The hardest working AW basics in my wardrobe (from someone with tits and ass)

And other great basics i've heard great things about

*Paid subscribers will be able to see the entire list, and free subscribers will be able to see the first two.

*Trigger warning as this piece features discussions around weight.

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Those pretty pieces, the ones that add decoration seem somewhat effortless to find, I often think they find us. But when it comes to finding the perfect basics (especially when your body is not that of a Victoria Secrets model, the search can be time consuming and stressful. As someone who inhabits a UK size 14/16 body, it’s true I do have some sizing privilege, but when I think back to the situations that have caused me the most frustration when it came to shopping, it has always been finding basics that made me feel good.

I think what makes buying basics that work for you and your personal preferences is the fact a basic can still vary from store to store, cut to cut and it’s no longer the case that there’s only one perfect white tee to choose from. A basic yes, but do you want relaxed sleeves or capped sleeves? Do you want it fitted or boxy? Do you want it cropped or with a sufficient amount of fabric to tuck in? Do you want a crew neck or V neck? You get my point, and so today I thought i’d survey my own closet to share the hardest working AW basics I own.

The Classic Tee

Growing up watching Trinny and Susannah worn other big breasted women about the perils of wearing a crew neck had me believing I had to wear a v neck, and as such I spent a good many years avoiding crewnecks like the plague! (That and horizontal stripes.) It was a very confusing time being told in equal measures to minimise my bust (hello fashion industry) and to wear the most revealing thing possible and make them look bigger (hello Nuts magazine/Maxim etc). I’m pleased to report those days are behind me, and I can’t tell you how at home in my body I finally felt when I did give myself permission to wear a crew neck, tits and all!

I’m definitely someone who runs warm, plus I live in LA, so a classic tee is still one of my most worn AW basics. My go to at one point (before the slightly boxier silhouette was on trend) was to buy mens cotton tees from the likes of H&M (as the sizes were generally larger), and I would cut some length off the bottom knowing I always tucked my tees in. That is…until I discovered the & Other Stories relaxed crew neck tee. I like my classic tee’s to have a slightly baggier sleeve, a nice substantial collar and not too much fabric to tuck in to jeans, but not cropped either. It goes without saying their sizing is pretty piss poor, (and now i’m showing my sizing privilege) but I do fit the large size and because it has been around for many years, costs $32 and comes in a variety of colors, has been an incredibly hard working basic in my wardrobe.

Other tee’s I’ve heard great things about include this one by Everlane, and this one by Universal Standard which has much better sizing.

Straight Leg Jeans

If there’s one item of clothing that has without a doubt caused me the most stress (and self loathing in a past life) it’s been shopping for jeans. Having an ass and thick thighs has meant that most of the denim brands that people lust after won’t even go past my knees (i’m looking at you Agolde). Your girl needs some stretch ok?! I’ve tried so many times to squeeze myself into the rigid 100% cotton jeans, and even on the very rare instances that I have squeezed myself into the largest size a brand offers, the moment I bend down or attempt to sit, I feel like my intestines are being cut in half. This is not living people. I need to be able to eat a burger in my jeans.

For the longest time I had come to believe I could only have comfort or style when it came to finding the perfect jeans as a mid size woman. That is, until I found my beloved Abercrombie curve love jeans. I’m not exaggerating when I say this changed my life. I finally had not one style, but multiple styles to choose from that looked exactly how I wanted them to look without cutting me in half. My everyday jean of choice is the Abercrombie Curve love vintage straight jean, but I also love and own the straight leg ankle jean as well as some older styles of the high rise relaxed 90’s jeans. They go up to a size 37 W and most come in 5 different leg lengths!