Elevated basics: need of the hour

Aaina Mahajan lists her all-season favourite looks that everyone should invest in

With today’s new normal, the basic sense and need of dressing has completely changed.  People want to feel more comfortable and yet be trendy. One can make his/her basics look extremely luxe and wear them on repeat by styling them differently each time. If you invest sensibly and on timeless pieces you should go for elevated basics that are of good quality, have great functionality and are effortless.

My top essential would be a classic white shirt, a tailored nude/black blazer and a pair of well-fitted jeans. These are  staple pieces one must have in the wardrobe. These classic neutral tones are timeless and can be elevated by teaming them with accessories like sneakers, heels, boots, bags, jewellery and belts depending on the occasion and season. They create a look of minimalist luxury.

Athleisure has become a huge part of today's elevated fashion wardrobe, as it can be worn formally during the night or casually during the day. It serves as a great utility outfit. Once should invest in a nice ribbed co-ord set in neutral colours and fun printed track-sets in comfortable pure fabrics. These are wearable all day and all season.

 My personal favourite looks would be:

• A white cotton crop top with baggy denim jeans, styled with classic black pumps and a belt bag.
• Another no-brainer is a white shirt with an oversized black blazer and skinny jeans. This can be teamed up with minimalistic classic gold earnings and a chain.
• The little black dress is the most versatile piece one can own in their closet. It can be worn in the day or night and can be teamed with sneakers, stilettos or boots depending on the season or occasion.
• A great ribbed well fitted track-set in a neutral tone like salmon pink, beige, brown or black can be go to piece that is comfortable and luxurious.
• A white crisp well-fitted shirt can be worn with pants, jeans or a skirt depending on one’s mood and occasion. This can also be layered with a blazer, jacket or sweater that makes it versatile and extremely wearable.
• A black t- shirt is very versatile and can be teamed with neutral bottoms like denims, black/beige pants. This can also be teamed with fun printed bottoms to add an element.

Elevated basics make fashion more sustainable and you enjoy the pieces more as you get value from them and can keep them in your wardrobe over several years to come as well as play with them in terms of mood and styling.  It is better to spend a little more on good quality timeless pieces than splurge on mindless quantities of clothes that are fast fashion, impulsive-bought and not long-lasting. When choosing your pieces, make sure the fabric is of premium quality, the fit and cut is contemporary depending on your body type, the colour tones are versatile and can be teamed with multiple things.

(The author is the founder of MellowDrama, a one-stop solution for prêt wear.)