Vogue Essentials: The Wardrobe Staples We’re Wearing in 2023 by the Vogue Shopping Editors

Summer is officially over, which means there’s no time quite like the present to start transitioning your wardrobe into one more suitable for fall. We’re here to encourage you to swap out those warm weather essentials, like little white dresses, thong sandals, and timeless tanks, in favor of more autumnal pieces, such as trench coats, delightful denim, crisp button-ups, and more. The result? Closet combinations that are forever chic.

The start of a new season is also often synonymous with change, whether it’s to improve personal routines, set and manifest goals, or even make a sartorial shift—a fresh idea about how you’d like to dress for the remainder of the year. Maybe you’re rethinking how to approach your style, cleaning out your closet of unworn items of the past, or looking to update and elevate your collection of wardrobe essentials altogether.

To help, the Vogue shopping team has gathered a robust list of our favorite, most versatile pieces we consider to be foundational for any closet. Pared back but never boring, these are the wardrobe essentials our editors find themselves turning to season after season, the mainstay items, and the pieces we’re loving for 2023. And while we’ll still welcome irresistible seasonal and trend-forward pieces like tailored suit vests and sleek denim midiskirts—it’s fashion we’re obsessed with, after all!—we know those need to live alongside a capsule of staples, because every wardrobe needs a yin-yang balance. That shiny new statement item will dazzle even more when paired with, say, the perfect go-to jeans. And sometimes the item becomes a wardrobe essential itself.

Ahead is a well-curated edit that has helped craft the foundation of our wardrobes. It’s safe to say we’re wearing at least one, if not more, of the highlighted pieces daily. We’ve covered the classics—white T-shirts, crewneck sweaters, trench coats, tailored trousers, chic sneakers—and also those items that have more recently earned their spot as a wardrobe essential: ballet flats, knit maxi dresses, menswear-inspired loafers, and pairs of polished kittens that transition from workwear to evening wear seamlessly.

So here’s to raising the bar on stylish essentials this transitional season (and beyond) and investing in the timeless, long-lasting pieces you’ll love for years to come. Below, shop a collection of closet must-haves from your friends at Vogue.

The Striped Sweater

The nautical-inspired striped sweater is a favorite among a handful of our very own editors; perhaps it’s because La Ligne’s striped knits have been perfected by two former Vogue editors. Kules’s cream-and-navy version is another cozy choice.

KULE

The Betty cashmere sweater

$298

KULE

From a Pickleball Paddle to Ralph Lauren Sweaters, Here’s How Bloomingdale’s Celebrates the Big Brown Bag’s 50th Birthday by Danielle Directo-Meston

The iconic kraft paper tote designed by Massimo Vignelli is the inspiration behind the retailer’s Big Brown Bazaar pop-up and new merch — see the best pieces to shop from the collab.

Bloomingdale’s is celebrating 50 years of its famed big brown bag — which has landed cameos in Sex and the City, Friends, Josie and the Pussycats and countless other TV shows and films — with designer collaborations and exclusive merchandise.

Originally created by graphic designer Massimo Vignelli, the iconic kraft paper carryall with its rounded font debuted in 1973, and became a status symbol among stylish shoppers. To toast the tote’s birthday, Bloomingdale’s tapped Ralph Lauren, Stoney Clover Lane, Mother Denim, Helmut Lang and other brands to create limited-edition designs inspired by the bag and New York for its Carousel @ Bloomingdale’s pop-up shop, which runs from Sept. 6 to Oct. 26 at the company’s Manhattan flagship.

Dubbed the Big Brown Bazaar, the nearly two-month-long boutique is “a nod to the Bloomingdale brothers’ first store on the Lower East Side” and will offer graphic sweaters and hoodies by Polo Ralph Lauren; tote bags, travel accessories and pouches by Economy Candy, Bybba and Stoney Clover Lane; pickleball accessories (such as a “Big Brown Paddle“) by Recess; silk scarves by Echo; Kule totes inspired by Gramercy Park’s Caffè Panna; home goods from the Plaza Hotel; candy and foodie accessories by fro-yo spot Forty Carrots; jewelry by Alexa Leigh; fragrances by By Far and Bond No. 9 New York; roller skates and accessories by Impala Skate; and more.

The pop-up will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with tees with a curated collection that includes tees by Unfortunate Portrait, robes by Versace, stationery by Kaleidadope, headphones by Beats by Dr. Dre, artful speakers by Transparent, books by Taschen and more.

See some of the exclusive Bloomingdale’s Big Brown Bag merch below, and shop Big Brown Bazaar from home online here.

Kule x Caffè Panna Tote Bag

Kule x Caffè Panna Tote Bag$198

BUY NOW

What to Wear to the U.S. Open: 7 Winning Outfit Ideas by Nicole Kliest

The US Open begins today and fans have already started gathering in the Arthur Ashe Stadium. With nearly 750,000 people typically in attendance, it is one of the most highly anticipated sporting events in New York—and the fashion also doesn’t disappoint. From Ralph Lauren’s classic Americana sweaters and polos (as worn on the ball boys and girls) to the styles sported by spectators who turn up in their favorite LWDs (“Little White Dresses”), the scene is a stylish one. 

As some of the best-dressed guests prove, the key to acing your US Open look is comfort and polish. Wear an A-line day dress with a varsity sweater wrapped around your shoulders for when the weather cools down at night. And then, accessorize your look with a bucket hat and a classic tennis bracelet around your wrist. And what’s a tennis match without a pair of kicks? Given the Open is an all-day affair, choose sneakers that are just as comfortable as they are chic; Gucci’s running sneakers will give your ensemble a sporty twist, while Adidas’ Sambas are classic and cool and pair well with an all-white summer look.

Still don’t have your US Open tickets? It’s not too late; you can still purchase them here.

KULE

the tennis socks

$30

KULE

Has the Tank Top Become a Luxury Item? Shop the Season’s Surprisingly Easy Trend by Rachel Besser

The best tank tops for women have multiple sartorial functions: they can be undergarments, comfortwear, layering pieces, and day and night tops all at once. Plus, as of late, it‘s become a bit of a luxury item—see Prada’s triangle-adorned ribbed tank last season or Loewe’s ongoing trending tank that’s embroidered with the fashion house’s anagram logo. So as simple as the sleeveless top may be, the versatility of the basic explains why so many designers have decided to make it their own, from jersey camisole tops and classic white tanks.

Whether you’re looking for a polished style you can wear as a top or simply one you can throw on to relax around the house, the best tank tops for women are the styles and silhouettes you feel most comfortable in. No matter the style you’re looking for, there’s no shortage of options. To make shopping for basics easier, the below guide breaks down the silhouette, fabric, and color of all the best tank tops in one place.

Flexed Muscles

For a bit more coverage, opt for a vest-like silhouette. Styling trick: they’re great under blazers or jackets when you want to imitate a shirt with sleeves!

Kule tank

$75 AT KULE

The 15 Best Canvas Tote Bags Are Incredibly Elevated by Laura Lajiness Kaupke

The best canvas tote bags offer unparalleled versatility, as well as durability similar to luxe materials like leather or suede—something I particularly value in cute summer outfits (like breezy dresses) and airy linen sets. Sure, plenty of flimsy styles won’t cut it to carry your laptop or as an everyday bag. (Read: free tote bags you’ve scored at events.) But the crème de la crème are crafted from sturdy woven fabric that stands up to daily use, whether you’re running errands or heading to the beach.

“I love how canvas as a fabric adds a casual, undone finish to feminine summer style and how timeless and versatile it is,” says Paulina Liffner von Sydow, founder and CEO of the Scandinavian bag label Little Liffner. “It transitions easily from the farmers’ market to the seaside and back to the city as a relaxed summer work bag.”

With their casual charm and a wide range of styles and prints, canvas totes effortlessly complement a wide range of outfits. Whether you’re seeking one to carry to the office or on vacation, your ideal version should include a few key traits. Most important: ample storage space. “It should be roomy enough to be versatile,” Liffner von Sydow says. The designer also suggests high-quality fabric with a heavier weight and “a small leather detail that elevates the design and gives it a refined finish.”

Ahead, discover the 15 best canvas tote bags to shop now, offering the perfect blend of style and practicality.

BEST BEACH CANVAS TOTE

Kule The All Over Striped Tote

$198 AT KULE.COM CREDIT: KULE.COM

A supersize canvas tote in bright two-tone stripes is perfectly whimsical for beach days. Toss it all in, from your towels to a picnic lunch and change of clothes.

Dimensions: 17″ H x 25″ W; handle drop 3″

Colors: Pink/poppy, canvas/navy, canvas/royal blue, canvas/green, canvas/green/grape, canvas/poppy, royal blue/poppy, canvas/peach, navy/forest

I’m 5’2”—These Are the Best Spring and Summer Dresses I’ve Found For Petite Women by Julie Tong and Rachel Besser

For anyone under 5ft4in, the search for the best petite spring and summer dresses is on. Warmer days are ahead and vacation plans are in sight. At 5ft2in, I’ve been accustomed to having friends and colleagues towering over me all my life. Instead of trying to match their height with a pair of sky-scraping stilettos, I learned to embrace my petite frame and shop what I loved, and what I loved were dresses. But as many women in this size group know, there’s a strong chance that if you’re not paying attention to proportions, a new dress purchase might mean an extra foot of fabric we don’t need and ultimately, a trip to the tailor.

I used to think I couldn’t wear long maxi dresses, but they have now become my everyday uniform. If shopping online, the trick is to always check the garment’s “length” measurements to ensure it will fit your frame before checking out. (I look for dresses with a length of 51 inches and under, but the sweet spot is 40-45 inches.) I promise it will save you a headache from having to return it afterward. If you’re shopping at a retailer with an actual petite section, rejoice! They are far and few between, but labels like Reformation are making it easier to shop for petite sizes. And if you’re a fan of Hill House Home’s iconic Nap dress, trust me that I’ve road-tested both their signature Ellie and Nesli dresses, and they fit perfectly, coming down to just above my ankles. Proenza Schouler is one of my favorite, go-to designer labels for dresses for all occasions—from work to weddings. I have always found their dresses to fit my petite frame, without ever requiring a hemline fix.

Whether you’re looking to shop for an upcoming event, vacation, or preparing to go back to the office—these do not disappoint. Ahead, shop 40 of the best petite spring and summer dresses to suit any of your future plans.

The Sleeveless Breeze

During especially warm days, whether your plans include dining al fresco or an evening cocktail hour, opt for a sleeveless dress that will keep you both chic and cool.

Kule the Esmee dress

$218

KULE