The Basics

The Style Clinic preaches buying the basics and not spending a lot on them. The basics will be the foundation of most of your outfits. Depending on how you are your basics might be like mine. I work in a casual office. I can wear tshirts and slacks most days and not have a problem. If anyone dresses up (below senior management) people will think you are going on a job interview :) If you work in a more formal environment your basics might include dressier tops and button downs. The key is to buy what you can afford to fit your lifestyle.
After clearing out my closet I headed to Old Navy (30% off last weekend, baby) and bought a few tops in basic colors. When I am done with getting my basics I hope to at least have one of each of these colors:

Untitled by honeylin featuring Old Navy

Old Navy Womens Plus Jersey Cowl-Neck Tops, $23
Old Navy Womens Plus Perfect V-Neck Tees, $10
Old Navy Womens Plus Petal-Sleeve Jersey Tops, $20
Old Navy Womens Plus Scoop-Neck Jersey Tees, $8.50
Women's Plus: Women's Plus Pleated V-Neck Tops - Seeing Red, $9.99
Women's Plus Size Clothes: Women's Plus Skinny-Placket Polos: Basic..., $17
Women's Plus Size Clothes: Maternity Smocked Slub-Knit Tees:..., $20
Women's Plus Size Clothes: Women's Plus Ruffled Flutter-Sleeve Tees:..., $20
Women's Plus Size Clothes: Women's Plus Crossover Jersey Tops:..., $23
Women's Plus Size Clothes: Women's Plus Rib-Knit Tank 3 Packs: Tanks &..., $30

I included some less plain tops to show that basic doesn't mean boring. Who has bought a wildly patterned skirt and not had a basic top to go with it. A solid color shirt can pull an outfit together. Your basic colored tops might be different based on your skin tone. I don't look bad in white but I am tired of staining them so I'll be passing on white for now. I tend to buy a lot of black so I'm being more conscious of buying other colors.
What about bottoms? Ok so you bought some plain shirts to go with your outrageously patterned skirts and stylish pants but what about those crazy tops? What do you wear with them?

Untitled by honeylin featuring Old Navy pants

Torrid.com - Plus sizes - Product Details Page - Grey Tweed Wide-Leg..., $52
Amazon.com: Women's Plus Size Mossimo® Black: Corduroy Pants-Gray:..., $28
Tummy Slimmer Gored Skirt - Skirts - CJ Banks, $30
Women's Plus: Women's Plus Tab-Front Perfect Khakis - Khaki, $13
Classic leg career pant with Right Fit Technology | Lane Bryant, $50
Lightly Flared jean with Right Fit Technology | Lane Bryant, $55
Right Fit Houston pant | Lane Bryant, $55

I think everyone should have a pair of gray pants, khakis, jeans, a pair of black pants, a pair of brown pants, a pair of navy pants (which I forgot to find), and a black skirt. 
What are your essential basics?