7 elevated basics that go with everything

Why basics deserve more thought than they get

Most wardrobe crises are not about a lack of clothes. They are about a lack of the boring ones. The sequinned top and the statement boots are no use without a decent pair of trousers to go with them. Get the foundations right and getting dressed stops being a daily negotiation.

The rule is simple. Spend where the fabric does the work, save where it doesn't. A good coat or a pair of trousers you wear three times a week earns its price quickly. A plain vest you'll replace in a year doesn't need a designer label. Here are the seven that matter.

1. The crisp white shirt

Slightly oversized, in a cotton poplin with some weight to it. Wear it tucked into jeans, open over a swimsuit or buttoned under a jumper with just the collar showing. COS and Arket do excellent versions at a sensible price. Toteme is the splurge, and the cut really is better. Check the fabric isn't see-through before you buy. Hold it up to the shop lights. Thank us later.

2. Straight-leg jeans in a mid wash

Skinny is gone, extreme wide is a commitment. A straight leg that skims the ankle works with trainers, loafers and boots alike. Levi's 501s remain the reference point. Agolde is the one fashion editors quietly rate. Go for rigid denim with a touch of stretch at most, so they hold their shape past lunchtime.

3. A fine-knit jumper

Merino or cashmere, crew or V-neck, in navy, grey or camel. It layers under a coat without bulk and looks smart on its own. Uniqlo extra fine merino is hard to beat for the money. John Smedley knits last for decades if you wash them properly. Cool water, flat to dry, no radiators.

4. Tailored trousers

A pressed crease does more for an outfit than any accessory. Look for a high waist, a wide or straight leg and a length that just grazes your shoe. Black or charcoal first, then branch out. M&S has quietly become very good at this. Massimo Dutti is the step up, with wool blends that hang beautifully. Budget for a tailor to take up the hem. It costs a few pounds and makes cheap trousers look expensive.

5. The trench coat

The coat for the eight months of the year when Britain can't make up its mind. Stone or khaki, belted, hitting just below the knee. Burberry is the original and priced accordingly. Mango makes a convincing version every spring that sells out fast. Size up if you want to wear a jumper underneath.

6. Plain trainers or loafers

Pick your camp. Clean white trainers like Veja Campos go with almost everything and survive the commute. Leather penny loafers from G.H. Bass make jeans look deliberate. Either way, keep them clean. Scuffed shoes undo a good outfit faster than anything.

7. A really good T-shirt

Heavy cotton, a neat neckline and a fit that isn't clingy. White and black, two of each. Sunspel is the British benchmark. The high street has caught up too, so feel the weight before you pay. Thin cotton goes bobbly and shapeless after five washes.

How to buy them

Don't buy all seven at once. Look at what you already own, find the gap that causes the most morning panic and fill that first. Then add one piece a season. In a year you'll have a wardrobe that works, and you'll have spent less than you would on a single panic-bought outfit. Our edit below has a version of each at every price.

How to make them last

Wash at thirty, turn everything inside out and skip the tumble dryer, which shrinks cotton and pills knitwear faster than anything else. Hang shirts and trousers straight after the wash so they need less ironing. A cheap fabric shaver will make a tired jumper look new again in five minutes. Basics only look expensive while they look looked-after, so a little care goes a long way.