'Tis the season for fashion-forward basics and I can’t get enough. Closet staples are one of the biggest trends of 2022 and I’m challenging myself to turn a simple wardrobe into a fall uniform made up of everyday essentials that combine comfort, warmth, and style. When it comes to your wardrobe this season, it’s what you buy and how you wear it that makes these timeless pieces effortlessly chicer than the rest.
Lately, I’ve been into a much more minimal aesthetic, however, I love incorporating cool designer items that add even more character to my look. With just a handful of foundational items that are extremely versatile, I believe investing in quality, comfort, and fit can easily elevate simple wardrobe staples for years to come.
Keep scrolling to see how I wear my everyday items that are far from "basic” and key to looking and feeling stylish this fall.
Look 1: White Tee + Wide Leg Trouser + Trench Coat + Chunky Boot + Mini Shopper
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Oversized t-shirts have had me in a chokehold as of late, completely taking over as the main staple of my fall uniform. This season, I’ve been inclined to show less skin and achieve more comfort, challenging myself to create functional and stylish looks to go about my busy day. In addition to oversized tees, I love wide-leg trousers for just about any occasion.
For this look, I paired a men’s white t-shirt with these black satin-trimmed wide-leg Acne pants to add a cool approach to this relaxed look. Mixing high-priced items with high-quality basics can elevate a casual outfit instantly. For a wide range of options including this boxy fit, Uniqlo has a fantastic selection of affordable essentials.
Topping off this neutral look with a beige trench coat, chunky boots, and a mini Telfar shopper, I felt like the epitome of comfy chic.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Look 2: Ribbed Tank + Denim Jacket + Tennis Skirt + Ankle Boots
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
A ribbed tank top is another great foundational item to include in your capsule rotation. Perfect to pair underneath lightweight jackets and knits, you can layer with just about anything this fall. I love this tank from COS as it's the perfect fit and length, providing the perfect quality, comfort, and silhouette.
For this weekend look, I paired a black pleated mini skirt along with an oversized unwashed denim jacket to incorporate a couple of the season's trends. Completing this look are the infamous ankle boots by Maison Margiela that are the perfect fashion-forward designer staple.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Look 3: Cropped Button Down + Fitted Top + Leather Jacket + Pleated Midi Skirt + Knee High Boots
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Another one of my favorite staples to keep on steady rotation for fall is an oversized cropped button-down. Perfect for those of us that like to mix current trends with classic styles, layering this basic is a great way to effortlessly elevate a cute and casual look. I’m currently obsessed with the late 90s/early 2000s pleated midi skirt era, so I couldn't wait to style with a few of my favorite basics.
For an overall minimal approach, I went with neutral tones along with a black leather jacket, Agolde fitted top, square-toe knee-high boots, and black Gucci frames to complete this daytime look.
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
Featured image by Shahirah Ahmed/xoNecole
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“When I first received the news that I was getting that lifetime achievement award, hearing the class that I was accepted into was incredible for me, because it wasn't just myself, but it was Prince, Frankie Beverly, Frankie Valli, Taj Mahal and The Clash," Roxanne tells us. “And when you think about those artists, all you can think about are the hits and the great songs that they made and albums upon albums, and then you include Roxanne Shanté.
Tammy Hurt, Roxanne Shanté and Harvey Mason Jr.
Rob Latour/Shutterstock
“People ask me all the time, what do you think the purpose of you receiving the lifetime achievement award? Not, I didn't deserve it, but it's for all the times that I didn't say yes to things that other people may have said yes to. So it really is an award and a benefit of being able to say, I just stayed me, and when you stay you, the universe gives that to you. So because mine didn’t come from sales of albums, because I didn’t sell millions and millions of albums, and I didn't make millions and millions of records like everyone else. What I did do is I affected many lives, and I was there to push a lot of artists. So it’s for the things that I did behind the scenes.”
Now, Roxanne is gearing up for Rock The Bells Festival, which takes place this Saturday, June 28. The show is packed with groundbreaking artists like Busta Rhymes, Redman, Remy Ma and many more. But that’s not all. This year, the festival is switching it up a bit by featuring R&B acts like Lil Mo and celebrating Uptown Records, who were known for their R&B artists like Al B. Sure, Donell Jones, and Monifah.
“People ask me all the time, what do you think the purpose of you receiving the lifetime achievement award? Not, I didn't deserve it, but it's for all the times that I didn't say yes to things that other people may have said yes to. So it really is an award and a benefit of being able to say, I just stayed me, and when you stay you, the universe gives that to you."
Thai Randolph, strategic advisor and board member for Rock The Bells Festival shares why Roxanne is the perfect person to host the event. “Roxanne Shanté isn’t just hosting—she embodies hip-hop itself. A true pioneer, she laid the blueprint for generations of artists both musically and entrepreneurially,” Thai says.
“Whether you’re listening to her iconic track ‘Roxanne's Revenge’ or catching her captivating energy on Rock The Bells Radio, her authenticity, charisma, and genuine love for the culture always shine through. As a longtime fan, I can't think of anyone better suited to energize the crowd and set the tone for an unforgettable event."
For a lot of people, the rapper’s Netflix biopic Roxanne Roxanne was their first time hearing her life story. The film, which shows a 14-year-old Roxanne navigating life as an inner city kid and creating one of the biggest diss records with “Roxanne’s Revenge,” quickly became a hit with viewers. The radio host says it’s an “honor” that so many people resonate with her story as she wanted it to serve as a cautionary tale for fathers and daughters.
As far as making another film about her life, Roxanne isn’t opposed. “We've been thinking about it, talking to the Rock The Bells family, because we're now branching off and now going into doing podcasts and things like that. We were kind of talking like, you know what? Maybe I need to have a story time,” she says.
“I come with a story time with photos, and that's like one of the greatest things because it's one thing when people tell you a story, but it's another thing when somebody can bring photos and receive other people along with it. So we were thinking about having a real Roxanne story time. We're still thinking about that, but in the meantime, having a radio show that now has about seven million listeners per day, it's also a blessing. So I sit back and I enjoy that.”
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Feature image by Ron Adar/ Shutterstock