Here's the thing: Basics are a worthy investment, in my opinion. They're the items you reach for day in and day out, so the cost per wear is destined to be low. But

the other thing is that incredible affordable basics brands abound, so I choose to shop for the bulk of my wardrobe staples from those wallet-friendly brands so that I can really stock up. 

The other thing that's worth mentioning is, although I love adding new brands to my closet, these particular brands aren't new. I've been wearing most of them for years, so I can truly vouch for each one. Below you'll find some of my current favorite jeans, tees, tanks, sweaters, dresses, and more, and they're all under $200. So if you want to make getting dressed easier this fall (and year-round), I highly recommend scrolling through this carefully selected roundup.