The Best Abercrombie Basics (8 A&F essentials to keep in your closet)

Abercrombie and Fitch was the last brand I would have worn when I was young. The sizing was extremely small, even in my correct size (which was obviously not conducive to a healthy mindset for young girls), and the clothes were always on half-naked models. I always had a bad taste in my mouth about Abercrombie—without even mentioning the darkly lit store with a gallon’s worth of men’s cologne clinging to everything. You get it.

But I will say, that’s not how I feel anymore. I’m 40 years old, and I regularly shop at Abercrombie. Much of Abercrombie’s positive change can be attributed to its new female CEO, Fran Horowitz, who took over in 2017. Abercrombie & Fitch now has a brand new focus on inclusivity, diversity, and sizing that ranges much further, and their models are now…err… clothed.

Their jeans are what changed it all for me. I decided to try the jeans three years ago after seeing someone post about them on LTK, which I explained here. The verdict? OBSESSED. The short version fits my petite, 5’1″ frame without being tailored. I was shocked (and you can read all about my Abercrombie jeans try-on here). After my pleasant experience with Abercrombie jeans, I ordered a few other items to see if their clothes were as good as their jeans. Turns out they are! I now have multiple pieces from Abercrombie in my closet, and I’m constantly scouring their site for new arrivals. You can see a ton of my Abercrombie outfits linked in this collection on LTK.

In today’s post, I’m diving into the best Abercrombie essentials. I linked a few items I own and love, and others I’m eying. I’ll update this post throughout the season as Abercrombie gets new arrivals.

The 8 Best Abercrombie Basics (Must-Haves for Women)

1. Jeans

The Ultra High-Rise Ankle Straight Jeans are what converted me to Abercrombie and they’re still my #1 pick in terms of A&F denim. They’re cute with almost any style of shoe (just skip tall boots), and they look great year-round. I originally ordered one distressed pair, and now I own multiple washes of the same jeans. They are $90 but go on sale all the time, which is a great deal compared to many jeans I own in the $175-$225 range. The Ultra High Rise Ankle Straight jeans were my gateway into Abercrombie jeans, and now I own many of their different denim styles.

I have a full review of Abercrombie jeans and the various styles here. If I were to recommend another pair as a closet essential, it would be their Stretch Flare jeans.

2. Tees

The perfect white tee can be so hard to find, but I’m always impressed by the basics I get at Abercrombie. The Essential Tuckable Baby Tee is the ideal slim-fitting white tee that is long enough to tuck into jeans. The Essential Polished Body-Skimming Tee is the world’s best cropped white tee, and the Essential Premium Polished Relaxed Tee is your classic relaxed-fit white tee that feels a bit more casual.

3. On-trend tops

While Abercrombie is the place to go for basics, they also have great on-trend tops. I’ve found some of my favorite blouses and button-downs from Abercrombie over the jeans. This fall, I’m eyeing the A&F Mara Tailored Vest Squareneck Set Top, the Oversized Linen-Blend Step Hem Shirt, and the Oversized Denim Shirt. While these aren’t quite “basics” like the tees linked above, they’re simple and can be worn in multiple ways but don’t break the bank, so if they aren’t on trend next year, no biggie.

4. Sweaters and Cardigans

I’m a huge fan of cardigans as tops these days. They’re also an excellent option for nursing moms like me. Abercrombie always has the best sweaters each fall, and this year is no exception. I just ordered the A&F Madeline Crew Sweater Tee in cream stripe, and I’m also eyeing the A&F Madeline Cotton-Blend Crew Sweater (simple and basic), the LuxeLoft Short-Sleeve Cardigan, AND the Textural Notch-Neck Sweater. See? So many good ones!

5. Athleisure

I was blown away by the athleisure I bought from Abercrombie last year. Everything fit well, and the quality is 10/10. They have some great pieces this fall. I’m currently eyeing the YPB neoKNIT Polo Sweatshirt in the mauvy-pink color (I own this already in a tan color), the YPB motionTEK Jogger (these come in a “short” length, which I appreciate being petite), and this YPB neoKNIT Relaxed Crew in the light blue stripes color. (I own it in yellow, and it’s the perfect weight and is as soft as my pricier Spanx Crew sweater.)

I also have my eyes on the YPB neoKNIT Unlined Polo Mini Dress since it’d be perfect for the golf course.

6. Casual Dresses

Abercrombie’s dress selection is always great. I find that their dressier options are typically better than their casual dresses, but I did find a few really cute options while scrolling the Abercrombie website. This A&F Mara Tweed Vest Mini Dress looks like a great fall office dress. The neckline isn’t too low and the tweed material gives it a polished feel. The A&F Mara Linen-Blend Asymmetrical Button Mini Dress is an excellent option for transitioning from summer to fall since it’s linen, and the Denim Shift Mini Dress is a classic fall staple that would look fantastic with tall boots or white sneakers.

7. Cocktail Dresses

This is where Abercrombie really shines. Their cocktail attire dresses are fun and flirty, but they aren’t too trendy or too “young” for this 40-year-old.

This classic Long-Sleeve Ruffle Hem Mini Dress would be the ideal fall cocktail attire dress to wear with a fun pair of platform heels, but it could also be dressed down with booties or tall boots. The shape is relaxed (great for maternity), and the sleeves make it the perfect option for cooler weather. The A&F Emerson Midi Dress is a classic Abercrombie staple. The prints change each season, but the cut is the same. I wore a version of this dress to a wedding this past year. This Draped Twist-Front Maxi Dress is such a sexy option for cocktail attire without being too revealing.

8. Outerwear

Last, but not least, is outerwear. Abercrombie’s blazers are great options for work attire, and the jackets are great, too. The Classic Suiting Blazer is a simple, single-breasted blazer with sleeve buttons, side pockets, and center-button closure. It comes in regular and petite sizing with a few color options. I’m eyeing the Collarless Sherpa Jacket for the fall and winter (wouldn’t it be so cute with jeans and ballet flats?), and I’m always on the hunt for a good wool coat, so this Double-Cloth Belted Wool-Blend Coat is in my cart.

Abercrombie Basics For Men

Tommy rarely shops and has had the same tops and bottoms for YEARS. Here are some items I’ve been eyeing for him to help freshen up his closet!

Abercrombie For Kids

I LOVE browsing the kids’ section when shopping to see if there’s anything worth adding to my order for Thomas. Abercrombie’s kid selection is for ages five and up, so if you have older kids, here are a few items I like! (My boys are 4 and 7 months so not quite there!)

Bottom Line

Abercrombie sells excellent wardrobe essentials, on-trend pieces, and seasonal items, so your outfits always feel fresh. Their quality is higher than Amazon The Drop (which I’ve also written about here).

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