Of Basics and Essentials
note: an earlier version of this post was originally published on ailbíona.com
Those who are familiar with the genres of sustainable fashion, personal style, and wardrobe planning, will have noticed a recent shift in the language used to describe key pieces of clothing around which an individual’s wardrobe is assembled. It is a shift from using the term Basics to using the term Essentials. As a knitwear designer, I am sometimes asked about the difference between these terms. Is it merely semantics? The skeptics suspect a toss of the proverbial word salad to lend these fashion-oriented discussions more gravitas. However, this is decidedly not it.
To begin with, while many seem to use the terms basic and essential interchangeably as synonyms, this is incorrect. The two words have distinct meanings:
basic = foundational, simple
essential = necessary, needed
When discussing clothing, both terms have their place depending on context.
Here is an example of both words used correctly in a sentence:
For me, a basic sweater is a winter essential, whereas an embellished sweater is reserved for whimsical special occasions.
It is also worth noting here, that the concept of essential is more subjective and person-specific than the concept of basic. So while a plain, solid-colour crewneck sweater can be objectively described as basic, whether it’s essential depends on the individual. For example:
For Kate’s romantic style, intricate lace dresses are wardrobe essentials, whereas basic pullovers are rarely worn.
When in doubt, think of it this way:
If what you mean to say is simple/plain/foundational, then using basic is appropriate.
If what you mean to say is needed/ necessary, then using essential is appropriate.
In the early days of the current era of personal styling blogs and the like, there was a heavy emphasis on minimalism - not just in terms of making do with a limited number of clothing items, but with minimalism as an aesthetic. Consequently there was an assumption that a streamlined, sustainable wardrobe will invariably consist of very simple, plain pieces - i.e. basics. To put it another way, it was assumed that basics were essential for the majority of people.
As the genre evolved, there eventually came an acknowledgement that not all those who seek to dress sustainably, to streamline their wardrobes, or to hone in on their personal style, relate to the minimalist aesthetic or envision their ‘everyday staples’ as basics. So using the term Essentials simply offers greater flexibility in this regard. Whereas for one individual, essentials are indeed basic (plain and simple) garments, for another they might be elaborate or embellished ones.
That being said, there is an additional, cultural factor to the recent switch in terminology.
Because the word basic means plain/ simple/ foundational, clothing described in this manner can have connotations of being boring or generic. In colloquial terms, calling someone’s style ‘basic’ has evolved as an insult over the past decade, implying that the person themselves is boring/ generic, or lacking in character and originality.
So without a doubt, moving toward the term essentials brings the added benefit of dissociating from this.
While the phrase ‘wardrobe basics’ technically means the plainest pieces in your wardrobe, the phrase ‘wardrobe essentials’ means the most go-to pieces in your wardrobe. Arguably, the term Essentials was the correct one to use all along. It it still can still mean Basics, for those who find this applicable - while simultaneously allowing for a broader, more nuanced and inclusive approach to wardrobe assembly.
