A substantial wardrobe isn’t one that can be built in a day because Rome definitely wasn’t. While I do find tips about basics and wardrobe essentials helpful, I just don’t think that we should treat dressing up with a checklist mentality. It is also because of this that I don’t find myself really keeping up with trends since that feels like I’m just completing one task to the next.

Everyone’s wardrobe is unique as it should be and there’s no right or wrong way to start building or as I rather call it, editing, your closet. When it comes to fashion, I’m actually pretty practical about it because, for me, comfort is key. I hate the idea of actually getting ready so I’ve been working hard on building a wardrobe that is super easy and versatile. I think a lot about what I want to buy before really committing by making sure that whatever the item I buy, is able to form at least 3 different outfits with all of the clothes that I already have in my closet. If you've been following me for a while, I'm sure you've noticed that I love styling  a single piece in multiple ways.

I also really like the idea of dressing from the bottom up, meaning: shoes first. As a shoe person, I genuinely believe that your shoes make your outfit. For everyone that’s struggling to maximize variety in their day to day looks, having different shoes really give you that much more options. I especially love how I can wear the same outfit with a pair of flats or sneakers and it’ll seem like two completely different looks.

For me, less is more, as I have the most fun coming up with new ways to wear old things.

There is a misconception that in order to be stylish and fashionable, you have to own a lot of things. But as someone who values quality over quantity, it wasn’t enough for me to just say it, but also show it. This post is a personal project that I’ve had in mind since a couple of years ago to actually showcase how I formulate my every day outfits and how I manage to blog about fashion with a limited closet.

With a few of my most favorite pieces in rotation, here are 100+ different outfits that I’ve managed to document with #forevervannyootds on my Instagram (@forevervanny) in the past year with looks I’ve worn days in between a slightly different  variation from some of these.

Here are some outfits sorted by some of my most worn pieces.

Leather Jacket/Moto Jacket

This jacket is 4 years old and it was from Mango, but it's one of my most worn pieces because of how unique it is. It goes pretty much with all my girly or edgier looks. I also love this jacket in a beige as well.

Coats

Coats are really important to make your look complete in the winter and fall. They're also great for layering. Each year I add one coat to my collection and in the past couple of years, I've formulated a very good rotation of coats that compliments the rest of my wardrobe based on color, texture, and fit.

Shoes

Going back to the point I made above about dressing from the bottom up, my wardrobe basically revolves around a pair of OTK boots, ankle boots, and a pair of white low top sneakers.

I discovered the Acne Studios Jensen ankle boots a few years ago, long before they were available in more than 2 colors, hence why mine don't even have the updated metal tips (but I prefer it that way anyway). These boots are quite an investment but they really go with everything I wear and they work for semi-formal events as well.

On all casual occasions, my Common Projects are my go-to sneakers. I've had these for two years and they just get better and better over time.

“Why fashion?” Is a question I get asked all the time. And for me, it’s something that I feel is really intimate yet very public. No matter who you are, what your job is, financial situations, race, ethnicity or gender - we all make a conscious decision to wear what we wear every day. Clothing is a reflection of ourselves and for those of us who have the luxury to pick and choose, I hope that I can inspire some of you to think better about the things you buy and create a better way of life by getting dressed in a more thoughtful manner. I also hope that this will encourage those of you who don’t have a lot of clothes or don’t think you have the resources to pursue fashion or styling of any sort to reconsider as well.

Now that I've gotten a foundation on my wardrobe, I'm looking forward to adding more statement pieces and incorporating more colors, patterns, prints and fine jewelry into it.

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Never Enough

When you think about it, no day in New York is ever the same. No matter how long you’ve lived here, how many times you’ve taken the same train, or how many times you frequent the same coffee spot-it’s different every time, even if you do absolutely nothing. While New York is top of the list of cities anyone can dream of living in, for me, it’s a thought that’s ever-changing. Some days New York is really really good, and some days, it just couldn’t possibly be worse. I know that for many people, a bad day in New York is still a better day anywhere else. But I haven’t reached that point of denial yet. One thing I do appreciate about New York, though, is that it never fails to surprise you. And in a way, that forces you to always be prepared.

For one thing, someone is lying to you when they say they are always on time in New York. One is always early, or late here because the MTA is never on anyone’s sides. Regardless of whether one is too early or late, you can assume that anyone in New York prepared to leave their house at least 15min before they actually need to leave because that’s just how much we rely on public transportation, haha.

New York is so big, that it makes you feel that much smaller, and I just don’t know anyone who doesn’t feel like they are ever doing enough here. I guess, maybe that isn’t such a bad thing at all. Like life, in fashion, it’s always better to be overdressed than underdress. And in everything else, it’s better to do a little more than what you intended to do. If everyone can just put a little more passion in something that they want to do, how much better do you think the world would be, collectively?

Look 1:
Sweater with Tie Sleeve: Zara
Pants: Topshop
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

These days, one’s collar color no longer determines their status in life. So why should we let the size of our sleeves, the price of our bags, and the season of our shoes determine how “fashion-forward” our styles are? Hard work definitely yields its share of returns, but a little harder can make all the difference. That’s why the details on our clothes matter. The color of the stitches, the material of the buttons - and in a more perfected world, we would care if the people making our clothes have the means to wear it, too.

With everything said, this blog post just felt lacking if I only showed you one way to wear a 50$ sweater. So I went out and attempted some self-portraits to take it a step further with the second look. A bit rusty with the focus and composition, but not mad about it since it gave me the motivation to get back into the zone.

'Till next time.

Look 2: Sweater with Tie Sleeve: Zara (similar)
Dress: Magali Pascal
Shoes: Aldo Shoes
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS1 Chain Crossbody
Photos by Shun S.(Look 1), Van Le (Look 2)

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