Recently I’ve noticed a pattern in my closet: I feel great on “dressed up” days, but absolutely blah on casual days. Walking through the airport this weekend, I was experiencing a strong case of travel uglies and admiring everyone else’s outfits on the moving sidewalk. And this led me to a fashion diagnosis: my basics are too basic. So today, here are five wardrobe basics I am planning to swap for less boring counterparts.
After years of having a capsule wardrobe, I am trained to shop for smart wardrobe basics. But the term can be misleading–basics don’t have to be boring! With that in mind, there are a few tips that I think can help make our closet essentials less blah:
-add texture
-add shape or change the proportion
-reverse your closet spending
Allow me to explain…
Change the shape of your wardrobe basics
A white t-shirt has to be the most commonly listed basic in every French capsule wardrobe, minimalist style packing list, etc, etc. While a sturdy white t-shirt is certainly a winner in my closet, I’ve realized my favorite white tee has shoulder pads. Shoulder! pads! Why?
It’s a shortcut to a look: the tee says “I thought about this” even when I’m at Trader Joe’s. It amps up the vintage-ness of a look with gym shorts. It adds a point of interest with plain black work pants. And yet, because it’s just a white tee, it doesn’t scream too loudly–it doesn’t look out of place in any of these settings. In other words, maybe the best basics get along with your closet but also have a little personality.
Some good white tee options:
Mega sleeve (sorry to CONTINUOUSLY link this but it’s such a nice substantial tee and I’m always pleased with how the longer sleeve creates a lewk. Size down one!)
Another item that could use a shape/proportion swap is your basic sweatpants. I have such a love/hate relationship with pull-on pants with an elastic waist. Because I work from home a lot, they feel like a must, but then they make me feel low-energy. With this complaint in mind, I went window shopping for a few pairs that have more of a distinct point of view!
Barrel shape (subtle, I promise!)
Satin (wow, these seem perfect for summer wfh)
Cargo (the groupchat rates this $15 pair very highly)
Treat color as a neutral
Sneakers are another basic, and I think for a long time we were all told we needed the perfect white pair of sneakers to complete the capsule wardrobe. But some of the best advice I’ve received about sneakers is to pick whatever colors you think are fun, then pretend they go with everything. Somehow, magically, they will. I think the original point of white sneakers in a capsule wardrobe was that they blend in, but heck, you’re wearing sneakers. So here are a few pairs that scream what they are.
Purple power (the SportStyle section of the Asics website is my favorite place to browse fun sneakers with serious arch support)
Reverse your closet spending
I’ve been using Stylebook to track my capsule wardrobe for 2 years, and my favorite closet stat is “cost per wear,” which divides the original cost by the amount of time you’ve worn the item. My best cost-per-wear items are overwhelmingly purses and comfortable shoes. My worst cost-per-wear items are occasion dresses.
You see where this is going! I will shell out $150 for a wedding guest dress, but my everyday errands purse lies neglected. I have recently started thinking I should actually spend the most on my everyday basics and the least on formal wear (which can be rented anyway).
Also, instead of pressuring myself to pick the most basic purse option ever, I’ve come to admire that an everyday purse really steers the ship of the outfit. It’s a shortcut to your style even if you’re wearing jeans and a tee. Here are some everyday options that scream personal style:
For the garden girl asking the coffee shop for their leftover grounds
If you used to attend Warped Tour and now work in an office
The girlie who can tell you what your rising sign means
The lake lover who doesn’t own a single beach-themed decor object
A basic is what you make it, and this lesson has helped me to remember that no capsule wardrobe checklist is one size fits all. Indeed, steering my closet too much toward versatility/completeness has made it a bit boring. Working with personality pieces, even if they don’t always “work” for the outfit, probably creates better personal style.
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