The 17 Best Basics at Abercrombie & Fitch, According to a Fashion Editor
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If you want to create a versatile, capsule wardrobe brimming with pieces that can be styled every which way, no matter the season, you’ll need to start with the basics. With its recent rebranding, Abercrombie & Fitch (aka the controversial, yet beloved brand of our childhood) has once again become a hotspot for closet staples, whether it’s jeans, seasonal goodies, linen pants, plus size fashion and even menswear. I spent the last 24 hours compiling the best basics at Abercrombie & Fitch that I personally vouch for, so you can establish the building blocks for your dream closet.
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1. Shell Knit Mini Dress
I’m of the opinion that you can never have too many little black dresses, and when you stumble across a gem like this sophisticated mini, it deserves a spot in your closet. It has that sleek, slim-fitting silhouette that hugs your frame in all the right places without clinging or suffocating. This is largely due to its comfy fabric blend that’s made up of 46 percent cotton (hello, breathability), 46 percent modal (hello, silkiness) and 8 percent elastane (hello, stretch). I’m a complete sucker for a refined boatneck, and the side ruching adds a great touch, too.
2. Essential Baby Tee
One basic I’ll always buy from Abercrombie & Fitch: their baby tees. I discovered these about a year ago and quickly purchased one in white and black because they’re unbelievably soft, stretchy, comfortable and durable. It’s made from the brand’s cotton-blend seamless fabric that is far from see-through and won’t shrink in the dryer (hallelujah!). It’s cropped, with its hemline falling just above the belly button, so I like to style mine with high-waisted pants or skirts for a casual ‘fit or with low-rise cargos when I’m feeling daring.
3. Elevated Trench Coat
This trench coat is one of those purchases you will not regret. Come rain or shine, you’ll want to throw this baby on, not just because it looks stylish beyond belief, but also because the nylon fabric is both wind- and water-resistant. The brand also made improvements to the classic fit, making it more true-to-size. I also love that there’s an interior lining (talk about luxe!), pockets and an adjustable tie at the waist.
4. The A&F Scarlett Premium Crepe Mini Skort
Another basic to check off your list? A black mini skort, of course. I’m a huge fan of Abercrombie & Fitch’s silky crepe fabric since it makes my outfit look polished and a touch more formal. There’s a side zipper that won’t ruin the aesthetic and makes it easy to slip into, plus the back has some elastic at the waist that’ll stretch and give.
$70; $49 at Abercrombie & Fitch
5. Ottoman Slash Top
I told you I loved a boatneck. The Ottoman Slash top is made from a stretchy, sweater-knit fabric that’s designed to sculpt the body like a piece of artwork. (It reminds me a *lot* of the ribbed material on those beloved Babaton Sculpt Knit tank tops from Aritzia.) I’m not the only Stephanie who’s taken by it, either. Stephanie G., an Abercrombie & Fitch reviewer, gushes, “I LOVE this tank. I originally ordered the white in medium and I loved it, but it was a little big around the neck. I re-ordered in a small and it is PERFECT! It’s seriously a new closet staple and perfect for my capsule wardrobe I have been slowly working to create.”
6. Curve Love High Rise Dad Short
I’ve reached a point in my life where booty shorts no longer serve me (did they ever really serve me in the first place?) and denim cutoffs seem unappealing unless they have a longer hem and are roomy around the thighs. That’s why I’m all about the best-selling Abercrombie & Fitch Dad shorts. They have a solid high-rise fit and are totally relaxed. Ladies, this means no chafing or squeezing around the thighs. If you have a small waist and wide hips, then you’ll love the brand’s Curve Love fit, as it accommodates for an additional two inches through the hips and thighs to eradicate that waist-gap issue, but you can also purchase the shorts sans Curve Love. One buyer writes, “I’m thrilled about these! The wash, the fit, the booty coverage…amazing! Can't wait to style and rock them all summer.” Ditto.
7. A&F Sloane Tailored Linen-Blend Pant
Come summer, you’ll want to live in a breezy, breathable linen, and these pants, which are made with a viscose-linen blend, scream style and elegance. They’re a tailored wide-leg pant with an ultra-high-rise fit and feature sleek pleats at the front of the waist, making this *totally* work appropriate. It will also look fab on your European vacation, too. (And, yes, it has pockets!)
8. Cotton-Blend Seamless Fabric Tee Bodysuit
On this episode of, Is it Skims or Abercrombie & Fitch? Just kidding…but when many reviewers can barely tell the difference between the two bodysuits, you know this $45 staple is a must-have. The slim-fitting bodysuit is comprised of the same seamless fabric that my favorite baby T-shirt is made with, creating a smooth silhouette that looks fab underneath a blazer and tucked into high-waisted straight-leg jeans.
9. Merino Wool-Blend Slim Crew Cardigan
A slim cardigan is one of those basics that defies any season and trend. Style it with a silk skirt in the fall, layer it under a warm coat in winter, pair it with denim jeans in spring and tie it around your shoulders in summer. I like that this one maintains the traditional aspects of the classic style, from the rib trimmings to the button-up front to the crew neckline.
10. New York Yankees '47 Clean-Up Hat
Don’t underestimate the power of a baseball cap. It can hide a bad hair day, shield your tired, dehydrated and hungover skin from the bright sun and completely transform a look, taking it from drab to fab. Abercrombie & Fitch offers a ton of styles, colors and teams (I’m an LA Dodgers fan, myself) in their adjustable cap, so have at it.
11. Relaxed Poplin Shirt
Take it from one Abercrombie and Fitch customer: “This shirt is a great staple for a capsule wardrobe.” If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a fashion editor, it’s that a crisp, white poplin shirt can elevate any outfit (yes, even denim cutoffs), and I’m loving that this relaxed fit hangs loose around the bodice without swallowing you up. “It fits perfectly. Not too tight, not too oversized so it’ll be very versatile. It’s also made with a super soft material and it washed and dried well,” she adds.
12. Curve Love Ultra-High-Rise 90s Straight Jean
A classic, straight-leg jean is arguably one of the most important basics you can own, not to mention, such a versatile piece in any wardrobe. Available with the Curve Love fit and without, this ultra-high-rise jean is intended to give you legs for days and that quintessential ‘90s supermodel look. The fabric has some stretch to it, too, thanks to the elastane, so it provides all-day comfort. Best of all? In addition to the variety of washes it comes in, the jeans are also available in five lengths (extra short, short, regular, long, extra-long) to accommodate all heights.
13. Essential Premium Polished Relaxed Tee
If you prefer a relaxed fit to a tight crop, then this T-shirt is for you. It’s roomy, softAF (seriously, that’s the name of the brand’s trademarked material) and has a crisp, heavyweight feel to it that’ll have you thinking it’s way more luxurious than its $25 price point. It’s made from 100 percent cotton, so it may shrink if you throw it in the dryer, and though some customers find that the straight-cut shirt runs true-to-size, people with broad shoulders may want to size up.
14. Traveler Mini Dress
I’ve had my eye on this sporty dress for the longest time now, partly because I constantly hear my colleagues sing its praises. I’ve heard that it’s one of the most comfortable athletic dresses to wear when you can’t be bothered put an outfit together. The material is comprised of nylon, elastane and polyester, making it incredibly stretchy and soft, and it features built-in shorts, a hidden pocket for your cellphone, keys and cards—plus, it has adjustable straps. It also looks chic as heck, and there’s a myriad of ways you can dress it up or down. Top it with blazers, chunky sweaters, jean jackets, poplin shirts (see above)…need I say more?
15. YPB sculptLUX Bike Short
You don’t have to break a sweat to wear bike shorts, people. Athleisure saw its peak a few years ago, but that doesn’t mean the comfy lounge shorts are out of style. Smoothing, compressive and supportive, they’re ideal for running errands, going grocery shopping, grabbing a coffee, moving through a Vinyasa or menstruating. According to hundreds of reviews, many of them prefer Abercrombie & Fitch’s sculptLUX fabric to other hyped-up and expensive brands. They feature a double-layer waistband that purportedly won’t roll down or move during workouts, and they have a hidden pocket in the waistband and a flattering V-shape back seam that makes the bum look snatched.
$45; $34 at Abercrombie & Fitch
16. Denim Trucker Jacket
Whether it’s because Stagecoach is coming up or Beyoncé sparking a Cowboy Core craze, I’m all about western basics like this jean jacket as of late. The oversize fit can accommodate chunky sweaters or other layers underneath, plus it’s cool as hell. If you want to perfect a street style look, then a denim jacket is essential.
17. Essential Cropped Square Neck Rib Tank
For my friends with big boobs, this one goes out to you. A square-neck tank will make your cleavage look and feel its best. The all-over ribbed detailing makes it super stretchy, too. While it does come in a slew of neutrals, there’s also a couple of bright shades to choose from. That said, I’m partial to this black tank with white piping that’s giving off Meredith Blake vibes (The Parent Trap, anyone?).
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