In defence of the basic outfit

“The unsung hero of any wardrobe.”

If you type ‘basic outfit’ into Google, I can guarantee you’ll find countless articles about how to jazz up the humble T-shirt and jeans. You’ll find piece after piece detailing how to add interest or a certain ‘wow factor’ to a simple outfit. I’m going to tell you to ignore all of them.

A basic outfit doesn’t always need something extra. A basic outfit, in fact, is the unsung hero of any wardrobe. We don’t always need to be dithering over an additional piece of jewellery, a statement boot or a pop of colour. A basic outfit is intentionally simple. It’s a T-shirt and jeans on the weekend or tailored pants and a striped button-down on a workday. It’s an impeccably-cut black suit, a cashmere sweater and the jewellery you never take off.

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Somewhere along the line, basic became synonymous with boring. Where women used to be praised for their understated and timeless wardrobes, basic outfits are now deemed unexciting and unoriginal. If we dig a little deeper, there’s undoubtedly some kind of capitalist agenda behind the contemporary notion of ‘boring is basic’. After all, if we’re told a basic outfit needs to be elevated, it presents an excuse to buy something new to go with it.

For a long time, I subscribed to this school of thought. Naturally, it was exacerbated by a micro-trend-heavy Instagram explore page and a TikTok feed full of huge ‘wardrobe haul’ videos. It seemed the newer and more colourful your outfit, the more creative the internet seemed to think you were. How would the world know I appreciated art and fashion if I didn’t match my checkered jeans to my giant fluffy hat?

I’ve since decided basic outfits are underrated. And why can’t we reframe them as classic, elegant or understated instead? Wearing a simple outfit doesn’t mean you lack style or personality – in fact, it takes a certain attitude and unflinching confidence to truly pull it off. Envision Instagram’s most pattern-forward influencer in a pair of jeans, a white singlet and a black blazer. She’s got no embellishments and no fluffy hat – she sports nothing but a basic outfit and confidence. The true essence of cool, in my opinion.

Another bonus? In most cases, pared-back outfits also make for a more sustainable wardrobe. Exposure to the constantly accelerating fast fashion trend cycle has taught us outfit repeating is uncool. According to sustainable fashion hub Good On You, a survey of 2,700 people saw 49 per cent of respondents report “they’ve felt self-conscious about repeating outfits at work”. But a basic outfit is often a versatile one, giving you the freedom to wear pieces over and over again.

In curating my own basic outfits, I’ve noticed there’s power in keeping them simple. It leaves mental space for other aspects of my life, like my creativity and art. The daily ‘uniform’ isn’t a new concept – it’s one taken from generations of high-powered, successful people. A simple wardrobe alleviates decision fatigue, leaving more room in your brain for productive thoughts. In understanding the beauty of a basic outfit, I’m learning I can exist independently of how I present myself visually.

Social media puts endless pressure on us to make every outfit an event. Trends are only getting brighter, bolder and more elaborate. And if it brings you joy to create a colourful, trend-forward outfit every day, then that’s amazing. But I think we need to take the pressure off.

We don’t need to wear something rule-breaking and boundary-pushing every single day. The basics are classic for a reason; functioning as the core of every well-structured wardrobe. I’m advocating for the white T-shirt and jeans, knowing it doesn’t make me any less stylish, creative, original or interesting.

For more on the beauty of a basic outfit, head here.