Upgrading basics

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Considering I wear pretty much the same things most of the time, I've decided it's time to upgrade some of these. I'm going to be looking for:

• nice quality scoop or v neck black tops, which keep their shape and don't go saggy on the neck
• slouchy v neck black and grey jumpers
• a black leather pencil skirt
• a black silk dress, with a waist and (ideally) short sleeves, ideally wrap or fit and flare
• a black silk 'going out' top, that isn't a shirt
• some sort of fabric or knitted biker jacket, in either black or a tweedy type of thing, or boucle, possibly dark navy or grey if not black

Any ideas for where to look, especially for the first item, would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Have you got a budget Remus? I think the best - i.e. most consistently good quality - knitwear I've found is John Smedley merino. It's £££ (I've never bought it new) but I find it wears and washes and it also manages, in my opinion, to tread that classic-but-contemporary line reasonably well. I size up for extra slouch. There's a permanent sale section on their website.

I think we're all looking for your first item (well not black or scoop neck in my case but I'm with you in spirit). I'll watch with interest!

Sorry I forgot all about my second suggestion! It might not be your style but for low fuss, good quality, made-in-the-uk basics, I like Community Clothing. A lot of the tops are a bit high in the neck for me and it has a bit of a unisex vibe but they do some dresses too.

I like good quality basics!

My favourite thing is the John Lewis app because they have so many great brands, and the most useful advanced search function I’ve ever come across. Eg you can filter for plain patterns, good quality materials, and even sort by discount % 😍

For people who can’t be bothered to visit multiple stores/websites!

My friend swears by the Jigsaw double layered tops which I assume come in black. I think they're a bit pricey but hopefully that's backed up by the quality.

Thanks for these!

I used to get my black tops from Jigsaw, but they changed them somehow and they just don't work for me anymore. Mine weren't the double layered ones though, so I'll check those out.

A quick look in town today resulted in this one from Hobbs for work
and this from Cos, although I sized down so it's more fitted.

I'll have a look at theJohn Smedley sale @Floisme although I find black stuff doesn't tend to get reduced usually in places like that. Will also look at Community Clothing, although I fear it may be a bit too severe for me.

Yes it tends to be the weirder colours that get the biggest reductions!

John Smedley black stuff is terrifyingly expensive. Nothing in the sale is appealing to me.

I've thought of one more item I want too - a slouchy, possibly slightly batwing, t-shirt which is largely black but with thin white stripes. None to be found anywhere today, but you'd think it would be something that Cos or Arket should manage.

Or if nit batwing, slightly drop sleeved This sort of shape

The only one I can help with is the leather pencil skirt. I bought one on eBay - it’s M&S Autograph and took it to the tailor to have the hem taken up half an inch. If you aren’t in a hurry for it I would definitely recommend - the leather is just gorgeous.

Baukjen t-shirts are nice quality, although they don’t have a big range. Hobbs are good too, but can see you’ve been there.

A couple of people on here have said Baukjen leather is nice, but it is very expensive. Hobbs usually do a nice leather pencil skirt for Christmas, around November. Check Next clearance, they sometimes have them in there. I’ve seen the Hobbs one recently. You need to keep checking, early morning is best.

Jaeger at M&S have some decent basics. Should be new season stuff coming in soon.

Baukjen should be good for the tops, also mint velvet jersey is good and I like their going out tops too. I’d try all saints for knitwear, I have a gorgeous slouchy charcoal cashmere jumper from there that’s lasted me years, despite machine washing!

Sunspel is great for plain tees. They usually have various shapes for each colour. I’ve got several and they wear in really nicely and get softer with age. Loads of black tees here.

Love this list - it does seem like the holy grail list of basics.
American vintage for scoop top? So so soft / more slouchy but still fitted.
Lily Silk for black silk cami vest for night?
All Saints for slouchy jumpers and possibly the biker jacket too although leather is more their thing.

When you get them all, you need to come back and show us!

Thanks for sharing this information.

I know Phase Eight is everyone's least favourite nan shop, but I was shopping with a nan and that is my excuse. Once you get past all the beribboned dresses the jumpers are quite nice. I have this one in grey and it falls nicely with a slouchy neck and batwing sleeve. Nice fine, smooth knit.

www.phase-eight.com/product/cristine-batwing-fine-knit-jumper-403525050.html#isSecondPage=false&start=0&sz=60&is=false&cgid=clothing&prefn1=clothingType&prefv1=Knitwear&prefn2=color&prefv2=Black&pid=403525050&pos=8

Thanks for all of these. I like that Phase 8 jumper!

I've got a couple of All Saints leather bikers, but they've continually let me down on the non-leather one.

I'll have a peek in American Vintage next time I'm in London - I have an excellent jacket from there, heavily reduced in John Lewis years ago.

I should have said that ideally I want shops that have real life shops, as I just cba with ordering stuff online when sizing and quality are so variable. Ditto second hand.

Silk going out top needs to have sleeves. I'm too old and round for camis these days and don't like wearing a blazer/biker etc indoors.

@ElizabethinherGermanGarden I love Phase 8 for tops!

It's a revelation! No idea why they don't put them in the window instead of the nan-frocks 😂

You've just reminded me that I saw some smart grey culottes in Phase 8 in HoF recently, but it was boiling and I couldn't face trying them on. I might go back and check them out as a possibility for work.

Sorry, didn’t realise long sleeves.
How about this? Or too formal? They have a few long sleeve non shirt tops on Lily Silk. I’ve never bought full price but got a few camis on Vinted and the fabric is gorgeous.

www.lilysilk.com/uk/wasp-waisted-silk-blouse.html?cs=catalogimagehref

Thank you - no need to apologise.

Short sleeves would also be fine, just not sleeveless.

That one is too formal, and I really want somewhere that I can just pop in store and try stuff on, rather than online.

Love this

Rapanui is good for quality t-shirt type tops, but they size slightly small so if you're between sizes size up

Was going to suggest Cos for basic Ts. I am a bit larger (size 16, with large breasts) and find the basic t-shirts at FatFace surprisingly good quality for me - but very casual. I wouldn't wear them for work.

I have had a few good slouchy v-neck jumpers from John Lewis - their own brand cashmere ones although last one i bought was about 3 years ago. I also have a fabulous one from a brand called MSCH - but I got it from Stitchfix. No sure if there are stores.