The Devil Wears Costco and $44 Pants: Fashion Insider’s Favorite Low-Priced Basics

“It’s a misconception that people in the fashion industry wear head-to-toe designer clothes—that’s not the case at all,” says British designer and model Alexa Chung. “They are like thrifts. [expletive]He said. We asked industry insiders to reveal their secret low-cost hunters. These high-end designs, bought to be worn once in pursuit of fashion, are not for the faint of heart. Instead, they’re reliable, unadorned staples that fill gaps in a wardrobe, like sartorial staples. Basically, mass market brands are often reluctant to take chances on design because their products need to have broad appeal, Ms. Chung said. That means you can get spartan accessories that go with almost anything for a fraction of the price. And eagle-eyed fashionistas can spot hidden gems worth collecting.

“I love Costco,” says Kristen Quinn, star of “Selling Sunset,” the Netflix reality show about glitzy Los Angeles realtors. You may have heard from her 3.3 million Instagram followers. Akin to a high-octane stripper, Ms Quinn stars at home in neon-green Balenciaga heels and jeweled Gucci sunglasses. Off screen, however, she’s no stranger to black Costco leggings and a Uniqlo crop top. “It’s all about sustainability,” she says, before explaining, “When I say ‘sustainability,’ I’m not talking about the environment—although that’s nice—I’m talking about your wallet.” In a sentiment that might sound familiar, Ms. Quinn says she spends less on everyday items to splurge on a statement bag.

“Everyone I know mixes and matches high and low in style [priced items]said Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue. “All my friends do: Kate Moss, Naomi [Campbell]That’s your name.” Mr. Infinitive, a low-cut dress, endorses two styles from British high-street retailer Marks & Spencer: classic white cotton shirts (“I have so many!”); and flat-front, wool-blend trousers. He said the pants, which usually cost $44, go well with the Prada boy. (M&S is advertised by British Vogue, but Mr Ininiful says he buys all his own pieces from the brand.)

Hansen’s men’s tanks were popular with interviewees, regardless of gender. Wearables Mrs. Quinn; Amy Smilovich, founder of womenswear brand TB; and Los Angeles stylist and designer Ugo Mozie. Not an overly fussy designer tank, this simple cotton number — in white or black — suits Mr. Mozzie’s needs perfectly. He says it can be the most versatile item in the closet: equally at home tucked into jeans or tucked under a shirt, and once broken in, retires to the gym top. Whether it’s for work or exercise, he likes to throw it on, so he doesn’t have to worry about getting it dirty.

New York stylist Michael Fisher has a similar feel with his no-frills Dickey painter’s pants. At only $30 from Lowe’s, they’re as cheap as they are sturdy. And if a pair is well-worn, Mr. Fisher often takes a pair of scissors to the ends to “give them new life,” like a pair of cropped pants. You shouldn’t be so precious with them, he said. Ms. Smilovich has an equally good trick for adjusting $30 Feiyu canvas kicks from Walmart..

The unisex sneakers emblazoned with the Green Arrow logo draw more compliments than any other item in Ms. Smilovich’s closet—but she finds them flimsy underfoot. Her fix? Dr. Scholl’s insoles, she slipped into the base of the fortress.

Many fashionistas are passionate about their foundations, especially those associated with legacy. Consumer psychologist Peter Noel Murray isn’t surprised. Mass-market items whose design remains unchanged for decades can create an impression on wearers, because they represent qualities such as stability and familiarity. Most people—including those who grow up to walk red carpets or edit glossy magazines—were surrounded in their youth not by vicuna coats, but by junk food. Mr Ininiful started wearing M&S clothes when he was at school after his family immigrated to London from Ghana. His father today wore M&S pants similar to the ones Mr. Infinite Don had given him. The brand says, “It has always been a family brand…[it] It comforts me.”

Elizabeth L. Kline, a consumer culture journalist who wrote the 2012 book “Overdressed: The Shockingly High Priced Cheap Fashion,” says that despite such love, there is a growing unease around low-cost clothing. As the sustainability movement has cooled, the idea that mass-market brands encourage overconsumption and are always bad has taken over, she said. But lately Ms. Kline has come to rethink that generalization (and the thesis of her book). Often, she says, there doesn’t seem to be a “big dividing line” between brands that make inexpensive mainstream items and brands that make luxury goods. She buys most of her basics from Gap.

Buy the things you wear often — cheap or not — to reduce your environmental impact, says Maxine Bedat, founder of the New York sustainable-fashion nonprofit. And to avoid impulse buying you’ll tire of quickly, remember your style code when you’re dealing, Ms. Smilovich said. If purple has never been your thing, resist adding that tip to your cart because it costs less than your lunch.

When it comes to painting the basics, Ms. Smilovich’s practices are contradictory. She usually pairs her canvas sneakers with formal tailoring. Similarly, Mr. Fisher balances his dick with a smart shirt or Prada boots — not Vans, which leaves him looking like a skater boy. Another fail-safe trick, Ms. Chung says, is to combine basics in the same color family. She remembers seeing a recent photo of him wearing a brown shirt over a bright red turtleneck. “These are the two things you can probably find at Uniqlo and Uniqlo. [styling] It makes it expensive.

Ms. Chung, who likes J.Crew turtlenecks and Uniqlo sweaters, tries to shop for basics in person so she can feel the quality of the fabric. Things don’t always go to plan. In Last Christmas and Other Stories, she was browsing the H&M-owned brand when she ran into a stranger. The woman, puzzled that a famous fashion plate would be in such a place, said, “What you Are you working here?” Mrs. Chung said, “What? you to do I’m shopping!”

Stylish staples—for $50 or less—that’s perfect for the fashion insider.

For men

Stylist Ugo Mozzi swears by it Hans tank tops In white or black. Mr Mozzie wears it with jeans, under a suit and to the gym. tank top, Six-pack for $19, Hanes.com

With the basics, choose fabrics like this 100% cotton Gap shirt“You want it on your skin for a long time,” says sustainability expert Maxine Bedat. shirt, $50, Gap.com

These are tiny Muji canvas sneakersLike the Japanese brand’s long-sleeve tees and merino-wool crewnecks, they have a quiet strength. sneakers, $30, Muji.us

For women

Designer Alexa Chung loves it. J.Crew turtlenecks. And this cotton “tissue” model makes a suitable base layer. Play it safe with navy—or, for something less predictable, opt for pale pink. Turtleneck, $40, JCrew.com

Uniqlo is great for “comfortable clothes that won’t break the bank,” says reality star Kristen Quinn. These Uniqlo pants It will be a strong anchor for any outfit. pants, $50, Uniqlo.com

Amy Smilovich, founder of womenswear brand TB, gets compliments when she wears it. Feiyue strikes. with addictions. She has a green logo. sneakers, $30, Feiyue-Shoes.com

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