My Closet Favorites

Hello friends and Signature Style stalwarts! Cindy and I thought it could be fun to share our personal favorites from our closet. These are the top clothes we reach for over and over. We all have them and I call them my no brainer pieces, but really it is a lot of classics.

Fall is coming and right now the zone is being flooded with fall musts, fall trends, fall ‘looks.’ It’s another cycle of clothes that we are told we need to stay current.

BUT DO WE?

I suggest go through the closet, like I did for this post. It should be remind you of what is your style. Check the fall ‘trends’ and see what excites you that you can adapt to your own wardrobe to update things if you want.

I don’t like when everything is watered down to the must have jacket or jean, or bag of the season. Already I have seen 40 versions of the barn jacket and that sure isn’t making me want one. Brands are even proud of making ‘dupes’ of other brands! We see too much of the same. What happened to creating your own look? Personal style is also going away because people don’t want to think about what they put on. We have busy lives and it’s just another thing.

You can level up your style by pairing good basics with unique accessories. The French do that so well! They wear classics, but add a shoe or bag, jewelry, or scarf that makes their outfit.

I like looking to vintage films and magazines for dressing inspiration. I just saw, ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and the 90’s styles are back. It would be fun to riff off some of those looks from the film! Try your own take on trends, and don’t worry about acquiring seasonal ‘musts.’

I also was inspired by this Celine Runway show from the 1998 that was shared last month by Heather at Habitually Chic. I’m crazy about all the classics in this show and I need to note here that Michael Kors was the designer from ’97 until 2004 and his collections for Celine are wonderful American sportswear at it’s best. I’m not fond of the fur use, but the colors and styles are beautiful basics.

I do approve of lists of classic pieces you can save for and will love and wear for years, like a great blazer, the perfect white shirt, good sweaters, a great bag or loafer. It’s worth spending on those and then collecting fun accessories.

Okay let’s get to my favorites…

Number one – jeans

You Californians were like of course! Let’s be honest jeans are our ‘national pant’ is there is such a thing, but in California we default to them much more than other places. I love Californian’s commitment to the latest cool jeans. I am guilty of adding at least a few new pairs a year, because they get the most wear of all my clothes.

It’s been too warm for jeans for a few months and I had nearly forgotten what I had. I turned on the A/C and tried my pile. I can’t wait to get back to cooler weather and jeans.

I have two pairs from Frank & Eileen – The 1972 Galway Jean and the Galway white jean . They call it ‘dream denim’ and it lives up to that name with the most beautiful fabric. The cut flatters and fits just above mid-rise. I will wear the white all year too with their chunky cotton sweaters in cool months.

Mother Ditcher Zip is another favorite jean made in California. I love this straight jean with a relaxed look that is a daily go-to in cooler months. This is a low slung sort of jean you can wear baggy and with a sweatshirt or with a belt like I did below with a blouse.

Recently, I was given a chance to choose something from Palo Alto company Ruti and of course I chose jeans! Did you have to even ask? The Ultimate Barrel Jean fit and felt great right out of the package! I love tapered barrel leg and the mid rise and lightweight denim. The petite size 6 hits me just at above the ankle which I think looks good with sandals, flats. These come in reg/petite up to size 18. They are available in black denim and white too.

There is a GAP version of the barrel jean in many washes, and also a Madewell darted barrel and a cute modified barrel here.

AYR also has a great jean that is on my list. They no longer make the jean I wear, but have a new version here that is very cute with a great cut and slightly barrel leg – The Knockout.

White shirts and others

I love a good white shirt and have a LOT. I also love a button up. These sort of blouses are my go to as I think they flatter much more versus a t-shirt. My favorite ones are cotton poplin, but I have a linen, and denim, and lacy versions too. The ones I wear most are the simplest.

My favorite poplin shirt is by Alex Mill -their Jo poplin photo left above. It holds its shape and looks crisp.

I have another white button up on my wish list -the AYR Deep End Oxford shirt that Juliet owns. It’s a bit thicker cotton, but Oxford never look rumpled. It also comes in a perfect soft blue and oxford shirts are great for fall.

Below AYR’s The Jo poplin on left and… and the thicker AYR Deep End oxford on right. Both beautifully made basics.

If you want a linen shirt, look no further than Frank & Eileen. I have a white linen button down and it’s maybe my most worn shirt. You can also buy it as a set with pants like I have.

Others I wear on repeat are denim Eileen shirts -cute plus no ironing! Just throw on and go. I particularly like my Eileen with ruffled collar and think about getting another colored denim shirt as they are instant low-effort chic.

I wore this light blue Xirena Channing shirt all summer. The rolled sleeve gives it a bit of charm! The Mandarin top from Emerson Fry I have in a few colors. This is their berry version for fall It’s very light and fuss free. A pretty classic also on my radar is this white ruffle number from Everve.

Jackets

I’m obsessed with jackets and always have loved them. You can see I have about three racks of them in my closet! Most of them I have had for many years.

Jackets I wear the most…

Top row, left to right,

I am crazy about the Sezane Betty cardi jacket! I wear it as a top too. My Mini Belfast Jacket is chic and sweatshirt cozy! The Rag & Bone Japanese wool jacket, was one I wanted for a few years before I finally got it. Great for the cooler months.

I also have two Ba&sh Gaspard sweater jackets, -and the pretty Meredith jacket with Chanel styling and gorgeous buttons.

I also have a denim looking shirt/jacket made of terry sweat material I wear with everything. This Rag&Bone has a Jaiden Jacket/shirt here is similar – and this by Z Supply is also very close to the same look.

Speaking of jackets worn as shirts, I totally condone this and think it looks great. I used to do this in the 90’s as I had so many blazers. A black blazer would be my going out look with jeans. I’ve been experimenting with this look for fall and like this jacket worn as a shirt. It’s light and I can push the sleeves up. Try it with some of your jackets! This Sanctuary Jacket is another cute one.

Sweaters

I tend to keep my sweaters for years. Last year I parted with a lot of my sweaters and only kept the ones that feel good. I’ve been getting into heavy cotton sweaters now because I like how they wear -and I also get hotter than I once did!

Some of the best cotton sweaters are from Frank & Eileen. I know it feels like I have mentioned them a lot, but they do have some wonderful things! I have the vintage roll neck in black and creme and I have a chunky Montecito pullover which looks like a million bucks on.

I also own two Vince boiled cashmere sweaters. which are the softest, heaviest cashmere that doesn’t ball up. They are like wearing a hug. As they are pricey, I received one as a gift from Max, and saved for another in the black. The sort of 1960’s mock neck shape is cool. Sweaters nowadays are often pricey and low quality. These are worth saving for. You can find them here and here and here and they do run a little oversized.

Sometimes I am gifted a piece and it becomes a favorite. One of the occasional blog perks! The Ba&sh button back sweater is a gorgeous knit that I was given by for hosting a shopping event. I wasn’t sure I would wear it with the low back, but surprisingly doesn’t show my bra. I also like turning it around and wearing it with the pretty silver buttons in the front or layered with a small tank. It’s a versatile piece and feels dressy and pretty and perfect for a dinner out. I am wearing an XS as they run large. It also comes in black.

Dresses!

My Frank and Eileen shirt dresses are always on rotation. I have a white and a light blue of the longer shirtdress and they work for daytime or evening things. I just change the shoes and accessories. They always make me feel put together.

I also have the new F&E polo dress that I’ve worn loads and I love…

Shoes!

I don’t have loads of shoes, but I do wear the ones I love a lot. Lately I’ve been going to Sezane for shoes as they have some cool styles. The quality is VERY good, as is the comfort factor. I wear my leopard block sling backs with jeans and dresses. They also come in a pretty caramel color…

These suede slides are great with a dress as well as shorts and jeans.

Their shoes are great quality and I am considering adding their new lower slingback in black or red or tan…

Check out all the pretty Sezane shoes here.

Another top wear are my Madewell Loafers I’ve had for two years now. They are so comfy! They are a classic and they also have this cute version in suede.

If you missed the last Signature Style, we shared essential hats.

Thanks for being here. If you have favorite pieces in your closet, I’d love to hear in the comments.

Kim

Please pop over to Cindy’s to see her closet favorites, which I am excited to check out…

Cindy Hattersley Design

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