Every good wardrobe starts with with a good foundation, those universal items that you can toss on with anything. Yes, we all love our statement pieces, but without the building blocks you can’t bring everything together. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s nice to have those pieces that you can just toss any day of the week and not even think about it.
With that in mind, Complex Core was recently released. The first collection of universal items includes T-shirts, crewnecks, hoodies, zip hoodies, sweatpants, and sweat shorts. There are three colors to choose from: black, brown, and camo. The best part, they are super affordable. Nothing is over $70.
We got our hands on some of the pieces from the first drop. Here is A Closer Look at the First Complex Core Collection.
Shop the Complex Core collection here.
[For reference: I am 5’11”, 205 pounds. I typically wear XL tops and L bottoms.]
Core Tee
Price: $25-$28, $60 for a three-pack
Fit: Cropped and boxy is the trendy fit for T-shirts right now, but the Complex Core tee delivers something classic. It’s a relaxed fit, but not super oversized, which makes it great for layering or wearing on its own. I tried on an XL and it fit me pretty much perfectly.
Favorite Detail: Nobody likes a droopy bacon neck. A thick collar that hugs your neck is crucial on any respectable T-shirt. The Complex Core tee delivers.
Core Crewneck Sweatshirt
Price: $45-$55
Fit: The crewneck fits exactly how you would want a crewneck to fit. It’s roomy and relaxed without looking too frumpy. It’s a bit cropped, so your T-shirt will peak out a bit when you layer it depending on the length.
Favorite Detail: I hate when the waist band on my crewneck is too tight. Every single movement makes it rise up and I’m constantly adjusting it all day to stay in place. I didn’t have that problem here. Big plus.
Core Hoodie
Price: $55-$65
Fit: Similar to the crewneck, the Complex Core hoodie is relaxed and roomy without looking too big that it gets sloppy.
Favorite Detail: The hood is actually functional. I typically have a hat on my head and I could still put the hood up with no problems. Some hoodies have hoods that are so big they make me feel like one of Undertaker’s druids. Others have hoods that are so tight you can’t even use them. The Core hoodie is just right.
Core Zip Hoodie
Price: $70
Fit: Nine times out of 10, I wear a zip hoodie unzipped. This was easy to toss on over a T-shirt. Even though I probably won’t, I could zip it up if I wanted to without it feeling too constricting.
Favorite Detail: The weight of the zip hoodie makes it seasonless. I can keep it with me to toss on if it gets chilly at night, but also wear it all day in the fall to stay warm.
Core Sweatpant
Price: $55-$65
Fit: Not too tight. Not too baggy. They are a straight-legged fit that’s roomy throughout. These are ideal for the weekend errands run or the Sunday lounging around your apartment.
Favorite Detail: While purists may prefer a tight cuff on their sweats, I actually prefer an open bottom like these have. These will perfectly lay over top of any pair of shoes in my closet and look good.
Core Sweat Short
Price: $40
Fit: Some people love to show off some thigh. Others wear their shorts so long that they almost look like jeans. These fall perfectly in the middle of the two extremes. My pair sat right below my knee. Perfecto.
Favorite Detail: The pockets. Nothing is worse than rocking a pair of shorts in the summertime with no pockets for your keys, phone, or wallet (brands, stop doing that). These sweat shorts have two side pockets and a back pocket. Problem solved.
