My Five Most Worn Pieces
Every season when building my capsule wardrobe, I love to reassess my wardrobe staples, those basic pieces that do the heavy lifting and make everything else look better. Today I thought I’d compile a list of five items that are most worn (and most loved) in my closet and what I like most and least about each piece. And I’ve broke these pieces down into five main categories too. If you’re in the process of spring cleaning your wardrobe, consider assessing your own staples to see if you’re missing anything.
Tops
A plain white tee will always be a staple in my wardrobe, but that wasn’t always the case. I used to own a bunch of tees, tops and blouses of different colors, cuts and designs, but I lacked a good quality plain white tee. When I finally realized this may be why I always felt like I had nothing to wear, my shopping habits changed a LOT. Nowadays, my closet is always stocked with basic white and black tees, and I reach for them constantly. For a while my favorite was the Uniqlo U crewneck tee but recently it’s been replaced with the Orejas Universal tee for a number of reasons. The Uniqlo tees are lovely, thick and not sheer in the slightest, but they tend to shrink a bit and they aren’t sustainable. The Orejas tees are super soft, made of a quality hemp and cotton blend, and sustainably made in LA. They wash well, fit really well and look a bit more luxe in my opinion. But I would definitely recommend either option, depending on your budget and preference.
Bottoms
By bottoms I really mean denim, because that’s a majority of my collection and a keystone of my wardrobe. the winning combination in my book is a vintage feel, light wash, straight leg, slightly cropped denim. My favorite pair is the Levi’s Wedgie because it’s flattering and super comfortable if you get the right fit. They’re also a non-stretchy denim that gives them that rigid, vintage feel. It’s a classic style that will always look chic and the quality of Levi’s speaks for itself, considering how many vintage pairs are still floating around. The only downside to the Levi’s is that they are a bit pricier than high street denim. But that’s really reflective in the quality - and still much less expensive than some designer brands, that are just selling redone vintage Levi’s in the first place. Another thing to keep in mind is that the fit varies from style and color, in my experience, so try them on before you buy.
Knitwear
One of my most worn pieces, throughout the year, is my beloved grey chunky knit sweater. It’s flattering, simple and versatile, and it actually keeps me warm. The downside to my favorite piece is that it’s an old fast fashion item, but it’s still in great shape so I will continue to wear it until it falls apart basically. If you’re on the lookout for a solid piece of knitwear, there are loads of brands doing great, simple styles. I’ve linked a few favorites below.
Shoes
For a long time my go-to shoe was always a leather ballet flat, but I’ve since moved on to its more androgynous cousin, the loafer. I love the simple, understated elegance of a loafer- and the slightly business/preppy feeling it has. They are also equally as comfortable as a ballet flat and more suitable as a year-round shoe. They also really dress up a simple jeans and tee outfit. And to be honest, I can’t really think of anything I don’t like about them. There is a huge variation in styles so think about the shape and structure you want. I prefer a thinner sole with a small heel, which makes them feel a bit less clunky.
Bags
My most used bag has to be my JW Pei bucket bag, which is sadly not sold anymore. My dream bag was the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag but the JW Pei turned out to be a great dupe. I’ve since found another chic yet affordable dupe from Azurina. This bag holds loads and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality as the vegan leather hasn’t scratched at all, which is a small miracle considering how poorly I take care of my bags. But I will say, the lining has started to detach, which again makes me a bit skeptical about vegan leather vs. real leather argument. One thing to keep in mind when shopping for bags, is to choose a simple and elegant shape that will work with your everyday life and look great for years.
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