Would you pay £70 for a t-shirt?

Karen Dacre, Fashion Editor
16 Aug 2010

For seasoned fashion-folk the search for a simple white T-shirt used to stop at a £7 style from dear old M&S. But nowadays, thanks to a rush of upmarket jersey brands hitting our department stores, shopping for basics has risen to a new bank-busting level.

Luxury basics brands are big news with fashion-bunnies happy to splash out £70 on a simple V-neck T-shirt and £200 for a pair of jersey leggings. It is a movement that has been championed by a host of dressed-down celebrities — especially those who hail from LA. Devotees include Lindsay Lohan, who favours edgy LA jersey brand LnA, while Cameron Diaz is a fan of laid-back label Splendid. Jennifer Aniston relies on basic T-shirts and sweaters by New York label Vince in order to hone her signature girl-next-door look, while Kylie was recently spotted sporting a T-shirt from T by Alexander Wang.

An increasingly lucrative business, designer basics brands are all over the shops this season. Designer shopping website net-a-porter plays host to scores of high-end jersey brands including fashion editor's favourites T by Alexander Wang and L'Agence, while both Harvey Nichols and Selfridges have transformed their denim and casual wear sections to accommodate high-end basics brands.

So what's the big attraction? It's the fabric. Jersey pieces bought on the high street are often thick, clingy and out of shape after two or three wears, the luxury version offers a flattering and enduring alternative. The result is a more elegant silhouette and a basic that will add a hint of luxury to even the dullest high-street outfit. Not convinced? Slip yourself into a vest from T by Alexander Wang and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Just don't tell your bank manager.