We've all seen the "basic girl starter kit" that is composed of leggings, uggs, a northface, and Starbucks. Whether you're joking or not, you've probably called another girl basic at one point or another based on her appearance or actions. "She's so basic" has even come to be an insult.
Urban dictionary has a pretty spot on definition of a basic: "Someone who is unflinchingly upholding of the status quo and stereotypes of their gender without even realizing it. She engages in typical, unoriginal behaviors, modes of dress, speech, and likes. She is tragically/laughably unaware of her utter lack of specialness and intrigue. She believers herself to be unique, fly, amazing, and a complete catch, when really she is boring, painfully normal, and par. She believes her experiences to be crazy, wild, and different or somehow more special than everything that everybody else is doing, when really, almost everyone is doing or has done the exact same thing. She is typical and a dime a dozen. There are many subtypes of basicness, such as the basic ratchet, the basic sorority b*tch, the basic groupie b*tch, the basic I'm-so-Carrie-from-Sex-and-the-City b*tch, etc, but ultimately, they all share the common thread of being expendable and unnoteworthy and, in some cases, having absolutely no redeeming qualities."
Well enough is enough. There are certain things that just because pretty much every girl has one, doesn't make it basic. Some things, are just classic. The difference is all in the attitude.
Classic: L.L. Bean Boots
Affectionately called "duck boots," the sales of these boots has been so off the charts that LL Bean can't even (see what I did there) keep up with the demand. Why are they so popular? Because they're awesome. Whether it's raining, snowing, sleeting, or flooding, you can wear these and know you're feet will be warm, dry, and comfortable. Do you know how hard it is to find boots that can do all of that? Not to mention they're pretty much indestructible and last forever. They're a smart investment.
Basic: Ugg Boots
Uggs are comfortable, easy to slip on, and warm, as long as you don't encounter ANY water. They have almost no traction when walking on snow, and hold up for maybe a year. They require upkeep and maintenance if you want them to survive, and they're pretty much just over glorified tall slippers.
Classic: Sweaters
Sweaters are comfortable and to be blunt, they're just classier than a sweatshirt. They can be paired with leggings, jeans, or shorts, and you can't go wrong with sweaters. Whether you're into Ralph Lauren and cable knits or skulls and crossbones, there is a sweater out there that fits your style.
Basic: PINK Sweatshirts
Unless you're going to the gym, a sweatshirt should really not be part of your daily attire outside of where you live. Additionally, you should probably stop being a walking billboard after your freshman year of college (when you're too clueless to know better).
Classic: Leather Purse
If you have to climb up and down hills in the snow to get to class, no one will blame you for carrying a backpack. But in the real world, your go to bag should compliment any outfit, be large enough to hold everything you need yet small enough that you can't smuggle a child onto the subway, and only say about you what you want other people to hear. There are some incredibly expensive bags that can say you have money, if that's what you're looking for, and there are classic style leather bags that say you have style.
Basic: "In your Face" Brands
Vera Bradley, Louis Vuitton, printed Coach bags, and even Lilly Pulitzer (as much as I hate to say it) should be used as gym bags, beach bags, or extra storage bags. Buying something for the name brand, and not the quality or appearance, doesn't do much to improve your image. All it may say is that you have more money than brains.
Classic: Coffee
Why the hell does carrying a drink classify someone as basic? If you have any semblance of a busy life, you probably have coffee in the morning because you're up late studying and up early because you have stuff to do. Some of us make it from home, some get it at Dunkin Donuts, and some swing by a Starbucks. I really don't know that much about coffee (my roommate legitimately taught me how to use the coffee maker last week) but now that I've joined the caffeine consuming world, a coffee mug will probably become my morning accessory of choice. It's a look I like to call "trying to be a functioning member of society."
Both: Leggings
Leggings can be both basic and classic. While most people out of college will unanimously agree that leggings are not pants, should not be pants, and will never be pants, the college generation has enough access to Pinterest to know how to dress leggings up to be pretty much acceptable. However, much of the same generation still wears them with a hoodie, messy bun, and uggs and calls it an outfit. Take your pick.
Being basic or being classic is really about how you present yourself, not about what you wear. You affect says so much more than your clothes, but sometimes your look can take control of a person's predisposition to judge before you can show your true colors. If you think that leggings, a northface, uggs, and Starbucks are the most comfortable clothes in the world and you love PSLs, then do your thing. But do it because you want to, not because you want to fit into an image.
