Meaningful Items in My Wardrobe

[ tee, thrifted (similar) / Jeans, Paige Denim (note: I’ve had my altered to be shorter and more tapered at the base) / bag, thrifted (try e-bay!) / hat, Tula Hats / Birkenstocks in Madrid ]

If there is an outfit that feels like home, this is it. I feel my best in simple, but well-designed pieces. Let’s deconstruct this outfit for a minute, shall we?

Jeans that withstand the test of time. Picking out jeans is always a big deal for me. I remember the first time I spied a girl wearing a pair of Seven’s at the mall, many moons ago. The color and fit were both gorgeous. I had to know: what kind of jeans were those?!? And so began my descent (ascent?) into the world of designer jeans: killer washes, even better fit (some claim butt-lifting!), and my favorite part – Made in the USA. When a label says ‘Made in the USA,’ that scores big points with me. Two years ago when tragically the collapse of a garment factory killed more than one-thousand workers, I finally started opening my eyes to the fact that people in other countries are literally giving their lives (and childhoods!) so we can buy inexpensive clothing. That doesn’t sit very well with me. I do not claim to be 100% in this area. I still have items in my closet from companies that probably have their clothing made in squalor conditions, but I am making changes. Companies like Everlane, Nisolo, Brass, and Eenvoud are making it easier for people like you and me to afford to buy items that are sweatshop-free. For me, jeans are a closet staple and they are worth the investment for a perfectly-fitting pair, even if it means I only get to purchase a new pair every couple of years. An investment item like this can easily anchor an entire outfit, including lesser-quality or older, thrifted items.

This top happens to be in my favorite color: grey! I thrifted it last summer, it’s originally from American Eagle.  I fell in love with the fit. It is loose and swingy and has simple and pretty detailing on the back.

Shoes that make my feet happy and make me happy are a major win. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that Birks are back. It makes all the shameless ‘ugly sandal’ wearing completely acceptable, even fashionable! I got my first pair of Birkenstocks in the 8th grade. I saved up for them for MONTHS. And yes, I wore wool socks with them. But I loved them because they always felt so good to wear. I still wear one of my pairs from high school, my ragged Bostons are totally my house slippers. Again, happy feet = happy girl.

And finally, these accessories. When there is a story or a sentiment tied to my accessories, I tend to love them 1000x more. For example, I treasure jewelry that’s from my husband, or a hand crafted item from a local artist. This hat is precious to me because it came from my husband’s sweet grandma’s hat collection. It’s beautifully made in Mexico with centuries of palm-hat creating behind it. I love it even more because I know who wore it before me.

This vintage Dooney &  Bourke bag is another wonderful item made in the USA. That’s why I love thrifting so much because it’s a lot easier to purchase items that are made in America. I love two-tone Dooney bags in the classic styles because I think they are iconic and never go out of fashion. For me they are a life-long investment at a small price!

What are the components of your ‘at-home’ look?