A Timeless Wardrobe Consists of Natural Fiber Clothing Where Possible
They don’t make them like they used to. That can really sum up why some vintage clothes and accessories seem to age like fine wine. Years ago, not everything was mass produced or made from polyester. Bags and shoes were handcrafted from the finest leather, sweaters from wool and lingerie was woven from the softest silk. Natural fibers not only keep better over time, they look better too. Any wardrobe that’s timeless focuses on natural fiber clothing.
Cashmere, linen, high quality cotton, silk and leather are some of my favorite textiles and building blocks for curating a timeless wardrobe. Natural fibers completely elevate your style and appreciation for quality. They’re more expensive looking than the same old polyester shirt and jeans everyone else wears, yet investing in them will help your finances long-term. Some of my longest standing wardrobe pieces are made from silk and linen. Buying natural fiber clothing is a key to building a closet you actually like.
It starts with the material of the clothes. Next time you’re in a store, physically touch the fabrics of the clothes without looking at them. Having tactile instincts when shopping is important, and you’ll most likely find that the clothes that feel the highest quality are made from at least a blend of some natural fibers.
My favorite place to shop for silk online is Lilysilk. I’ve bought shorts, bralettes, tops and more from here and the quality and fit are incredible. They’re pieces I reach for routinely in the morning that I know are comfortable, chic and effortless. It reduces my decision fatigue and makes me feel confident. Plus, there’s nothing more luxurious than dressing in silk.
Make sure to take care of your delicate clothes by always dry cleaning when necessary. When washing at home, use a mesh bag and a gentle detergent on the delicate cycle so your items can last like a whole lifetime plus some.
The last tip I’ll add here is to find a reliable tailor and cobbler. Investing in leather shoes, linen slacks and other high quality items is supposed to make you look like a million bucks. Having talented tailors and shoe repair professionals can take this to the next level. Taking your clothes to a tailor might seem like a luxury, but finding a seamstress (that charges fair pricing) can change the game. You’ll literally feel like your wardrobe was custom created for you, because it was. And you’ll never have that dreaded feeling of not feeling confident in your clothes again. Find someone that really understands how clothes should fit the body and be ready for you life to change.
Digital Thrifting Has Elevated The Game
I never thought I’d say this years ago, but my absolute favorite way to shop is consignment. While I mostly stick to previously loved luxury and designer on The Real Real, I have grabbed a few middle range items off of Thredup and Poshmark that I love. The key to online thrifting is to make sure the items have been gently used but bonus points for items resold with tags.
Online Thrifting Options To Save You Money
Beyond The Real Real, there are so many similar companies popping up. From The Outnet to Poshmark, ThreadUp, eBay and other smaller markets, there’s so many ways to get those designer brands you want for a price that’s justified. I always make sure to buy my thrifted items gently used. Bonus points for finding them nearly unused, or maybe just a few seasons behind, but brand spanking new. Yes, I have bought delicious velvet knee-high Rene Caovilla boots that were in pristine condition for $800 less than I would have paid at the source. As you can see, this can become an addicting game.
Only Invest In Trends That Are Your Style, Not Your Flavor of The Week
Now, I’m not here to play bad cop. I love trends just as much as anyone else. With that said, I only subscribe to the ones that fit my own unique style. Following trends for the sake of following trends not only ages you but it dilutes your style. Let me explain. Have you ever looked back at photos of yourself from high school and cringed at the outfit you were rocking that you thought was hot shit at the time of the photo? If you’re always subscribing to whatever the newest trend is, you’re in a perpetual cycle of binding yourself to that time period and therefore showing your age. Instead of dressing in trends that are fleeting, flowing with the crowds and hitching ourselves to a time period, we want to be timeless.
Dressing timeless doesn’t mean we have to be stuffy or stick to just the classics, but instead it’s understanding that trends come and go. It’s okay to pick the ones that vibe with you, not trends you turn your back on once they’re “out of style”. Develop your own style, invest in classic items, have fun with experimenting and be true to what your personal style is.
This is all to say that of course, spend your money on trends. But before you do that, try to develop and understand your personal style. For instance, I’ve always loved Nike sneakers and Jordans, so I’d spend my money on buying a pair even though right now they’re trendy and next year they might not be. Because I’ve always liked them, and I always will. Investing $200 in Jordans is not worth it if you aren’t positive they’re your style. If you don’t feel like you’ve developed a personal style yet, then only invest in staple pieces. This is something we should all be doing anyways. A reliable winter coat, boots, leather handbag or nice pair of trousers is something everyone can invest in without worrying that next season, you won’t even like your purchase. Pick your trends wisely but always stay true to what you like and not what other people do or don’t like in the moment.
Develop A Skill For Understanding Value
There’s certain skills a woman needs to learn in her life to get by in order to not get screwed. How to check and fill tire air, how to negotiate for a higher salary, and, much to our concern: how to determine the value of something. This is imperative for curating your timeless wardrobe capsule. Now, even though this isn’t an exact science and there’s a fine line between being savvy and stingy, you can still learn how to create your own personal scale of product worth.
Value is Nuanced & Personal To YOU
One way I determine the value of a clothing item: is it made from quality materials- natural or synthetic- doesn’t matter. Does it align with my personal style or is it a trend I’ll be over next season? And, importantly, can I repurpose this piece in my closet? Will it go with a variety of things, make a good seasonal transition piece and stand out from everything I already have?
Another way to determine value is to look at how versatile the item is. Divide your lifestyle into pillars. I work from home and am pretty active, so mine are: working from home, gym/yoga/active, and events, weddings, dinners etc. If a piece can be versatile enough to fit into more than one pillar of my lifestyle, its value increases to me.
This is a more complicated strategy only because this varies person to person and I can’t tell you what your own personal value scale is. You need to be honest with yourself when purchasing things online and in-store. Is a floral polyester fast fashion jumper really worth the $50 when it starts pilling after three washes and doesn’t make you feel refined? This is not to throw shade at anyone or their fashion preferences. But if you’re looking to take your wardrobe and your saving up a notch, this is the most important shopping skill to develop. Your eye for value will determine your results.
Don’t Buy Your Whole Wardrobe At Fashion Nova, Zara or Pretty Little Thing
Ah, the elephant in the room- fast fashion. Listen, I’m not perfect and like most people I shop at fast fashion stores. I do, however, try to limit my consumption. This is not only because of the subpar quality of stores such as Zara and Fashionnova, but more importantly, the environmental impact of the fashion industry and hyper consumption.
Cheaply produced clothing gets consumed, used up in a season or two, and then it’s discarded as waste or hopefully donated to a new home. But, the amount of waste it produces not only in landfills but also to my bank account doesn’t sit right with me. So because of that, I shop in moderation at these stores.
Once you start purchasing high value clothing, the temptation for constant consumption simmers away. You get addicted to long-term benefits with your purchases instead of instant gratification. And like everything in life, good things take time and effort, including the creation of your fabulous timeless wardrobe.
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