Great trips start with good gear.
Over seven years I’ve whittled my wardrobe in hopes of better equipping myself for everyday work and life’s adventures, feeling comfortable with the size and style of my closet, and supporting ethical and sustainable brands that are doing good work around the world. This culminates into four closet goals.
My closet goals
- get dressed as efficiently and effortlessly as possible
- invest in quality and spend less energy and money on clothes
- be mindful about purchases and patient for the right pieces
- know who made my clothes and what my shopping supports
At over 100 items, this list is neither minimalist nor prescriptive. I have a sentimental streak and always save space for a few things I love immensely but wear rarely — a pair of vintage Brazilian leather boots from my mom, a t-shirt from tenth grade soccer camp, my wedding dress. I also love to thrift and shop secondhand clothes online.
Notes on favorite brands, size, fit
- You may notice many pieces are from a few designers — , , and (sadly, now closed). They’re among my favorite resources for responsibly-made pieces that I know fit, wash, and wear well.
- Size and fit: I am 5’8″ / 125 lbs / 32″ x 24″ x 32″. I live in loose tops and skinny jeans. Whenever I’m on the fence with a size, I go up for an easy, comfortable fit. In shoes I usually wear a US 8 narrow (or the occasional roomy US 7.5).
- “Similar by” = A responsibly-made piece that’s no longer available. Similarly transparent, ethical, sustainable labels linked.
- “Better by” = An old and/or thrifted fast-fashion piece. Visually similar brands with better ethical and environmental standards linked.
Tees and tanks
Everlane , | grey, black | small | ℅ |
Cuyana | heather grey | small | eBay |
Alternative Apparel , Vintage Garment T-Shirts, Muscle Modal T-Shirt, BeltLine Tee, Weathered So Low V-Neck T-Shirt, Chainstitch Tee | white, green pigment | small, medium | Alternative Apparel ℅ |
Zady .02 T-Shirts similar by Cuyana, , Alternative | white, navy | small, xl | Zady |
Tops
Cuyana Silk Tees | blush, oxblood | small | Cuyana, eBay |
Cuyana Silk Tank | dove grey | small | ThredUp |
Cuyana Turtleneck Long Sleeve Tee | black | medium | eBay |
Everlane | black | US 2 | Everlane ℅ |
Elizabeth Suzann Silk Harlow tank | black | small | sample sale |
Elizabeth Suzann Linen Petra Crop | flax | xs | sample sale |
Elizabeth Suzann Long Sleeve Harper Tunic | black | OS minus | sample sale |
Stone Cold Fox | fan print | 2/M | Soleil Blue |
Stone Cold Fox | ink dot | O/S | Poshmark |
Emerson Fry A-Line Mod Top | black | small | Thredup |
Vintage silk tanks, tee, sleeveless linen button down, crop similar Everlane, Cuyana | cream, grey, navy, black | many sizes! | thrifted |
Sweaters
Cuyana Baby Alpaca Oversized Turtleneck Sweater | camel | regular (xs/s) | Cuyana |
Cuyana Oversized Alpaca Sweater Tee | beige | regular (xs/s) | eBay |
Cuyana Wool Cashmere Slim Crewneck Sweater | camel | small | eBay |
Everlane | heather grey | small | Everlane ℅ |
Everlane Original Seed Stitch Raglan | light grey, heather grey | small | eBay |
Zady .06 Lightweight Alpaca Sweater similar by Everlane, Cuyana | charcoal | small | Zady ℅, Poshmark |
Gap cotton open stitch sweater better Everlane Chunky Knit Cotton Crew | cream | thrifted |
Button downs and flannels
Cuyana Poplin Pleat-Back Shirt | white | small | eBay |
Everlane Women’s Tuxedo Shirt | white | 0 | Everlane |
Everlane Men’s Slim Fit Oxford | white | xs | Everlane |
Zady .05 The Boyfriend Button Up similar by Everlane, Cuyana | blue | small | Zady |
Tradlands | red | small | Tradlands |
Tradlands The Bozeman Flannel | grey | small | Tradlands |
Penfield Wayland chambray and buffalo shirt better by Tradlands | blue + red | US 4 | Tradesy |
Vintage Cabela’s Chamois Saddle Blanket Shirt better by Johnson Woolen Mills | green-blue + umber | my mom |
Jeans
Everlane Authentic Stretch Mid-Rise Skinny Ankle Jean | Dark blue wash | 27 | Everlane ℅ |
AGOLDE | “Offspring” white | 27R | Alternative ℅ |
Paige Tradesy, eBay, Poshmark, The Real Real, Nordstrom, Amazon | “Grey” olive, distressed light rinse | 27R | eBay, eBay |
Paige Margot High-Waist Ankle | “Tay” light rinse, “Regal” dark rinse | 27R | eBay, Paige ℅ |
Paige Coated Denim Peg Skinny (similar) | “Pandora” black | 26R | Tradesy |
Pants
Stella McCartney Vivian Trousers Similar Everlane Work Pant, Back-Slit Work Pant | navy, black, grey | IT36, tailored IT38, tailored IT40 | TheRealReal |
Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Wool Pant similar Everlane Italy GoWeave Easy Pant, TheRealReal wool joggers | grey | tailored US 6R | sample sale |
Vintage linen pull on ankle pants similar Everlane Easy Chino, TheRealReal linen pants | oatmeal | eBay |
Shorts
Patagonia Women’s Cotton Stand Up Short old moon-pocket style; similar Everlane Twill Short, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Work Short or Patagonia Men’s Stand Up Short in 5″ and 7″ inseams | olive | US 6 | thrifted |
ASOS leather shorts + Lou & Grey suede track shorts better by Everlane, Shopbop, TheRealReal | black | US 4, US 2 | ASOS, Lou & Grey |
Dresses + Skirts
Cuyana | navy | small | Tradesy |
Cuyana silk tee dress | grey | xs | Poshmark |
Alternative Cotton Modal T-Shirt Dress | midnight | small | Altnernative ℅ |
Stone Cold Fox Alabama Gown | navy | xs/s | eBay |
Elizabeth Suzann Georgia dress in raw silk similar by Cuyana | black | small | sample sale |
Vintage Gianni Versace linen shift dress similar by Cuyana, Everlane | white | thrifted | |
Vintage washed silk maxi wrap dress similar by Cuyana, Everlane | black | thrifted | |
Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti silk tank dress similar by Cuyana, Everlane | coral | thrifted | |
S Max Mara mesh-panel scuba cocktail dress similar by Cuyana, Everlane | black | thrifted | |
Yumi Mazao wool pencil skirt, Max Mara quilted moto pencil skirt similar by Cuyana, Everlane, The RealReal | grey, black | thrifted | |
Adrianna Papell netted ball skirt better by The Real Real | black | thrifted | |
Marchesa FW14 silk bridal gown similar at Nordstrom, Shopbop, Tradesy, The Real Real | white | Tradesy |
Coats and capes
Eileen Fisher Alpaca Kimono Coat similar by Cuyana, , Everlane, The Real Real | grey | small | eBay |
Zady .08 Wool Coat similar by Cuyana, Everlane | black | xs | The Real Real |
Cuyana Classic Alpaca Cape | black | petite | Poshmark |
Islay Woolen Mill knitted serape in “Lagavulin” | green | Islay Woolen Mill | |
Vintage blue fox fur coat Please don’t ever buy new fur – here’s why. | grey | thrifted | |
Patagonia Down Sweater Vest | black | small | Denali Outdoor |
Jackets
Filson Cover Cloth Mile Marker Trench and hood similar by Everlane | otter green | men’s xs | Tradesy |
Cuyana Cropped Trench similar by Everlane | khaki | xs | Poshmark |
Smythe Duchess Blazers Also available at Shopbop, | navy, olive | tailored UK 10, regular UK 4 | eBay, Poshmark |
A.L.C. Wool Blazer | black | tailored xs | TheRealReal |
Everlane ReNew Lightweight Half-Zip Puffer | olive | xs | Everlane ℅ |
Marmot similar by Everlane | grass green | small | REI |
Raw silk belted robe | black | none | DIY |
Everlane The Soft Cotton Wrap Cardigan | heather grey | small | Everlane ℅ |
Shoes
Everlane The Modern Loafer | black suede | US 8.5 | Everlane ℅ |
Sevilla Smith Sandy D’Orsay Ballet Flats | black pebbled leather | EU 38 | Etsy |
Sevilla Smith April D’Orsay Slingback (3cm heel) | powder soft grey | EU 38 | Etsy |
Allbirds Women’s Wool Runners | natural grey | US 8 | Allbirds |
New Balance 420 Runners | grey green | US 8.5 | REI |
Vintage Cole Haan penny loafers better by Everlane, Allen Edmonds, The Real Real | walnut | thrifted |
Heels and Sandals
Everlane The Bridge Sandal | natural | US 8 | Everlane ℅ |
Ancient Greek Thais Slides similar by Everlane, Everlane | black | US 8 | Tradesy |
Ancient Greek Niove Sandals | natural | US 7.5 | eBay |
Teva Universal Sandals also at Nordstrom; similar Chaco Z1 | black | US 8 | eBay |
Dolce Vita Gwendolyn block heel sandals better by Ancient Greek, Nisolo, Pedro Garcia, Loeffler Randall | white + tan | US 8 | Belk |
Christian Louboutin Simple Napa Pumps also at The RealReal | black | FR 38 | eBay |
Christian Louboutin t-strap nude heels similar at The RealReal | tan | FR 38 | Tradesy |
Boots and Booties
Everlane Boss Booties | black | US 8 | Everlane ℅ |
Everlane Rain Boots | surplus | US 8 | Everlane ℅ |
Hudson Horrigan Booties note: these run 1 size small | brown, tan suede | EU 39 US 9 | Shopbop, Amazon |
Frye Paige Riding Boots also at Nordstrom | cognac brown | US 8 | Zappos |
Alexander Wang Over-The-Knee Boots | black | US 8 | The RealReal |
Vintage Nine West riding boots better by Frye, Frye, Frye | tan | my mom | |
Hunter ‘Tour’ Packable Rain Boot better by Aigle, LL Bean | black | thrifted |
Outdoor, Swim, Athletics
Beyond Yoga Studio Bra + Take Me Higher Long Legging also at Shopbop, Carbon 38 | black steel | small | ℅ Beyond Yoga |
Patagonia Barely Baggies Shorts | black | med | Backcountry |
BAIIA St. Remy Reversible Bikini Top and Bottoms + old VS black bikini bottom | black/olive | med top + small bottoms | BAIIA |
12 old yard/housework t-shirts | camps, concerts, events, work |
Lounge + Sleep
People Tree Loopback Sweatshirt + Shorts similar by , Everlane, Everlane | navy + white stripe | UK 8 | People Tree |
Linen shorts + vintage linen tank + top similar by Cuyana, Everlane | oatmeal | small | Reformation, thrifted |
Cuyana Pima Boatneck Top and Pima Lounge shorts | grey | small | Cuyana |
Ebbets Field flannel large loop crewnecks oversized fit | grey, navy | med | Wilson & Willy’s, eBay |
Socks + Underthings
Ibex “Balance” Light Bra + Bralette + Briefs similar by Everlane | black | med | Moosejaw |
Icebreaker Merino Wool “Siren” bras | black, grey | small | Amazon |
Sokoloff Bralettes + Panties | black, tan | small | Sokoloff |
Grana Italian Sensitive Briefs better by Pact, Everlane, Boody | black | small | Grana |
Wigwam Countryside + Cypress Socks | charcoal, grey | med | Amazon |
Cotton RAGG camp socks + old soccer and ski socks | grey, navy, cream | J.Crew, school, Sierra Trading Post | |
Merona low cut + foldover socks better by Pact, Boody | black, grey, cream | Target |
Updated July 2019.
Every few months I list a few items for sale in my Tradesy closet.
Here from the Tiny House Festival? Thanks for coming to my talk with Alternative Apparel! Here’s that guide to building a smaller wardrobe.
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