A Wardrobe From Scratch
Starting over and sourcing only the best.
Last weekend, I visited my parents’ house for one of my favorite seasonal activities: the chaotic ritual of digging through the bins of last year’s cold-weather wardrobe and deciding what to keep, sell, or donate.
My sisters and I always make the pilgrimage to the Jersey shore together, and the process consists largely of the three of us tossing one another pieces we swore we’d have forever, insisting the other might look better in them. And, arguing with one another about whose black boots are whose. And, finding ways to justify to each other that it isn’t hoarding to hold onto that one over-the-top sparkly dress or unwearable pair of stilettos for just one more year. We might need to borrow them, after all!
This year, though, my wardrobe swap left me largely unfulfilled. Since this time last year, I’ve lost around fifty pounds — shout out to me for finally going to the doctor and making an effort to take better care of myself, and shout out to my doctor for letting me know I had crazy cortisol levels and insulin resistance.
The last year has given me perspective on what it means to take care of myself, and I’ve found that a more active and intentional physical routine has helped me mentality in ways I’ve never expected.
However (and this could be a whole other newsletter, should you find it interesting) with this change in lifestyle has come a change in appearance. Now, I look exactly as I did before I went freelance and ditched the balance of a 9-5 lifestyle. Unlike last year, I make time to think about my meals instead of rushing to find the fastest options, I sleep more than 3-4 hours nightly, and I take a walk instead of a nap when I’m feeling overwhelmed.
In a way, I feel “back to normal”. But I’ve found that many people are expecting me to condemn the way I looked this time last year. And I hate to break it to them, but I don’t think I looked bad fifty pounds heavier! I admit that I feel better now, but that’s because I’m taking care of myself. Suddenly, it’s as if I’m expected to admit that I hated myself for gaining weight all along.
I’m happy to report that this was never the case, as shocking as that might be to some. The body that gets me up every day doesn’t always look 100% the way I want it to, but given all it does for me, I can’t possibly hold that against it.
I digress; all this to say that my haul from last year’s bins proved underwhelming. Most of the clothes I loved and invested in are too big now, and they’re on their way to the Crossroads on 26th St for your future shopping pleasure.
I have some staples I’ve amassed over the last few months of transitional weather shopping — black tops, long skirts, and denim I needed to get me through — but most of my wardrobe is negative space, gaps to be filled over the next few months (or longer).
I’ve got the unique opportunity to rebuild my wardrobe from scratch, and with this in mind, I’ve vowed to be more intentional about my buys, as well as the pieces I accept from the brands that are kind enough to gift me.
Below, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite recent buys to give you a sense of what I’ve got on the hangers so far. Most of these are staples I felt I needed to own before mixing in more standout pieces, and I imagine they’d benefit almost anyone’s wardrobe.
Read on, and perhaps you’ll find a few essentials to make your own.
Layers are essentially practical accessories — they keep you warm, but they also add interest and dimension to even the simplest of looks. Because of this, they’re a key ingredient in any worthwhile outfit recipe. These are the ones I’m loving lately:
This COS Double-Faced Knitted Jacket ($135) looks as good paired with denim as it does thrown on with my yoga pants for a quick trip to my local coffee spot. It’s structured but relaxed, and I’m hoping to find the Beige colorway in store soon, as it’s mostly sold out online.
Another unique layering piece from COS that I’m eager to wear? The Double-Faced Wool Hybrid Hood, a.k.a. the coolest of all cold-weather dickies.
I cannot and will not be silent about my undying love for Bleusalt’s The 2 Yard Wrap ($96, originally $120). I’m a pashmina/wrap/throw lover through and through, and while my wardrobe undergoes some renovation, I take comfort — literally, these are cashmere and oh so soft — in the knowledge that throwing one of these on can pull my look together. I swap in The 3 Yard Wrap when I want a little extra drama.
When I realized my small army of black blazers had become too bulky to justify as “boyfriend fit”, I began the quest to replace them one by one. The LOFT Versa Ponte Deluxe Sculpted Blazer ($150) is the first to earn its keep in my new closet. It’s streamlined and well-fitted, without veering too far into Young Professional territory.
Falconeri generously gifted me this Reversible Cable-Knit Quilted Vest ($475) and it makes me feel like a resident of Stars Hollow. But like, one who lunches with Emily Gilmore, not Lorelai. Everything about it reeks of quintessential autumn cozyness, but the ultrasoft cable-knit cashmere makes it equally luxe. They also gifted me the Cashmere Cable-Knit Stitch Reversible Short Quilted Jacket, a sweater-meets-puffer hybrid that I now cherish like my own child.
Tees are one staple I’ve never really loved. “I just don’t look good in jeans and a t-shirt” is a truth I’ve told openly for years — but instead of dumping my insecurities on others, I’ve decided to put effort into finding the right denim-and-tee combo for me. Revolutionary! Each of these is so good, I went back for more colors:
I snagged the Madewell Short-Sleeve Mock Neck Tee ($39.99, originally $48) on sale in store over the weekend (there was an extra 40% off of of sale, so it was basically free). The little mock neck is the absolute perfect length, especially for someone like me, who doesn’t necessarily look fabulous in full-on turtlenecks but wants the same sophisticated look.
The SKIMS Cotton Jersey T-Shirts ($48) are worth the hype. Seriously. Not only do they fit the body flawlessly and feel fantastic, their color selection is so premium. Truffle, above, is such a unique neutral, as are Mineral, Oyster, and Kyanite.
My go-to off-duty tee is now the Aritzia HomeStretch Crew Waist T-Shirt ($25). I love it with sweats, I love it with leggings, and I occasionally debut it with jeans (who am I?). It’s neither skintight nor loose and boxy — just perfectly relaxed.
When it comes to the singular long-sleeved tee I want in my wardrobe this season, it’s the L’Agence Tess Long Sleeve Tee ($125). The brand’s best-seller made me ditch pretty much all other black shirts last winter, and I fully intend to invest in a couple more this year so I’m not constantly pulling mine out of my laundry bin to rewear (don’t judge me) between wash cycles.
Like I said before: the whole jeans-and-a-tee combo has never been my thing. I’m a long skirt girl through and through, but that doesn’t mean I don’t need a few great pairs of denim for days when I want to change things up. Jeans are so personal, but these are the pairs I don’t dread putting on:
I was gifted the Levi’s XL Straight Jeans ($108) during NYFW and instantly knew they’d be a great addition to my meager denim collection. The denim belting detail drew me in, but the slouchy silhouette kept my attention. I got mine a size up so they feel extra-relaxed.
My very favorite pair of jeans at the moment are the COS Volume Wide-Leg Jeans ($135), which the COS team sent over just before fashion week. I wish I had them in another color (and I’ll probably get them soon!). My favorite way to wear them is by creating one big cuff at the bottom and then having some pointy-toed heels peek out. What more could you possibly want?
Do not sleep on Loft denim — especially if jeans under $100 are what you seek! Their Slouchy Boyfriend Jeans ($89.95) are my “dressy” jeans, in a dark wash that begs to be paired with a classic red cashmere sweater and my leopard Prada flats. Or, a trench and some sneakers on the go. These are the kind of jeans I could pack for a trip and confidently pair with a variety of looks. Versatile!
Let’s pour one out for my Tibi Indigo Denim Sid Jeans ($495). These were the first piece I invested in when I started losing weight, when my original pair of Sids became too big. The problem? I didn’t wait long enough, and now my “new” pair are also too big. Too big to bother tailoring, according to my seamstress. I’ll be saving up for a new pair, because I definitely don’t like my closet as much without these in it.
I’ve never understood folks who eat a hot dog or hamburger without a bun. The outer layer is always the best part of any meal or outfit! Fall is the ultimate time of year for outerwear that doesn’t necessarily have to keep me as warm as my dead-of-winter coats, and these are the jackets I foresee myself wearing on repeat:
The Anine Bing Randy Trench ($500) I bought earlier this year at a sample sale is a little big, but I feel like this car coat silhouette isn’t meant to be too fitted. I love the easy throw-on-and-go shape as a contrast to the ever-essential belted trench.
Receiving the Alexa Chung for Madewell Double-Breasted Blazer Overcoat ($850) from the Madewell PR team (love you, Ana!) was the blessing my “wardrobe from scratch” really needed. I can style this baby overtop anything, and boom! An outfit! Here’s hoping I get the balls to style it with the matching mini skirt, another gifted piece I feel deeply intimidated by. (Does the world really need to see my knees? In the name of good suede separates, perhaps the answer is a Yes.)
I borrowed this Lastwolf Yellowstone Work Leather Jacket ($650) from Wolf & Badger during NYFW, and I liked it so much that I purchased it after. I feel I’ve been on the quest for a perfect oversized leather jacket like this all my life. Once I decided that the color, wear and shape could not be beat, I knew it had to be mine for keeps.
Shoes are an essential part of helping me refrain from impulse buys during the whole “rebuilding my wardrobe from scratch” period. It’s easy for me to become disappointed in my limited options right now, so making the most of exciting accessories to jazz up my basics helps expand my options. For example:
I’ve come to realize that silver heels are my unexpected weakness — I have five pairs, and that feels like too many, right? I’ll do my best to cut down my options, but my new Bared Footwear Hyliota Leather Low Heels ($279) have earned their keep. I love the woven detail at the front. Another woven fave are the Surfbird Woven Leather Ballet Flats, also by Bared and also delightful.
I purchased these Jil Sander Stretch-Knit Slingback Pumps ($369, originally $1230) at the recent 260 Sample Sale, and to put it plainly, they make me feel chic! Really, it doesn’t take much to get me excited about a little black kitten heel.
I love my Tory Burch pierced heels, so I picked up the Pierced Mule ($398) in Black when they came back in stock. I admit, these crease like a bitch, but they’re extremely pretty.
One of my best purchases in a long time has been these Prada Ballerinas ($1120). I almost bought the black leather pair, but my mom mentioned that she likely would’ve gone with the leopard ponyhair when she was my age. Sold! They’re ridiculously comfortable, and (goes without saying) very very cute.
x BG