These are the 10 things I would buy first if I were starting completely over. No fluff, no filler, just the pieces that actually do the work.
I get this question more than almost any other one: if you had to start from scratch, what would you actually buy? It’s one of my favorites because it forces me to get really honest about what I reach for versus what just takes up space. This is not a list of trendy items or pieces that sound good in theory. These are the things I wear on repeat, style a hundred different ways, and would buy again without thinking twice. I’m taking you through all 10 right now.
1. A Really Great Pair of Jeans
I know you’ve heard this before but finding the right pair changes everything. My top pick right now is the Quince Bella Stretch Relaxed Straight Jeans at $50. They have that vintage 90s-inspired shape with actual stretch built in, so they’re flattering and comfortable at the same time. High-rise, relaxed leg, and so easy to style. These are the jeans I reach for when I want to look put-together without putting in a lot of effort.
Why it works: A relaxed straight leg is the most universally flattering cut right now and at $50, they’re an easy yes.
RALPH LAUREN HAT | AMAZON TANK | QUINCE JEANS | SAM EDELMAN SHOES | ABERCROMBIE SWEATER
2. The Perfect White Tee
Not boxy, not too fitted, not sheer. That’s the whole criteria. I know it sounds simple but the right white tee is actually really hard to find. Once you have one, it becomes the foundation for everything. I pair mine with linen pants, jeans, shorts, skirts, under a blazer. It shows up everywhere.
Why it works: A quality white tee in the right fit is more versatile than almost anything else in your closet.
ARITZIA T-SHIRT | TARGET SHORTS | REEF SANDALS | AMAZON NECKLACE | AMAZON NECKLACE | QUINCE BAG
3. Linen Wide-Leg Pants
This is the piece that surprised me the most when I started wearing it constantly. The Athleta Retreat Linen Wide Leg Pant is lightweight, comes in a ton of colors, and holds its shape all day without sagging. I’ve worn mine with a simple white tee and sandals, with a linen blouse tucked in, and with a fitted tank for a more casual look. They travel well and feel polished without feeling stiff.
Why it works: Linen wide-leg pants look like an outfit even when you pair them with the simplest top.
SIMILAR TANK TOP | ATHLETA LINEN PANTS | JELLY FLATS | SIMILAR CHEETAH BAG
4. Pants That Do Not Wrinkle
This is the one people always thank me for. The navy wide-leg pants I’ve been sharing are comfortable enough to wear all day but look polished enough to dress up or down. The fabric doesn’t wrinkle, which sounds like a small thing until you pull a pair out of your bag and look completely put together. I’ve worn mine with a white tee, a sweater draped over my shoulders, and pointed flats for a really clean look.
Why it works: Wrinkle-free wide-leg pants give you that “effortlessly polished” look with zero effort.
BUTTON-UP SHIRT | ARTIZIA PANTS | SIMILAR BAG | SAM EDELMAN LOAFERS
5. White Sneakers With Arch Support
I wore mine for miles walking through Europe and my feet felt fine. That’s the review. The pair I always come back to has a gum sole, a great shape, and enough arch support that you can actually wear them all day. They go with everything from linen pants to a casual dress and they make any outfit feel a little cooler.
Why it works: White sneakers with real arch support are the rare shoe that looks good AND feels good.
SIMILAR TOP | ATHLETA PANTS | WHITE SNEAKERS | QUINCE BAG
6. A Nude Seamless Bra That Fits Right
This one is genuinely life-changing. The EBY Nude Seamless Relief Bra uses SoftWire technology, which means you get structure without the underwire digging in. It’s seamless so it disappears under anything and the fit is all-day comfortable. I wore it and then threw away basically every other bra I owned. That’s how good it is.
Why it works: When your bra fits right and feels good, you forget you’re wearing it. That’s what you want from a bra.
7. A White Eyelet or Linen Top
This is my answer to the white button-up. The eyelet or linen blouse gives you the same polished look without any of the stiffness, gaping, or wrinkling. The Treasure & Bond Eyelet Linen Blend Top from Nordstrom is one I love right now. It goes with jeans, with shorts, with a maxi skirt. It’s the “better than basic” top that works everywhere.
Why it works: Eyelet and linen tops are easier to wear than a button-up but look just as intentional.
ANTHRO TOP | SIMILAR BELT | TARGET JEANS | POINTED TOE HEELS
8. One Really Good Sweater
If I could only ever own one sweater, I’d pick an oversized crewneck in a blue or neutral tone. The Quince Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Crewneck is my pick. It layers over a tee or a tank, it works with jeans or wide-leg pants, and it makes any outfit feel pulled together in the best way. It’s the kind of piece you reach for without thinking.
Why it works: A quality crewneck sweater does the heavy lifting in every seasonal transition.
QUINCE SWEATER | AMAZON JEANS | JELLY FLATS
9. A One-and-Done Dress
Every wardrobe needs at least one dress you can just throw on and feel great in with zero thought. A midi or maxi dress that skims your body, has pockets, and works for more than one occasion. A bold color like red or cobalt is actually easier to style than you think because it doesn’t need much next to it.
Why it works: A one-and-done dress removes a whole category of decision fatigue from your morning.
AMAZON DRESS | STRIPED T-SHIRT | REEF SANDALS
10. A Good Pair of Denim Shorts
Not the $100 kind. The $30 Target Mid-Rise Bermuda Jean Shorts are the ones I keep going back to. The length is flattering, the wash is perfect, and they’re versatile enough to wear with a nice top for dinner or a casual tee for the weekend. Long shorts in general are having a huge moment right now and this price point makes it easy to just try them.
Why it works: Bermuda denim shorts at the right length are more versatile than cutoffs and way more wearable than most people expect.
WHITE TOP | TARGET SHORTS | STUDDED SANDALS | QUINCE BAGS
You don’t need a big wardrobe to have a good one. These 10 things work together in a way that gives you hundreds of combinations without ever feeling like you have nothing to wear. Start with the pieces that feel most like you, and build from there. I promise it’s going to work.
