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11 basic but brilliant fashion staples for £40 and under that you'll wear for years
The basics we can't live without
Some fashion pieces will cause people to stop you in the office to say “Love that! Where did you get it?”. Some are meant for special occasions and are stored in cloth bags and stroked occasionally. But, there are also the fashion buys that don't shout and don't need special treatment; they just quietly get on with pulling your outfits together and making them work, season after season.
These are the pieces we're here to celebrate. Those boring but brilliant basics that are the backbone of our wardrobes: the brilliant white T-shirt that sits just right, the silky socks that you dig out of the drawer again and again (and miss when they're in the wash), and the pared-back sweatshirt that just looks chic with everything.
The GH style editors have rounded up their favourite fashion staples that cost £40 and under. They won't necessarily transform your wardrobe, but they will be there for you, especially on those 'nothing to wear' days.
Who hasn't spent years trying to find the perfect white T-shirt? Not too short, not too long, not too see-through, not too tight. Well, my own search brought me to Sezane and its famous Conrad tee. Now 10 years old and still a bestseller, this classic white tee is just right.
This is the kind of jumper you'll want to buy in every colour (and it comes in nine, so you genuinely can). We'd opt for the grey for ultimate wearability. It's warm but not too heavy, lightweight, and just the right length. No logos or annoying crops here.
M&S Heatgen™ Medium Thermal Crew Neck Top
M&S Heatgen™ Medium Thermal Crew Neck Top
Don't be put off by the thermal in the name. That basically just means this is a cosy long-sleeved top that you can wear under knitted vests, jumpers and dresses. Our shopping editor has this in brown and loves the super soft fabric and the simple cut that doesn't ride up. A great basic.
The coordinating leggings, also £17, get a lot of love online, too.
M&S High Waisted Carrot Leg Ankle Grazer Jeans
M&S High Waisted Carrot Leg Ankle Grazer Jeans
While we're on M&S, a moment for these carrot-leg jeans, a best-seller that many of the GH team have in multiple shades. They're not as wide as a barrel-leg, but still have the flattering high-waisted, tapered-leg shape. We love that you can get them in four different leg lengths, too.
Finding the perfect vest can be a lifelong quest. Similar to T-shirts, you don't want them too short or too see-through and the arm holes can't be too baggy or too tight, while you don't want overly thick straps, but still need to hide a bra underneath.
After trying on approximately 250 of the things, our fashion writer thinks this simple vest from Gap is the best on the high street. Which is why it regularly sells out. If you spot it in your size, add to basket.
Barn jackets continue to prove very popular for spring and summer. This lightweight design is a snip at just under £40 and rivals many much pricier designs.
It comes in four colourways (including denim if you're looking for a new spring denim jacket) and we recommend sizing up if you want something a little more roomy (it's quite a neat fit).
The baseball tee is the new Breton tee and these ones from COS are the classiest on the high street. If you love the pic of Zoe Kravitz in what looks like this exact top and a brown satin midi and ballet pumps (the look every fashion person has on their mood board for spring), snap this up before it goes. And why not get it in brown too?
You know you're old when you want to spend a little bit more on socks. But a good ankle sock can really finish an outfit and the sock is now a big fashion player once again (invisible pop socks are over, we're afraid). These silky ribbed ones from Arket are the best we've tried. Honestly, they're one of life's little luxuries.
Mango is a bit of a best kept secret in fashion circles, with stylists often heading there for off-the-radar gems ahead of their fashion shoots. In winter, it's our go-to for chic wool coats that look way more expensive than they are. But, we also wanted to shout out its knits, like this slouchy everyday cardigan, which goes with jeans, tailored trousers and slip skirts. We'll have one in navy and grey please.
Sweaty Betty isn't just for yogis – it's also where one of our editors buys her everyday bras. if you find wires uncomfortable and only need light support under sweatshirts and tops, these are a great, comfy choice. Especially on those work from home days. As they're not too low cut, they also work under low jumpers and cardigans.
Yes, M&S again, but it's really doing an amazing job right now of combining affordability with great design. And one area where it perhaps doesn't get enough recognition is its great tailored trousers. This side-stripe, wide-leg style is the perfect balance of structure and comfort, and would be lovely worn baggy with a shirt and kitten heels.
It's important to note that shoppers advise sizing up if you want something looser (there's no give in the waistband) and there aren't any pockets. We repeat, no pockets. If you can deal with that bombshell though, these are fabulous everyday trousers.
