Wardrobe Boundaries & Longest Loved Staples
Wearing: Agolde Riley denim | Everlane Cashmere Crew | Anderson’s Croc Belt | Chanel Classic handbag
Not long ago, I was asked by my adorable fashion-forward friend to participate in a “thirty days of outfits” challenge. My response was this:
I’d love to, but I don't own enough clothing for that challenge!
Don’t get me wrong—I LOVE fashion just as much as the next girl—but at the same time, I try to limit what actually makes it’s way to my closet (one reason I could prob never be a full-on fashion blogger!).
I’ve learned that every decision I make throughout the day requires brain power—even the seemingly simple calls, such as what to make for breakfast or what type of detergent to buy for my washer. For that reason, I really try to streamline and simplify as much as I possibly can so that I don't have to think much about it.
My wardrobe is no exception to this rule: I keep my closet small and streamlined so that getting ready in the morning takes the least amount of thought as possible. Some call this minimalism, or a capsule collection, or a “fewer, better” mentality (thanks to Cuyana’s brilliant mission statement).
I’m not sure what to label my closet, but I do know that I have certain boundaries and criteria to what makes it’s way in there. A piece usually won’t make it’s way into my closet unless:
The silhouette and/or pattern is classic enough to stand the test of time,
The colorway is neutral (usually whites, ivorys, beiges, blacks, grays),
The quality of the material/stitching is high (so I can rewear it over and over), and
The item can be paired with essentially anything else in my closet (so I don’t have to think about much about it).
One note on pairing: I really like to combine different materials together to draw interest to the eye (e.g., silk with shearling, leather with lace, cashmere with denim—you get the idea). I think this dynamic alone makes an outfit interesting without having to succumb to a temporary trend.
If I can’t resist a fun trend—which is pretty rare—I try to keep it to jewelry and other accessories that I don’t have to spend a ton of money on. For example, I recently bought $40 silver hoops that I enjoy now but wasn't sure if I will for years to come.
In the same light, I also find it justifiable to invest in jewelry and accessories (like a pair of diamond earrings or a classic designer bag). I can’t physically outgrow an accessory, so I feel like it’s worth the investment. For example, I love my cashmere scarves that I’ve worn for years, and I deeply cherish my Chanel handbag (a recent gift from my husband). I see myself passing these items to down, like heirlooms.
Below, I share some of my most reworn and longest loved closet staples. Some of the items may be reiterations of a previous piece I own from former seasons.
Enjoy!
