WhatIWore: Hi! Hello! Hope everyone had a nice weekend! We celebrated my parents’ retirement and Easter and got to see my siblings and aunts and uncles and it was a great time! Now we’re back to everyday life and here’s what I wore: this was absolutely a throw-one-whatever-works kind of morning. I’m wearing pieces from my core closet and a bit of a step up from my athleisure SAHM look. Olive jacket, white tee, black jeans and sneakers! These photos totally surprised me too! When you’ve got the right morning light + a pretty spring tree in the background (and those adorable little kiddos) you’ve got a recipe for what I lovingly call a framer.
Where: Grocery, Park (x2), Mowing my lawn, typical SAHM kind of day
There’s something else I want to tell you guys, but can’t quite break the news on yet. In short - Adam and I are working on something big that we can share in about a month or so and it’s taking quite a bit of our time and energy which pushes taking outfit photos lower down on the priority list. If one or two posts a week aren’t cutting it for you, jump over to my instagram because I always seem to find time to chat when I can’t do anything else because I’m nursing or stuck in the car with sleeping kids, yada yada yada. It’s goofy and off the cuff and so much fun (be sure to watch the Instagram stories part!)
When I’m getting dressed, I almost always start or end my outfit with an item of clothing from my Core Closet. That’s the portion of my wardrobe that works back to everything else - the building blocks! I hesitate to call it a capsule closet because I don’t like the idea limiting myself or going super minimal. Rather, I think of these pieces as the kind of stuff I will easily keep wearing for another five, ten or twenty years and mix with single season trend items.
1. Chambray Button Down 2. Striped Tee Shirt 3. Jean Jacket 4. Olive Green Utility Jacket 5. Classic Jeans 6. Black Pants (or black denim) 7. Black Skirt 8. Sunglasses 9. Leather Sandals 10. Leather Boots.
My motto for these core basics - BUY THE BEST YOU CAN AFFORD. It might seem insane to invest $500 in a pair of boots, but if you wear them regularly (even just twice a week for 5 months) times five years, that’s a cost per wear of $2.50. Compare that to a pair of $150 boots that you only wear every other week for a season, at a cost per wear of $15! The math favors the quality, durable, classic pieces!
If you’ve got that list covered, here are some more ideas for expanding upon it. These are things I wear a lot in the colder weather months and are just as versatile as the list above.
Black Leather Moto Jacket
I can’t believe this didn’t make my original list. Obviously leather is going to be best when the climate is cool to cold, so now it a good time of year to add one to your wardrobe if you haven’t yet done so.
Ponté Knit Black Dress
A classic silhouette in a stretch knit fabric means you can wear it for almost every occasion - with a jean jacket for a casual lunch, a blazer in the office or with heels and a statement necklace at a wedding. Quality is important here - you want to find a thicker fabric versus a lighter weight, tee shirt weight material. To get the most bang for your buck, choose a classic silhouette versus something super trendy. You can find a dress like this at just about any price point! As long as the fabric and fit work for you, it’s a good deal!
Navy Wool Peacoat
It’s just about as classic as you can get for a winter coat and looks just as chic with a cream sweater and jeans as it does over all black (yes - black and navy work together when it’s intentional!). I bought a J.Crew version a few years ago and ended up getting the exact same style for my mom as a gift.
A Different Style or Color of Jeans
We all have a pair we love, right? But if you’re wearing jeans for four or more days a week, you might want another great pair. Say you’ve got some skinny mid rises, perhaps you add a high waisted flare? Or play around with a darker or lighter wash? Denim is something you can find at every price point, so spend what fits your budget - maybe even a little more if you plan on wearing (and washing!) them a lot. These are all styles I’d want to wear if I was at my normal size!
Quality Leather Handbag
A well made bag is a great compliment to any outfit. I recommend leather because of it’s durability, but if that’s not in your budget, a vegan option will look just as good. One caveat - anytime the handles start looking worn or threads start to pop (or it’s just visibly dirty and no longer cleaning up well), it’s time to either take your bag to be repaired or invest in something new.
If you’re buying your first nice bag, I recommend going with black or brown, depending on what you already have covered with shoes. If the majority of what you wear works back to black - that’s your best bet. Ditto with brown.
Classic Sneakers
These aren’t necessarily a huge investment, but it’s nice to have a pair of sneakers that aren’t muddy,sweaty, or for working out. I think a fresh looking pair in black and white or neutrals are so cool. I favor the throw back versions, which every brand seems to be reproducing these days!
Cream Cable Knit Sweater
I love laying this piece with just about every jacket or coat I own. It looks great with jeans, black denim, olive skinnies - you name it. My favorite comes from Lands’ End and I love it enough to have it in multiple colors. This is more of a winter item than fall, so I expect more options will be arriving in the next month or two.
Thick Black Tights
I’ve been a long time lover of thick, high denier tights. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get high quality and believe me when I tell you, I’ve NEVER had a pair rip or run. Never! They have the warmth factor of a pair of pants in winter and if it’s really cold, you can double up (like the one time I was Edie Sedgwick for Halloween and only wore tights on bottom!). My favorites are from We Love Colors and are an 80 denier (which is the technical way to describe the thickness). If you can find higher, like a 120 denier, go for it!
Keep an eye out for Labor Day Sales this weekend, I’ve already seen up to 40% off! It’s a good time to grab something on your wish list at a big discount! I’d recommend keeping an eye out at J.Crew, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Lands’ End.
WhatIWore: Happy Monday everyone! I started off this morning bright and early and with a new routine! I have a babysitter hanging out with Felix this morning so I got ready to go and am typing away at the coffee shop solo. It’s been an hour and already feels a like a lifetime! It’s amazing what you can get done with focus and two free hands!
Does this dress look familiar? I wore it last Monday too! Isn’t it cool how a different jacket changes up the look so much? This olive army style jacket is part of my core closet and I wear it a lot. This color is such a great neutral because it works with so many other colors so well. I also like that this kind of casual piece layers with frilly dresses just as well as jeans.
WhatIWore: Once upon a time I wrote a style book on how to make the most of your wardrobe and maximize the possibilities of your closet. The foundation of this advice is creating a core closet of pieces that you wear often and in many different ways. I believe in spending more money on the pieces you wear frequently, or at least buying the best quality you can afford. For example, I’d tell most women to spend more money on a pair of jeans than a little black dress, especially if she’s running errands with little kiddos day in, day out! If she’s a career girl in an office, then I’d say put that money into a classic pencil skirt that looks good with 10 different blouses. You get the idea, right?
I’m a work-at-home-mom, so my wardrobe skews to the casual side of things. The following pieces are basics that I wear the most - with each other and with my secondary (read: fun, funky and colorful) clothes.
Here’s what I have in my Core Closet.
Chambray Button Down
When it comes to versatility, the chambray button down can work with almost everything else in my closet. I’ll style it with jeans or skirts, dressed up or dressed down. It layers well under other core pieces or on it’s own in warmer weather. If you only have one, aim for a medium tone (not too dark or too washed out) in a soft fabric. My favorites have always been from J.Crew or J.Crew Factory.
Striped Tee
I like striped tee shirts because they are a tad more special than a solid gray, black or white alternative but still function like a neutral. I probably have a bajillion in my closet (or maybe.. 20?). They look great with everything from a skirt to jeans. You can find them at every price point and I think my inexpensive ones are just as nice as the more expensive ones. Old Navy, Target and J.Crew Factory are all good places to find them in different cuts and colors.
Jean Jacket
For spring and fall you cannot go wrong with a jean jacket. It instantly makes any outfit more casual or provides a final layer when needed for warmth. I like to pair mine with skirts, dark or colored bottoms. I’ve found cute options at Old Navy, and J.Crew. If you’re looking for a lighter wash, I highly suggest looking at your local second hand store!
Olive Green Army Jacket
A moment of truth: I have at least four olive green army jackets that I can think of off the top of my head. That’s probably 3 too many, but they vary between a rain coat, light weight spring jacket, heavier winter version and a sleeveless style. This is a good alternative to a jean jacket and can be worn year round. Above, from ModCloth. I also like this cropped style at Nordstrom.
Medium or Dark Wash Denim
Whether you’re in an office all week or at home with your kids (or somewhere in between) I think most women have the occasion to wear a pair of jeans. I’ve always advocated for buying the best quality you can afford and if it’s just one pair, I’d recommend a medium to dark wash skinny/slim style (whatever is most flattering for your bod). These look best when they hit right at the ankle and you can style them with flats, heels or tucked into boots.
In addition to a great pair of blue jeans, a classic pair of black pants are a great foundation piece. You can wear them year round with either sandals or heels or tucked into boots. My current favorites are a high waisted pair of black jeans from J.Crew.
Black Skirt
If I could only have two core bottom pieces, I’d pick jeans and a black skirt. I really like a full circle skirt, but a pencil or short flared version might work best for you. This is a great piece to dress up or down for work or play.
My favorite circle skirt is from ModCloth (pictured above) and I bought my favorite short flare skirt at Target.
Black or Brown Boots (for cooler weather)
Depending on whether you wear more black or brown, I’d also suggest a well make pair of leather boots in that color. If I could only pick one pair, I’d say my rag + bone Newbury booties have been my all time best buy in this category because they look cute with jeans, tights, skirts and dresses. Shoes are the most important place to spend your money because they absolutely get the most wear and tear. Plus a good pair of leather boots can be maintained and worn for years.
In the past year and a half I’ve slowly transitioned from high heels into more practical playground friendly alternatives. I like a good pair of leather sandals in a cognac brown for spring, summer and early fall. Depending on your skin tone (or tan!) they can function as a leg lengthening neutral. If you’re more fair or dark, I’d suggest looking for a leather that blends with your coloring. Above, a style from Clark’s.
Classic Sunglasses
Nothing makes me feel instantly cool and glamorous like a pair of sunglasses. I have my favorite pair in two colors and they up the ante on a even the most basic playground tee and pair of jean shorts. I used to turn my nose up at designer shades, but I’ve since changed my tune and have invested in a few pair that I love. I still keep my cheapies in rotations, but there does seem to be a difference in the weight and clarity of the lens. Spend a lot or spend a little - as long as it’s a pair that makes you feel like a million bucks!
A Few Other Things To Keep In Mind:
Watch for Sales, especially those X% off everything in store (J.Crew and Old Navy run these often)
Buy Off Season Boots are cheaper in spring and sandals in fall. If it’s a classic style, it could be worth it to buy them at the end of season and save them for next year.
Take Care of Your Clothes! Nothing lasts forever, even when it’s a well made piece, if you don’t take care of it. And those cheapies stay nicer longer when you treat them like expensive items.
Next we’ll talk about adding on secondary color schemes by season, what makes a unique piece worth the buy!
Studio Quirk
Hello! I’m Jessica Quirk!
Voted most likely to say “I could make that!”
Sewing & knitting obsessed, loves baking, making and spending time with my family.
I love shopping secondhand first and upcycling fabric into new creations. Check out all of my sewing projects here.
