Look inside any fashion editor or blogger's closet and you're bound to find an entire roster of tried-and-true basics — you know, those classic items that everyone should own, like a crisp oxford shirt, a black blazer, or the perfect white tee. But these pieces stand alongside another crop of clothing: the ones that are anything but basic. Colourful fluffy keychains and oversized trousers may seem like no-brainers for the style-minded, but they're not so obvious for the less adventurous dressers among us. It's these standouts, however, that really take an outfit to the next level.
The non-basic basics ahead are easy to integrate into your wardrobe, whether you're planning on going full peacock, or just looking for a pop to your more subtle daily ensembles. Either way, with the new year around the corner, it's time to take some fashion risks. And these items will help guide the way.
The It Girl Keychain
No mini-bag is complete without one of the pom-pom statement keychains that have taken recent seasons' street style by storm.
Fendi ABC Charm, £400, available at Matches Fashion.
The Sock Boot
Fitting tight on the foot and usually hitting between the ankle and calf, this perfectly weird pair of shoes may take some getting used to, but the end result comes with a majorly stylish payoff.
ASOS Ruby Ankle Boots, £38, available at ASOS.
The Intentionally Unflattering Jumpsuit
Figure-hugging is just not the goal of many a fashion item. This piece may be totally oversized, but it also makes you look instantly cooler.
Rachel Comey Jalapeno Khaki Cotton Barrie Jumpsuit, £375, available at Avenue32.
The Insta-Appoved Sweatshirt
The fashion girl secret to wearing your lazy Sunday sweatshirt all week long.
HUF X THRASHER Classic Pullover, £73.95, available at Note Shop.
The Shimmery Socks
Whether you're stepping into boots or heels, you'll be surprised just how much wear you can actually get out of a pair of sparkly socks.
Pixie Market Green Glitter Socks, £10, available at Pixie Market.
The Embellished Brogue
Pump up your everyday black footwear with some 3-D decoration that's oh-so Insta-worthy.
Toga Pulla Embellished Leather Brogues, £375, available at Net-a-Porter.
The Quintessential Denim Culottes
No one does the cropped wide-leg denim trend (with a frayed hem, of course) better than Rachel Comey, which explains why this pair basically became a wardrobe essential overnight.
Rachel Comey 'Legion' Wide Leg Jeans, £325, available at Farfetch.
The Extreme Cat-Eyes
Push the shape of your shades one step farther with a super-skinny frame and metallic lenses. We dare you.
Le Specs The Last Lolita, £69, available at Le Specs.
The Reimagined White Shirt
An easy way to make your wardrobe more interesting is to fill it with classic pieces that have an unexpected twist: like a white shirt that isn't so simple. This one takes the place of a button-down and offers a high neck scarf detail, and buttoned sleeves instead.
J.W. Anderson Scarf Detail Blouse, £585, available at Farfetch.
The Sexy Plunge Dress
Consider all of your holiday party what-to-wear dilemmas solved with one perfectly plunging frock. Bonus points for a fun print, like this star-spangled one.
The Reformation Cosmo Dress, £130, available at The Reformation
The Bright, Walkable Heels
A double-take-worthy pair of heels doesn't necessarily have to be difficult to walk in. This sunny pair isn't just comfortable, it complements warm- and cold-weather ensembles alike.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh Roberta Heel, £250, available at Maryam Nassir Zadeh.
The Teddy Coat
A fluffy oversized topper looks chic when paired with some white sneakers and a cozy sweater. Give your peacoat a much-needed break and opt for this comfy option instead.
Kensie Teddy Bear Faux Fur Coat, £86, available at Nordstrom.
The Cropped Flares
Let's be honest: we'll never stop trying to make cropped, flared pants happen. They may seem tricky to pull off, but pair 'em with a biker jacket and ankle booties, and you'll realize it's simple.
MSGM Cropped Flared Trousers, £204, available at Farfetch.
The Model-Off-Duty Jacket
Throw on a bomber (go army green all the way) with some joggers and a sick pair of kicks for an effortless day-off look that works for traveling and weekend brunch.
Saint Laurent Shell Bomber Jacket, £1,150, available at Net-a-Porter.
The Shoulder-Grazing Earrings
Time to trade your everyday studs for a more maximalist approach. Turn any look into a lewk with a striking pair of low-hanging danglers.
& Other Stories Gemstone Dangling Earrings, £35, available at & Other Stories.
The Front-Zip Mini
The only thing better than the LBD is the LBS (little black skirt). An unexpected detail, like this exposed silver zipper, gives it some edge.
Mango Zip Skirt, £29.99, available at Mango.
The Chunky Pair of Kicks
Why wear a ballet flat when you can strut down the street in a badass black sneaker?
Nike Air Max 95, £145, available at Nike.
The Tee En Fran çais
Bold logo T-shirts are perfect for days when you don't feel like figuring out an outfit but still want to look good — and a French one just has that certain je ne sais quoi about it, non?
Ètre Cécile Crop T-shirt, £60, available at Ètre cécile.
The Drag-On-The-Floor Trousers
Stop! Before you run to the tailor to get your pants hemmed, consider rocking them extra-long for some serious street cred.
Charlie May Charcoal Alpaca Trousers, £355, available at Charlie May.
The #TBT Slip Dress
The '90s called — they want their slip dress back. Too bad, though, because this bad boy is our go-to over turtlenecks and under sweaters for the rest of the cold-weather season.
Trois The Label Claudia Slip Dress, $215, available at Trois The Label
The Patchwork Jean
Patchwork is back with a vengeance, and there's no reason not to swap your everyday baby blues for a more on-trend pair.
House Of Holland Patchwork Boyfriend Jean, £250, available at Farfetch.
The Festive Turtleneck
As much as we love a classic black turtleneck, a sparkly version is just so much more fun. That, and it's a super versatile layering piece that can go way past the holidays.
ASOS Weekday Sparkle Rib Knit Polo, £30, available at ASOS.
The Top-Handle Carrier
Oversized leather totes may have had their moment, but it's time to make way for itty-bitty top-handle bags that you can carry by either strap. For an extra dose of fun, go for a mustard yellow instead of your usual black.
Mark Cross Saffiano Calfskin Binocular Bag, £1710, available at Nordstrom.
The Over-The-Pants Tunic
If you're not quite ready to try the full-on dress-over-pants look, opt for a sleek (and super-versatile) white tunic that can be layered over pretty much anything.
Helmut Lang Oversized Tunic, £172, available at Shopbop.
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