A surprising number of people don’t pay much attention to their wardrobe basics. This is a mistake – as great basics are a really simple and effective way to elevate your wardrobe. The best everyday pieces should make it easier to get dressed, feel comfortable for long hours, last a long time, elevate even simple outfits, and work well across a range of situations. But how can you get the basics that will do all this for you? Here’s a guide:
Understand your needs
Start by looking at how you spend a normal week, as this will have a big impact on the kinds of basics you need. For example, someone who spends most days in casual clothes needs different basics from someone who dresses formally for work. Once you’ve established this, you’ll have a solid foundation to work on. For example, if you know you spend a lot of time in sweatpants, the next step might be to swap bargain-bin sweatpants for sweatpants from SKIMS. If you wear smart black trousers for work, you can look for more durable, higher-quality trousers rather than constantly replacing cheaper versions.
Pay attention to fabric quality
Fabric quality and type are important, so read the fabric label before buying. For T-shirts and vests, cotton is often a good choice as it’s a breathable, natural fiber that you can wash regularly. Heavier cotton usually keeps a firmer shape, but the payoff is that it’s less flexible and stretchy. If you want more stretch, look for a higher proportion of elastane in the weave. Always check the percentages rather than relying on descriptions such as ‘premium cotton’ on the product page or label – for proper, quality cotton fabric, you need 80% cotton at the very least.
Another good way to check fabric quality is to hold thin fabrics up to the light and check their opacity. Unless the fabric is something like muslin (which is designed to be gauzy), thin and see-through fabric is generally lower quality. Similarly, ‘springiness’ is a good test of quality in flex fabrics. For example, you might gently stretch jersey fabrics to see how quickly they return to their original shape.
Finally, inspect the fabric’s integrity. Run your hand over the inside of sweatshirts and knitwear to check for rough seams or loose fibers.
Check the fit on your body
If you can, always try basics on rather than relying on the size printed on the label. With a T-shirt, check that the shoulder seams reach the edge of your shoulders if you want a standard fit. Look at the neckline and make sure it lies flat. Raise your arms and sit down to check the length.
Decide whether you want an oversized cut before sizing up. If you want an oversized T-shirt, compare garments designed with that cut against a standard T-shirt in a larger size. This is important because designers sometimes increase sizes by adding extra room through specific parts of an oversized garment instead of increasing every measurement equally.
Ideally, try your potential new basics on with clothes you already wear. For example, if you usually tuck T-shirts into jeans, check the length with jeans on. If you plan to wear a sweatshirt under a particular coat, try the two together before making any purchases.
Choose colors you already wear
Look through your wardrobe before adding another basic. Identify the colors you wear regularly and choose new pieces that you can pair with them.
Pay attention to specific shades rather than grouping everything under broad color names. For example, cream and bright white can look very different beside the same trousers. Charcoal and pale grey also give you different combinations.
Consider the practical side of color as well. White T-shirts show stains quickly, while very dark cotton can fade after repeated washing. Decide whether you are prepared to care for the garment according to its color and fabric before buying it.
Check the construction
How the garment is constructed can have a huge impact on its durability. Even the best quality fabric is useless if the garment falls apart at the seams after a couple of wears. So pay particular attention to areas that receive repeated strain. On sweatpants and joggers, inspect the waistband and cuffs. Pull the drawstring gently and check how the openings have been finished. On T-shirts, inspect the collar and shoulder seams.
Check zips and buttons on hoodies or other basics that use them. Open and close each zip several times. Fasten the buttons and check that the buttonholes have secure stitching around their edges.
Calculate cost per wear
Use cost per wear when comparing two pieces at different prices. Divide the purchase price by the number of times you expect to wear the item. A £60 T-shirt worn 60 times costs £1 per wear. A £15 T-shirt discarded after ten wears costs £1.50 per wear.
Base the calculation on your own habits. Don’t spend more on a garment just because you expect a higher price to guarantee better quality. Inspect the fabric and construction first, then decide whether the price reflects what you are buying.
Put more of your budget towards the basics you wear frequently. If you wear jeans four days a week, you may want to spend more time finding the right pair. If you wear a particular type of top twice a year, a higher price won’t be as cost-effective.
Replace basics gradually
Go through the basics you already own before buying replacements. Identify clothes that no longer fit, have permanent stains, or have lost their shape. Don’t replace an item just because it is old if you still wear it regularly and it’s in good condition.
Replace the clothes you use most first. If your everyday T-shirts need replacing, start there instead of buying another jumper just because you saw one while shopping. Wear each new purchase several times before buying another version.
Keep applying the same checks as you replace individual pieces. Read the fabric composition and inspect the stitching. Try the garment on with clothes you already own. A basic earns its place in your wardrobe through repeated use, so choose each one according to how you dress rather than an idealized version of your wardrobe. Wear it like a pro.
