A Practical Guide to Buying Basics for Your Wardrobe
Curating the closet of your dreams can feel like a monumental task, but in reality, it all begins with investing in high-quality basics. But what exactly are the basics? Your wardrobe basics are the building blocks of every great personal sense of style, regardless of whether you pull your personal style from the pages of Vogue or you prefer function over fashion.
In a nutshell, however, basics are simple articles of clothing that offer versatile styling options. You can effectively wear these wardrobe essentials in endless outfit combinations and easily adapt them from season to season.
Although basics encompass items from underwear to formalwear to outerwear, you can usually identify them by their simplicity and timelessness. While basics can be worn with trendier pieces, they would just as easily blend with the trends of yesteryear. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about identifying basics, finding high-quality pieces, and viewing basics as investment pieces.
Undergarments
When shopping for basics, start with your innermost layer of clothing and move outward. Look for regular everyday bras and undies, considering their colour, fit, and comfort level. Forget the hot-pink push-up bras and red lace G-strings and instead opt for practical, comfortable undergarments in white, black, or nude. These will stay hidden under your clothing and, most importantly, ensure your body can move freely throughout the day.
Shapewear
Well-fitting shapewear like shaper shorts or even quality waist trainers are essential to any modern wardrobe, but when it comes to basic shapewear, you should be looking for shapewear styles that you can use for a range of different looks and contexts. For instance, high-waisted brief-style shapewear or higher-cut shapewear shorts that you can comfortably don under jeans, pencil skirts, or dresses is key, as you can rely on them to support a wide range of different looks – from formalwear to casual weekend fits, and even your office looks.
Tops
When hunting for great basic tops, you can’t go wrong with a plain white shirt, whether you choose a T-shirt, button-down, or blouse. Plain white shirts match absolutely everything and instantly make any outfit look more put together. Pair your plain white tees with fitted slacks and loafers for a chic Parisian vibe, or pop a top on over track pants to make your comfy outfit a bit more polished.
Jeans
Classic denim jeans are a staple for every capsule wardrobe. Just be sure to steer clear of trendier cuts like barrel-leg jeans or raw, cropped hems. While these can be fun additions to your closet in the future, classic cuts, such as straight-leg jeans, are more likely to outlive the current trend cycle. Likewise, simple dark or light washes will stand the test of time better than an acid wash or whiskering. Remember that heavier denim has a longer shelf life than jeans with a lot of stretch. While jeans made of this material may take longer to break in, they’ll eventually mould to your body and withstand years of wear.
Workwear
If you work in an office or frequent more formal events, a simple pair of cotton twill slacks or pencil skirts are a must-have. Shades of black, grey, or navy blue are elegant essentials, so save louder colours or patterns for after you've nailed down your basics. Purchase a matching or complementary blazer, too – it will look great in the office but can also be added to jeans and a T-shirt to elevate your look.
Dresses
The little black dress is iconic in fashion for a reason. Women have adored the little black dress since its debut in 1926. As one of the most versatile pieces, the little black dress can be easily dressed up or down based on your choice of shoes and accessories. This piece has undergone many evolutions in the past several decades, each as timeless as the last, so don’t overthink this purchase. Simply find a knee-length black dress that boosts your confidence, and you’re good to go!
Knitwear
Good knitwear in neutral shades is a basic you’ll be grateful to have in colder seasons. Throw them on over anything to warm up while looking fabulous. Ideally, try to find knitwear constructed from 100% natural fibres like wool, cotton, or cashmere. These materials have great longevity and feel divine. Turtlenecks, crewnecks, and half-zip jumpers are classic fits that won’t go out of style anytime soon, so keep an eye out for one that strikes your fancy.
Outerwear
The holy trinity pieces of basic outerwear are the trenchcoat, the leather jacket, and the denim jacket. The lightweight trench is the perfect all-season wear – for a water-resistant coat look for one made of gabardine. Genuine leather jackets are timeless and effortlessly cool. Vintage stores across the world demonstrate just how durable these pieces can be. To round out your outerwear collection, purchase a denim jacket with excellent stitching and sturdy hardware. Like a fine wine, all of these pieces will get better with age.
Never skimp on your basics
If you have some staples across all the categories we’ve outlined above, let us leave you with one final tip for investing in basics: don’t skimp on quality. Because basics are so versatile, investing in the highest quality versions of these pieces will ensure that your wardrobe lasts you for years to come. No matter how your style changes throughout your lifetime, basics will be with you every step of the way. Instead of looking at the price tag of a high-quality basic and thinking, “OMG!” try to consider each item’s cost-per-wear. If you wear a $200 pair of jeans three times a week for five years, that’s only $1.28 per wear. And the higher quality you purchase, the longer you can wear it, and the lower your cost-per-wear will be.
From a well-fitting nude bra to a chic little black dress to a rugged denim jacket, these wardrobe basics are well worth investing in. If you’re looking for a wardrobe that will follow you for a lifetime, starting with the basics will give you a solid foundation for countless style evolutions and possibilities. With the right set of basics, you’ll always have something to wear, no matter the time or season.