We have to admit, with all the wild swings trends have been making lately—Barbiecore, Delicore, Pam Anderson Chic, Coastal Grandmother—we simply didn’t see a return to basics coming. We would more readily have predicted the return of the extra-large tote bag or the rise of cargo pants (both of which are trending for fall ’22, as well). There are always a few more minimalist styles topping our wishlists, but this year is all about wearing them all together, with little other adornment. It’s the very opposite of maximalist revenge dressing and, in our opinion, a bit harder to pull off.
The tricky thing about wearing only very straightforward, classic silhouettes is that fabric and fit become infinitely more important. With a bold print or fun embellishment, the eye can be tricked into thinking a dress fits better or is more expensive that the reality. But when you strip an item down to its simplest form, any imperfections become harder to hide. That’s not to say you have to splurge on cashmere or silk or designer brands to pull off this specific type of minimalism, you just have to become a more discerning shopper when trying on clothes. Pay attention to the fit, not just when you’re standing still in front of your mirror, but when you’ve taken a few steps around your home or dressing room too. Does your white tank start to ride up or bunch? What about those trousers? Are they slouching in the knees or creasing after just three minutes of wear? When you can, splurge for more luxe natural fabrics like organic cotton, wool, silk or cashmere. They’re pricier, yes, but they’ll also last you way longer than cheaper items. Pieces with a bit of stretch often work better on a wider variety of bodies, but avoid anything with too high a spandex percentage or it may end up looking cheap.
When done well, ‘90s minimalism looks super posh, and can even serve as a chic base for those who simply can’t stop accessorizing with shoulder-grazing earrings or kitschy platform sandals. And once you have these items in your closet, you can essentially mix and match then in any combination you like, making getting dressed in the morning mush less of a to-do. To help you on your quest to achieve the ultimate trendy basics fall wardrobe, here are eight pieces worth adding to cart.