All posts tagged: basics

The Woman Who Loves Luxury Goods 2: why the Devil Wears Prada title goes back to basics in Vietnam | Film

The Woman Who Loves Luxury Goods 2: why the Devil Wears Prada title goes back to basics in Vietnam | Film

Published by Sam Flores

Since it is the sequel to a modern classic – an iconic film that managed to introduce no end of quotes and terms to the cultural lexicon – you could assume that The Devil Wears Prada 2 wouldn’t have to work much to attract an audience. But this is where you would be wrong. For example, someone unfamiliar with the first film might wonder if, since the title invokes Satan, it might actually be a horror. Or maybe the name scans as an angry indie documentary about the role of designer clothing within this period of late-stage capitalism. And so it makes much more sense to do what the Vietnamese have done and simply call the film The Woman Who Loves Luxury Goods 2. Isn’t that perfect? The Woman Who Loves Luxury Goods 2 is an almost perfect name, because it instantly lets the viewer know that a) there is a woman in this film, b) the woman loves luxury goods and c) this is a sequel. True, you might be able to argue that …

12 Men’s Wardrobe Basics You Should Invest In For 2026

12 Men’s Wardrobe Basics You Should Invest In For 2026

Published by Akaay

Now more than ever, brands and consumers are conscious of making sustainable choices, and buying cheaply-made fast-fashion garments is not on the menu. Every year, 300,000 tonnes of clothing goes to UK landfill sites and that number is increasing, which means we all have a role to play in reducing the environmental burden of the fashion industry. One simple step is to buy less, and by virtue, buy better, meaning clothes that are well constructed and from high quality fabrics. Garments with a higher price point naturally demand our greater care for them, and the better we look after them, the longer they last. But just because an item is considered a ‘basic’, it shouldn’t mean we disregard quality and craftsmanship – in fact, quite the opposite. Those pieces of clothing that get the most airtime should invariably be the highest quality garments in our wardrobes. It’s a false economy to scrimp on them, because a) they’ll very quickly look old and tired; and b) you’ll need to replace them frequently, adding to the sustainability …

MasterChef goes back to basics – with the spotlight off the hosts

MasterChef goes back to basics – with the spotlight off the hosts

Published by Daniella Wilson

Much anticipation has built over the new hosts at the helm of the new era of MasterChef. Grace Dent and Anna Haugh were appointed as hosts late last year following the exits of Gregg Wallace and John Torode which saw the culinary programme caught up in a storm of controversy. Like many long-running programmes trapped at the centre of contention, many have wondered whether MasterChef should return at all, or whether newish faces could invigorate the show with a fresh new zest. So, with Dent and Haugh having long been part of the MasterChef family, having appeared as guest judges over the years, how do they fare together? Tonight’s episode (21 April) saw the pair come together as they welcomed a new cohort of amateur cooks to the MasterChef kitchen and judged their dishes, alongside the help of some familiar faces from last season. After two decades of Torode and Gregg at the helm, it’s natural that all eyes have been on Haugh and Dent, but they effortlessly pulled off an intense first episode, offering …

GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Review: Just the Basics

GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Review: Just the Basics

Published by skeptic

Situated at the top of this 16.5-inch caffeination station is a removable hatch that covers up a sloped bean hopper, which maxed out at about 100 grams of whole-bean light-roast coffee in my tests. To the right is a grind size dial with six detented positions that are easy enough to land between with a slight twist. The finest setting on the Profile is nowhere near the finest setting on my Bodum Bistro grinder, but this isn’t an espresso machine, so it’s hard to say this really matters. The onboard grinder is often the weakest link on all-in-one machines, but the burr grinder in the Profile feels solid and takes well to adjustments despite urging users to pick one of six preset grind sizes. A short turn of the chute cover inside the hopper reveals the burrs for ease of access when the machine tells you it’s time to clean the grinder. Behind the hopper is a detachable reservoir with markings for 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 ounces, along with its 90-ounce recommended maximum. …

Stop Wasting Money on Cheap Wardrobe Basics

Stop Wasting Money on Cheap Wardrobe Basics

Published by Akaay

Fast fashion has convinced men that basics should be cheap. A £15 tee here, a discounted hoodie there, jeans that almost fit. But the maths doesn’t add up. When you’re replacing the same items every six months, you’re not saving money — you’re just buying badly. The truth is simple: if you wear it weekly, it’s worth investing in. The pieces that form the backbone of your wardrobe — tees, sweatshirts, denim, knits — do more heavy lifting than anything trend-led ever will. Get those right and everything else falls into place. Get them wrong and even expensive tailoring looks off. Brands like SANVT have built an entire philosophy around this idea: precision sizing, premium European fabrics, and a fit-first approach that prioritises longevity over logos. It’s not about buying more. It’s about buying better. Here are eight essentials that justify spending a little extra. Because you’ll wear them a lot more than you think. 1. The Perfect Fitting T-Shirt You probably wear a T-shirt more than any other garment in your wardrobe. Under tailoring, …

the public and politicians no longer even agree on the basics

the public and politicians no longer even agree on the basics

Published by Sam Flores

Just over 18 months ago, Keir Starmer said the “fight for trust is the battle that defines our age”. Now a scandal surrounding his former ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, could end his political career, precisely because of the damage it could cause to public trust. At the heart of the story are documents released by the US government showing that Mandelson continued to be friends with Jeffrey Epstein after his conviction for sex offences. The prime minister insists Mandelson lied about the depth of his friendship with Epstein, though he has acknowledged he knew that it continued after Epstein’s conviction. Some reporting suggests that there was a view in Downing Street that the “risk” of appointing Mandelson as ambassador to the US – his past political career, his then publicly known relationship with Epstein – was less important than the benefit to the national interest. As Peter Kyle, secretary of state for business and trade, put it in September (before further files were released): “Britain needed someone with outstanding and singular talents”. This implies …

19 Best Men’s Underwear 2026: Boxers and Briefs for Every Budget

19 Best Men’s Underwear 2026: Boxers and Briefs for Every Budget

Published by Jenni Sidey

Unsurprisingly, they were also among the most breathable undies we tested, largely thanks to Lululemon’s proprietary Luxtreme fabric, a silky-but-dry miracle blend that conforms to the body like memory foam without constricting your range of motion. Two downsides: If we were designing them from scratch, we’d probably opt for a functional fly—and make ‘em twenty bucks cheaper. Best Boxer Shorts Overall: Sunspel Classic Boxer Shorts Sunspel Classic Boxer Shorts AccordionItemContainerButton Pros Silky soft Tailored fit goes well with slimmer pants High quality Cons Will leave you vulnerable to the Diderot effect How do you do, fellow boxer short apologists? We see you, we hear you, and we have not forsaken you. That’s mostly thanks to the efforts of Sunspel, the generations-old British label responsible for some of the crispest, classiest skivvies on the planet. Sunspel tees were worn by Daniel Craig as James Bond, so naturally, the brand’s underwear is endowed with an inimitable sense of retro Hollywood flair. And just like the clothes of that era, its basics are made better. In this case: …

14 Best Sweatpants for Men 2026, According to GQ Editors

14 Best Sweatpants for Men 2026, According to GQ Editors

Published by Jenni Sidey

More Sweatpants We Love Todd Snyder Relaxed Portuguese Terry Sweatpant Even if you didn’t realize already, a relaxed sweatpant made of an ultra-soft fabric is exactly what you need. Todd Snyder’s Portuguese Terry sweats are proof that the menswear god doesn’t do basics so, well, basic. Buck Mason Welterweight Sweatpant No, these are surprisingly not a pair of vintage sweats. They are, in fact, a studiously replicated pair courtesy of the team at Buck Mason who’ve referenced 1940s sweatpants to make these beauties. Cease Open Hem C-Seam Sweatpant Crafted in the U.S. using the Dwayne Johnson of fabric (a heavyweight 20oz. beast of a fleece knit), Cease’s sweats feature a wide relaxed silhouette, minimalist zip pockets, flatlock stitching, and adjustable drawcord hems. Uniqlo Wide Sweatpants Uniqlo is widely known for its affordable basics and these wide sweatpants are no different. They have a hidden drawstring around the hem, which you can use to cinch the leg opening. The subtle relaxed fit also works well with a pair of sneakers or some cheeky loafers, if you’re …

17 Best Heavyweight T-Shirts 2026, According to GQ Editors

17 Best Heavyweight T-Shirts 2026, According to GQ Editors

Published by Jenni Sidey

Best Oversized Heavyweight Tee: Uniqlo U Crew Neck T-Shirt Uniqlo U Crew Neck Short-Sleeve T-Shirt AccordionItemContainerButton Pros Solid price All-cotton Vintage-inspired design details Cons If you wandered into the GQ office on any given day of the week, there’s a good chance you’d spot a handful of folks wearing this exact tee. The Christophe Lemaire-designed sub-label is a reliable source of thoughtful menswear at prices that belie the quality involved, and its tee consistently tops our list. It’s made from a substantial all-cotton jersey with a dry hand and a boxy fit, along with a thick, vintage-inspired bound collar. At just $20, it ain’t the cheapest option out there, but it’s probably one of the best values. If our word isn’t enough to convince you, maybe the fact that Tyler, the Creator swears by ’em will. Best Insider Heavyweight Tee: Pro Club Heavyweight Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt Pro Club Heavyweight Cotton Short Sleeve Crew Neck T-Shirt AccordionItemContainerButton Pros Affordable True relaxed fit Lay-flat collar IYKYK status Wide range of sizes Cons Difficult to find other …

19 Best Hoodies for Men 2026, According to GQ Editors

19 Best Hoodies for Men 2026, According to GQ Editors

Published by Jenni Sidey

If you’re after a really warm hoodie, it’s all about the fabric. The warmest hoodies will use thick, heavyweight fabrics which normally start at about 12 ounces, or 400 GSM, and go up from there. Oftentimes, warmer hoodies are made of a brushed fleece which has made using an industrial comb that brushes one side of the fleece for a fluffy feel that also improves heat retention. For even better heat retention, some hoodies use a double-faced fabric, often with some kind of jersey or French terry for the exterior and a waffle-knit thermal fabric for the interior. But hoodies come in more materials than the usual cotton or cotton-poly French terry you’re used to seeing. Designers are crafting hoodies from all kind of materials like cashmere, wool, fleece, even super technical performance fabrics, each with their own unique properties and advantages. Regardless of the material, high-quality fabrics use long staple fibers which are both strong and smooth. The most sought-after hoodies will use extremely rare loopwheel machines which are famed for their particular knitting …