Jessie Loves: A Core Wardrobe
The best basic finds I come back to again and again.
Even though I like to dress up at times, mostly I’m pretty casual. It’s these pieces that I get the most use out of and come back to again and again and again. Here is my list of my best basics finds. Please let me know if you have staples you love too!!
1. Best Tee Shirt
When I wear these Leallo tees (which is basically every day) people always ask… where is that from? They are super soft and slightly distressed. I especially love the long sleeve ones in navy. Bonus points because the owner of this brand is a really nice lady.
I also love a dead stock-style tee in heather gray from Front Street General. The best rib at the neck (slightly wider than on most tees and looks really cool).
2. Best Cashmere
I’ve been wearing our brown boxy-fit cashmere sweater on repeat. I wore it so much that I started to feel weird that everyone saw me in the same thing all the time. I love the color and I love the fit. Cashmere is a year-round staple for me.
3. Best Jeans
Some of my favs are a slightly baggy, flattering jean from A Golde that I wear a lot. You have to size down so much. Basically order a size that you’ve never worn in your entire life.
And we launched our workwear jeans which immediately sold out (but they’re available for preorder!). I am partial to them in the grey color. So comfy and cute.
4. Best Layering Piece
Our Lolo pointelle long-sleeve. I have worked years to create my dream layering piece and this one is just perfect — so lightweight and special. Trust me as someone who never stopped the habit of wearing the undershirts I wore in preschool, this shirt is literally the best.
5. Best Sweatshirt
Akimbo Club’s zip-up hoodie. Thick, substantial, amazing colors and vintage vibe. Got this as a recco from Amy Sedaris’s Instagram which is a hilarious account. One of my favorite follows.
6. Best Sweatpants
I live in my Kule sweatpants on the weekends. They are so soft and squishy and still look put-together. I love these blue ones so much.
7. Best PJs
Lake makes pajama sets in the softest cotton ever. I wish they came in more simple solid or striped colorways. I found them because they have a store near us in Charleston. It’s the best feeling slipping into these at the end of a long day.
8. Best Undies
Ok this is going to give away my prudish nature but these are just the best. Cheap, all cotton, nice normal colored undies from Uniqlo. I go for half in the nude color and half in the black.
9. Best Bathing Suit
The perfect red bikini from Left On Friday.
I also love this one piece from Monday Swimwear because it has a shelf bra and I love how it fits. They used to make it in leopard which is my fav but they don’t anymore.
10. Best Sunglasses
My go-tos are Celine. The best, most flattering shape.
11. Best Readers
Ugh I’m at the age now I need these. I’ve resisted so long. I have a pair my son says makes me look like Jeffrey Dahmer. These from Look Optic are maybe more refined. The only ones that look halfway decent on me. I also like their tagline: “Fear not the small print.”
12. Best Sport Socks
From Le Bon Shoppe. They are the best height for wearing with sneakers. And they accommodate my ankle brace so well. They are snug and soft and literally perfect. I’m partial to the green stripe.
13. Best Dainty Socks
Judi Rosen makes the best socks for wearing with loafers. People always ask when they see them in pictures. I like the little bit of linen in the mix.
14. Tights
I’m obsessed with brown tights. This Bona Drag pair is so chic and are an amazing staple.
15. Best Under Layers
Uniqlo heat tech (I like the less warm ones). When I’m not out or at the office, I’m usually in heat tech leggings. I sleep in them. I run around in them (even though they are slightly see through). They are silky and lightweight. I wear them in the winter under my jeans. I wear them in the summer too. I live in them.
16. Best Sports Bra
From Outdoor Voices. It’s got great support, simple colorways, excellent fit. I mentioned this to some of the women in my office and they all were like “oh yeah that’s the best one.” I especially love it in chocolate brown.
17. Puffer Coat
I can’t truly say I have found the best best best in this category. But this is a very high quality brand I like a lot.
18. Shoes
Ok obviously I only wear LR shoes and think they are the best. My tried and true, wear on repeat, best core shoes of my wardrobe are:
My Leonies in every color
Indy in Espresso (my daughter Clementine keeps trying to steal these so you know they are cool)
Our Goldy (I think it’s the loveliest, most timeless boot around with the best shape)
Our mesh Landon
Our Ginger in leopard. Because I consider leopard a neutral
Did I forget anything? Let me know!
And one thing I hate:
I’ve never found a bra I thought was truly amazing. I’ve found some that are fine but they always either don’t fit right, don’t actually offer any lift, are too synthetic or are uncomfortable in some way / have a tag that scratches me.
Pitch perfect! Love how you covered the basics, but nothing is boring. Your shoes are fab, and I've been a fan for a long time. Love that you're writing here now! (Also why are bras so hard?!)
I highly recommend going somewhere that does bra fittings. I found that to be a game changer. I was a totally different size than I thought. These places can often start at $100+ for a bra. If you are on a budget, Soma will also measure you, and I found them to have a pretty good selection/variety.