Where to buy decent 'basics'?

[CoffeeMum]

I thought M&S would continue to serve me well for my leggings, vest tops, plain fitted t-shirts etc.

However, I went in last week and their leggings were apalling - really thin, and though fitted okayish on the leg, flared out weirdly around the ankle [which is no good unless you're wearing boots].

Had also planned to pick up six or seven black vest tops as i wear them under everything [am a bit busty , but they now seem to do them only in twin packs - ie. black + white, black + random colour - eg. fuschia, turquoise. Which is no good if you only want black.

Also, their t-shirts are very boxy, and i need something more fitted, with a big V [again, due to bustiness] - also decent quality, good thick cotton etc.

Thank you all

i quite like esprit for t shirts, they aren't too expensive, seem thicker quality and wash well

Ah okay - thank you! Never actually go in Espirit to be honest. Always seems a bit, i dunno, sporty? I must open my mind i think!

I think H and M are good for basic vests, stretchy tops (also busty!), etc. Lots of colours and seem to last OK.

Thanks! Will add H&M to the list - actually, i did get some okayish leggings there last year, though they do wrinkle a bit...

Gap, American Apparel, Uniqlo, Muji

H&M look great for only 2/3 wears - false economy.

Gap and Muji - yes, good ideas. Uniqlo, never been in actually, will have to change that. American Apparel scares me a bit - is it just really, really cool and trendy, or have i misread? I'm not over the hill on the style front just yet, but i'm not some young hipster!

Check american apparel online - every t shirt in every style/ fit/ colour you could imagine. They are fab quality too.

There are some trendy bits but imo they do 'trendy' badly.

asos are surprisingly nice too and huge choice of colours and styles

I have found H&M crap recently - I got three basic t-shirts from there in different colours, have had them for only a few months and the hem has come down on every single one (and the grey one has gone all bobbly). Really disappointing as the basic t-shirts I got from them even cheaper about 5 years ago still look great.

I'm planning to try Uniqlo once I've had this baby, and American Apparel once I am back earning some money in a couple of years .

Another vote for Gap for good quality 'basics'

Actually, haven't bought the t shirts in H&M for a bit, disappointing if the quality has gone down. I also have tops from years ago that are still looking really good.

Look at M&S Ltd Collection for decent scoop necked long or three quarter sleeved t-shirts that are nicely fitted and not boxy. Autograph for slightly longer scoop necked tees that are good quality and wash well.

Gap are no good atall for t-shirts nowadays, as the quality is dreadful and the necks 'go' after just a couple of wears. But they are good for little cotton blouses and skirts, sometimes for dresses - and for jeans and denim skirts, of course.

i like h&m!

got longsleevd tshirts there this year and have worn them loads!

The last t-shirts I bought in H&M were in summer and early last autumn - some black and some grey. I've washed each of them about once a week in the relevant season and they look the same as when I bought them. They're the ones with the white printing on the inside instead of labels, if that makes any difference (maybe some of their things are better than others?)

DD's leggings and t-shirts from H&M have been washed harder and are doing fine after 1-2 years.

i was really pleased with long sleeved scoop neck from Sainburys recently £4 and looks great

Kew do a good range of basics vests and t-shirts in lots of different colours.

If you've got an M&S outlet store nearby, they sell the vests individually at £2.50 and have a buy one get one half price offer on at the moment.

I also like Sainsburys for basics.......

Okay, thanks everyone. That's Kew, Sainsburys, Uniqlo, American Apparel, ASOS, Gap, M&S Ltd Collection, Muji, Espirit.

Hadn't thought of any of those except Gap and M&S, and JetLi, thanks, that's a great tip about the M&S outlet - i do have a local one.

And H&M perhaps, but to be approached with caution!

Thanks all!