I have some tried and true favorites in my closet that I find I reach for over and over again. Some were splurges, some were not, but if I wear them for years and in all seasons, I know they are winners. I’ll also link some more below that I don’t have photos of (the horror!) 😉
I don’t remember when I bought my first Free People slip, but I DO know I’ve bought 3 more since then and I don’t regret them a bit. They work for everything. I own the one above in ivory (shown), and in black, and they are perfection. This particular one is shorter than the one I’ll talk about below, and I use them to layer under sweaters in Fall and Winter (see above), or knotted over denim cutoffs with a pretty bralette in summer. They also double as pretty nightgowns, too. At first look, they seem crazy pricey, but the cost per wear on them for me is worth it. A tip: when I shop for Free People items I look on their website, and also on Macys.com and Nordstrom.com. They often have crazy deals that pop up, as well as extra discounts. Very rarely will I pay full price for Free People, but I would say this piece is worth it.
A similar style (but different in person,) Free People slip I have is another love of mine. I have it in black and what I thought was white (but has a pink cast to it?) This can be worn as a dress, with a slip underneath. I use the first one I spoke about firstone under this version and wear it a lot in the hot summer months. These aren’t as great to wear under something as they have a lot more volume, but I love them just the same. I wear them as dresses or bathing suit cover ups. If I could pick between the two, the first one I spoke about is more versatile.
You guys….I fought overalls forever. I used to wear these in high school in the 90’s, but in a terrible way (as we all did back then, ha.) Yet I’d see these cute girls in them online and want to give them a try. I saw that these Madewell ones were the most favorite, yet the price was a major deterrent. I hemmed and hawed for a long time and then finally purchased them with some blog money. The second I tried them on I KNEW. They fit perfectly, not baggy at all, but fitted in all the right places. Whenever I want to look cute and unique and fun, I wear these. I like them the most with an off the shoulder top, it just feels really fresh to me, you know? They look great casual OR dressed up, and I would say (begrudgingly, because I hate admitting it), that spending more money on things sometimes means the fit and style are often on point. I have yet to find a cheaper pair that I liked as much, and I definitely looked.
There are three items here that I die over, I’ll break them down:
- I bought my first Raybans a couple of years ago and never went back. First of all, if you buy good sunglasses you can’t go back to the cheap ones. Which stinks! They are just so much more effective. These sunglasses and a great hat get me through the summer months. I prefer the aviator mirrored style I’m wearing above because the fit my face well, and I have them in the blue you see as well as pink. Now I want them in silver…;)
- Good cutoff shorts are hard to find. I like a really distressed, lighter denim wash, and they have to fit right. I wear them to the beach over my suit, or with a tank and sandals around town with my kids. I’d even do a crop top and wedge heels for a casual date out with my husband. I found a similar version HERE, and I will say I’ve been pleased with the Tomgirl brand of jeans and shorts at American Eagle, if you want a slouchier, tad longer pair.
- I love a neutral color tote bag for the warmer months. I have two kids and I tend to hold all their things, and I like to carry 3,287 lipglosses with me at all times as well. I have lusted over the Madewell Transport Tote in the past, but the reviews lately on that have been lukewarm. I bought this BP vegan tote as a stand in until I figured out a better version, and I’ve been really happy with it. It is reversible, holds a ton of stuff (yet is still lightweight), and it feels really soft. I’ve had it about 2 years and it looks like new still.
Zella leggings and long sleeve twist top
Early this winter I wrote a post about the curated closet, and I figured out that about 60% of the time I wear workout clothes, about 20% of the time I am in lounge clothes at home, and the rest is in “real clothes” on the weekends. I learned my closet was the opposite of this, si I worked on getting more quality “home clothes” so I’d feel good in the clothes I wear the most. My first purchases were these high waisted Zella leggings and this Zella twist top. I’m so glad I did! I wear these two pieces constantly, both at home and out and about. Both double as clothes I can wear with other things, and these leggings are my go to travel items. (I wore them all over Disney in December, and I was SO COMFY.) I currently have my eye in this short sleeve twisted top and these capri mesh leggings. I also want to give a shout out to these Nike sneakers, which work for both workouts and athleisure looks!
Sam Edelman Petty boots in nude and (perforated, not shown) black.
These boots are my favorite AND most used shoes I own. I wear them all the way up until deep winter, and all spring, summer and Fall. The nude pair work with every single outfit, dressy or casual, and the black are great, too. My fringed black pair I bought during the Nordstrom sale a couple of years ago, and they no longer seem to make them? I wish I had bought the nude fringe then, too. The heel height is perfect on them, the place where it hits the ankle is super flattening, and they make every outfit look cooler. I recently picked up a perforated black pair on sale (linked above!) for $50 and they are perfect for warmer temps! I look for sales for these as they are a bit pricey, but again, the price per wear on these is next to nothing. They are so worth every full price dollar spent.
That’s it! I have more that I wear often and love, but for the sake of reading length, I’ll have to include them another time. Tell me, what are YOUR favorite items in your closet?
