By far my favourite part of my wardrobe is my handbag collection. They are all animal-free materials, and they’re usually the most interesting part of my outfit, because I wear very basic clothes with interesting accessories. My favourite spring/summer bags are my yellow shoulderbag and my raw silk origami-inspired bag.
Outside of that, I love my purple pashmina, my bold eyeglasses, my assortment of blazers, and my black wrap dress. The rest of my wardrobe doesn’t always make me feel great, which is why I’ve been trying to improve on it since coming across this blog last year.

1. My cropped 3/4 sleeve tomato orange collared jacket. I can wear it everywhere.
2. My grey cropped jacket with big buttons.
3. My super funky 3/4 length long mustard yellow jacket/trench with huge buttons. This is by far the most interesting item of clothing I own. It was a random find by a friend at Macy’s and I’ve never seen another one like it. I feel confident and sassy every time I put it on.
4. Silver hoop earrings. If I ever don’t feel quite dressed up enough, pop on those hoops and my outfit feels complete.
5. Tall black boots. The best part about them is that my husband picked them out and got them for me as a gift and they fit perfectly and are tall enough.
6. A long gauzy scarf. It adds that extra touch. I should probably buck up and get a new one since mine isn’t as perfect as when it was new but I love it!

I love my Corrine Sweater Jacket from J. Crew! I got it in navy and it goes with everything, and is structure and fitted like a blazer so it’s really flattering. The sleeves are elbow length, which is perfect for me!

I also love my bluefly top in olive green–super flattering and I don’t have anything else that color so it’s been a fun new thing for me.

My coral wrap/scarf. It is the most beautiful color and it is so soft, not itchy at all. It’s my go to accessory and I can wear it almost year round whenever the weather is chilly.

1. My black trench. It’s very formal, can’t be worn with jeans, but when I put it on I look super-slim and stylish.
2. Cream cropped trench.
3. Navy sporty trench. Looks good with black skirts and formalwear too!
4. Topshop straight-leg jeans. Good value and amazing fit.
5. My River Island chandelier earrings. Everyone compliments me when I wear them and I have noticed how I stopped buying earrings at all because I wear these all the time!
6. Patent leather ballerinas – there’s nothing comfier in the world!
7. My collection of shirts – stripey, white, black, pastel colours, they all fit perfectly and are worth every singly pound I’ve spent on them.
8. LBD – feminine and stylish. Love it!

1. Vintage silver clutch – I got it for $3.50 at the Salvation Army. It is silver crackled leather, the perfect size (fits my camera & keys) and in pristine condition.
2. Guess Jeans – I spent more on them than I have ever spent on a pair of jeans in my life, but I love them, they fit perfectly. They are a dark wash, low-mid rise, and boot cut.
3. White Blouse – Slightly stretchy and with princess seams that fit and flatter my ample bust/smallish waist. The sleeves come about halfway to my elbow which nicely hides my somewhat muscular upper arms.
4. Fitted Blazers – I get mine from Smart Set (smart-set.com), the fit is consistent. I have similar but slightly different styles in denim, black corduroy, and khaki.
5. Dresses… I have three in similar cuts. They’re all cotton, lined, boned, fitted bodice with removable straps, A-Line skirt. One is cranberry with a slightly straighter skirt and a sweetheart neckline, one is teal with a fuller skirt and pleated trim, and one is a small, geometric print in black, white and pink with satin trim around the hem and bodice. All three dress up or down and can function like a skirt and cami for layering.
6. Shoes! My current favourites are white leather cork soled slingback wedges that I just got.

I love my Aerosoles wedge boots. I got them in brown and black, and I’ve been wearing them for almost two years. They are very comfortable and help almost any outfit look better.

Also love my red patent purse I picked up at JC Penny’s for $30 this year. I’ve received a ton of complements on it. As I set it up on the counter of a trendy hair salon, one gal said, “Who is your bag?” She was quite shocked to learn where it was from.

And finally, I love my brown sweater jacket from Nordstrom. It has funky, 3/4 sleeves, and really fun, big buttons. It is fabulously comfortable and I always get complements on it when I wear it. (Thanks Angie!!)

Angie, I’m drooling over your wardrobe items! My list is somewhat similar, except I recently lost 20 lbs – dropping four dress sizes – so I am having to rebuild my go-to items because they don’t fit anymore!

My list:
1. Footwear – these still fit, no matter what I weigh! Yeah! Go-to favs include cheetah mules, suede turquoise sling-backs, nude round-toe pumps, brown pointy-toed flats, two pairs of black pumps with detailing, snakeskin (fake) pointy toed pumps, wine boots, gold flats… I could go on and on…

2) Coats – I also have a black trench that sounds like yours, but it’s not sateen. It is very light weight and great to pack in my bag when I travel. And I have a collection of unique coats, too many to list. I’ll call out and give special props to my denim jacket – great over a dress – and black leather jacket.

3) Citizens jeans – bootcut and flare.

4) Pearl necklace collection – incuding my very first set, a high school graduation present, that got me started. Double strand minimotos (gift from a dear friend). Chunky pearls from AT with a gold cast which looks great on my skin. Black pearls which look great layered with the white ones. Fake and real, they’re all good.

Suits… not so much, because I lost too much weight and nothing fits now. I need to go shopping for this. Specs… I prefer contacts. If I could find a pair of fashionable frames that worked for me, I would probably wear them more. But I never have any luck in this department. (Maybe you can write a blog about that?)

On my list that’s not on yours:

5) Cream leather Coach shoulder bag. It’s the perfect size, the leather is lovely, the color is perfect with everything.

6) Cardigan collection! I have cardigans in every shape and size and color and material. I could not live without my cardigans. I also have several patterned cardigans that are so fun to wear.

7) Black velvet jacket.

Wedding band set.

Can I add one more thing????

A fabulous hair cut!

Best thing I did for myself in the past two years, was cut my hair shorter and get a “real” style instead of always pulling it back into a boring pony tail.

Not only does the shorter cut work a lot better with my short height, the style is so much fun, because I can do all sorts of things with it, depending on my mood. I can let it air-dry and go completely curly, flat iron it straight, add pomade to chunk up the ends and go funky.

I love hearing about your favourites! As I suspected, there is NO duplication, other than jeans. Everyone’s goodies sound interesting and appealing. This is what I like to hear.

(Ps. my pleasure Meredith)

This is my third attempt to post this, and I apologize if it ends up here multiple times!
What an interesting topic! Can’t wait to read everyone’s answers!
1. My black Cole Haan Nike Air flats. My far the most comfy pair of shoes I haver ever had.
2. My wedge shoe collection: low and high, sandals, shoes and boots. Give me the height I need and are so much more comfy than heels.
3. Some of my jeans: two pairs of 7 bootcuts and two pairs of Joe’s ( one Honey and one Muse). I own others but wear these most often.
4. My pencil skirt collection: I have a lot of them and wear them rarely ( going out and such), but they make me feel very sexy when I do. Favorites are dark denim one and high-waisted black one.
5. My DVF wrap dress: super-dark navy with tiny white hearts. For dress-up only.
6. My wrap top collection: by far my favorite top shape. I have them in a lot of solid colors and some prints, and they are tees, knit tops, shirts and sweaters. The ones I like the most are three DVF print silk jersey ones: black/cream,black/purple and aqua/white.
7. Simple cashmere sweaters: just started my collection this winter. They feel so soft.
8. My purple Benetton coat: the only colorful piece of outerwear I have, makes me feel so happy every time I wear it.
9. My brown Soia & Kyo wool coat: the coolest coat I’ve ever had.

My first two favorites are similar:
My shoes. I love them all but I do need to be more disciplined in choosing them for comfort. The ones that aren’t comfortable I end up not wearing.
My trenches. I can put one on, belt it and feel like a million dollars. Can you believe I only discovered them last year since reading this blog? They are perfect for the mild winters we have here.
My brown belted tunic length sweater (for fall/winter). When I wear it with skinnies, a turtleneck and boots I feel completely fab.
Walk shorts (for summer). I don’t know what I’d do without them.

Dull silver metallic leather structured bag from JC Pennys – like Meredith I’ve gotten tons of compliments on it, and no one can believe it’s not someones IT bag. It really suits my mostly black basics – it’s really neutral enough to go with almost everything and carries all my stuff with ease.

My black with white pin dotted cropped swing jacket 3/4 sleeved with big black buttons. Makes anything look put together. I’m sewing up a neutral linen with a silver metallic sheen just like it for spring/summer ’cause I’ve gotten so many compliments every time I wear it.

Black wrap cardigan with the long fronts that can wrap like a shawl or be pinned up, Cozy funky look and can show off one of my zillions of crazy jewelry pins I collect.

Funky athletic styled shoes, great for walking and standing – I have a couple by Tsubo that I wear almost every day. Of course, when I’m not wearing my Crocs (Angie loves them! – heeheheeh)

I have a pair of brown, knee-high Franco Sarto boots that fit me (and my skinny calves) perfectly, and every time I wear them I feel great and get lots of compliments. They’re only a 2″ heel, too, so they’re pretty comfortable.

Oh what a super fun topic! Load of faves:

My ballet flats. I have quite a collection. So comfortable, so fun. Pairs include: red patent, red suede with square toes, leopard print, yellow, silver with a floral cutout pattern, black and white fake snakeskin with red patent piping, and several more.

My glasses. I have 6 pairs (my vision hasn’t significantly changed over the last decade, so I have accumulated them over the years), and I change them according to my outfits. Just bought a new pair in bright red and bone, and can’t wait to pick them up.

My earrings. Bold, chunky, colorful. Some come from Macys and Express, some come from farmers markets, neighborhood boutiques, and local jewelry designers.

My neckerchiefs. Favorites include my leopard print one, a red one with a rose pattern, and a black/white/pink one with a heart pattern (sounds kitchy, but I swear it works real well with a fuchsia v-neck top layered over a white shirt with interesting fabric/structure).

My wrap dresses. They make me feel sexy. My favorite is one that I bought at a small neighborhood boutique in Portland. It’s navy blue, red, and white in a modern floral pattern. Very playful and funky.

My boots. They make me feel confident and sassy, worn with dresses or skirts. I have several pairs, but my favorites are the tight ones that hug the calves (which are slim and thus the better part of my legs).

Some of my black pieces. I used to wear a TON of black (pre-Angie ) and now I try and limit it. Still, some of my favorite and most versatile pieces are black, including:
Black straight jeans from Street One (a Dutch brand, purchased in my home country Germany), as they fit perfectly and are very slimming. (Why didn’t I also buy them in blue denim while I was at it??)
Black trench from Soia and Kyo, which is so sophisticated (same as another respondent, I never used to wear trench coats because I thought they were “conversative”. So wrong!)
Black shirt dress from Express, worn over skinny jeans, with bright belt and accessories. It’s slimming, and makes me feel hip.
Black “rocker chick” jacket from Zara. Instantly transports me into the 80s and makes me feel naughty.

And two red pieces (it is my favorite color):
Red tunic length shirt style top from Street One. It’s fun, peppy, and Euro looking. Kinda like me on my best days, ha!
Red sleeveless top with floral pattern and ruching from Mexx (bought in consignment store). Not sure why, but it’s become my favorite summer top; it’s bright and cheerful, and works great with most everything in my closet.

I guess I’ll stop here. I realize writing this makes me feel real good about my wardrobe. I don’t usually give it enough credit. Thanks for giving us that opportunity, Angie!! This is real fun.

Suggestion: Now how about a future entry about items we don’t like? Maybe this would help me get rid of some items in my closet that just annoy me every time I look at them (because deep in my heart I know they are not flattering, but somehow I keep trying to make them work…)

My faves in various categories:
Shoes: My cute black kitten-heel mary-janes from Kenneth Cole. My silver and grey sneaker-style flats from BCBG girls. My beautiful black leather ankle boots from Famous Footwear that I got on sale for $25.
Dresses: Black and blue short dress that I wear with black tights. Beautiful navy blue dress from Banana Republic.
Sweaters: My orangeish pink sweater from La Redoute. My oh-so-soft green, white and grey cashmere argyle sweater.
Jewellery: I have a lot of jewellery but there are some pieces I find myself wearing again and again. A pair of simple purple pearl earrings. My diamond shaped engraved silver earrings.
Other stuff: My orange-red pashmina wrap.

Ok, Angie will probably know what I’m going to say:

1. My scarf collection! I have about 15 scarves: 3 pashminas in red, sage, and brown; a handful of chunky, knit styles, a couple of “regular” wool styles, and several summer, thin scarves–some that double as shawls, and some that are chic, around the neck only (my grandma bought me an hermes scarf this winter. I can’t wait to wear it!)

2. My shoes. I have very few shoes compared to most ladies. But I really take the time to pick ones I like. I tend to dress in classic cuts with funky colors, and I love to add a pair of funky shoes. My newest favorites are point-ballet (snip toes), soft leather, gold flats. They are casual, but they look fab with just about everything.

3. My pea coat. I bought this from J crew 3 years ago. It is in a brownish-olive color. It looks terrible with dresses, but fab with everything else. I often consider switching to something more classic, like a knee length black wool coat, but this pea coat fits so well, and it just is so me.

4. My diesel jeans. I love them. Unfortunately, they are a light color and starting to wear, so they have been relegated to my weekend wear. I need to get a new pair now.

I’m probably quite a lot younger than a lot of the people who’ve commented, so my list is a lot funkier.

1. My plaid shorts! bought in the boys’ section, and then I altered them to be more girlish. They hit me just below the knee, and are comfy and cute and I wear them all summer long!
2. My brown hi-topped converse. They go great with EVERYTHING, including the aforementioned plaid shorts. I’ve even worn them with skirts. :}
3. My collection of American Eagle Cords. I’m a size 0, and can never find jeans that seem to fit just right, but I love my AE cords, I don’t know what I’d do without them.
4. My large collection of funky, guady earrings. Best accessory ever!
5. New green jacket. It’s structured, nice fitting, and very stylish. It can convert any outfit into a fabulous, sophisticated outfit!
6. All my cute underware. It makes me feel so pretty, even though nobody can see it.

Emily, if you don’t mind me asking, is there a certain place you have luck finding dresses? The ones you’ve described sound fantastic, and I never know where to look for interesting dresses like that. I thought I’d ask because it sounds like you’re from Canada, too (I love Smart Set).

This is a fun topic! Here are the favorites from my closet:
1) I love all my jewelry. Much of it was given to me and has sentimental value.
2) I love my prescription DKNY sunglasses-could not live without them in the intense Colorado sunshine
3) Froo-My favorite black sweater with the fur collar and cuffs. When I saw it in the store it looked like something a ridiculous rich woman with a white poodle would wear, so I tried it on and fell in love with it. I named it Froo and always email my friend who was with me when I bought it to tell her I’m wearing Froo today. It’s a great showcase for the 2 sparkly pins I inherited from my grandmother.
4) Love my red wool casual jacket I bought in Ireland
5) Love my long royal blue wool coat I inherited when my aunt died
6) I love all my summer dresses and skirts. They are so colorful and pretty that when I get sick of dull winter colors, I go visit them in the other closet and it always perks me up. (Obviously my clothes are like my friends.)
7) Love my Lands End All Weather Mocs. Though they aren’t the most stylish shoes I own, they are easily the most comfortable, and I love them. They look okay with jeans and are warm and waterproof.

Fun topic! Thank you for reminding me what I am grateful for:

1. My wedding ring. I have worn it everyday for 6 years and I still love it. There is a subtle leaf pattern on the band symbolizing love of nature. There is fine scroll work (that includes a heart–love hearts) suspending the diamond which is visible from the side. The side view is what I see all the time as a type away on the computer. I love this ring almost as much as my husband.
2. My school bus yellow shoes and purse.
3. My Marc Jacobs wide black patent and square silver face watch.
4. My Coach charm bracelet watch.
5. My round silver index finger ring.
6. My Brighton sunglasses.
7. Several purses–brown beaded, silver/black beaded, rust leather.
8. Several coats–black patent trench, light blue wool, jean jacket.
9. My Sweat Pea tops.
10. Most of my shoes.
11. My Karen Kane mesh pink, black, white poet sleeve top.
12. Anything and everything Espirit that I own.
13. My Victoria Secret bras.
14. My cozy robe.

Hi Angie,

I discovered your blog a few months ago, and was so taken by your sage words on fashion that you are now part of a very small group on my reader. Some of my favorite topics are on what you see as the goods and bads of each fashion season (so bang on), and reports on what is seen on the streets of various cities. This is very enlightening.

I would love if you started adding photos of outfits you style for clients (or your own), maybe just candid photos to illustrate all the amazing looks you describe.

Cheers!

These are my favourites;
1 – A vintage deep green cocktail dress with matching embroidered coat
2 – Black patent leather handbag
3 – My many many pairs of spectacle frames
4 – Opaque black tights

I love this topic! Here are my faves…

* Black trench, I finally found the perfect one! And at $50, I couldn’t pass it up. It makes ANYthing look chic. I am secretly hoping the gray weather in Seattle sticks around so I can wear it every day! (Just kidding. )
* Paige “Robertson” jeans — the only designer jeans that fit my booty and still hug my tiny waist. Amen. I need a second pair!
* Diesel men’s cuff watch, discontinued style. I bought it because it looks like a submarine gauge, and people notice it. (Casual wear only though!)
* Black leather Tano “Sex Bomb” bag. They named it correctly!
* All of my shoes!
* Victoria’s Secret Ipex bras
* Black velvet jacket

Lannie: I’m in Southwestern Ontario, and I got my dresses from RW&Co. They have the style of dress I described in a whole pile of colours right now! I have to stop myself from going to buy more… *sigh*.

I’m inspired by everyone’s very different treasures. This was fascinating. Thanks for opening up your wardrobes.

I especially enjoyed hearing about the wedding bands, Shiny and Joey. I’m sure that your bands are beautiful. I should have included that item on my list because it definitely forms part of my daily ensemble. How careless of me! Mine is a 1938 white gold Estate piece from WW2. Almost antique and pave is style. It’s a broad chunky ring that looks like intricate cut-out lace. Love it with all my heart.

1 – My necklaces and sparkly earrings. They make it much more fun to wear boring, easy-to-find solid-colored tops. I wear these to work, for example, to tie together a solid dress tee, a solid jacket, and solid pants.
2 – A blue flowered print dress with princess seams that fits perfectly and whooshes when I turn. It makes me feel pretty. And I add a dark jacket to make it an interview outfit (I live in an extremely casual town).
3 – An army green sweater with little bits of white, yellow, and tan in it. I wear it with a yellow button down and tan pants. The green almost matches my eyes.
4 – All my whooshy skirts. I like ballroom dancing, and whooshy skirts make it even more fun.
5- My hunter green trench coat. It makes me feel cooler than I really am, supremely competent like, say, the Tommy Lee Jones character in “The Fugitive.”
6 – My fuzzy plaid scarf. I love this plaid and it’s also luxuriously soft and warm.
7 – My yellow undies. I like yellow.
8 – My black tank top. It makes me feel muscular, healthy, and strong (even though I am definitely one of the scrawnier people on the planet).

My ever reliable “stuff” are:

1. 7 “Flynt” jeans – they fit me perfectly
2. Dark gray, 3/4 sleeve turtle neck from Mango (I’ve had it for years and it still looks great)
3. My pearl earrings – not the tiny ones, and not the big ones either; but big enough that they are noticeable. I wear them with practically anything.
4. My decade-old Tank Francaise
5. Havaianas for puttering around the house
6. My 5-year old mini messenger bag from Tumi. When I want to sling it across my torso, I lengthen the strap. When I want it to look a bit less casual, I shorten the strap and carry it close to my body.

Thanks Emily! That’s perfect, because we have an RW&Co at the mall here in Hamilton. I’ll have to go check out what they have soon!

Great topic! This is so much fun. It’s helped me to realize that in spite of the major overhaul I’ve been doing on my wardrobe since January (and still haven’t finished) I do have some great pieces. Here’s my list:

My dark blue pencil skirt with subtitle stripes (a fantastic Wal-Mart buy that I get complements on everywhere)

My blue and white striped wrap top from The Limited

My new purple, black, and tan flowered knee-length dress

My tall black high-heeled boots

My Evenstar pendant (based on the one in Lord of the Rings) I get several complements every time I wear it.

My new sleeveless dresses with smocking at the waist, so flattering that I bought it in a solid pink (the only color pink that looks good on me) and blue flowered

My new silver trench

My collection of turtle-neck sweaters. I have 7 of them now, so I’ve had to pack a few away until some of the others wear out, because I just don’t have enough room in my closet for all of them.

My ballet flats (one pair in black and one in brown) and only $13 a piece.

My white lacy shirts: one short-sleeved and one long-sleeved

My reversible skirt with polka dots on one side and flowers on the other. My sister and I both have one and everybody loves them.

And of course my wedding band. It’s a very simple platinum band with a round diamond and a second band that wraps around it with two small diamonds on the side. I love it and I’ve received many complements on it.

I have been changing my wardrobe so much in the last two years that I don’t really have a whole list of favorites. I’ve gotten rid of all my 90s basics so all my stuff is new. I do have a couple of favorites:

collection of skinny jeans, dark and light
Express “sexy” t-shirts with stretchy, gathered scoop neck in basic colors and stripes
funky bohemian dress collection: I have a lot of boho type cotton dresses with ruffled bottoms in colors like purple and teal
black and silver pointed toe flats
Express silver hoops and drop earrings that are “beady”
colorful top collection, lots of prints and bright colors
black and white wedge shoes
my Old Navy cashmere sweaters
silver open toe flats with Grecian braid trim
should love my boots and winter stuff but don’t, I’m a Texan

[...] I like and wear everything in my wardrobe because it fits and flatters in the very best way (it’s imperative that I practice what I preach!). But there are items that I seldom wear because I simply like them less. They don’t need to be passed on because they look good. They merely rank last on my list of very favourite things: [...]

What a fun read! shiny, I love your style! Way to go losing 20 lbs.! I, too lost weight some years ago. It’s a great feeling. You GO!

My favs are things I can build on – my black suit and my white suit. They tend to get alot of wear and I’m always looking in case I wear them out. The white suit pants are on their way to the tailor to get relined… I also have a grey/brown tweed and a caramel linen which I love, but they don’t get quite as much wear.

Jeans – Lucky brand fit me perfectly (and I like the hippie vibe). I wear them long or short with heels or flats and the suit jackets…

I’ve recently experienced a shape change brought on by becoming a “certain age” so I find I like simpler cut clothes than previously. Also, no more fit and flare dresses which formerly flattered. Only sheath or the “wiggle” shape for me. They make what’s left of my waist look great! I have them in orange knit and green silk and black (both silk and knit) of course. I’m looking for a silk vintage one in a current looking floral.

I love color. Vneck t’s in solid colors that flatter warm skin tones are a summer staple. I like high quality ones for some heft in the fabric – no clinging! And I tend to buy them a size larger than blouses – again to avoid cling, but I like a fitted cut, not boxy.

Shaped jackets – especially vintage ones again in color. I have a warm purple one from the 40s, an olive tweed, a black and white houndstooth, and a wild pink and green large check from the 60s for cold weather, and a pale yellow silk one, a cream bell sleeve, and a honey colored quilted leather for warmer weather.

Cardigans – especially vintage cashmere. My requirement is that they must look and fit equally well open and closed. I recently purged some from early in my weightloss excitement that are really too small. My all out fav is a blue one that has 3/4 sleeves, is exactly the color of my jeans and fits like a dream.

Collared blouses – I LOVE Liberty lawn. I wear them alone with pants or jeans, or layered with a cardigan, or under a jacket. I’m NEVER too hot, so I only buy long sleeves and I wear them year round. I live in the US, and you don’t see them much here.

Lingere – No one’s said this, but I love it! Proper fit and lucious fabric make me feel fantastic even if I’m in jeans and a blouse.

My white trench – I didn’t intend to buy white, but I loved the way it fit, and I still get compliments on it after 3 years!

Accessories of any kind, but especially bracelets, necklaces, scarves and shoes. Although a new job and resulting foot pain from standing on cement all day are causing an uproar with the shoes as I navigate orthotics and the discovery that one leg is enough shorter than the other to require an insert!

Haircut, haircut haircut! : )