Shopping for high quality basics?

christieanne

Decided during all this recent closet analysis that I want to add a few basics into the wardrobe. I know I can buy camis pretty much anywhere but the cheaper ones I like for color are more apt to lose shape/etc after a season or two.

Looking for some high quality (meaning will last beyond a season/year even) camis and tee/tank in white and black. The camis need adjustable straps if they are thin straps.
Cotton or silk blend?

I do like a tank that does not have printing on the "label" area - you know how they put the maker's mark on the back of top lately? - so that I can reverse them if I want a higher neckline for modesty. It also gives you a boatneck look under a cardi.

Where do you buy good, lasting basics?

14 years ago

Shopping

7 replies

Latest reply was from Makrame

StacyJo

(website)

Active Member

Macys has good staples and they are reasonably priced. Ive also found some good items at TJMaxx.

14 years ago

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

Maybe try Nordstrom Rack?

14 years ago

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

I don't have any recs (living in France), but all the best with finding your perfect basics

14 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Ive bought from both Coldwater Creek and DressBarn that have held up really well...I really like the crinkly lace camis they both carry...

14 years ago

fern

Veteran

I got the underwire bra cami from Garnet Hill more than a year ago & love it. It is pricey - $36 I think. Totally holding up. Adjustable straps but not reversible for obvious reasons
However, I noticed in the reviews they have changed the bra attachment and people were not as happy. Hmmm.
There is a $120 cami on GH too - I can't quite imagine spending that much but apparently it's the greatest cami ever made. It would have to be.

14 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Hmmm . . . I have very good luck with the Gap perfect T line holding up very well since they are high quality and all-cotton (although no spandex means that if you are stretching them they can bag by the end up the day, like when you scrunch the sleeves on a long-sleeve T but mine lasted several years without piling and go back into shape in the wash until they were almost 2 years old)-- Gap body is sometimes good for under layers, but they can be sheer or pill if you don't check the fabric content. J crew makes great ts that hold was up well.

However, I think for the most part unless you have a lot of camis/tanks/tees or don't wear them much it isn't really realistic to expect something that you wash a ton, sweat on, and is generally made of cotton or cotton spandex to stay in great shape for more than a couple seasons (especially white). They are workhorses just like undies and bras and the spandex is gonna die, as is the cotton.

I don't know about silk though--- it may be worse because it is delicate, or better because of the silkiness. Very different beast unless you are talking about a knit silk blend t with stretchy fibers.

14 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

Angie has recommended BP camis (juniors, so I size up).http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bp.....tback=1088 The straps are non-adjustable. I also have one from Shimera (also Nordstrom), the straps are non-adjustable as well. I like both of these so even with non-adjustable straps, I am pretty happy. The label on BP is sown in on the back and on Shimera, the label is printed on the side/bottom.

I also got really nice camis last summer at a BR outlet - they are made out of some type of synthetic fiber (maybe polyester) but the front has a silky-looking band at the top so they look a bit dressier.

I've had all three brands (BP, Shimera, BR) for a year and they seem to hold up OK; I am not replacing any this year. The price is $12 (BP), $18 (Shimera), $16 (BR). None of these have built-in bras, which was my requirement (I don't like shelf bra over a regular bra).

14 years ago

Category