-waist jeans remain a sartorial white whale. 

There’s a difference between relying on hardworking items and dressing in a uniform of sorts—or even building a capsule wardrobe, for that matter. Wearing iterations of the same outfit over and over again isn’t for everyone, and that is 100% okay, but there is something to be said about surrounding yourself with reliable pieces that stand the test of time. Not only will you set the tone for your daily looks, but you’ll also make getting dressed as effortless as possible (most of the time). 

To help you figure out what those wardrobe essentials look like for you, we curated this list of tried-and-true pieces that you'll find in our own closets—starting from the top with a basic-in-the-best-way woman’s T-shirt all the way to the bottom with our go-to crew socks. 

First order of business: securing the perfect white T-shirt. If you like a shorter, boxy fit, Everlane has a great one that’s made from organic cotton. Hanes men’s T-shirts are mid-weight and slightly longer, ideal for tucking into high-rise pants.