Six Items I’ve Owned for 10+ Years
Today’s post is a bit different. Instead of sharing something new that is available for purchase, I’m sharing six items I’ve had in my closet for a long time. All of the items have been in my closet from 2008 - 2012. Basically, everything is 10+ years old! I’ll share why I love each piece and a few similar items if you’re looking to add to your closet.
Some pieces listed here surprise me because they are from fast fashion brands, while others are definitely worth, IMO, saving your pennies and splurging.
One of the main reasons I wanted to build my online space was due to the discouragement I felt from influencers and bloggers who were quickly rotating through new items. My wallet couldn’t keep up and I started to feel lied to because wait a minute…last week you told me you were obsessed, but now I see it for sale on your Poshmark.
I realized I wasn't needing people to shop for me. I genuinely enjoy the act of shopping. It’s my me time. I was looking for people to help me build my closet full of quality versatile pieces and truly show me how pieces lasted and could be worn year after year.
item one
This striped half button-down from J.Crew has been with me since 2012. I bought it off the sale rack when I was looking for “less American looking outfits” to wear on my first ever solo trip to Europe. The material is so light and airy that it is perfect for spring and summer and great for layering under a sweater in the fall and winter. Something about the material makes me want to sit on the beach around a bonfire. Every time I do a closet cleanout, I can never part with this piece. I think the airy material with the soft stripes and the structure of the button down are what keep it in my closet year after year.
WHY I LOVE IT: It feels incredibly timeless and given we move to many different climates this shirt is a major workhorse in my closet.
item two
I bought these Soludo flat espadrilles in 2012 when I was looking for more summer shoes to add to my closet. They look and feel undeniable French to me, and I love wearing them with a white t-shirt and jeans for a simple look. The white stripes do need to be freshened up every so often, but other than that these are comfy and easy to pair with almost anything. When the weather warms up I find myself reaching for these time and time again. My exact style is no longer available, but I linked some different options from Soludos below. I own the wedges in both black and white and wear them often as well.
WHY I LOVE IT: These feel so Parisian to me, plus I love something other than sandals, flip flops, or sneakers to wear in the summer.
item three and four
Combining items three and four into one look. First, the grey v-neck sweater (that has pockets). I bought it in 2012 during my first winter up north in Ohio during grad school from J.Crew. It is such a solid piece, and I kick myself for not also buying it in another color. But it was expensive for my grad school budget. When it’s cold, this sweater is a go-to. Sometimes I layer the first item in this list under the sweater. Grey is a staple color in my wardrobe. I wear it all the time. Groufits for the win. J Crew doesn’t have anything currently stocked that looks similar, but it is 100% Merino Wool if you’re looking for a good sweater that won’t pill and last for years.
WHY I LOVE IT: The Merino wool is warm without being scratchy, the cut is slouchy, but not sloppy, and it has POCKETS!
Second, the tall Fyre black boots. Tall boots are a great addition to any closet and Frye’s are QUALITY! I absolutely LOVE these! They’ve been in my closet since 2011 (maybe earlier). As long as you take care of them these bad boys will be something you have for a long time. The style I have is the Jane Tall Cuff but is only available on ebay, Poshmark, and the like. I wear the cuff up and tall because that feels less pirate-like to me.
WHY I LOVE IT: Tall black boots will always be in style and even with a heel these are so comfy.
item five
This leather jacket has a hell of a story. The year was 2010. I bought it in Florence while on a trip to Europe post-undergrad. It was supposed to arrive stateside nine days after ordering, but surprise, it didn’t. I arrive home two weeks later and it was nowhere to be found. Luckily, I had the card of the shop that was making it for me, and my mom is resourceful. She tried calling, but the shop pretended not to speak English. I say pretend because they understood me just fine when I was in the shop. She found a small Italian restaurant in Fort Worth where the family was from Italy. She explained the situation, and the family took charge. They called on our behalf and had what sounded like a heated conversation and then told us the jacket would be here in a week. Low and behold a week later it arrive in the most poorly packed manilla envelope.
This jacket is my pride and joy, and as long as I take care of the leather it will last for years. It fits me like a glove. A quality leather jacket is NEVER a bad purchase. I linked two options that I would purchase if I needed a leather jacket. The quality of the one I linked is chef’s kiss!
WHY I LOVE IT: Leather jackets spice up an outfit and make me feel cooler than I know I am. Plus, they can easily be worn with a white tee and jeans or over a fun dress with heels.
item six
I recognize this item is very, very niche, but my Lucchese (pronounced: loo-kay-zee. If you try to say it like cheese, people will laugh at you. You’ve been warned.) cowboy boots have been with me since at least 2008 if not longer (I can only find pictures of them on Facebook from junior year of undergrad). If cowboy boots are on your wishlist, please I beg of you only get Lucchese. These beauties have been with me to countless football games, walked across the stage at both my undergrad and grad school graduations, and walked with me down the aisle at my wedding (see right). I’ve had them resoled twice because I wore holes in the bottom from spinning in them while dancing, and they just get better with age. Luccheses are so recognizable to me that I can tell them apart from other boots based on the stitching across the top of the foot. Having not lived in Texas since 2016, I don’t wear them very often, but putting them on for this picture made me remember just how GOOD they are. I need to bust these bad boys out more in Ohio.
I can’t find any boots in stock in multiple sizes that are similar to mine, but I own another pair of Luccheses and I promise you cannot and will not go wrong with any of the boots from their store. The quality is top-notch. I know I will have these until they can no longer be resoled.
WHY I LOVE IT: Being a Texan, I will always need a good pair of boots. These boots have so many memories and the pointed slim toe make them feel dressier, so I can (and have) wear them for almost any occasion.
What item(s) have you had in your closet for a long time?
xx,
Linds
