Seven Everyday Clothes I Swear By

The journalist turned marketing executive in me is coming out. I find the title of this post irksome, as not all the items listed are articles of clothing.

I’m so in love with this pair of sneaks, it looks so retro! The viva I was just looking for! I can imagine myself wearing it daily!

I had to dig around and come back to this post because I bought those JCrew jeans this past weekend. I have to drive 1.5 hours to a decent mall or JCrew, so it was an investment in both time and money. But once I put those on, I was sold. The fact that my teenage daughter raved was icing. These jeans are comfortable, stylish and high enough for a mom. Brilliant. Thanks for the tip. I love JCrew for the classics. As I work toward a simpler, more sustainable wardrobe, these are a solid foundation.

Question,
I am looking at the Allbirds Tree runners as summer sneakers for dresses and shorts. Thoughts on whether or not these are good to wear without socks?

Oh I’m obsessed with that button up. LOVE it. Just wish it was a bit more in my prince range…Have any less-expensive suggestions? Outside of the usual (Target/H&M/ASOS)? Though I wear those brands, none of their button ups crease well or wear comfortably in my experience.

– Grace

I recently bought a tube of Lipstick Queen in Medieval and it is the perfect red lip tint that feels like a lip balm. It fades easily so I’ll go through the tube quickly but it makes my whole face brighter.

And I also love my Veja sneakers. Mine are black with Velcro and the leather is great for lighter rainy days (which happen a lot in the PNW).

For some reason the jeans link isn’t working form me. What brand and style are those? Thanks!

After becoming tired of having to wear sunscreen every day on my neck & chest to prevent that area from looking like aging leather against my white face I walked into my neighborhood Nordstrom and purchased some beautiful silk scarves to tie around my neck so I could simply cover up that area instead of wearing sunscreen constantly. I tied them in a single loop bow high up on my neck and then arranged them in such a way that spread out that single loop.
Now I try to wear a different one each day which has given my almost all black wardrobe many different looks. Also, wearing a scarf adds instant elegance to my look without making me appear overdressed. It also looks fun and sporty. I get non-stop compliments from people wherever I go.
I believe I have just restarted a fad. Now I’m heading to the thrift stores & eBay for more scarves–my favorite new/old accessory.

I’ve been trying to make the shift to more thoughtful buying and have focused more on brands that are ethical/sustainable/local. Better yet if they’re women owned!

1. Jamie + the Jones raw silk tops. I have 3, and they are easy to handwash and dry quickly.
2. Black Crane pants. I have two pairs of their black pants – one in a quilted cotton and one in a cotton-wool blend that is great for winter. The fit is baggy and comfy and with big pockets, they’re also utilitarian.
3. Pat McGrath Labs Matte Trance lipstick. The formula is amazing and really lasts! Smooth and velvety. I recently wore Full Panic to my h.s. reunion and got a ton of compliments.
4. Blundstone boots – essential for fall and winter. I grew up seeing my riding trainer wear these every day and finally got myself a pair 20 years later.
5. Jamie + the Jones heavyweight T sweater in cream. It’s a thick cotton weave – super warm and basic but also stands out because of its structure.
6. Clinique Quickliner pen for a quick cat eye.
7. Fun socks from Stance and Bonne Maison! The perfect thing to brighten up your footwear.

American Giant makes great white tshirts. Very thick and they are nice and long for tucking in.

Hiya! SoCal girl here. When I moved up north, I found myself reaching for the same gray cable knit sweater, light-wash boot cut Levi’s and black Palladium sneakers. I’m a skirts and dresses girl usually, but something about Monterey, CA just screamed, “Hide in a giant sweater. Wear comfy sneakers. Be cozy.”

Now that I am working on assignment in Sub-Saharan Africa, I miss my sweaters so much!

Seven things:
1. My cashmere crew neck sweaters from Everlane. I have three – one in a large so it drapes a little, and two in medium that are more fitted. Wear them 3+ days a week.
2. The knit elise dress from Elizabeth Suzann. I almost threw up spending so much money on a dress, but I wear it 2-3 times a week at work: with a button up cardigan, with that grey crewneck sweater on top, with a black blazer, with a long sleeve grey t-shirt underneath like a jumper… It’s price per wear at this point is probably $5.
3. Uniqlo ultra light down jacket. I run to or home from work a few times a week, and this jacket has kept me warm running all winter long – even on those 10 degree days. It’s so light it adds no bulk at all when I run, and is easy to throw in the washing machine.
4. Marie Veronique barrier restore serum. Has changed my face this winter. I will gush about this with the zeal of the converted.
5. Eclipse hoop earrings from anthropologie.
6. This wool/linen blend 50’s-style skirt from Not Perfect Linen. Elastic waist, pockets — so flattering! I love pairing it with a striped boatneck shirt or one of my more fitted everlane cashmere crews. https://www.etsy.com/listing/477095314/linen-wool-blend-skirt-with-deep-pockets?ref=shop_home_active_5
7. Thursday Boot Company downtown bootie in black suede. These plus wofford tights were on my feet almost every day at work the last 5 months.

A girlfriend was over this week and peeked inside my closet. She asked how on earth I decide what to wear each day with all the options! I’m totally a creature of habit and tend to go through phases where I have several favorite, comfortable, well-fitting pieces that get rotated constantly for a month or so. It’s fun diving back into my closet and re-discovering a blouse or pair of work pants that feel new and I can style with different things.

You have such a beautiful, classic aesthetic. I’m tempted to buy up every single piece!

My black wrap dress, my black chunky heel booties, my G-raw jeans, my mango chunky baby blue wool pull over, my satin blouses and finally my black tuxedo style jacket–> wear, wash, repeat with a fuschia or prune lip.
I love the idea of having go-to’s, it makes life easier but I cannot wait to get my spring-summer basics back in rotation after such a looonnnnng winter.

Dear Jo, what a golden tip for the basic t-shirts. Have been on a quest for this since ages.

May I ask which size you take with them, I can’t figure it out and as they’re shipping to Switzerland, I wont be able to exchange.

Thank you!
Quirine

PSA. I loved my Allbirds for the first few weeks of wear. I bought a pair after I saw them promo’d/sponsored on CoJ. Buuuuut I’m sad to say that I’m no longer a fan and sadly won’t be re-purchasing. They stretched out SOO quickly, and now crinkle and wrinkle when I lace them up and look pretty odd. Super bummed, but thought I’d share my experience because heck, they aren’t cheap.

what do people do to prevent jeans from bagging in the knees? am i just buying the wrong brand? the wrong size? i look like a slob, even after a few hours of wear. do any of you wise ladies have advice…? =)

Quality fabric leggings, w/ long shits & sweaters, dresses with leggings underneath…b/w plaid long shirt w/slits on side…black lace up 4 in block heeled boots, thigh high suede boots (2 3/4 in, black & grey)…black wedge suede boots…

I shop almost exclusively at thrift stores and I’d say 90% of what I own is secondhand. My go to shoes are Birkenstock sandals (just got a new pair today, not from the thrift store, but most of my other shoes are used), and I basically live in black leggings with oversized tunic tops or sweaters. I’m in Texas so now that it’s warmer I’ll swap out sweaters for sleeveless tops that are still long and flowy. I’m all torso, so I need tops that are long enough to cover my bum. I love high waisted jeans and leggings; I’m not interested in reverting back to low slung jeans with booty crack showing high school days. My favorite brands of leggings are Lululemon and Zella, for jeans I have one pair each of Current/Elliot, Mother, Paige, and CoH (all found at the thrift store!). For tops, I favor Athleta, JCrew, Loft, and Lululemon tanks. If I had to pick my most favorite brand, though, it’d be Vince; all the pieces I have by them I’ve found at the thrift store and they hold up and wear as if they are brand freaking new. I’m a teacher so no way could I ever afford their pieces retail, so I’m glad there are ladies out there who give away their expensive threads for people like me to find.

On impulse I bought two 100 percent wool button up cardigans at Uniqlo in December 2015, one camel color and one light gray. I wear them to death, have washed them both multiple times, and they still look brand new. They’re so comfy I literally put them on over my pjs and sleep in them if I’m chilly. Paid $10 for one and $20 for the other…best $30 of wardrobe money I’ve ever spent!

I absolutely love the idea of silk shirts and want to purchase and wear one so badly, but every time I’ve tried one and then washed it, it comes out looking weird and it always ends up clinging to my body (stupid static!). I would LOVE to try one of the silk shirts you mention in this post but do you have any good tips on how to keep a silk shirt looking fabulous and not clingy after washing it?!