My Clean Slate Closet (Winter 2021)
Recently, I was inspired by Aimee Reiff to work on my clean slate closet. What is a clean slate closet you ask? It’s the ten items you would purchase again if you woke up tomorrow and your clothes were gone. Poof. All gone.
Aimee elaborated that a clean slate means:
Buying for now - whatever chapter you’re in, whatever your lifestyle is now
Like most everyone, I am working from home, so stretchy pants, loungewear are the go-to’s right now. I don’t leave the house for much, so jeans are a rarity. I focused on this one the most for this exercise.
Buying for your body now - not for the body you bought clothes for 10 years ago
Seeing what you wear most (Your first 10 purchases tell you what you value most).
I think this can ebb and flow with the seasons and in relation to number one above. In this season, some of my favorite jeans are getting passed over
Buying for your style - we collect a lot of “likes” over time but our top 10 shows us our “loves”
I have worked on this one so much in the last couple of years. So many times, I think something is cute, but I catch myself when I ask “do I love it?"
Shopping for your values - small business, black-owned, female-owned, or sustainable weren’t things I necessarily cared about 5 years ago
Woah, this one is so true. Recently, I’ve taken a greater interest in the story behind the items I buy. Who makes it? Who does my purchase support? What is the impact on the planet?
You can catch more on Aimee’s post here. She asked some incredible women to participate. It’s definitely worth a read.
This exercise really made me think about what is in my closet that I absolutely love and makes me feel my best. What items would I want to purchase again? What works for my lifestyle right now?
Here are the 10 items I would start my clean slate with this winter:
Nisolo Amalia Boots in Brandy | Erin Stewart convinced me to purchase these boots around the holiday season, and I am so glad I did. The few times I have left the house, and I want to look cute I reach for these. They are a gorgeous quality brown leather. Plus they are all-weather so they hold up to all the snow we’ve received lately. I will have these for years.
Brooklinen Lounge Set in Black: Top + Bottoms | Is it possible to feels exy in loungewear? If yes. this set is what does it for me. It feels comfy, but not sloppy. And since it matches, you can throw on a pair of white sneakers and some jewelry and look put together.
Everlane The Court Sneakers in Off White & Fog | I’ve reached for these over my white chucks since I picked them up last summer. I love that they are not quite white, so I worry a little less about scuffs. This sneaker has great support and is way cheaper than Vejas. Plus, it had zero break-in time.
Madewell Fitted Rib Long Sleeve Shirt in Grey | This top is almost sold out completely. But any fitted long sleeve grey top would cut it. I love this because it goes with anything. It can be dressed up or down. And because it is fitted, it doesn’t feel sloppy to me even though it is just a t-shirt.
Spanx Faux Leather Leggings | Leggings but make it shiny. When I want to wear stretchy pants, but don’t want to wear workout gear I reach for my Spanx leggings. I sized up one to make them more comfortable for everyday wear.
Madewell Black Skinny Jeans | When I am wearing jeans out of the house, I reach for these. They are slimming and go with just about everything. Plus, they haven’t lost their black color which is amazing. I don’t need another pair of faded black pants in my closet.
Madewell Oversized Coatigan in Olive | This piece is sold out, but here is the Poshmark link to a couple of options. I love this Coatigan. I wear it so much. It’s the perfect mix of cozy, but professional that I strive for in my life at this moment.
Proper Tee Warm Fuzzies Sweatshirt | This has made a couple of appearances on the blog this week. I love it so much. This time of year, I love a good graphic sweatshirt. And this one is in two of my most worn colors: grey and olive. The inside of the sweatshirt is so fuzzy and warm.
Madewell Sunday Flannel in Pine | The colorway I have is sold out, but I love this flannel. It goes with everything. Leggings, jeans, joggers, etc. I can throw it over a shirt or wear it alone. And as we’ve established cozy is the name of the game for this clean slate closet.
LL Bean Wicked Good Genuine Shearling Moccasin Slipper | I hate having cold feet, so these slippers are a lifesaver. Honestly, this is the “shoe” I wear the most these days. \
Really, just give me all the cozy vibes for my clean slate closet. I tried to take Amiee’s suggestion on number one the most seriously. Buying for now. This is truly what I am wearing the most right now while I continue to work from home and stay home as much as possible. I really enjoyed this exercise, and hope to reevaluate my clean slate closet each season.
What would you purchase again if you woke up and all of your clothes were gone? What ten items would you choose for your clean slate?
xx,
Linds
