I am a big believer in basics, in the idea that there are pieces in your closet that you fall back on constantly, pieces that work together and work for your life, and that those pieces are where you should spend your money, in order to have the most functional closet possible. Not every woman's basics are the same, but each of us is passionate about our basics. The dilemma, though, with the basics wardrobe is that it is geared toward the things we do all the time. Stay-home moms tend to own more yoga pants than their office-bound peers, for example. It's just a fact of life.

Tired of jeans and a tee for casual wear? Looking for something that is AS comfortable as your yoga pants but just a LITTLE nicer looking? I have the answer: a tunic dress and a pair of footless tights. Like the classic jeans and a tee look, this requires no elaborate planning; like the ubiquitous sweat suit, it is comfy and cozy. But unlike both of those options, a dress is a more grown up, thoughtful, elegant look. Even when the dress is essentially an overgrown sweater. Banana Republic jersey tunic dress, $98.00