Is This Fashion Genre Just Bad Advice?

[@localfolklore4288]

'invest in timeless, high-quality items that you can always come back to' - finally some justification for my extensive Philipp Plein collection.

[@PocketUau]

Yikes 😂 I've only had one experience with Philipp Plein and it wasn't pleasant. Walked into one of their boutiques, lifted (read: held in hand with the most delicate touch) one of their shoes, a model with a glittery Captain America shield. 4 of the plastic jewels fell from the shield as soon as I lifted the shoe, and I didn't even touch that part of it. Safe to say I never gave them a dime.

[@rocksaltzwidaz3411]

​@@PocketUauphilip plain is one of the greatest designers of our generation and any generation before or after

[@Null-941]

philipp plein is a copycat, he steals logo and made it like his own

[@ThisIsAntwon]

When everything you own is covered in crystals and glitter it gets real easy to match them all together 😎

[@cms3000]

​@@ThisIsAntwon is he your brother? kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioa0fIasbc6bj7s

[@idontgrillonwed]

Reminds me of other hobbies, value of intent, and diminishing returns. Examples: Guitar hobby: Squier-MIM Fender-MIA Fender-Suhr-Fender Custom Shop. All while the basic Mexican or American Fender is amazing with a basic fret job, soldering, and new nut for most players…even pros. Pistols: Canik-Glock-Colt-Wilson Combat-Full custom based on old Colt or completely new frame. All while Glock with a few upgrades to the slide, sights, and trigger out shoots 99% of people. Etc. Although my Samurai’s and Strike Golds are 1000% the jeans my Wranglers are.

[@idontgrillonwed]

Also have to add: My deadlift numbers, activities and friends irl, and yoga progress has always had more to do with my fashion progress than anything I could ever buy.

[@Ulfscher]

I don't think I've ever bought anything sold as an elevated basic, but a lot of my wardrobe is quite plain pieces in the highest quality I can find and afford. And there's definitely a design element even to those plain pieces - they might have some subtle details and simply look a little bit more focused. I love and wear a lot of Jil Sander, and they have plenty of stuff that might be considered "elevated basics" both in the sense of higher quality and that little something extra. Their knitwear is fantastic. It is one of the pricier brands, but as Vivienne Westwood said: Buy less, choose well, make it last.

[@DrawnByDandy]

Love your insightful videos, Antwon! I'd love to hear your take on what it means to "pull something off" when it comes to fashion. I've heard people say they don't want to wear something because they "don't think they can pull it off" but I don't quite know what they mean. Is it not knowing how to style an article of clothing; what to pair it with? Is it thinking something wouldn't flatter your body type? Is it not having the confidence to wear something bold or eye-catching?

[@Nickjwj]

I just bought a bunch of plain t-shirts for like $70cad each and thought I was smart and cool and hip and with it. Along comes Antwon to tell me I’m a dummy 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Cosmicgardening]

If you keep them and wear them and enjoy them it's all good lol

[@Hwyegeheoey]

What brand was it?

[@Simple_Galaxy]

What is the name/brand of the jacket you are wearing at 13:45?

[@javaally1203]

"Buy it nice or buy it twice" my grandma says who was a seamstress ...

[@FabulousResults]

The most insidious word in use right now, both in fashion and design, is "timeless" because nothing is timeless. Imagine Roman aristocrats describing tunics and robes as "timeless." One look at the history of clothing and design trends will reveal that nothing is timeless. Even the modern t-shirt is a relatively new creation and it has probably been considered an acceptable way to dress in polite society for less time than your grandparents have been alive. I also don't like that it implies societal acceptance as the primary benefit. If your main reason for buying and wearing something is "society will approve of this forever" - which isn't even true - then I think it betrays a lack of confidence or fear of judgement. I don't believe we're given the gift of life so we can stay within the confines of what society deems acceptable.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

"society approves of this" is a very refreshing way to look at what's trending - and makes it a lot easier to ignore if you'd rather wear something else! Appreciate your comment 🙏

[@rudimussrodeln]

It has nothing to do with confidence, it has something to do with sustainability that I could wear one single denim jacket in 1960 and today. So I do not really get your point here. Some people don‘t want to change their wardrobe every year. And I don‘t feel connected to new fashion trends. I simply prefer „classics“. And most of them aren‘t even really conform with most of the society. I see more people running around with trendy clothing than with a Levis Type II jacket for example. Or with Yeezys than with Red Wing Shoes. So it is actually really the other way around.

[@FabulousResults]

​@@rudimussrodeln your idea of what constitutes a "classic" is shallow and you completely missed my point. pieces that we regard as timeless actually aren't as timeless as we think if you look at the history of fashion.

[@rudimussrodeln]

@@FabulousResults A pair of jeans is worn since the 19th century pretty much the same style until today and will be worn in the future. Yeezys from 2017 are already out. I think you miss the point here. Obviously these classics haven‘t been worn in medieval times but what is the point here? Lmao. I think 150 years of wear is timeless enough in my opinion. And I don‘t see any scenario you won‘t be able to wear red wing boots, jeans and a chore jacket in 50 years. And a basic Levis Type 2 jacket is like 100$ so it isn‘t even part of this luxury staple piece thingy.

[@Lunch_at_Marcos]

Sadly society as a whole seems to “approve” or is too heavily forgiving and influenced to dress with low effort and standards (urban/streetwear, overly loud and bombastic and unpractical clothing)

[@williamkazak469]

The word "fashion" kind of guarantees an eternal quest for "something new". The term "style" is the category I look at. Seeing throughout recent history the well dressed and the well mannered. There are examples in movies and books to gain knowledge about this. We can certainly emulate the stylish and not the trendy. We can "up our game" as we learn more about classic style. We can adapt to those stylish gents as we see fit for our current situation, where we go, our climate and our own finances. The latest microfiber or t-shirt certainly has nothing to do with me.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Very true - the closest we can ever get to true timelessness is when clothing is an authentic representation of our personality and expression of what we like. Even if the individual items become 'unfashionable' by that point it doesn't really matter if you're truly living what you're wearing.

[@juhel5531]

I live in the tropics my guy. Cheap microfiber shirts are my go to. I go through 3 to 5 shirts in a day. It's so hot and humid here in the Philippines unless you're posh af that negotiating hygiene needs to be your number one style consideration. Sometimes, you need a lot of practical considerations to be stylish. If I didn't do this, I'd be stylish and stinky which is far less effective than tailored cheap shirts and fresh.

[@larrytron1992]

It's always refreshing to hear honest takes on the fashion community. Good job mate

[@larifari_das]

Recessioncore

[@greyanand8954]

Genuine facts, no BS Your content is worth giving my time to

[@ThisIsAntwon]

🙏 couldn't ask for a higher compliment

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

Sambas are merely a particular model _within_ the Silhouette of an _German Army Trainer._ Doesn't matter if it's from Adidas, Martin Margarinella, H&M or AliExpress. Same as a Stand Smith is just a particular example within the ur, archetypical, Platonic, silhouette of a Minimalist Sneaker. Of which other examples include the Common Projects (the "It" shoe of 1,000 trends ago), Koio, Gustin, Beckett Simonon, and a hundred others. These are all riffs on a known ideal. In Classic Menswear, nobody would ever accuse an Allen Edmonds of "ripping off" Meermin because they both sell Long Wing Blutchers. Everybody understands that these are all part of the same family of designs and everybody is individually modifying and tweaking elements to fit that brand's particular view of the ideal example by modifying elements like last shape, width, toe box, sole, heel. Seems like the "community" is once again being somehow bamboozled by the media marketing machine instead of truly understanding what is happening. Buying an "elevated basic" of a GAT, Minimalist Sneaker, Dad Shoe, Runner, etc. will IMO get you more mileage out of shoes than doubling or tripling down on multiple models within the same family of designs. To me it is very dumb to own an Air Force 1 _and_ a Jordan 1 _and_ a Dunk _and_ an SB Dunk because they're all the same silhouette, same shoe, same style, all variations on a theme that ultimate results in the same overall addition to an outfit. To me, I see that behavior as "bad" style.

[@dioromeo4958]

Can we talk about customization & accessorization as a form of personally elevating your basics?

[@bheinatz1]

High weight being better/more luxurious is such a fallacy. The best fabrics are made with cotton/wool/cashmere with longer staple, giving strength, and extreme thinness, giving a soft hand; this means that the highest quality threads and fabric are extremely fine, not heavy. I think people confuse the durability of very dense, thick fabric with quality, but over time the fabric will become rough, will pill and look like garbage. Burlap lasts forever, but it's not luxurious!

[@duchessedeberne3909]

I bought some expensive classics as a woman and ended up never wearing them. Either it made me feel too old and out of fashion or they cost so much, I was afraid of ruining them!

[@understitchYT]

You touched on this a little, but I think the thing that really puts me off of these 'elevated' basics the most is the elitism that it permits. It's no secret that the brand name, to me, offers a lot of value. I love buying into a history or a designer that I have researched and know a lot about. But, I don't like the idea that anything I buy is any better than what someone else buys, or vice versa. No matter how much I value that brand name or the designer, it doesn't mean it's the same thing that holds value for that other person and their perspective is just as valid. This idea that one's basic is in some way conclusively superior to another is just unkind and dismisses all the other factors that went into that purchasing journey for the other person. I might like a brand name and you might like the construction, both are valid reasons to buy something.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Very eloquently put and totally agree - wish more people took that view!

[@lunargorp]

Like your other recent meta-takes, late-stage Ant is really moving fashion discourse to another level. You’re evoking Patagonia “do not shop” ad ethos, and I’m here for it. At the end you talked about curating personally relevant elevated basics, and I want to point out how your channel has absolutely helped many of us establish these types of wardrobe collections over the years. (“But I style Uniqlo DIFFERENTLY from the models!”) Tl;dr - it was great watching Antwon say the quiet part out loud with big “as per my email” energy

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Hahaha really appreciate that! I still want to talk about cool clothing I like but fit it into a theme or topic people can derive more value from than "look, I'm buying stuff!" I have a few ideas for the future, but also having a lot of fun with the meta stuff

[@lunargorp]

@@ThisIsAntwon I’m glad this isn’t just a phase

[@XYZ_Vu]

Agreed I appreciate the full discussions here versus Buy! Now!

[@My_Legs_Are_OK]

This term makes no sense to me. If we consider elevated basics to be just the basic clothes made with higher quality materials and craftsmanship, then they are the same as basic clothes. Just better made. Nothing “elevated” to them. If they are more personal and directional, have some quirk to them or whatever - then they are no longer basic, in my opinion.

[@jaskey]

Elevated basics works for me, but I think it works because I'm not looking for it to say so much about me(just a tiny bit, but not much). I just want it clean, presentable, and make me look good. If you see outfits more as near artistic expression of yourself, then I think this type of focus on basics would look too predictable and boring(10:10). But for most layman outside of this type of interest, the basics and elevated basics work well.

[@Nyakairu.K]

I've always thought that elevated basics mean something that is less plain and fits your style more rather than what's so common. For example, instead of a t-shirt with a v-neck, go for sth different like a sweetheart neckline. The trick is to know that it suits you better because it adds a little more *flavour*. I like that you state that it should make you a little more excited to wear it.

[@christopherxavier4952]

I will say that lemaire fits irl are super weird and interesting. Because of the proportions and monochrome nature, people who are all about timeless style tend to lean on brands like the row more since the cut and colors are a bit more traditional

[@heemro4356]

This is what happens when you can't find a genuinely interesting subject to talk about, 17 minutes to say "hey I agree with this, I say this, but be careful guys".

[@mariek.474]

I bought this sweater with huge bishop sleeves (puffy until the middle of the forearm then with a tight long wristband) this fall. Back then it fit into a popular trend in the stores around here, that I doubt will be back this year, but I'm sure I'll wear it for a long time as a basic with a little something extra -- whenever I want to replace a lowkey black turtleneck with something more dramatic. Your point about the idea of elevated basics being more relevant when applied to the clothes someone likes to wear specifically, in their own habits, really made sense.✨

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Thanks! Sweater sounds pretty cool as well - the Huni hoodie I have is a little like that cut and it's super fun to wear

[@elainestokes2787]

I don’t understand how their clothes are “falling apart after a few washes”. I have some fast fashion clothes that I still wear after 14 years and they’re still good.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

I feel like at this point it's just a phrase people like to repeat without it having actually happened to them (or maybe happened once), and now everyone says it

[@zerooneeight018]

More holes your vans have more cooler they become

[@chenardnoirpresidente5672]

Persona 5 theme 🫡🫡🫡

[@alissonvert3552]

from living in a third world country i came to hate big logo shirts, because they are the ones that are always fake, even if you have a real branded one everyone else will think that you have a fake one, so it kind of pushed me to go for better quality with minimal branding, because i know its value and it doesnt make other people think i wear replicas

[@docdoom44]

Elevated basics is where you flex about how you spent £200+ on a simple jumper (ACNE Studios btw)

[@hermitgreenn]

Elevated basics are a good concept, a sort of sister-trend to Techwear in its pure form - Emphasizing quality over quantity. I for one buy basic tees at H&M, but only their pima cotton and polyester blend ones. The basic basic ones are actual trash that disintegrates in three washes.

[@arwestromen]

Tip: Buy the items the brand is known for ex. Buy tennis/polo shirts from lacoste not shoes or watches Buy denim from Levi's not T-shirts

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Very solid advice!

[@CalThompson-oj2kk]

Elevated basics are a great idea if you define "elevated" not as cooler or better looking, but rather as having higher quality. Spending 2x on a pair of basic shoes because they look slightly different does not have the same value as spending 2x on a pair of basic shoes that are made using materials and techniques that will allow it to last longer, à la Terry Pratchett's "Captain Samuel Vimes 'Boots' theory". Spending big money on high quality basics not only gives cred to your wardrobe on their own, but they last much longer which over time means they actually cost you less than cheaper alternatives. That being said, spending more on high quality isn't always a good idea when it comes to clothing that is meant to be consumable. For example - socks, underwear, t-shirts, tennis shoes, sweat-pants, etc. These items are not meant to survive in your wardrobe for long, and so spending more on higher quality versions has a steeply diminishing return on investment. Rather, you should spend more on items you expect to never leave your wardrobe. Some good basics to choose expensive quality over cheap fashion are: oxford shirts, jeans, dress shoes, boots, watches & watch straps, belts, blue & grey suits, jackets, LBDs, black heels, purses, wallets, ties, etc.

[@dimman77]

I'm curious how these content creators will shift to the following trend after they oversaturate their audience with these "elevated basics". Well besides "shamelessly"...

[@ThisIsAntwon]

I'm eagerly awaiting the return of hypebeast-era streetwear

[@dimman77]

@@ThisIsAntwon Oh my...

[@riley-4205]

I like buying from brands where i can see the effort thats been taken and the attention to details been thought about. Wearing something thats not designed to last and cuts corners to make a make a profit doesn't sit well with me. Cheaper clothes are great for tighter budgets and they have many upsides but i hate the declining quality of products in our era and i would rather pay more to not support this. Im also very lucky that i can afford to do this.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

For sure - if I'm gonna vote with my wallet I'd much rather vote in the direction of care and attention than mass production!

[@OreoMcfIurry]

This is an intesting topic but imo I see elevated basics as "maturing" and "regression". I think that basics should be seen more as a statement of efficiency rather than a whole style in itself. I think that as we get older, become more settled, and begin to raise families we start to realize that clothing just isn't all that important and you don't feel an incessant need to express yourself to the world all the time. I remember looking at my parents when they were young and they had a lot of style. They wore there flared jeans, permmed hair, massive sunglasses and platform shoes. But now, they just wear a hoodie and jeans because it just works. It's almost as if the fashion journey is just a phase of our youth and as we get older we let it go. You rarely see the elderly talk about their 'personal style' or 'aesthetic' because they don't feel the need to project that part of them anymore. And in that sense, you regress back to the days when you didn't care about clothes, but at least now you have a wardrobe of quality essientals to fall back on. I also just believe basics do not need to be elevated, they are basic for a reason and its simplicity and effortless/not-trying look is what makes them effective. The more you try to elevate basics the more try-hard it comes off imo.

[@rowlz2507]

I love the broader subject matter of these recent videos man, they are genuinely insightful and original. Thanks for the great content

[@potatodude5327]

You guys're out here saying 60-80$ shirts are elevated basics, meanwhile i'm chilling in my Wrangler button up shirt thinking it's the most durable piece in my wardrobe. Nah but fr: pleated trousers are great; bummed two of 'em from my dad's closet and have been wearing them for a couple weeks, completely replaced my 511s! (i think i mentioned this before: but prices for Levi's and Wranglers here are astronomically high)

[@AChanceOfReign]

Elevated Basics shouldn't be a written-in-stone, one-size-fits-all kind of category. It should just be your personal experience with your personal and cultivated wardrobe. If there's something you've had for months to years that you love to death but then you've found something that is the same thing but also better in quality, pricing, color, etc. then that's what I'd called an 'Elevated Basics'. As always, fantastic video from my favorite fashion guru!

[@KhyberPunk]

I feel like elevated basics sounds like a promising way to be kind of passively stylish. It's surprising how little connection there can be between quality and price (with the caveat that I can't afford past a certain price level). I feel like sometimes a brand will get lucky working with a high quality factory and the resulting product for that season is good almost by accident.

[@lindseykanas3164]

I am really enjoying the depth that you exploring the fashion realm. Thank you as always for your great content. I always look forward to it.

[@stefanhnavetsea1588]

some clothes looks better with time so by buying a higher quality item we can wear it longer to get them look worn in full with fades or patina or interesting looking scuffs and rich in character, perhaps that's a wiser choice it makes people want to wear their clothes more and longer and not buying too many, just like the raw denim ideal before people in their community like in other fashion community end up having hundreds of pairs

[@8ddn]

Had to screenshot those old instagram photo of yours.

[@lorenzodevallier]

In my opinion elevated basics is a thing. A 40-60€ tshirt can be washed up to 100 times and still holding it's shape, but a 20€ one lasts only for a few years. I've been wearing a 60€ tshirt for 5 years and now is starting to become thinner.

[@samuelbaird4983]

I've had $20 tshirts that have lasted me 10 years of regular wear, and still look new

[@RoflMaiWaffel]

Having lived past my teenage and young adult years, I'm cognizant of trends and fads and cycles. I'm completely uninterested in hypebeast culture and chasing high fashion. That's why I tend towards the basics or classics. I don't want to dedicate mental capacity to figuring out what's cool and what's not anymore, what the kids like these days, etc. However, you almost certainly can still overconsume on Elevated Basics. It can become just another pathway to spending more on stuff you don't really need. If my budget didn't permit me, I think I'd still be fine wearing the Uniqlo Selvedge jeans. I guess the takeaway is to hone in on how you really want to dress, and shop and spend intelligently. For me, it really is tending towards classic menswear type outfits, which I like. I tend towards having only a handful of favourite outfits (a capsule wardrobe if you must), so spending smartly into those pieces is the right choice for me.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Good advice! Appreciate your comment 🙏

[@RoflMaiWaffel]

@@ThisIsAntwon Cheers. Perhaps to put it succinctly, I'd rather spend $100 on a shirt that I really love, as opposed to four $25 shirts I'm not so hot about for example. Your decisions in resource (money) allocation might not always be perfect, but that's the mindset I generally go with for clothes. Although it is certainly applicable to anything. Basics may not shock and awe, but I enjoy the versatility of combining any of these basics together for a cohesive outfit. I think I'll look neat and presentable for years to come. I think where I live is not too fussed about fashion either. If you live in New York or Tokyo for example there are plenty more participating in showcasing themselves on the streets (it might correlate to the higher use of public transport and a denser city center,) and so there is a bit more of a social acceptance or expectation of interesting outfits.

[@nym5qu17]

1:30 the issue with this is that it's entirely based on other people's perception and not your own taste. There was a time when 350v2s, vans, ultraboost 1.0s etc etc were the MOST fashionable option.. I gaurentee that the samba and other shoes will fall out of flavor in 1-5 years.

[@fioredeutchmark]

9:50 you actually made this point really well on a recent video when you talked about (among other things) the current trend of larger wider pants/ trousers vs the previous decade and a half of skinny tapered jeans/trousers being the staple. If you had bought a pair of skinny Japanese selvage jeans in 2013 for £600 (or whatever they cost at the time) thinking that it was a great investment you’d have looked like an idiot inside 5 years. As an aside; the only clothing item I can think of that is genuinely timeless and everyone should have one is a Barbour waxed field jacket. I got one for my 17 birthday and there hasn’t been a year of my life that I haven’t had at least one occasion where it’s been absolutely necessary. I wear it almost every day in the months of September and October when I’m shooting.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

For sure, although if you weather the storm given enough time those same jeans will go back to being the coolest thing ever (even cooler because they're vintage and authentic) Waxed jackets are so linked to genuine workwear they have that aura of heritage style about them - that quality definitely helps things transcend trends

[@ridingweeb4801]

i got called uncool in like 2011 when i was in 8th grade for not wearing sambas why are they back now i was under the impression they were always cool and are a staple since they still make them

[@johnlewtas6833]

outlier has been my favorite "elevated basic" of late. i know i'm late to the hype wagon but ive been moving more towards outlier (and similar brands) because i appreciate the technical properties and attention to textiles in a minimalistic package. i like the idea of waking up and looking at the day like a puzzle- i'm going to be doing x activity today in y weather, what can i wear today that suits these criteria the best (durability/breathability/insulation/weather protection, etc)? it also makes me consider a use case when buying new clothes. rather than thinking "oh i need this to fit in" or "oh that looks cool" i think "how am i going to wear these and what makes them different from my other clothes?" this kind of consideration helps caerfully fill in the gaps where i realize "i need this piece for this activity with x y and z properties" (although sometimes this means i spend a long time looking for the perfect piece). jeans and cotton tees are kind of the jack-of-all-trades, but they don't excel at anything. i'm liking the side of techwear that means i can dial in exactly how i want to feel each day.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

I think that attitude works super well if you want to focus more on what you're doing rather than what you're wearing - solving the problem (or getting close enough) just lets you forget about it and enjoy whatever you do. That said, it's always nice to have some fun too and chuck on some unecessary-but-cool pieces. I can't resist dressing a little overkill out hiking just because I like more technical looks

[@johnlewtas6833]

​@@ThisIsAntwon to be clear, i also love to splurge lol-- finally got a pair of bbs bambas and love to show them off-- so I'm not all function over form. but i like the simplicity of outlier because i never worry if it doesn't quite gel with those "fun" pieces. when not in school, i have to report to an office so i tend more towards the greyman side of techwear. i wish i could justify getting a pair of acronym pants but i just wouldn't have much call to wear them in the office, and i'd be afraid to damage them while hiking. anyways, as i've said before, i love this new meta-fashion direction. please keep up the great work.

[@surgezoom7079]

Man, them custom Gundams are sick! 😮 Especially ones with flourescent paint. 🤩

[@NoMusicTheory]

Ive been rocking some g star raw and was unaware some of that falls in this category. I feel there is way to much thought put into all the sub genres of fashion, it starts to drive me crazy.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Heard plenty of good things about G-Star gear so nothing wrong with that! Ultimately "buy what you love" is as much as anyone needs to think about it!

[@getyourownshoe]

Your latest videos have been absolutely stonking, I am thoroughly enjoying them all and really love this deeper dive into theory behind fashion. 🔥

[@danixdadsasd-sp2su]

The quality of this channel compared to other fashion channels is just mindblowing. What an outstanding man with such critical analysis. Love your content.

[@Chevsilverado]

It’s easy to fall into a rabbit hole with elevated basics where you see a $50 t shirt and think it’s pretty cheap, since you’re exposed to basic t shirts that run for over $100. Or with jeans, you see a $150 pair of jeans and think it’s a good price since iron heart denim costs $400+. I’ve spent more than I care to admit on pretty basic items of clothing just for the heritage and construction of them. I like it, as it’s a hobby and interest of mine, but to recommend that everyone go out and find the highest quality t shirts and sweaters is disregarding the fact that after a certain point your money is giving you very diminishing returns in terms of longevity and fit. I cant actually think of a piece of clothing I’ve actually worn out except for $5 t shirts and various vans. If you find a piece that fits well and it is made decently and isn’t ridiculously cheap it’s gonna be a good piece of clothing. Spending beyond that may get you some nice details only you might notice, and maybe a little bit more lifespan, but you do not NEED to spend more. This is all putting aside the fact that it’s legitimately hard to find true high quality basics. You really need to know where to look to find these good t shirts otherwise you may spend $100 on a designer white tee that has the same quality as a $30 one. The better advice to give is to tell people how to wash their clothes. For the longest time I washed everything on max heat and I bleached all my whites. Dried on max heat until it was like a desert in the dryer. Clothes shrank and wrinkled and pilled and wore out very quickly. Now, I have two laundry bins. One for stuff I don’t care about and another for important pieces. The important stuff gets cold washed and air dries. It makes clothes last WAY longer. Whites only get bleached if they’re stained. No need to bleach every wash if they’re still white. This has been a game changer. I also invested in a good clothes steamer. If I steam a shirt it kills bacteria and removes any smell. No need to wash it if you’re gonna wear it the day after. Then you could be washing 1/2 as often. Softens wrinkles in the shirts too so you look way better.

[@kimberlycarrigan8824]

I like going to that cheap discount store in the mall and buying a shirt in every color off the $5 rack. Spending $50 on a T shirt makes no sense.

[@thebrothaj]

quite honestly, even your "basic" basics (if cared for properly) can still last a few seasons. basics by nature are meant to be replenished/replaced every few seasons as new cuts & colors are introduced, so sure, if you can afford that $120 USD t-shirt and want to justify the cost by alleging that you much prefer the way it drapes on your body, then knock yourself out... but that $14.90 USD on sale t-shirt (looking at you uniqlo airism...) will do the exact same thing for the average person.

[@imogenisonline]

Hello ANTWON! Thx for another banger of a vid! It’s 5am in Australia and I am on a local street/techwear website as I was keen for some Acronym big ol pants. Would you ever consider talking about size and image re techwear? I don’t have Twitter etc to harass you on there eee so here I am on an unrelated video 😢 Size runs are very limited, and as someone who has worked in fashion I get the defence as to why, however I feel that the image of who ‘should’ and can wear certain pieces is very defined. You’re not going to risk sizing on a 2k piece, and I think that some brands bank on that? A Google of plus size tech wear just gets you a lot of cheap imitations (Ali express etc), and the videos I’ve seen are of women (I’m a woman!) who are barely on the upper end of straight sizing. Anyway thank u favourite clothing friend 🎉

[@blubblubee]

If u were a Pokémon, you most certainly would be a meowth, only AFTER that deranged Professor oak performed “experiments” on your poor cat soul…. Idk why, that’s just who you are imo 😮

[@ragsbyjak]

I swear I've just been binge watching your content today. Very in-depth research, interesting perspectives. Overall great content 👌

[@allwhitenohype8659]

to be timeless is to be out of sync with trends. classic is not wide leg trousers classic is not cropped boxy t-shirts and hoodies, classic is straight leg trouser and a lose fitted t shit that your grandad would wear while gardening on a Sunday. all this evaluated basics bullshit is a marketing strategy and tactic to make you make emotionally driven purchases. Embracing a truly timeless and classic style requires you stepping away from current trends and being comfortable with being perceived as “boring” or out of sync with the fashion zeitgeist.

[@hexmangelen5942]

11:38 lmao same, I used to be a jordan/dunks guy until I thrifted some Y-3 Kusaris for 2 dollars, I haven't heard of Y-3 at the time nor do I know that it is an 'elevated basic', I just bought them because I thought they looked cool, but I did not have any clothes that go with the 'vibe' of the shoe. Now I have even more Y-3 shoes and a some ricks, and am currently in the fast lane to a weird mix of techwear and vamp. I regret nothing

[@stormzybanksy]

i don't understand the point you're trying to make - it seems you're arguing that one should just buy cheap, fast-fashion because more expensive clothing or higher quality clothing isn't worth it?

[@taiefmiah]

Honestly, my personsl experience on the quality front is so difficult. My uniqlo thermals haven't bobbled after years. Meanwhile their white supima and thick cotton stuff has bubbled and faded. A nike black tee of mine has survived 8 years, but a modern one won't. Its a shame that the longevity of these pieces is not consistent within brands and changes over time. Ots just annoying when a piece you like for the fit or design falls apart and you lose a staple in your wardrobe well before you want to

[@mizoboe6193]

A bit irrelevant to the video but isnt the background music to this video the background music for the Playstation Persona wallpaper? 😂

[@XYZ_Vu]

I always found basic dull, much less elevated. But if I’m honest as I’ve gotten older I wanted a more minimal look, where I have clothes that go with each other more often. So it while I do have basics such as polos, I’d like to make sure that they are from decent brands with quality material and things that will last. I will say that for me I have an extensive color palette versus the usual neutrals, and I’d like to use those with my basics. Also I am a huge fan of texture So I absolutely do a lot of that

[@CaliKiid714]

I'm old enough to remember when Kanye tried offering us Elevated Basics with his APC collection and proceeded to get clowned on lol. Most of the clothes were actually nice for their time, but everyone saw that $80 blank tee and went in on him. I will say most of the time you're better off buying a basic clothing piece and just taking it to get tailored to your liking. Unless they have a big ass logo front and center most people will just respond with "Y Tho?" when you tell them you dropped $200 on a blank shirt.

[@ThisIsAntwon]

hahaha yeah that did not go down well with the media - funny because even then high fashion brands would've charged a lot more than $80 for a t-shirt.

[@AdzPower]

I know I'm probably just very lucky, but I have literally never had any clothing fall apart from just general use. I just outgrow it after a few years of use. I literally still have a plain t-shirt I found at a supermaket a few years ago and its still in good shape, it cost 3.50 maybe? So when I hear certain buzzwords like "elevated" it just sounds like b.s to me.

[@russiasvechenaya58]

blawgz talkin bout $35 tshirts. if you dont wear $500 Tshirts you arent even human

[@xandernettles]

I bought some Sambas as a young teen a long time ago. Definitely the most hard and uncomfortable shoe I've ever had. Even if I liked the look now I couldn't do it

[@BigBroccoli_]

1:30 did that dude really compare Yeezys to new balances? They’re both completely different looks 😂

[@maxaronson1017]

Watching “this not that” vids on tiktok, I’m struck by how few of them explain why. If I want to know what “this” to sub for a “that” I have to keep watching this tiktoker.

[@Chernochegger]

Stan Smiths are not premium shoes lol. They are tennis shoes. If you want a premium shoe in that style you are thinking of common projects.

[@ernststravoblofeld]

When do we get a video about the Millennium Falcon on the shelf? It's what we're all looking at, but nobody's talking about it.

[@5ifty_cow997]

Aye DevononDeck cameo. I gotta stop watching fashion content creators. Bc each one i watch has a different style. And i know, just bc one person wears one thing doesnt mean thar yoy need to wear it, but there are so many rhings i wanna buy and try 😂

[@Gnurklesquimp2]

1:26 Ohh so it just means follow trends 2:16 Yes, thank you

[@alexf3036]

Attitude towards fashion: it's just clothes -> fashion is so cool -> it's just clothes

[@jcutfiend]

not necessarily elevated basics but theres a streetwear brand in australia that makes some cotton jersey t shirts with raw hems and elongated cuts. as someone who was searching for alternatives to rick owens, julius, and avant-garde brand t shirts, these have become my favorites pretty quickly. its very hard to find t shirts below the luxury price point made with unusual cuts and jersey rather than regular cotton.

[@LUDATHESHOOTER]

So u gonna drop the brand name or something what

[@t0l4nd]

The Go-To >>> Anything In-House from HAVEN 😘

[@yungbeong7664]

that supreme undercover fallen angel shirt slaps tho, got one aswell in black

[@armandblake]

Got myself a Schott Perfecto from the 80s, was cool in the 80s, still cool now

[@b3naqua]

Good points and tbh I don’t even see a lot of elevation in this trend. Like thicker fabrics and neutral colors = elevated? idgi and I’m v bored w it and am going to keep wearing high contrast clowncore shit until the trend passes lol 💅🏼

[@Laharl890]

I think that shoe guy in the beginning just doesn't know what "elevated" means😂

[@sonsauvage]

The whole argument of fast fashion clothing just literally unraveling on your body or after a wash or two is cap imo. If you’re a person that doesn’t know how to take care of their clothes, everything that you wear on the regular will go to tatters. It’s a good thing to be conscious with your decisions as a consumer, but over consuming even the most quality and ethically made goods is still not a good way to be

[@mocchiepitaph7734]

I dont care if a tshirt is made out of cashmere or silk, im not paying 50 bucks for a shirt

[@TooTallDesk]

Everyone want the last forever boot/denim/tee till they find out it takes lots of time and wear to break that stuff in.

[@birdytiger]

Im not a sensible but boring person. I'm elevated basic.

[@curiositycloset2359]

Man, I wore samba for like ten years, ten years ago. And now its cool fm

[@jasonlesarge1449]

Cool to see my fav brand get a shout out (Reigning Champ)

[@janicevin4207]

Well I agree with you, elevated should represent a better version of your "basics" in relation to your own style. The 2nd important point is the term "basics" which should represent different pieces of clothing for everyone. I can't understand why anyone would like to dress the same as everyone else when you are older than 18 years old ( 90% of videos for women will tell you that you need a black blazer, a white tee shirt, a white button down, a pair of jeans, black pants and a trenchcoat....)

[@gregorycomey]

No way you just used crepe sole boots to illustrate an uncomfortable shoe

[@randomchannel323]

Spend more money just for people to think you spent a cheaper amount

[@luvmefood]

I am still wearing the clothes by Zara from more than 10 years ago.

[@oviniandrade]

elevated basics for me are fit and fabric uniqueness

[@davidpachecogarcia]

Very interesting topic with lots to digest. One of the “elevated” basics im trying to buy is the Patagonia organic cotton plain tees. However at the price idk if I can justify it. I do have their other organic tees with graphics on them but those feel like I’m getting something extra since they have graphics. I can usually layer them up and hide the logos for sure. With those I feel like I get more uses out of them with so many outfits. Which really always leaves me with not buying the basic logo less ones. Another thing you touched upon is the exploration angle. The one shirt I keep using is the Uniqlo linen band color button up shirt. I’ve gotten compliments on it and it’s the only item I own with that unique collar. It’s def breathable for the summer/hot weather and It’s been able to pair well with so many items I already wear. Now would I buy another one from Uniqlo? Maybe. But what if I look for other brands that have similar collars or use linen. I think that’s the more important part. And you’re right. I feel like an “elevated” anything needs to have something a little extra. Sort of like when you level up items in video games. 😂

[@ThisIsAntwon]

If you already own the logo versions I'd say they're a very safe bet - there'll be situations where a logoless tee will be more valuable, so great to have something where you're happy with the base product quality to rely on. I know exactly the sort of shirt you mean and you're exactly right, they're a great mix of conventional and unusual - especially with smarter clothing even small variations are enough to look unique and interesting. Gotta get those stat bonuses attached to your clothing 😎

[@jackiechan8840]

600 hours at just 25 per hour is 15k. Ouch.

[@SheshkuDeiwe]

Must be one of my favorite videos on this channel, clever integration of jokes to balance the rant-y mood

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Yooo thanks! Gotta keep it 1 step away from "conspiracy theorist ramble" at all times

[@t3hsquirr3l]

I really appreciate your take on this, and the timing of it. I've been exploring this very idea, but I've not been very happy with the kind of content I was finding. You really helped me finish connecting the dots on this one!

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Awesome, glad I could be of help!

[@loan-shark]

Antwon - how do you feel about pandabuy?

[@bjamofficial]

WOW Ant, maybe the best advice you've ever given. For me, and I say this from experience, "Elevated Basics" took a turn to ubiquity after FOG. Now it is just a marketing term that allows new brands to release basics and call it a season. It is much cheaper to produce some t-shirts and sweats than actually take the time to create a design language. Too many people wanting to get into fashion because 'fSHoN' without really thinking about what they want to say with the fashion they produce.

[@ringotheflamingo6900]

when I see a new antwon video I wait until I can give it my full attention cuz you can only view it for the first time once

[@ThisIsAntwon]

Appreciate your dedication fr 🦩

[@hn6850]

Man thank you sm for making this video - I’ve gone through this problem of justifying that “elevated basics are the best clothing” so many times, only to feel bored about it few weeks later. More ppl need to know that dressing minimally isn’t necessarily the end all be all style for everyone