As we find ourselves in the week between holidays, I wanted to keep this newsletter pretty basic (pun intended) and talk about building a good base of basics (or as Amy Smilovic would said Without Fail- WOFs). I got Amy’s book The Creative Pragmatist as an early Christmas gift and I have been eating it up.
Amy writes about how “a piece that meets the principles on which my closet is built” aka a “basic” must also meet 3 of the 4 below criteria;
A point of view
Proportions
Functionality
Texture
It got me thinking as I recently watched a video on YouTube By Laini Ozark called things that make you instantly stylish, which is an interesting thought that you can tell someone is stylish based on one (or more) easy components in their outfit. *Laini cited Mac (@officialmacrose) as the source of this idea.*
Because I live in a suburban area that isn’t on the forefront of FASHION, I realized that I think someone is stylish if their basics meet Amy’s criteria. A good closet should have a great foundation of pieces that are easy to build on; but when I see a denim jacket that isn’t the typical silhouette, I am instantly drawn to that person.
This next part of my newsletter is really more of a love-letter to the participants in Megan Alida Strachan’s substack chat. For me, it’s one of my favorite things on the internet right now, full stop. Every day there are women from all over the world trading links for things they are buying and asking questions about the fit of things they are considering buying. Full disclosure that the chat is most active by people whose shopping budget is a bit bigger than mine; BUT, they provide the absolute best advice.
If I haven’t done a sufficient job convincing you to go join the chat, then let this round-up of basics recommended by the readers convince you. Yes, I admit, I am just copying answers out of the chat. BUT I love the idea that all of these recommendations come without an affiliate link, just shared out of genuine love.
One of my favorite requests was for basic layer tees for under sweaters as I think we are all liking the white collar peaking out of knitwear. Below are the answers, I have a preference for the inexpensive Hanes, but I am liking the look of the Buck Mason for my short torso.
When someone recently asked for great classic straight-leg denim, these were the resounding results. I also want to add that I went IN to a Levi’s store recently and was so pleasantly surprised by the variety of styles and washes. But best of all was that they have an in-house tailor who will alter for free. The short legs of my 5’3” body rejoiced.
A call for classic black boots turned up these results;
However, my favorite recent conversation was a call for the best underware. As someone who regularly wears underware purchased off Amazon (no shame but mine do have a hole in the side already) I needed these tips!
I am in week 5-ish of my no-spend and I admit that I did buy something recently. I hesitate to say that I finally bit the bullet on the Khaite Benny Belt. I hesitate not because I broke my no-spend, but, because spending this much money on a belt feels frivolous. To be fair to myself, I have been steadily wanting this belt since June and I found one in fantastic condition on Vestiaire Collective. I don’t regret the purchase at all, talk about a basic with a point of view/texture!
Still, I feel like I am learning so much about how to shop my own closet and, perhaps, where I am missing some foundational pieces that I would like to buy for in the coming weeks. Amy’s book has been an incredibly helpful tool in how to develop a sense of style apart from buying a bunch of new items. Once my kids are back in school (and I have more time) I want to breakdown where the holes in my closet are and how I identified them.
I am hopeful that in 2024, I can use this space to continue to share ideas that I find helpful in using our wardrobe well. Happy New Year!
I actually love that you bought this belt. It feels like wisdom. I often find that chasing versions of just leads me to spend anyway, and feel far more dissatisfied. Like it has staying power along after the general trend and interest has passed. Sometimes, when I do a big purchase like this, it’s spurs me to go get rid of two or more others that were failing to scratch the itch and can be sold. Anyway, thank you for honesty 😘
A note about that Buck Mason tee: I bought one a few years ago and the fit is nice but the material is so sheer that I have yet to find a bra that works under it, because every edge or bump on the bra (eg from the strap adjusters) shows through in a way that bothers me. I think that t-shirt was what sent me back into the safe arms of Uniqlo U when I decided buy a new white tee this year. Maybe they've they've improved on it, but FYI for your consideration. That said, I love basics with a POV! It's so nice when you find that point of difference that speaks to you. The belt sounds like one of those things.
I also recently broke my no-buy when Babaa started their winter sale (I thought it would start in Jan) and bought a jumper I've been really wanting to try. Buying knitwear online feels dicey but I did the maths and am fully prepared to eat the costs of returning it. If it works, that's one buy out of five down for 2024, and I'll do a no-buy in Jan instead...