Words Huw Bennett
Photography Trevor King

I rarely buy new t-shirts. I like the one’s I have, they’re worn, comfortable and have either garnered my affection or been dropped in the local charity clothing bin. I like to beat my clothes up, and I always kid myself that when I get something new I’m going to take extra good care of it but it never happens. I seek control but somehow feel more comfortable in chaos – we still talking about clothes?

A little more on the t-shirt, around 6 years ago I walked into a shop on Bondi Beach and bought a soft black basic tee. It had a raw seam at the waist and white stitching on the back collar, I felt pretty happy with my purchase and confident I’d made the right decision come investment.

I want form and function from clothes, I need comfort but I can’t look too daggy and I dare not become the clichéd dad dresser.

That same black tee lives on today still on high rotation in my wardrobe, it’s faded and stretched a little, but otherwise, it’s still right on form. This week I picked up the exact same tee with the addition of long sleeves – I’m thinking this could be the beginning of something special.

6 years from one shirt makes me happy, aside from the fantastic scales of economy this t-shirt represents comfort, confidence and the knowledge that there’s always something familiar folded on my wardrobe shelf waiting for me. A friend of mine often remarks that I never wear the same outfit twice however, the case is I wear the same shirt/shirts a lot and thus they spurn new life as they wash & wear.

My fondness for that ‘little black tee’ has lead me down a new path, what started off simple may have been complicated or more so made simple even more. I want form and function from clothes, I need comfort but I can’t look too daggy and I dare not become the clichéd dad dresser.

Let’s move on I say to myself, treat yourself and try not to be so overzealous with your sartorial considerations. So I’m and I did and I will. I’ve taken my t-shirt love and expanded by faith in a brand and their product and promptly it has become an ensemble.

Someone once said that it ‘takes strength to be generous and kind’ somehow this rings in my ear when I reach for this coat.

I now have a maroon sweat that sits somewhere between functional blanket and the hooded jumper I’ve been searching for this last two decades gone. The key selling point for me is the handy side split at the hem, which allows better movement when worn and shout out’s to the t-shirt below.

I’ve added some smart pants that champion comfort but wouldn’t be out of place for a trip to the Accountant, Lawyer or in-laws. Navy is without doubt my go to colour and cotton is as mentioned above a friend indeed. These lo-slung button fly heroes are designed for opulence but will survive walks in the park with my dog on any given day before running off to the office or a flight.

The best and most important part of all of this is my black wool felt coat that has that million-dollar kind of feel. The piece you should treat yourself to every time May rolls around. Someone once said that it ‘takes strength to be generous and kind’ somehow this rings in my ear when I reach for this coat. It’s cut long, maybe too long for some but I’m 6’2” and it’s near perfect on me. It’s warm but nothing too hot and it’s versatile. So versatile it makes me want a book a trip to somewhere real cold.

I really want to stress that comfort is king in my world but that sacrificing comfort for looks is something I won’t do and is something sadly too many do these days. Stereotypes aside well-made clothes are the gift that keeps giving, and I love that my clothes have been made in Australia (where I live), and having some Bassike to wear means something a little more special now.

Huw wears the Bassike black Heritage long sleeve tail t.shirt, Military low slung pant in dark navy, Legacy fleece hooded sweater in burgandy and the black wool felt coat.

By Oliver Grand