TODAY Fair Play investigates the cost of basic clothing items for men, women and children.

We decided to survey items that most people need nowadays and found that there are some great multi-pack offers around town, which means that you can buy in bulk and get more for your money.

Trekking through town on a wet Monday morning was easier than the task of trying to compare the price of a man’s plain white cotton shirt or a pair of women’s black opaque tights.

A lot of items such as knickers, briefs, tights and even white shirts are now sold in multi-packs to offer consumers better value.

The task was even more difficult because the majority of the department stores in town have cut their prices for the January sales, so it was tricky trying to get an accurate price comparison.

We chose the same-quality items throughout the stores and came up with these results, which show, as we all know, that it is best to shop around to find the best deal.

WOMEN’S WEAR
Black opaque tights, 60 denier
M&S: £3 for three pairs
Bhs: £5 for three pairs
De Gruchy: £4.28 for one pair

Black work trousers size 12
Top Shop: £28
M&S: £15
Next: £18
Oasis in de Gruchy: Reduced to £18 from £45 in the sale.
BHS: £15

Multi-pack of knickers
Next: £6 for two pairs
Bhs: £5 for five pairs
M&S: £6 for five pairs
De Gruchy: £14.25 for four packs

MEN’S WEAR
White long-sleeve shirt
M&S: £19.50 for three shirts
Top Shop: £20 for one shirt
De Gruchy: One white shirt reduced from £51 to £25 in the Sale.
Bhs: £10 for one shirt
Next: £16 for two shirts

Briefs
M&S: £4 for three pairs of boxer shorts
De Gruchy: £8 for one pair of boxer shorts
BHS: Reduced from £10 to £7 for four pairs of boxer shorts
Next: £12 for five pairs of boxer shorts

CHILDREN’S WEAR
Cotton multi-pack bodysuits aged 3-6 months
Next: £8.50 for five
M&S: £7 for seven
Adams: £7.99 for seven
Bhs: £9.60 for three
Mothercare: £10 for seven

Velcro trainers size 10
Next: £16
Bhs: £10
M&S: £17
Mothercare: £8