In Spades

Last week on In Spades we talked about pieces. Those hard-to-find items that make your heart sing and add a little something special to your closet.

Today I want to chat about classics. There’s nothing more classic that jeans and a white t-shirt. The combo has been considered a uniform since at least the 1950’s thanks to Elvis and James Dean, and has been adapted countless times in street style, on the runway and marketing campaigns ever since. Most days I reach for this exact combo and wanted to break down my top picks for how to achieve this simple, classic uniform.

Denim
The foundation of the look, it all starts here. You can’t get any better than classic Levi’s. I love to search Goodwill (I got these at a vintage shop in the Midwest) for great worn-in pairs with a button fly. Even the best dye houses in LA can’t achieve the classic Levi’s wash. For the original material reworked into newer silhouettes I like this pair (more affordable version here), or this updated style for everyday.

T-shirt
There will always be a debate about the best white t-shirt, but my two favorites are this one and this one. Look for 100% light weight cotton. If you have a bigger bust I recommend a v-neck, smaller busted ladies can go scoop or boat neck.

Sneakers
My all time favorite is Converse Chuck Taylor’s, but I also love this pair and this pair for more support. They first came onto the scene in the 1920’s as the sanctioned shoe of the NBA and certain branches of the military and haven’t lost their appeal since. Their slim silhouette with contrasting piping make them not only stylish, but super versatile.

Neutral Jacket
A lightweight jacket is key for summer and can also be layered in colder months. Look for camel, navy or charcoal instead of classic black. I like the longer length of this linen number – it achieves kind of a blazer/trench coat hybrid giving me the best of both worlds. Bonus points: it looks great with shorts and long pants alike.

Handbag
Bucket bags have been making the rounds for the past few years thanks to Mansur Gavriel. Why are they so great? Their neutral style is versatile while also incredibly sophisticated so you can wear them casually or formally. You can get in and out of them easily and their smaller size is still roomy enough for all of your essentials without weighing you down.

Jewelry
Jewelry is probably the most personal thing we put on everyday, and as I’ve gotten older I’ve found these go-to pieces to be more important than ever. I simply don’t feel like myself without dainty adornments. Establish a base set (necklace, ring, bracelet and earrings) versatile enough to reach for daily. I prefer gold jewelry because it compliments all skin tones and recommend sticking to small pieces, i.e. studs, short necklaces, lightweight bracelets and stackable rings. Thatch jewelry is handmade in San Diego and I’ve been a fan of the brand for years. Their pieces are feminine and versatile and they are constantly coming up with new styles. I can’t wait to get my hands on this ring.

When I was initially brainstorming names for In Spades, I wanted to include the word “pieces”. A dear friend pointed out that my wardrobe was full of unique pieces, more so than everyday staples. While that can sometimes be a challenge when you’re trying to get dressed everyday, what it does fully represent is my view towards fashion. I have always felt that it is one of the highest art forms, and like a collector, my interest has been in curating hard-to-find items that evoke positive emotions. While I enjoy a good trend as much as the next girl, I have never aspired to look like everyone else, every day. I enjoy standing out. And I enjoy when someone else does too, so I can admire their unique point of view.

Some day I want to pass on my collection to someone else. Whether it’s a family member, friend or local theatre company, I want to continue the legacy of how great it feels to wear sequins at 7am. Or a gigantic patchwork coat in the dead of summer.

I first saw a photo of this amazing technicolor dreamcoat one year ago. It stopped me dead in my tracks. I knew it would someday be mine, so I bided my time and it eventually found it’s way to me. I feel glorious wearing this coat. It truly taps into some inner wavelength in my brain that signals ultimate euphoria. I hope today’s post brought a smile to your face as much as it did to mine. My goal is to encourage you to find your dreamcoat equivalent.

In the end I chose wisely by avoiding a blog name like “The Piece Collector”. Getting dressed isn’t just about amassing a collection of clothes, but rather finding things that make you feel like you’re living your life In Spades.

With summer in full swing, shorts, sandals and sundresses are pretty much the only thing on the agenda for the next couple of months. I always like to have a go-to jacket on hand for chilly evenings or aggressive A/C. Bomber jackets have been all over street style and in stores, and I couldn’t agree with their appeal more. Light-weight and stylish, they have a flattering silhouette that works on all body types. I love the way they look with the sleeves cinched, or even tied around the waist.

This embroidered bomber from Zara struck the perfect chord for my love of California. Paired with one of my favorite pairs of sunglasses and vintage Levi’s, it’s a bonafide Pink Lady look.

I highly recommend investing in a bomber jacket for summer and have linked some of my favorites (some are reversible!) below.