What's the best shop for basics?

[CeliaFate]

Jeans, long-sleeved tops, knitwear etc. I used to shop at Next, but over the last couple of years I've found the quality to be dreadful and the cut/fit very poor. I'm 40 btw so I don't want uber trendy, just good quality and nice cut without being too pricey!

I find this with next too. I like red herring at debenhams for jeans tshirts etc

Watching with interest, but with the added requirement of needing petite sizes. Age the same!

One of the designers at Debenhams does a fab petite range, think it's jasper conran. I swear I don't work for Debenhams!

I like Gap jeans. The only problem is they do such a wide range of styles and sizes that you are guaranteed not to find the size you need in the style you want.

I like their T shirts too.

Gap is good for trousers and sometimes good for cashmere sweaters. But their tops and dresses are mostly über dull and frumpy.

Benetton and Sisley are good for sweaters.

Also recommend parsimonious (accessories, tops, sandals) use of Monsoon to get that Antik Batik look at a much lower price.

Jigsaw, Jack Wills, Aubin & Wills all worth looking at, especially at the smarter end.

Uniqlo

Gap (I disagree about their tops and dresses btw)

Zara

H&M Uniqlo and Asos.

Completely agree about Next. Their price range suggests that the clothes should be of higher than usual quality, but more often than not, they are cheap-looking and go tatty after two washes

Marks and Spencer. Honestly!

Good for

Undies
T-shirts/vest tops
Sweaters and cardis
Even some trousers/office wear.

Jeans I still shop at Next

American Apparel. With a few exceptions they only do basics and do them very well.
Lovely fabrics, cuts and colours.

Dorothy Perkins do the best scoop-neck long-sleeved tops IMO.

Uniqlo

Nice name change, MissB!

Uniqlo Gap Marks

Thanks

Esprit do excellent basic tops.

Uniqlo and H&M are my favourites for really good t-shirts and jeans. Uniqlo also good for wool cotton cardigans and jumpers, particularly if you can get them on sale (and they are often on sale). H&M is pretty rubbish for jumpers - nearly all acrylic.