#closet essentials

I LOVE these expensive brands I see (YSL, Balenciaga, Jimmy Choo, etc.) but I'm trying to save money for more important things right now.

(plus I can't afford lots of super high end brands on a regular basis, as I'm sure most of us can't lol).

How can I "find dupes" for lack of a better term for these bougie brands I love, or what tips do you have for looking classy and highend on a budget (fashion wise anyway)?

Thanks xoxo

Hi love! I would say the main thing to do is pay attention to fabrics and stitching of garments.

Overall construction matters considerably more than the name on the tag when it comes to building a "high-end" wardrobe. Some fabrics to look for include: 100% cashmere, Pima/Supima cotton/organic cotton, merino wool, genuine leather, and/mulberry silk.

Pay attention to the stitching/buttons or accents on garments. Make sure there are no gaps or loose threads. Look for lined or double-lined items. Darker garments tend to look more expensive. Stick to neutral colors and classic silhouettes for a more "elevated" look.

Some more "affordable" brands (in the mostly $100-$300 range) I love include:

The Frankie Shop

Pixie Market

Massimo Dutti

Manière De Voir

Lilysilk

Reformation

Naadam

Sézane

GAP

Express (for bodysuits/trousers)

Banana Republic

Everlane (the Supima basic tops are great for the price)

Personally, my favorite way to save money on high-end clothes is to use sites like TheOutnet or YOOX and shop the sales sections of designer retailers like Farfetch, Luisa Via Roma, Saks, FWRD, etc. to get the same quality of clothing for less.

headbands (velvet or pearl)

tennis skirts

ankle socks

dr. martens mary janes

basic white shirts

white knit jumpers

black tights

earbuds

beige tote bag

hair bows

pastel dresses

some closet essentials: chunky sweater ♡ skirt

hi besties! today I’ll be sharing some essentials that every dancer should have in their closet!

1. ball caps

- my favs are baseball caps or dad hats!

- you’ll want to get 3 or 4

- make sure they’re in an easy color to match with the rest of your outfits!

2. oversized tees

- an essential for every dancer regardless of style!

- get at least 5 black and 5 in colors you like

- these are my favorite to just throw on and wear to class or have as a spare in my dance bag!

3. flannel

- my fav for wearing during warm ups or when the weather is a little colder!

- I recommend getting blue, red, and black

- a stylish way to add a little flair to your outfits!

4. baggy sweats

- every dancer needs their fav pair of baggy pants!

- choose neutral colors like black and gray

- you can also get bright colors to add a little pop

5. sneakers

- and probably the most important, sneakers!

- any athletic/tennis shoe that you like will do

- color wise I recommend black and white or just white to keep it simple

6. jackets

- you’ll want a jacket to wear before and after class, to keep your muscles warm

- I recommend denim or chore jackets

- choose neutral colors to match your outfits!

7. hoodies

- hoodies are great to keep in your dance bag!

- you can get oversized or more fitted ones

- for these I like black, but you can also add colorful ones that make your outfit pop

here are some of my fav stores to shop at:

- tj maxx

- ross dress for less

- zara

- any thrift store

I hope you guys enjoyed this list!

You know I’m a proponent of wearing what you already have in your closet, even though I do love to shop! I believe in buying the best quality pieces you can afford, for the most part, because these pieces will last for so much longer and you’ll feel good wearing them! Honestly, I’ve gotten to the point that I don’t want to bring anything into my closet that won’t still be wearable in five or even ten years. It’s just time for me at 60 years old to have a wardrobe that is full of classic, wearable pieces. Of course, there are exceptions…a few fun trendy pieces thrown in here and there make your wardrobe fun but even those, if purchased with care and thought can last for years!

January is my least favorite time of the year because of the weather and also because of the lack of sunlight! I thrive in the warmer months, but, alas…January is here and I do want to make the most of it! I find myself wanting to simplify everything after the excess of the holiday season, with clear, clutter free spaces and that also translates to my wardrobe! Basic pieces mixed and matched make me feel easily put together! Here are a few outfit ideas made up of basic pieces that you probably already own in some form! I hope you feel inspired!

I love the idea of wearing my Sambas with leather pants (these are recycled)…it’s a look I hadn’t thought of before, but why not? A basic white tee (closet essential) with a camel cardigan gets dressed up with a gold chain and a black bag completes the look! You’ll see me in this look often in the coming days!

I believe everyone needs a black leather jacket (or three)! I have a biker jacket, a more conservative leather jacket from Theory and a very old just basic black jacket that I still love and wear! I would like to add a black leather blazer to the mix this season if I can find just the right one! A leather jacket in some form or fashion is such a classic look that anyone can pull off and it pairs with jeans, trousers, skirts and even looks great with a dress! This look is classic and fabulous street style with the lug sole boots and medium wash jeans. Throw on the same white tee under the jacket, put your aviator sunglasses on, grab your bag and you’re out the door in style!

A herringbone coat is so stylish and classic and…I have a brown one but not a black one, so this one piece I’ve added to my wishlist! It’s a perfect everyday coat that’s just a bit more stylish than a solid coat but works just as well with most outfits! Loafers are trending and classic at the same time (also love these metallic ones) and a good black turtleneck is something that every woman (and man) needs as well as a pair of black sunglasses! I’m so in love with the YSL bag, but unfortunately, that’s for another day…a girl can dream!

I’m throwing in this picture as an example of how you can wear older pieces from your closet. I purchased the white blouse from Zara and found a little Pinterest inspiration on how to style it in an unusual way! It’s a pretty basic blouse that would go well with most anything, but I decided to style it under this embellished military jacket from Free People that I found in Nashville about 6 years ago! I loved the jacket then and I still love it…as far as I’m concerned, it will never go out of style! I added a very old bag from Chloe (at least 10 years old), a pair of clog booties that I purchased last season and my lower rise skinny jeans from Moussy Vintage (these are still some of my favorite jeans and are about 3 years old)! The pearl necklace is a little unexpected, but that’s what I like about it! The moral to this story is that if you really love something, you can find a way to wear it, so buy what you love and hang on to it! I’ve never been one to sell my nice things after a season because I still love them. Eventually, even if I take a break from wearing something, I’ll come back to it and revisit it in another way! It really is fun to get creative with your wardrobe!