I Stumbled Upon the Jackpot of Luxe, Low-Cost Basics—Here Are My Favorite Pieces

As I get older, the idea of quality basics becomes even more appealing. While cheap price tags were a priority during my

college years and early 20s, now, I'm all about how things feel and construction. I'm over pieces that disintegrate after one wash cycle, as they leave you spending more in the long run. Plus, I'm personally trying to reduce my buying frequency. On the other hand, I'm not quite ready to commit to expensive designer basics just yet. Building that out takes years of thoughtful curation, so I'm always keeping my eye out for brands that occupy a nice middle ground. One name that's blipped on my radar repeatedly is Oak + Fort.

Based in Los Angeles, the brand specializes in elevated basics in minimalist palettes with a bit of a trendy edge. Most things on the site are priced under $200, and it's a spot where you can find almost every component of your wardrobe, from jewelry to shoes and coats. While a presence on IG, the brand hasn't yet reached a point where it's a household name like Madewell or Everlane, which leaves a bit of mystery. In my search to find affordable yet quality basics, I gave Oak + Fort a shot to see if it measured up. As you can probably tell from the headline, the brand left a glowing impression. Keep scrolling to see everything I tried on and to read my full thoughts.