Friday Five: The five things I have in my wardrobe that bring all of my outfits together.

As you know, I’ve worked with everyone from  celebrities to normal people and have done hundreds of fittings with more clothes than you could probably imagine. While it’s great to play dress up and see different outfits come to life, these are the five things that I personally can’t live without in my wardrobe mix.

1- A pull-on or drawstring trouser: the drawstring or pull-on trouser is the underrated hero of the modern wardrobe. It’s like the fashion equivalent of a supportive best friend—comforting, non-judgmental, and always down for whatever the day brings. Whether you’re dressing up for a last-minute meeting or dressing down for a “leave me alone, I need carbs” kind of day, these pants rise to the occasion—literally, thanks to that adjustable waistband. Pair them with a crisp blazer and sleek loafers for instant polish, or throw on a cropped hoodie and chunky sneakers for the chic lazy look (yes, it’s a thing). On days you feel bloated, off, or just human, they’re forgiving and fabulous. Truly, the styling options are endless, and so is your potential to look effortlessly cool without sacrificing comfort.

Here are some of my faves:

1) EC 2) Donni 3) Abercrombie 4) Row

5) La Ligne

2- A quality black blazer: sure you can buy a blazer at Zara or H&M but what I like to say is if you buy cheap, you buy twice, so, just spend the money and get one amazing quality blazer! A black blazer is the fashion world’s version of a Swiss Army knife—classic, sharp, and surprisingly versatile. It’s the piece you throw on when your outfit feels like it’s missing something...because it probably is. Heading to the office? Toss it over a button-up and trousers and you’re instantly in boss mode. Weekend brunch? Layer it over a tee and jeans and look like you “just threw this on” (we know you didn’t). Need to spice up a little black dress or tame a bold print? Yep, blazer to the rescue. It even works with leggings and sneakers, giving “I work in fashion” energy while you’re actually just running errands.

Here are my 4 favorites:

1) Toteme 2) Acne 3) NL 4) Wardrobe

3- Loafers: loafers are an absolute essential part of my wardrobe. I wear them more than I wear sneakers, or any other shoe. They’re the chameleons of footwear—polished enough for the office, cool enough for brunch, and unexpectedly perfect when you want to add a little edge to a flowy, feminine dress. Pair them with tailored trousers, raw-hem denim, or even socks and a mini skirt if you’re feeling spicy. They say, “I’m practical, but I care,” which is basically the minimalist’s entire vibe. Plus, no one ever got blisters from a good pair of loafers—unlike those strappy heels we keep “forgetting” to wear.

Current favorites:

1) JK (JKB15 for 15 off!) 2) Row 3) FS (JKB10 for 10 off!) 4) YSL 5) Gucci 6) GH Bass

4- Good quality t-shirts: I used to be of the mindset that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on T-shirts however, I have definitely come around on that theory. My good quality T-shirts hold up the best, don’t give me that yucky yellow staining under the arm and I just take care of them better because I know I spent my money on them. Period full stop. A good white T-shirt is the holy grail of any wardrobe. It’s the unsung hero that pulls together everything from a power suit to weekend joggers—and yet, so many people settle for flimsy, see-through, questionably scratchy versions. Do yourself a favor and invest in one with quality fabric—something that holds its shape, feels luxe on your skin, and doesn’t mysteriously shrink into a toddler crop top after one wash. Yes, you might pay a little more upfront, but trust me, your future self (and your laundry basket) will thank you. Think of it as the fashion equivalent of buying good sheets—you use them constantly, so they’d better be fabulous.

These are my ride or die:

1) Mae 2) Emmylou 3) Madewell 4) COS

5) Velvet 6) NP 7) Leset

5- Good Jeans (and not the kind you inherit): I still feel like my search for the perfect jeans will be neverending. I find the perfect medium wash, straight leg pair and then I’m onto wanting a dark wash wide leg a pair. It’s an absolute endless obsession. I did a whole separate Substack newsletter just on denim if you go back and look…if you’re interested. Denim is the true workhorse of your wardrobe—reliable, hardworking, and somehow always cool, even when you’re not. A great pair of jeans can take you from school drop-off to date night with just a shoe swap and a better attitude. And let’s be honest, one wash and one fit just doesn’t cut it. You need a light wash for casual weekends, a dark rinse for dressier vibes, maybe a wide-leg for drama, and a classic straight-leg for those “I don’t know what to wear” days. More denim = more options = fewer wardrobe meltdowns. Girl math!

Some of my tried, and true favorites:

1) Danielle 2) NL 3) Joes 4) Agolde

5) ReDone 6) Levi’s 7) Martin 8) COH

And remember, anyone can buy the latest fashion trends, but, style takes a while to cultivate. Don’t be so hard on yourself!

Love you guys! xoxo, Jen