Encircled || Just the Basics
Love them or hate them, there's no denying that a few high-quality basics are the backbone of any well-rounded wardrobe. Even if you love patterns and have an "eclectic" personal style, you've got to admit that it's hard to pull together even the wildest of outfits without some kind of basic thrown in to build around.
A good white tee, solid layering tanks, long sleeve shirts, a good pair of leggings or denim. These are a few of my favorite things.
I've heard from several of you, however, that you don't like shopping for basics due to the sheer amount of options out there. Almost every ethical retailer sells basics of some kind and it can be hard to know where to turn and, most of all, who to trust, when you're designing the core of your wardrobe.
Encircled, a Toronto-based brand that I've had a major crush on for a while (their founder, Kristi, has even written TWO guest pieces for my blog that you can read here and here), has basics down. They've been designing versatile, sustainable, beautifully-made pieces for years, some that you can wear countless ways, like the Chrysalis Cardi that can be anything from a scarf, to a cardigan, to a romper, to a dress. I KNOW.
Most recently though, Encircled has set out on a mission to make selecting the basics of your wardrobe as easy as possible. Their new Kits (which are officially launching this week!) allow you to choose three pieces to mix and match with the rest of your wardrobe from their selection of already existing pieces. They were sweet enough to let me try out the process ahead of time and, obviously, I was more than thrilled to fill a few "basic gaps" in my wardrobe.
The Kit includes your choice of their Minimalist Legging, an Essential Long Sleeve Top, and a Nomadic V -Neck Tee, in the colorway of your choosing.
Believe if or not, I didn't own a white t-shirt until I received this one in the mail. It, along with the Olive green Essential Long Sleeve Tee, and the Minimalist Leggings in black, came with a "Just the Basics" tote bag that perfectly sums up the mission behind Encircled's Kits.
Each piece is made of uber-sustainable fabric, which also equates to unbelievably soft and durable as well. The Nomadic V is made of Lenzing Modal, a fabric made from the pulp of beech trees. The Essential Long Sleeve Tee and Minimalist Leggings are both made of a Bamboo/cotton/spandex blend.
I'm wearing a Small in all three pieces and am amazed at how well they fit. The shirts are long enough to cover the booty and just low-cut enough to be able to layer under or over other pieces. The leggings are high-waisted, semi-thin material, but definitely pass the "downward dog test" for see-through-ness.
Although there are obviously unlimited ways to style these pieces, which I'll be showcasing in upcoming posts, for this one, I wanted to focus on each piece in its "pure" form. They're perfect for lounging in, brunching in, dancing in, cooking in, doing yoga in, working in, sleeping in - you name it. In fact, I can't think of an occasion when, with the right accessories and other pieces, that the items in the Kit wouldn't work for.
If there's one part of your wardrobe to consider buying brand new, from a sustainable, trusted brand, it's your basics. The pieces you live your life in, the pieces you use to set off your "statement pieces". Great basics are worth investing in, and Encircled makes some of the best I've tried yet.
Shop their website here and click here to design your very own Basics Kit!
*This post was sponsored by Encircled in promotion of their new Basics Kit launch. All opinions and photos are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep SL&Co. running!*
