Notice how we put the word "boring" in quotation marks. That was on purpose. Because when it comes down to it, we don’t think there’s any item that’s actually boring. Some might call an item boring, but we’ll call it foundational. Some might call it basic, but we’ll call it a necessity. Our fashion philosophy goes like this: Staples are the best investments because they allow us to build an outfit from the bottom up. Historically speaking, there’s nothing that pairs better with most "boring" fashion items than a pair of jeans. Whether you’re wearing your favorite worn-in pair or a new sleek fit, keep scrolling to see the 10 foundational fashion items you need to own.
Whether it’s long, cropped, baggy, or teeny tiny, a ribbed tank top is one of the most "boring" wardrobe basics you could possibly own. It’s also the most versatile wardrobe basics you could possibly own. Layer it under a denim jacket, a leather jacket, or a cardigan, or wear it alone. Either way, when you wear it with jeans, you’ll look cool and effortless, like a model off-duty.
Jeans and graphic tees go together like peanut butter and jelly, strawberries and chocolate, wine and charcuterie, or any other classic food pairing for that matter. While there are literally hundreds of thousands of graphic tee possibilities, we like the classic band tee best.
’90s-inspired halter tops are back, especially those that are cropped high above the waist. Fashion girls love to wear them with all kinds of jeans—whether skinny, flared, baggy, or otherwise.
So far, we’ve concentrated on the most casual tops to wear with jeans. Now it’s time we switch it up and talk about the tops that will make an old, faded pair of jeans look polished and elevated. A silk camisole is one of those. There’s just something that seems very French about it, non?
Is there anything more classic than a white button-down shirt? Tuck yours (preferably an over-sized version) into a pair of high-waisted jeans for a billowy, breezy, professional-looking outfit.
Blazers are perhaps the most foundational wardrobe pieces of all time. they make everything else look elevated and polished (jeans included). Here, fashion blogger Soraya Bakhtiar pairs an oversized blazer with a pair of wide-legged jeans. We think it creates a cool silhouette.
Although cardigans are definitely considered to be one of the more "boring" wardrobe basics, they don’t have to be plain; there are printed cardigans, embellished cardigans, cropped cardigans, and more. Danielle Bernstein of @weworewhat wears a cropped version with a pair of high-waisted jeans. The combination is smart, academic, and fashionable (it gives us Cher from Clueless vibes).
Strappy sandals were arguably 2019’s shoe of the summer. Seeing as it’s August, and you’ve probably worn your strappy sandals to bits, you might consider it a "boring" staple. We beg to differ. Strappy sandals are worn so often, by so many people, because they work with almost every single outfit (jeans included). Some of the coolest brands seem to agree, because they keep making them. We’re partial to these cool croc-effect ones from Staud.
Sure, sneakers aren’t as dramatic (or as lengthening) as heels, but they’re the epitome of cool and casual, especially when paired with your favorite pair of worn-in jeans. There’s a reason why celebs wear the sneakers-and-jeans combo all the time; it just works, pure and simple.
There is little I love more than a denim-on-denim look. No matter how you refer to it—whether you prefer to call it a "joutfit" or a Canadian tuxedo—it creates an old-school Americana vibe that I love. Style the outfit with a pair of heeled ankle boots or a pair of embellished heels and you can consider it your new go-to weekend outfit.
