Teenagers are often at the forefront of new fashion trends. Recently, instead of bold colors and branded clothing, many students are pivoting to basic clothing.

Basic clothing is often neutral colored and doesn’t have logos. They are, like the name suggests, basic. This style can make it difficult to distinguish where  the clothes were purchased from, since many of the items across brands are made to look nearly identical. They are styled to work with any outfit throughout  any season, so that they more easily transition with the fluidity of fashion trends. Consumers never have to worry about coordinating patterns, and it’s easy to adjust an outfit to look more formal or casual. It’s also easy to create a variety of different outfits from just a few pieces of clothing.

“I think having lots of basics like solid colors and simple cuts in your wardrobe makes it more sustainable and versatile,” Sonya Rooney (’27) said. “Basic clothes will never go out of trend because you can wear them with everything.”

As well as being easy to style, basic clothes are designed to maximize comfort. Many of these clothes are made from cotton, which tends to be soft and breathable and can be eco-friendly, especially if it’s organic. In today’s world, many people opt for a comfortable outfit over a more stylish one – basic clothing allows for these two aspects to coexist. These clothes are also often cheaper due to the price of their manufacturing, drawing in students who seek out smaller price tags. 

“I wear basic clothing because they all go together and the more complex stuff is very expensive,” Brynn Opensahw (’26) said.

However, there are some downsides to the basics trend. Since numerous different brands all offer similar pieces, it can leave people with many clothes that look nearly identical. Does anyone really need 10 navy t-shirts? Additionally, basic clothing is designed to be more sustainable, since consumers wouldn’t need to buy as many basic items. However, if people are overbuying these items, this will backfire. Additionally, the production of these clothes isn’t necessarily sustainable and depends on the materials and production process.

Overall, though, it seems like this trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“It’s nice to be simple sometimes and blend in to observe as opposed to standing out and being the center of attention,” Nathan Stuart (’25) said.

While some may criticize basic clothing as uninspired or mundane, the trend reveals a deeper understanding of fashion’s fundamental purpose: comfort, versatility, and practicality. In a world of constant change, there’s something comforting about having wardrobe  staples that never let you down.