The ABCs of curating a closet you love: Part 2
Hi Friends,
I’m excited to dive into Part 2! If you missed part 1, I’ll leave the link below.
N - neutrals
If you’ve been a subscriber for awhile now, this is probably no surprise. The name of my game is making getting dressed easy and comfortable while looking put together and dare I say even a little chic. I gravitate toward neutrals for three reasons. First, a monochrome look always looks put together and although that works with colors too, I find it’s easiest with neutrals. Second, neutrals are versatile - they go with most colors and will be the workhorses of your closet. And third, neutrals are timeless. It will never not be “cool” to have a great white button up shirt or a cream cashmere sweater.
O - occasion ready
I hate that feeling of having an event coming up on my calendar and feeling like I have nothing to wear. This happened to me twice recently. I realized I needed a couple dresses in my closet that I could pull out for different occasions. My recent favorite for summer dresses for events that aren’t super formal is Coco Shop. I got this dress for one of the events and I know it will be one I pull out for years for different occasions. Having a great black dress is also a great wardrobe staple since it works for so many types of events and you can wear it all year round. I have one that is several years old, but this one from Goop is on my wish list.
One other aspect of occasion wear is fine jewelry. This can get pricey, but the brand Dorsey is changing the game. I have a necklace and a couple pairs of earrings that are my go-to jewelry for more formal occasions and I know I’ll love them forever.
P - proportions
Playing with proportions is one of my favorite styling tricks. When an outfit looks off it’s oftentimes because the proportions are off. Amy Smilovic, the founder of Tibi, has given some great verbiage about proportions that I’ll share, as it has been helpful for me. She calls it: big/slim/skin. Meaning, you want one element of more oversized fit, one element with a slimmer fit (this can even be tucking something in), and showing a bit of skin (can be rolling up your pant legs so the ankles are showing or rolling up your sleeves so you have some breathing room). This is where your personal creativity and taste come in - it’s up to you what you feel best in - but I generally think it’s a great guideline.
Q - quality over quantity
I really couldn’t believe in this more. You’ll save time, money, and energy in the long run by investing in quality over quantity. You’ll also be helping the environment. If it feels scary to invest - try it with one piece a year. See if you’re excited to wear it again the following year. If the answer is yes, you’ve already saved money and time! I think the best places to do this are with the areas of your wardrobe that aren’t really impacted by trends - a great wool coat, a cashmere or wool sweater, a leather handbag, a pair of boots. When things are well designed and made with natural materials, they will last you for years.
R - relaxed trousers
For lack of a better term, relaxed trousers are just pants that aren’t denim that you want to wear in your everyday life. I say relaxed because my personal style isn’t too preppy or tailored, but if yours is - ditch the relaxed adjective and put in tailored! My current favorites are: these drawstring pants, I have these in two colors from Ralph Lauren (that don’t break the bank), and these from Vincent James. I have this pair that are more traditional too (I sized up for a more relaxed fit).
S - stripes
Stripes are so helpful to have in your closet. They are classic, but they can also help break up a very minimalistic wardrobe. I love this striped long sleeve, this striped sweater is so cute, and you know I love a great striped button up. I am also loving this more modern take on stripes with these pants! As a side note - a cousin to stripes in my mind is plaid - and the plaid flannel shirt is really good for fall.
T - tote bag
Handbags are sometimes overlooked, but are really an integral piece of your outfit. A great suede tote bag over a sweatshirt and jeans all of a sudden makes the outfit elevated. I don’t think everyone needs a certain style of tote bag, but everyone certainly needs a bag that will carry everything…whether it’s a leather/suede tote bag, a bucket bag, or a woven bag. Handbags add so much texture and life to an outfit. Find that intersection of function and fashion and invest in quality over quantity.
U - upgrade
A curated closet isn’t about replacing everything at once, but about gradually upgrading the pieces you wear most. When a beloved staple starts to lose its shape, fade, or feel less aligned with your style, it’s an opportunity to invest in a better-quality version. Think of swapping a fast-fashion tote for a beautifully made leather bag, or upgrading a basic blazer to one with timeless tailoring. Each upgrade moves your wardrobe closer to one built on longevity, intention, and your personal style. This one is for me as much as anyone. An example of that for me is my V-Neck Tank from Vincent James. I’ve had it for 4 years and have worn it countless times. It’s starting to wear out. I can still wear it for now, but next spring, it’s time for a new one!
V - versatility
I love thinking about which pieces in my closet I get the most mileage out of…they are usually the ones that are most versatile. Before I buy anything new, I like to think of 3-5 ways I can wear it to make sure it deserves a place in my closet.
W - white
White is like black for me. I reach for it all year round. It’s a big part of the foundation of my wardrobe. We can include off-white in this category as well. :) A crisp white shirt, a perfectly cut white tee, or clean white sneakers all offer a sense of freshness and clarity to an outfit. White pieces act as a canvas, balancing bolder elements, highlighting textures, and creating that effortless polish we’re always aiming for. It’s the shade that instantly brightens your look and ensures versatility across every season.
X - X factor
Not everything in your closet can be neutral or classic. I’m a big believer that fashion is a tool to express ourselves and as complex people, we’re going to be drawn to different things at different times. One of my recent “x-factor” purchases was this top. I’m totally in love with it. I’m going to wear it for an event I have in October, but after that I’m going to do my best to pull it out and wear it over jeans or over a slip dress. To me, the key to these kinds of purchases is knowing how you’re going to wear it. If you love it, but can’t picture yourself wearing it, it will probably just sit in your closet.
Y - you
The most important question to ask yourself about your closet is - does it feel like you? In an Instagram world where we are all starting to look the same because we’re in such digital silos watching the same people talk about the same trends, it’s increasingly important for your voice and your point of view to be known. It’s great to get inspo from others, but the more you know yourself and get to understanding why you like what you like, the more you’ll love your closet.
Z - zip up hoodie
Ok this one is a bit of a cheat, but I wanted to get something in about loungewear. :) Having a great crew neck sweatshirt (or like this one), a zip-up hoodie, and a pair of lounge pants that you can feel good about wearing in public (and mix and match with your other clothes) and that aren’t yoga pants is really useful. I linked my favorites above!
Let me know which letter(s) resonated with you (or which ones you’d change!).
xo,
Abby
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Nailed it :)