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Without getting overly philosophical about the unsung heroes of our wardrobes, basics have always felt, well, basic. But what differentiates a great one from its mediocre counterpart is its ability to actually get the job done and look bloody good while doing so. 

icebreaker, the New Zealand merino wool experts, have long had that down to a T. Its whole thing is merino wool, which makes sense when you consider how much heavy lifting a good base layer has to do. And while there's nothing particularly exciting about a T-shirt or a pair of thermals on paper, getting the right ones into your rotation can make a whole world of difference. You just mightn't know it yet.

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From a tee you’ll want to wear on repeat to undies that’ll make you question why you’re still wearing the ones with holes in them (c’mon now), these are the icebreaker basics worth writing home about.

The Crème De La Crème

icebreakerMerino 150 Tech Lite Short Sleeve Tee
$90
Buy at icebreaker

First up, the tees. The beauty of a good one is that you barely have to think about it. Throw it on with jeans, wear it under a sweater, or sleep in it when laundry day is looking increasingly overdue. These are the kinds of tops that earn their place in your wardrobe through sheer wearability, only with merino wool thrown into the mix. The best part? You don’t have to be eyeing up the Camino to cop them. A simple vest or long-sleeve is all it takes to reap the benefits of a sheep's finest work, even if your biggest expedition of the day is the morning commute.

Ewe Won't Want To Miss These

icebreakerMerino Lifestyle Light Crew Socks
$22
Buy at icebreaker

Then there's all the other bits and pieces that somehow make a bigger difference than you'd expect. The things you grab without thinking, wear until they're falling apart, and only replace when they practically beg you to. Safe to say, these are worth putting a little more thought into, too. Merino wool might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you're replenishing your usuals, but it's got plenty going for it beyond keeping you warm when temperatures take a nosedive. Your future self (and your underwear drawer) will thank you.

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