Circa 2011, “basic” was an insult synonymous with bland and banal. Fast forward to 2025, and basic is no longer a label to fear—some could even argue it’s coveted. Pared-back simplicity is the M.O. of trendy aesthetics like quiet luxury and “underconsumption core.” On the runway, streamlined recent collections from Calvin Klein, Courrèges, and Khaite remind us why ‘90s minimalism never loses its appeal. If you need any more proof of the paradigm shift, look no further than Reigning Champ’s SS25 Supima Pique Collection. The premium apparel brand and luxury cotton supplier teamed up to make the high-quality essentials of any (proudly) basic person’s dreams.
Since 2007, Reigning Champ has been redefining wardrobe staples. Unmatched in its dedication to using high-quality materials and careful construction to create modern classics, the heritage streetwear co. is the perfect partner for the producers of the world’s finest cotton. To say Supima is in a league of its own would be an understatement—it’s cotton at its best, grown exclusively in the Southwestern United States, where the climate produces the ideal fiber. So, when you have two fashion powerhouses like this join forces, you can’t resist watching them work their magic in tandem.
The SS25 Supima Pique collection features elevated basics Reigning Champ is known for, including the staple polo, archetypal T-shirt, and layerable crewneck and cardigan styles. From their overall cut to small details like French shoulder seams, each Reigning Champ design is a virtuoso display of style and durability. Thoughtful, precise manufacturing turns every stitch into a master stroke. In their hands, muted is the new monogram. Instead of needing to show off with an excess of flashy logos, the brand lets its savoir-faire speak for itself.
Case in point: the Ace Polo. Its silky texture and effortless construction almost make you forget you’re wearing, well, a polo. There’s no itchy, awkward collar, nor do the sleeves constrict every time you bend your arm. Like any good basic, the elegantly simple top works for whatever you have planned—it’s equally suitable for sitting courtside at the US Open and easing into vacation mode on a pristine shore somewhere. Plus, with summer quite literally hot on everyone’s heels, the lightweight make of the polo and the other pieces in the collection is a must.
Of course, none of it would be possible without best-in-class materials providing a solid foundation for the essentials you live in daily. Supima cotton’s unique extra-long fiber length makes it indulgently soft to the touch. The feeling of quality is backed up with a surprising resilience to age and wear, meaning there’s a good chance you’ll pass your Reigning Champ x Supima grails on to the next generation.
This is clothing for the detail-obsessed, as evidenced by the three creators Reigning Champ tapped to front the collection’s campaign: Ben Willett, a spatial and furniture designer, Paulie James, co-founder of Uncle Paulie’s Deli in LA, and Virgil Nicholas, the footwear enthusiast behind Vinny’s. While they might not seem to have much in common on the surface, the trio share an affinity for the finer points of their crafts—and their clothes. If anyone can appreciate the subtle touches that make a world of difference, it’s them.
Now that the associations with “basic” have been thoroughly revised, you can safely admit that there’s nothing like a staple. Gone are the days of purging your closet of everything but the latest micro-trends. The aesthetics underpinning the basic-acceptance movement may fade away like their maximalist counterparts, but the appreciation for premium pieces you can live in for years to come isn’t so easily shaken. Basic is a compliment now. It means you’ve peeled back the fads, logos, and manufactured hype and left only what’s essential: well-crafted clothes. Simple as that.
Discover the full Reigning Champ x Supima collection here.
