how to tell if your clothes are special or not
11 pieces i'm putting in the china cabinet for safe keeping
For me, as I’ve grumbled about in recent newsletters, January tends to bring a combination of menacing anxiety, aimless inspiration and gratitude. All of which show up in different ways at different times as I try to navigate the post-holiday blues. The latter usually manifests itself in positive displays, so let’s focus on that one today.
Between the LA fires and the constant state of new-year reflection recently, I’ve been keenly aware of what I’m grateful for in life recently. Material possessions are the least important to me in the grand scheme, but since I have a newsletter about design + style, we’re gonna focus on the things I do have great affection for today, okay?
I’ve been journaling every day, which is a new ritual for me that no doubt promotes taking stock of reality – a practice that inherently garners gratitude. Consistent with my last newsletter about taking more inspiration from my own life, I’m also trying to practice gratitude in the form of rituals this year. By this I mean, moving slower and appreciating whatever it is I’m doing very intently. So far, this has included making matcha at home, watching movies, going to my closet for inspiration + pondering, starting up yoga again and appreciating mundane takes like folding towels + tidying.
Once I began implementing this approach, I began to brainstorm about how I could apply this concept to TCC. How does gratitude relate to fashion and interiors? *a lightbulb went off* It’s so simple. What am I grateful for in my closet? The answer to that is everything, so I dug deeper. Which pieces in my closet trigger a visceral reaction that really means something. Which pieces do I deem ‘special?’
Above all, everything I deem special is beautiful. And isn’t that what life’s all about?
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At first, identifying what deserved to hold the title of ‘special’ was hard to do. Everything I have is special because I’ve spent my hard earned money on it, no? I thought everything I bought was wonderful at some point, so doesn’t that mean it at least used to be ‘special?’ Not necessarily. Even though I pride myself on having a well-edited closet, there are certainly some things that I wouldn’t be *that* sad to see go if that were the ONLY option (think a black sweater, sandals that are cute but aren’t overly unique, pants that are pants, etc.).
After standing in my closet and pondering, here’s what I concluded to be the criteria for deciding if something in your closet is special or not:
One-offs, exclusivity | Could you go out and replace it right now? Do lots of other people in your immediate vicinity have it?
I found that I was drawn to pieces that are harder to find on the current market. The more unique something was, the more likely I was to deem it ‘special’ when combined with other qualifiers like quality, visual interest and fabrication.
Versatility | Can this piece be worn in more than one way? Can it be worn year-round?
I attribute a lot of value to versatility in terms of styling. If something can be manipulated, I’m 10x more likely to love it. One of my signature style attributes is presenting as one thing but then surprising people when something I’m wearing is actually something else. Wearing different earrings in each year; Sporting a button up that appears classic, but it’s actually asymmetrical; Wearing a conventional coat that’s in an icky good color.
Price for the value / Cost-per-wear | Did you get your money’s worth? Thrifted pieces have a leg up on almost everything else in my closet, because the low price compared to how often I wear something or perceive it as cool makes it that much more ‘special.’
Sentimentality | Does it remind you of something meaningful?
I’m not immune to placing over-importance on things due to sentimentality. The experiences we have and the memories we make in our clothing are really the essence of fashion. I didn’t find this criteria to be a top-decider, but if I had a fond memory in a piece, I would definitely consider it more.
Quality | Is the fabrication and construction above par?
I would say quality is something I value most in life. With all things – not just clothes. Beauty is deeper when the subject is made with love, care, intention and considered materials. I hardly buy fast fashion anymore, so my closet is mostly filled with garments made of natural fibers and fabrications like cashmere, cotton, wool blends, etc. Price doesn’t always equal quality – but a lot of time, it does. Several of my prized ‘special’ pieces are on the higher end cost wise due to being higher quality.
Essence | Does it make you feel good?
The end-all-be-all. Feeling good in what you wear is the pinnacle of dressing. I don’t mean comfort (although, that’s a plus). I mean feeling like the version of yourself that you want to portray. Feeling like your spirit is one with the clothing. There’s nothing like that feeling.
MY CURRENT COHORT OF ‘SPECIAL’ CLOTHING
*in no particular order
TIBI TROPICAL WOOL LIAM BLAZER, NAVY
I eyed the Tibi Liam blazer for YEARS before finally splurging last year. Once I had this blazer, it felt like a sin that I hadn’t had it before then. This piece is special to me for two main reasons:
I have NEVER been able to find a blazer that felt both put together and oversized. Thrifted men’s blazers make me look like a linebacker, and other contemporary brands make me look clinched and not in a good way. Or they don’t go up to an oversized large or extra large. The Liam is the perfect cool, easy blazer that can be dressed up or down and looks effortlessly cool. I wore it EVERYWHERE during our Copenhagen and Amsterdam trip last year. Needless to say, the quality is there in a rich tropical wool fabrication. I have the size large.
I got a breast reduction surgery last summer. Prior to this, I had a lot more hangups about the way certain tops and jackets looked on my chest. Simply because most things were too tight aka uncomfortable. Prior to my surgery, this blazer fit well but was tighter than I liked through the chest. After my surgery, I mustered up the courage to try the Liam on and nearly burst into tears. It was roomy…everywhere!!!! I have never felt more at home in my body than I did in that moment. This blazer represents liberation and a huge milestone in my adult life up to this point.
CANDY WRAPPER BAG CIRCA 2004
I have never gotten more compliments on a clothing item or accessory than I have this candy wrapper bag. This bag was gifted to me by my childhood nanny when I was in fourth grade. I’m pretty sure a group of church ladies made it. Does anyone else remember these homemade bags that were constructed and adorned with candy wrappers, Capri Sun pouches, etc.?Don’t forget the jean pocket bags (kind of living for the idea of this right now??). Innovative. Avant Garde. Ahead of its time.
After I moved out of my parents’ house in 2012, I kept this completely impractical bag packed up with my other cherished possessions, despite it not fitting into my aesthetic at all. There weren’t any specific memories associated with it or anything. I don’t know why I kept the bag around. I just loved it. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago when I learned that one of my signatures is incorporating weird and funky accessories into my outfit, that I realized the beauty of this candy wrapper bag.
This bag is special because of its bespoke nature – no one else has THIS bag. It’s old. And cool. And compelling. The nostalgia is the cherry on top.
It’s perfect. And can I just say that it is SOOOO well constructed and sturdy??? These church ladies knew what they were doing. And 20 years later, it’s getting its flowers :’)
PLEATS PLEASE ISSEY MIYAKE TOP, BLACK, TRR
I love clean, modern silhouettes that are also sculptural. I crave ease but I NEED structure. Issey Miyake’s Pleats Please line combines form and movement in a way that lifts every outfit. I got this black geometric PP top in New York last month at The Real Real store in SoHo. Look at that sculpted turtleneck detail! I was on a mission to find more black tops and sweaters to add to my wardrobe, primarily seeking out Issey, JPG and Prada.
Because of the lightweight material of the PP pieces, combined with the fact that it’s black, this top is SO versatile. I wear it under sweaters for added visual interest peeking out of the sleeves and collar; I dress it up with skirts + heels; and dress it down with sweatpants and a hat.
The versatility, uniqueness AND sentimentality of this Issey shirt makes it ‘special.’
CHOPPED + SCREWED MEN’S BUTTON UP, THRIFTED
Ah, this top has such a *special* place in my heart. I thrifted it in Athens three or four years ago, and I’ve not experienced a similar love since. There’s nothing inherently unique about it. It’s an extremelyyy oversized men’s button up that I wore as a dress for a long while. There’s something about the billowy-ness juxtaposed with the strong collar + classic white color that’s just so cool. I wore the hell out of this shirt for two or so years until last summer when I ripped a giant hole in the back somehow during our Copenhagen trip.
My heart sank, and I couldn’t bear to part with it. SO, I leaned into the rip. When we got home, I cut the shirt in half and left the edges raw. I now call it my chopped and screwed top. IYNYK.
Margiela who???
Giving this beloved shirt a second life inspired me. Ultimately, this piece makes me feel good and the CPW is epic.
RUFFLED TULLE SKIRT, ANTHROPOLOGIE
I know. This is kind of shocking. Off brand, if you will. I’m an anti-ruffle person when it comes to my own closet….usually. BUT, I also love a statement piece that’s a little bit sculptural as we’ve established. Especially when it’s paired back to something classic like a black blazer with a drop shoulder.
Above all, when I have a visceral reaction to a garment, I explore that feeling and trust.
I bought this skirt in 2022 when I was looking for a corporate Christmas party outfit. It was a fancy black tie party, and I had not one dressy option. But I knew I wanted my ensemble to be interesting. And I knew I wanted a skirt, because I hate dresses. SO, when I was perusing Anthropologie (also very atypical for me) and spotted this tulle skirt, I immediately added to cart.
I think it’s pretty unique. And I looked damn good! Into the vault she goes.
JEAN PAUL GAUTIER TOP, TRR
I feel like I don’t even need to elaborate too much on this one. Jean Paul Gautier is king. The iconic mesh tops are, well, iconic. And add a cool dimension to any outfit. It’s also a nod to fellow fashion girlies when you’re out in the wild. I scooped this one on TRR before New York last month, and now it makes me think of my first trip to The Big Apple every time I look at it.
Sentimental and unique <3
TIBI MORRIS CROC LOAFER
I’ll never forget buying these Tibi morris croc loafers back in 2022. I had never spent so much on a pair of shoes. I spent so much time agonizing over whether or not to splurge. And then I finally did in the name of them being ‘a grown up purchase.’ Every gal needs a nice pair of loafers in their collection. Especially ones that sing. The morris loafers are beautiful. And classic but cool. They remind me of growth. The quality is also impeccable.
TIBI ACID WASH WINSLOWS
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to live without Tibi Winslows in my collection. They’re so damn cool. And so damn comfortable.
Tibi has several different fabrications of this style, but the acid wash sweatshirting version from 2023 is my absolute favorite. They communicate the vibe of jeans while also exuding the softness of sweatpants. But they can also easily be dressed up and worn to an office, for example. Oh and all the Winslows have snaps on the inside of the legs for more styling options. They’re magic.
CPW CPW CPW CPW.
MY MOST FAVORITE MEN’S BUTTON UP EVER IN THE WORLD, THRIFTED
This button up is probably my most worn piece of clothing. I have to physically stop myself from wearing it because I go for it so often. I thrifted this shirt from the men’s section a couple of years ago and the rest is history. Much of my wardrobe is blue and navy, so this piece anchors that palette, also complementing my eyes :’)
The fit of this shirt is also immaculate. Despite it being the same size as a few of my other men’s button ups, this one just sits on my body differently. It’s perfectly oversized but not sloppy-looking. It’s got a wonderful structure but the cotton is also buttery soft. It feels like home.
CIRCUS NY BY SAM EDELMAN NATALINA KITTEN HEELS, ANTHROPOLOGIE
Another wild card. Evidently, special events bring out my ~zany~ side. I hosted a garden party for my 30th birthday last spring and knew I wanted a shoe that was feminine but also one that was kind of weird. Above all, I wanted to feel like a 60’s housewife. Don’t these Sam Edelman kitten heels remind you of 1960s house shoes???
Because I’m not ready to invest *too* much into one-off pieces for special events, I usually default to Anthropologie if I’m looking for something semi-unique and decent enough quality. One of my few fast fashion relapses.
Anyway, these shoes are just delightful to look at. They’re fun and the structure of the bows give them a strength that bows don’t usually communicate. When I look at these shoes in my closet, I get a burst of happiness. They make me feel good.
Cheers to shoes that make you feel good!
TIBI CASHMERE SILK BLEND SLIM CARDIGAN, BROWN
Ya know when you touch a garment and it literally oozes luxury? That’s what this Tibi cashmere silk blend cardigan feels like to the touch. Soft as butter. The burnt brown color, combined with the fabrication and the asymmetric buttons makes for a unique piece that’s so versatile year-round.
One of my favorite ways to style this baby is as a shirt with a jacket or blazer over top.
Quality, uniqueness, versatility.
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Hope you enjoyed this one!
xoxo
kw
Oh my gosh I want a candy wrapper bag!! I haven’t thought about those in forever - love them!