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The word 'essential' gets thrown around a lot in fashion and, by and large, it’s not correct. Few things are truly essential and, really, this number diminishes tenfold when we’re talking about clothing. That said, there definitely are some things that the modern wardrobe benefits from having.

From a classic A.P.C. denim jacket to Nike’s fan-favorite tube socks, the MR PORTER Essentials category is stacked full of these wardrobe foundations. Spanning the full spectrum of modern design, they’re as useful to the specialist as they are to those just starting out on their journey into style.

Below, we’ve rounded up 10 products from the MR PORTER Essentials edit that we think epitomize the selection.

Shop our top picks from the MR PORTER Essentials edit below.

A.P.C. Denim Jacket

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A.P.C.Denim Jacket
$290
Buy at Mr Porter

Parisian label A.P.C. has made staples its bread and butter. Amongst those staples, denim takes priority. This denim jacket is cut from high-end stonewashed Japanese denim and avoids big detailing for versatility.

Acne Studios Pilos Trousers

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Acne StudiosPilos Trousers
$340
Buy at Mr Porter

Yes, slacks are uncool. But the Acne Studios Pilos Trousers are no slacks, they're perfectly tailored and feature a crisp crease down each leg for visual structure.

MR P. Garment-Dyed Overshirt

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Mr P.Garment-Dyed Overshirt
$163
Buy at Mr Porter

MR P. is MR PORTER's in-house brand, and there are few — if any — in-house brands that can rival it. This garment-dyed overshirt proves the power of pastels.

IWC Schaffhausen Pilot's Spitfire Automatic 39mm

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IWC SchaffhausenPilot's Spitfire Automatic 39mm
$4900
Buy at Mr Porter

It seems odd to say that a $5000 watch is a foundational piece. While it might not be the first thing you cop when building a wardrobe, it's almost definitely something you'll meet later down the road. This is a watch to keep for a lifetime and to pass on when your time's up. That's the beauty of luxury watches; they tell stories and hold memories as all the best garments should.

Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Gloves

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Johnstons of ElginCashmere Gloves
$60
Buy at Mr Porter

Johnstons of Elgin is famed for its fabrics. If a brand offers some of the best wool blankets on the market, then you should trust it to supply you with a top-tier pair of gloves, too.

COMME des GARÇONS Coin Wallet

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COMME des GARÇONSCoin Wallet
$100
Buy at Mr Porter

COMME des GARÇONS' understated wallets stand in stark contrast to the avant-garde designs that define the label. It doesn't make them any less important to the integrity of the cult brand, though.

MR P. T-Shirt

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Mr P.T-Shirt
$75
Buy at Mr Porter

The real test of a brand is how well it does the basics. MR P. looks to organic cotton for this perfectly cut black T-shirt, so it passes the basics test with flying colors.

Burberry Check Shirt

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BurberryCheck Shirt
$450
Buy at Mr Porter

The thing about a Burberry shirt is that it's never going to go out of fashion. and that's exactly what you should be looking for when buying your foundational pieces.

Nike Everyday Cushioned Dri-FIT Socks

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NikeEveryday Cushioned Dri-FIT Socks
$20
Buy at Mr Porter

There was a time during the pandemic when Nike's famous Dri-FIT socks became a commodity so difficult to find that they were reselling on the secondary market. Thankfully, the market is more stable now, but you never know... Bag a pack while you can.

MR P. Selvedge Denim Jeans

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Mr P.Selvedge Denim Jeans
$235
Buy at Mr Porter

The beauty of selvedge denim is that it's made to be worn hard. Your looks will actually benefit from your denim being battered. This is another great asset to look for in your wardrobe staples.

Want to keep browsing? Head to the Highsnobiety Shop for more products that we love. Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase.

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