people frequently ask me if i’d be willing to share a list of my most essential wardrobe items. i’ve been thinking a lot about this lately and decided to pull together a list of my current must-have basics. i know none of these are especially cheap if purchased new, but you can find the vintage/thrifted version of many of the items on the list. the idea is that these are– for me– the cream of the crop! they’re all really good, quality items made with very nice materials that i find myself wearing over and over again. if i could only have these items in a variety of different colors, i would be a very happy camper.
- j brand maria high rise skinny jeans. bonus points: did you know they’re made in california? if you’re on a budget, i would recommend cheap monday as an alternative.
- equipment silk blouses. for me, it’s all about the perfect, menswear-inspired fit. and they come in so many good colors and patterns, too! i’ve been stockpiling these guys whenever i find them on sale.
- j. crew cashmere boyfriend cardigans. again, they come in a variety of different colors and they’re so perfectly soft and warm!
- salvatore ferragamo vara flats. you can easily find these on ebay/etsy/in vintage shops for a fraction of the price.
- the j.w. hulme mini legacy bag. i wear this almost every day. and it’s made in the usa! also interchangeable with any of the coach classics. and yes, they can easily be thrifted and refurbished with a bit of leather conditioner! though i’ve recently been considering getting myself the willis bag…
- my trusty ysl rouge pur couture lipstick in le rouge. honestly, any red lipstick will do.
- karen walker sunglasses. they make the best statement sunglasses. i’m currently pretty in love with my number six shades.
do you have any wardrobe items you just can’t live without?
25 comments
I completely agree with you on all of this stuff. I just purchased the J.Brand Maria’s and I’m so in love with them now! I love all of your picks!
I can’t live without white oxford cotton shirts, they are my must have and skirts. =)
Lately I’ve been thinking that I need to invest in some Equipment blouses. I know they’re sold by a lot of online retailers, but what brick-and-mortar stores sell them? I’d love to try a few on before buying one.
i bought two of mine at nordstrom! you could go try one on for size and then check the web for good deals!
I don’t think I’ll ever find Vera flats where I live :(
That list is so great, I know I don’t dress that girly usually but I’m trying to, it would be the perfect segway!!
Alex @ Harvested
love the flats!
Bises,
monkeyshines
http://monkeyshines-monkeyshines.blogspot.com/
I love your classic investment pieces! Do you know if all J Brand jeans are made in CA? Or just certain styles? I’d have to add black pants and a black cashmere cardigan, those can take you anywhere!
you know, i can’t be positive whether or not all j brand jeans are made in california, but every pair that i own has a little “made in california” label on the inside, so i wanna say yes! i don’t think it’s a big part of their branding, so i don’t see them advertising it on their site, but it’s definitely a plus for me!
I totally agree with you, I love these basics. The flats and skinny jeans are so perfect. Thank you for sharing
xoDale
http://www.savvyspice.net/
I love your jbrand pants, but they’re so expensive! And then I looked at your link for cheapmondays and didn’t see any of their prices, what stores carry their brand?
we actually sell them at my work! i’d recommend these. they definitely run small, so i’d suggest sizing up. other than that, your best bet would be to do a search on the google shopping page since there are so many different sites that carry them! good luck!
p.s. they run about $65 retail, and i’ve actually scored a few pairs on sale racks for as low as $20!
What sizes do they run up to?
I’ll have to think about mine, but dark skinny jeans and a red glossy lipstick are definitely on my list! Great post.
Good basics. That mustard card is a must.
http://www.thegirlieblog.com
the coach willis bag is my dream( i have the black but sort of want a new one) and those karen walker sunnies are statement i would love a pair my forever21 are great too. you look beautiful in red. i’m black so red doesnt look good on me haha
Wow – thanks for sharing. I love your look (mine is currently in process). I was able to learn a lot with this post. Thanks again!
You have such a chic, classic california/parisienne list of basics here that I am LOVE-ing!! i think my outfit for today is going to be very similar to this look…
You are such a lady with these essentials. I have to agree though on the legacy bag and the red lipstick. Those two pieces are classic and go with just about anything.
xoxo
FAKE EMPIRE
http://www.shopfake.com
I love my grey Cheap Monday skinny jeans – high waisted and super stretchy!
xo
cortnie
I love your selections to create this look and the shoes are my fav. It is the touch to give it that vintage air.
Great list! A white button down shirt should never be underestimated!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
Such a fab post! It really seems to encapsulate your style perfectly. I agree about the Karen Walker sunnies and Vara shoes, they add a great flourish to any outfit. I’m still hunting for the perfect pair of vintage Salvatore Ferragamos after buying a couple of too-narrow pairs off Etsy.
x
ugh, yeah. those aa aaa aaaa sizes can be sneaky because a lot of sellers fail to note that measurement. i recently bought a pair that was too narrow and took them to a cobbler to be stretched! now they fit perfectly, so you might give it a try!