a basic. blog

what we're wearing in 2021

a basic. blog

what we're wearing in 2021

by Lacey Woodroof on Jan 13, 2021
so, what we’d encourage you to wear in 2021 is whatever the hell you want to. take this year to be intentional with your wardrobe as it relates to your life— figure out what feels good on your skin and fits your body comfortably, determine whether what you’re wearing moves right for your lifestyle, and identify what makes you feel confident when you put it on— and then dress accordingly. it sounds like a line, but we find that folks do actually look the best in clothes that make them feel the best. wild how that works, right?
basic. owner lacey woodroof and designer szeki chan at szeki's studio

a basic. blog

designer spotlight - 7115 by szeki

by Lacey Woodroof on Apr 16, 2020
every 7115 piece is designed in new york (and now copenhagen!) and expertly crafted in small batches by their in-house production studio in guangzhou city, china. because szeki owns 100% of her production outright, she controls every step of the garment-making process from the first cut. her production studio is a well-appointed space, and her mom (so awesome!) is her production manager. szeki's sustainability approach encompasses crafting well-made clothes that rarely need replacing, limiting excess waste, and sourcing fibers that are both environmentally and animal friendly. she's currently repurposing fabric scraps into reusable masks, and she's always looking for ways to improve her footprint.
symone shaw for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HERstory - symone shaw

by Lacey Woodroof on Apr 16, 2020
WORDS TO LIVE BY:“Present. Patient. Peaceful.” I love to be truly present in every moment. It took a while for me to learn how to be patient but everyone’s journey in life moves at a different speed and I learned to be so content with having patience regarding my aspirations and the process they require to achieve them.
maya drake for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HERstory - maya drake

by Lacey Woodroof on Apr 16, 2020
"I believe that knowledge is wisdom, but I don’t mean educational knowledge, I mean life knowledge. The more you see, the more you know, the more questions you ask, the more you learn. To earn wisdom, seek knowledge." - Maya Drake
michele jenkins-utomi for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HERstory - michele jenkins-utomi

by Lacey Woodroof on Apr 16, 2020
MY PERSONAL STYLE:Classic, but with a definitive edge!! At this point, I’m shouting out basic. and one of its staple designer’s, Kaarem ...beautiful fabric, well-made, clean, elegant lines with a little bit of drama in each piece. What else can I say? She gets me.
maacah davis for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HERstory - maacah davis

by Lacey Woodroof on Apr 16, 2020
WORDS TO LIVE BY:  Breathe easy, focus, and be kind to yourself. Life is too short to be either ordinary or cruel. A LITTLE SOMETHING ELSE:I think that when you are a woman—and, a black woman specifically—who frequently does the improbable, it’s easy for people to want to write your accomplishments off as the result of luck or magic, rather than intelligence and sheer hard work. Don’t let them.
constance blaylock for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HERstory - constance blaylock

by Lacey Woodroof on Apr 16, 2020
ADDITIONAL WISDOM: “Until we get equality in education we won’t have aN equal society.“ - Sonia Sotomayer. Education is extremely important to me for this reason. None of us are born with an achievement gap but over time through inequality in education it arises. If we really want to change the world we don’t just march, post quotes on Facebook, hold meetings, or even serve on a given day; we fight and we fight hard for the systematic inequality that begins the moment a child walks into school.
tyler hatcher for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HIStory - tyler hatcher

by Lacey Woodroof on Apr 16, 2020
MY PERSONAL STYLE:I stick to a consistent neutral palette and swear by the color black. However, I enjoy playing around with my silhouette by choosing clothing that fits in different or peculiar ways. Sometimes, I’m a uniquely dressed professional, other days I like to accentuate my…assets. I dress to compliment the way I feel when I wake up in the morning.
viola ratcliff + her daughter amina for basic.'s black history month feature

a basic. blog

black HERstory - viola ratcliffe

by Lacey Woodroof on Feb 27, 2020
WHAT I DO: I am the program manager for Bib & Tucker Sew-Op, a mom to my two amazing daughters Amina; age 3 and Emma 4 months, and I am married to my awesome husband Chris. I am also the creator of Elynn&Rose, which is my collection of handcrafted decor and accessories that I design and paint by hand. You can find me online on Etsy and my website at elynnandrose.com. 
reggie collier for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HIStory - reggie collier

by Lacey Woodroof on Feb 27, 2020
FUN FACT: My spirit animal is a sloth, and rightfully so. Not because they're lazy, which is a total misconception - they are slow moving and unbothered.
bridget harris for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HERstory - bridget-elizabeth harris

by Lacey Woodroof on Feb 14, 2020
MY PERSONAL STYLE: Monday through Friday you can generally catch me in a suit and heels (chunk heels to be exact – heels HURT). Other than that, I’m pretty quirky, so you will generally see me wearing a colored pair of Warby Parker glasses, some funky sneakers, and a bright colored outfit, whether that be a dress, jumpsuit, or shirt and pants. I also love good quality jewelry (David Yurman is my absolute favorite).
gabby holloway for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HERstory - gabby holloway

by Lacey Woodroof on Feb 13, 2020
MY PERSONAL STYLE: My personal style is like the weather, it's always changing. One day I might be in a dress from the 70s, and the next day I'm in a crop top and platform sneakers. Sometimes what I wear makes sense and other times it doesn't. Style for me is a way to tell stories without opening my mouth, and that's the most beautiful part.
tracey kennedy for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HERstory - tracey kennedy

by Lacey Woodroof on Feb 13, 2020
WHAT I DO: I create unicorn magic in small jars as the owner and creator of California Country Organics Body Care.  When I'm not working on my Boss game, I'm enjoying a red wine, time with my two amazingly charismatic children, with thoughts of, when really is the *right* time to throw glitter at a party? MY PERSONAL STYLE: Sensually dominant, always colorful and bright,  never blend in with the background.  Ultra Feminine.  I like to shine.  Is this where I get to throw glitter?
elizabeth singleton for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HERstory - elizabeth singleton

by Lacey Woodroof on Feb 13, 2020
FAVORITE QUOTE: "She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." This is an anthem for both me and my little sister...I look up to that little one so much.
valerie collins thomas for basic.'s black history month feature

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black HERstory - valerie collins thomas

by Lacey Woodroof on Feb 12, 2020
WHAT YOU DO: In 2014 I started a consulting service to support UAB and Children’s Hospital recruit physicians to Birmingham. When they identify a potential faculty candidate, I reach out and find out what their quality of life priorities are and during that first and second visit, I make sure they see and touch it before they leave! We are especially focused on cultural, spiritual, or religious priorities that are often a significant part of the decision and may get overlooked by more traditional recruiting processes...The VAL Group team LOVES showing off Birmingham to people who are often VERY skeptical about their quality of life priorities being met or exceeded!!!
being better for black history

a basic. blog

being better for black history

by Lacey Woodroof on Feb 01, 2020
A few weeks ago, we invited fifteen of our coworkers, friends, and customers to come to the store to model our clothes on a Sunday afternoon. Every person invited was brown or black. We popped champagne and ate snacks and blared Lizzo and took a couple hundred pictures in front of loud, bold backdrops. There was laughter, friendship, and big, gooey happy. We spent one afternoon honoring some people we admire and adore, and it was likely the most joyful two hours I’ve had inside our shop yet. It gave me life. February is dedicated to celebrating and commemorating the long, complicated history of black America. At basic., we own and embrace our responsibility to do better and be better.
six young women in front of rainbow wall dressed in corresponding colors for basic.

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the basics about basic.

by Lacey Woodroof on Mar 20, 2019
"...at the core of our beliefs is the notion that the basic. rights of all individuals should be respected and honored."