Decent basics - what's worth the investment?

[leftshark]

Where does everyone get their decent investment basics from please?

My style is clean minimal, so a mix of H&M/COS/some more high-end stuff; I have a good roster of trousers/skirts/seperates I'm happy with, but really struggle with t shirts and basic tops and am getting frustrated with my cycle of buying basics that last about 3 wears before they get ratty or out of shape and are relegated to pjs. I love the quality and heaviness of COS t shirts but as I'm pear shaped they tend to be quite loose and long, and I need things that are either a bit cropped or shaped well for those of us with more curves. I bought a couple of lovely linen tees from H&M but they have already lost their shape after only 2 washes, and I want something more sustainable.

I'm happy to invest - I like the fit and quality of M&S ribbed vest tops on the lower end of the scale, but their t shirts just don't flatter or hold their shape - I want some heavy weight t shirts that will survive, are flattering, and have some options of cropped vs long line to mix with high waist bottoms. Have been looking at Boden, All Saints and Baukjen this evening - any thoughts? Trying hard not to just keep buying cheap ones from h&m and continually replacing them when they stretch, both for my sanity and also to be more mindful about shopping. Have been told Uniqlo might be a good shout?

Years ago Cos t shirts looked really good, until you wandered around the corner (in my local Selfridges!) to American Vintage and James Perse - both of which were so much better cut in much nicer cotton. But they certainly didn’t last any longer, unfortunately.

Again, years ago the Toast t shirts I bought lasted year after year until I longed for them to die. But recent reviews suggest the quality has gone down. And I had a linen t shirt from Cos, over lockdown, that didn’t last a year. Uniqlo (can’t recall which ‘collection’) are nice and thick, but the shape was horrible on me and for no reason at all they become discoloured really quickly.

Hardly dare to mention Margaret Howell, but the thicker vests and t shirts from there have lasted on average five or six years of regular wear. Some fading but they absolutely kept their shape.

I bought a couple of t-shirts in the Me + Em sale last year, largely because they were cream rather tan white and scooped/v-neck. I like them very much

https://www.meandem.com/tops/t-shirts

Does Me + Em have regular sales? Yearly? I was excited when I saw the tshirt in your post because it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for - a lower neckline (don’t care if it’s scoop or v neck really - and elbow length sleeves) but the full cost is well above what I can pay.

TIA

Zara, this dress looks amazing, I have it in black and light blue, they have a lot minimalist style clothes this summer,
https://www.zara.com/uk/en/minimalist-flowing-dress-p00264460.html?v1=277505526

Last years Uniqlo cotton tshirts (as they were last year quality could have changed since) have worn well and have held up but I’m apple shaped and cut doesn’t suit me. the quality for the price was excellent but shape all wrong for me. My adult daughter who is a little pear shaped looks good in them.

I think they have them every season and sometimes the sale starts quite early. There were summer dresses in the sale section from July. You just have to keep checking. I don't currently have much money to spend on clothing, but the three items I've had from them feel like classics.

Lands End - if you ignore the bright colours and ditsy prints (they do neutrals as well) , their supima cotton and cotton/modal scoop-neck styles wash and wear well. I don't like their ribbed cotton tee-shirts - rather 'clunky', in my opinion. But perhaps that's just me.

However, they seem to be out of stock of quite a few items/sizes at the moment.

Crew clothing?

It looks as though they've got a sale on now. Their usual prices are too rich for my blood also.

thank you all! going to have a look later at the suggestions and will report back

Similar but different... Is there anywhere one can buy cropped but long sleeve plain t-shirts? Not elbow length, three-quarter sleeve acceptable. I can't find any.

Lands End T shirts are amazing - really great thick fabric, wash and wear well. Loads of different styles so you are bound to find something that suits

Not me but my husband has a few t-shirts from All Saints, he doesn't wear them that often but of the 5 he has, 3 have developed holes.

The fatface tshirts that are the plain version of their breton tshirts are amazing. Thick, the white is non see through, and hold their shape perfectly.

Ooh thank you

I'm pear shaped with a similar style and uniqlo t shirts are my go to. Recommend going to an actual shop and trying some on though, the website is awful. I have a couple of good ones from finisterre as well.

Hush slim fit plain crew tees are a flattering shape, good on their own and also under a jumper or jacket. Quality used to be better but they are still my go to. Me and em are great quality but I haven’t found the right cut.

The best crew neck tees for me I discovered quite by accident when my son outgrew his slim fit men’s tees from ASOS. I’m a size 8 and the small fit me perfectly. I’ve found they wash really well too

Uniqlo are great for basics. Good, thick t-shirts, fine knit merino crew neck knits for winter. I also have a couple of pairs of their trousers.

Was so confused when I started reading this as I thought it was going to be about stocks and shares ‘What’s H&M’? :)

Community Clothing is definitely worth a look. Great quality and made in the UK!

Oh yes! Had forgotten Community Clothing. Very excellent all round.

The Uniqlo drape boat neck t-shirts are fantastic. I add a couple of new colours every year and I’ve not had to throw one away yet. They wash up brilliant, hold their colour and the cut is lovely, tapered to sit just above the hips so they are really flattering and smart enough for work. Unfortunately looks like there are only black and white on the website at the moment, but they usually add some new colours in the spring.

What about Toast? https://www.toa.st/collections/womens-tops-tees/products/emma-cotton-half-sleeve-tee-tawny-brown

Uniqlo supima cotton t shirts - sadly, they don't do them in the range of neckline or sleeve lengths like they used to but I really rate their basic tee in navy, black and white. I've had very nice basic white tees and vests from ASOS design (their own range).