Bloggers called out Anna Wintour this week for appearing at the White House state dinner in an outfit she wore three years ago. But surely even the most well-connected fashion editor in the world (who has a $200,000 clothing budget in her job package) has a few beloved pieces she turns to when throwing together an ensemble. I certainly have shoes, pants and tops that you’ll catch me in at least twice a week, despite the abundance of clothing in my closet. After the cut I’ve listed some of my favorite pieces to recycle, and you can tell us yours!
Patti, $54.99 from 6pm.com
1. Burgundy flats. I would have never expected to wear dark red shoes as much as I do. My poor black flats must feel so neglected, because, while I dropped good money on them, they rarely get worn! Turns out, burgundy goes with everything: navy, black, brown whatever! My trusty red shoes get recycled about five days a week.
Women’s Cowl Neck Wrap Top, $79.50 from Amazon.com
2. A black cowl neck blouse. This is my go-to piece when I feel lazy but want to look classy (which happens at least twice a week). While a black t-shirt is great, a cowl neck blouse adds just a bit more class to a simple, easy ensemble. I own at least three in my wardrobe that I like to throw on over black jeans and accessorize with long necklaces.
Essential Elegance Skirt, $69.99 from ModCloth
3. This dream skirt. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve been on the verge of buying a second one of these skirts at least three times. Just to have a backup, you know? It may be pricey, but I have gotten every single penny’s worth of my purchase, and then some. It’s incredibly well-crafted, goes with almost any blouse and has a great structure that makes spinning amazing. I break this bad boy out at least three times a week, on average. It’s probably the first item of clothing I would grab in a fire.
ASOS Knitted Turban Hat, $17.91 from Asos
4. A turban. This is such a strange accessory, but I get so many compliments on it. What’s even better, however, is that turbans work perfectly for looking trendy while covering up dirty hair days. Plus you can pick them up for cheap at the drug store; I just scored a great red one for five bucks last week! One college winter, I wore a turban almost every day. That was some serious clothing recycling!
What pieces do you like to recycle, and why? If you don’t like to re-wear clothing items on a regular basis, why?
guest
cardigans, can’t get enough of ‘em. they’re wayy too comfortable and practically goes with anything
guest
My converse high tops (err’yday), my hurley reversable sweater, blue jeans (all of my pants are blue jeans), and my Metallica shirt
guest
blue jeans, black pants, black skirt, leggings & loose blouses for lazy or i-feel-fat days.
guest
My cowgirl boots.
guest
Yessss. Above knee black skirt, tights, a worn black zip-up, two pairs of skinny jeans. Everything else is an accessory in comparison (considering how often things are worn).
hydrangea / 79 posts
My AllSaints Cobra leather jacket. Goes with everything. Puts all my outfits together.
guest
My Sperry’s, and This one pair of jeans.
guest
Cardigans are a staple in my closet (I wear them almost every day and I miss them so much in the summer), and I love button-up shirts.
daisy / 616 posts
Oooh! I love the idea of burgundy flats! I think I may have to find a pair.
I’m always in one of my cardigans, a chambray shirt or a pair of jeans from Gap that I love.
daffodil / 1615 posts
Basic v-neck tee shirts and basic tank tops from Target. They’re like $8 a piece and come in so many colors
guest
flats jeans and any kind of blouse or low cut top.
guest
this one tank top I love to wear under everything, black flats, and though this technically isn’t a pair of clothing, I always roll up the bottom of my skinny jeans a couple of times.
guest
My three camis (white, black, and grey) have been awesome throughout the years.
guest
I wear my red flats constantly! My black 3/4 sleeve cardigan gets a lot of wear too. I have a vintage firebird t-shirt that has been washed into the softest garment ever and I wear it at least once a week.
You know, I think Anna Wintour should be applauded for not having a problem with wearing the same outfit multiple times. I think in the current economic climate, it’s just obnoxious for celebrities to flaunt their wealth by refusing to wear an expensive dress or outfit more than once. That’s probably an expectation put on them, but that’s not something the majority of their fans can manage without living far above their means.
guest
I never thought of purchasing burgundy flats! But when you mentioned that they go with everything, it’s so true…couldn’t think of a casual outfit that they wouldn’t be cute with.
Anyway, being a lazy college student, I recycle a lot of my clothes every week. Like my wind/track pants. They are SO comfy and socially acceptable (unlike sweats, pajamas, or tights lol). I also have these simple brown Fossil flats that I wear all the time. And I have a button up blouse that I wear over most of my summer tops. I love it.