Essential Pieces

Consider this look a list of pieces that are essential in any wardrobe:

A boyfriend blazer
Curve hugging, flared jeans
Cute belt
Good boots with a chunky heel
Layered necklaces
The perfect tee
Cool hat

Let’s break this down a bit. So my blazer is navy tweed from J. Crew. I absolutely love it. It’s a great item that is the perfect outerwear during transitional seasons. It looks great over at shirt, turtleneck, button down, or even the right kind of dress. I always feel good when I reach for this blazer, and I love how neutral the navy is. My jeans are from Free People. I love bell bottoms, and this pair hugs and holds me well. I will never wear uncomfortable anything, especially in the denim department. There’s enough stretch in this pair and the denim is light enough that it doesn’t feel stiff and oppressive. The tee was a random purchase I bought in a few colors. A perfect t shirt IMHO is light, soft, a bit worn in, feels amazing on my skin, and has the right neckline and sleeves. I never know until I try it on. I like the color of this tee, and I’ve been loving anything in shades of neutral and brown.

My cute belt is maybe 20 years old. It’s tie fabric from J. Crew. It has just enough detail to compliment my outfit without screaming to be noticed. These boots are cream colored with a chunky heel. They are so comfortable and they are a nice departure from basic back boots. This is my favorite hat from my hat closet. I think it’s from a shop called City Hats (or something like that) near Houston St. in downtown NYC. I was driving past the store, saw the amazing hats in the window, and stopped to get out immediately. I got to choose the ribbon and the feather combo. I love how the bright red and purple (my two favorite colors in preschool) feathers work so well off the neutral hat base. I totally get why the whole big hat thing gets parodied, but this one just makes me happy and always does its job. Yes, these hats can look stupid (especially at night) but they can also look rad.

Chic, practical, and versatile wardrobe essentials will serve you well for years to come. They are investments in how we show up on an average day and are an incentive to take off the sweatpants. I always feel good in a solid, put together street look, and repurposing each of these pieces feels good too.