THE VEST: A GUIDE TO EMBRACING THE BASICS

Basics have garnered a bit of a bad rep. They are in essence basic.  

Though there was an upturn in popularity during the 2014 advent of Normcore, when fashion became overwhelmed by swathes of beige and Stan Smiths. The season was a palette cleanser and whilst 'Normcore' has phased out of the zeitgeist, the essence of minimalism has remained under the catchy moniker, 'basic bitch'. The term 'basic bitch' connotes unremarkable style and an embracement of sameness, though it must be said that the fundamentals of many a must-have wardrobe are founded upon basics. 

It was whilst ruminating over my own wardrobe that I began to reconsider the significance of basics to my own style. Having already mused over the perfect white t-shirt (FYI see M&S) and my newfound proclivity for black trousers; I turned my focus to the most basic of basics - the vest. Previously I had never considered the vest a necessity. They were undergarments to be worn for purposes of modesty (usually under blouses for work) or as an extra layer for warmth.

However, the vest has had a fashionable metamorphosis of late, from the typical attire of gym-goers and holiday-makers, to more modern variations befitting all manner of occasions. There's the classic racer-back, those that feature an almost racer front, those with square necklines, high necklines, spaghetti straps, thick straps, rhinestoned straps, asymmetric straps, multi-straps...

For many, the vest is synonymous with 90s minimalism, Calvin Klein simplicity and Kate Moss circa the Johnny Depp phase. In a slightly different vein, my first pop culture reference of the vest was that of Onslow from the British sitcom 'Keeping Up Appearances'. His character epitomised a lazy lout image, with his particular brand of vest more couch potato than couture. However, the director of Vogue Ukraine, Julie Pelipas wearing a simple tank top to the haute couture shows, shifted my perception of the common vest and informed the dramatic trajectory it would thus take. The very simplicity of her outfit ironically being the thing that stood out amongst all of the paparazzi peacocking.

And it was due to this simplicity that the outfit was both considered impossibly chic and unusually accessible, resulting in its viral appeal and mass recreation. With this in mind, plus my newfound commitment to the essentials (and in spite of the UK now being in deep winter), I continued my search for the perfect vest. I considered it an investment, to be worn whenever the temperature allowed it - which will probably be for two days of freak heatwave come mid-March (hi climate change).

I opted firstly for a ribbed, square necked version from H&M which unfortunately gaped at the underarms. Unless I committed to keeping my arms perennially by my side, (but how would I scroll instagram?) I had to keep searching. I then almost bought a vest from & Other Stories. However, my temptation was thwarted by the very off-putting shipping costs - when postage costs more then two trips to Starbucks, I'm out - sorry not sorry.

I had resigned myself to postponing my search indefinitely, when I wandered into TKmaxx and happened upon a stand designed to play upon the guilt induced by the overindulgence of Christmas; a rack of gym wear. Myself not owning a gym membership or possessing the inclination to go to a gym, almost overlooked the display. That is until I saw the rail of vests.

And these weren't your typical gym vests. There wasn't sight of spandex or a garish colour amongst them all. They were black, high necked and backed, with the slightest racer back shaping and the most tactile of fabrics that implores one to touch. As with all things TKmaxx, prices are low but so too are quantities. I thus bought the two available and skipped out of there to live happily ever after.

In spite of the weather conditions being less than optimum for vest wearing, my vest has surprisingly be worn numerous times (albeit as a foundation piece buried under layers). However, this only aids to emphasise the inherent versatility when one invests in basics. Beach or bar, bed or office and everything in between, be you more Onslow or more fashion director, the common vest is the commonality between all manner of people and places. How refreshing that the conundrum 'to be fashionable or to be practical?' has now been answered by the tiny piece of fabric that is the vest, finally making the question that had plagued us all, a redundant one.

(Phots via : thezoereport.com, manrepeller.com, teenvogue.com, harpersbazaar.com & @matildadjerf instagram)