It's not exactly the ultimate conundrum but when it comes to your hard earned cash and the time you invest to find them, it is a factor you should consider, especially once I explain what I mean.
An essential is an item that makes your life easier it is the 'no-brainer' section of your wardrobe. The world will not end or improve on the merits of these garments but there are times, when you thank, whatever power you believe in, that they are there. For me it's a Vince Black jacket, which consequently was the first item I ever bought in a 10, (this is probably more important to me than it should be, but if I had more moral fortitude I would probably do a different job) and a pair of grey Joseph trousers, other things may get a small window to join the Essentials team but the die hard, cry when they need Dry cleaning, items are listed. The point of the essential is they give you a safe place to fall and/or build from. You know they look good and so whatever you put with them borrows some of their sheen to be upgraded to their level.
A basic, is just that, they are the garments that make the rest of your wardrobe wearable. I like to think of them as blank canvases that allow your more exciting items to shine. However their quality is almost more important because you'll wear them the most often in one guise or another, so they have to wash and wear, well. They don't tend to be exciting pieces, no body is going to gush over a white t-shirt but if it is poor quality or fits you badly it will show more than on a fashion piece and as a result will be detrimental to your over all look.
For my money I would rather have a solid foundation than anything else. There isn't a profession in existence that won't tell you that basic is actually the hardest to do well, take Strictly Come Dancing as an example, the easier the routine the more perfect it must be to achieve an acceptable score, because without any distractions, it is easy to see the problems. Good basics, can also improve the over all look of an outfit by adding a twist that makes it uniquely yours, or that join 2 separates together to complete a style, you are trying to achieve. These items tend to be in heavy wardrobe rotation so it is worth spending a little more money on them, why not feel special most days rather than when you dress up? Essentials are important but they become essential, it is unusual to know in a fitting room whether something is going to become a wardrobe backbone. As you will know from your own experience they are also difficult to find, searching for a replacement for an old favourite tends to be one of the most frustrating shopping experiences. So really buying these has to happen organically, they will either be there or they won't. Basics however are perfect Sale shopping fodder, this also allows you to consider brands you would usually discount on the basis of price. A Joseph or Theory T shirt in the sale will be affordable and I promise you will notice the difference and see why people might buy these items at full price, but between you me and the Gatepost if you don't have to why should you?
I guess at the end of the day it is need versus want, we want the perfect wardrobe and need to build it on a strong foundation of solid pieces that we can rely on. When that is achieved it is easy to get excited about all sorts of things that may pop up.
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