The Must-Have Layering Pieces

Layering isn’t a shopping trip, it’s survival. My trench coat saves me from rain (still no umbrella, obviously). Denim jackets start out fine, then turn into armor in freezing conference rooms. Blazers—if they’re not tailored, why bother? You just end up looking like you raided your cousin’s closet.

Classic Trench Coat Styling

Why isn’t everyone wearing a trench coat? Not just Burberry, but the regular ones—hook closure, inside pocket for lip balm you’ll never find. Instantly hides whatever disaster you threw on underneath. And if you don’t stand the collar up once, you’re missing out (Vogue ran an article on “10 Ways To Belt Your Trench”—I only remember #4, but it’s good).

It’s for wind, rain, coffee runs, everything. Not just beige—navy or olive works, too. Some stylist panel said 78% of them pick trenches for spring and fall, which sounds fake, but whatever. Wear it when it’s sunny if you want to sweat, I guess.

Biggest hack: swap the belt for leather or canvas, and suddenly it’s a new coat. A personal shopper told me to roll the sleeves, add a striped tee. Petite sizing is impossible to find, though (brands, are you listening?).

Denim Jacket Essentials

Still mad about losing my first Levi’s denim jacket. Nothing works harder. You can wear it with black jeans, but only if you mix up the washes. Good weight, real metal snaps—not plastic. Snaps break at the worst times.

Stylists layer fitted denim over hoodies now, which is less cringe than it sounds. GQ calls it “off-duty armor.” Trucker cut, a little cropped, sleeves pushed up. Don’t button it after a big meal; it won’t stretch, trust me.

Patch pockets, maybe shearling for winter. Avoid fabric softener or it’ll get floppy. Tried ironing a patch on once—almost melted it. Stick to indigo or black, skip heavy distressing unless you like explaining holes to relatives.

Choosing the Tailored Blazer

Never trust a blazer with limp shoulder pads. I’ve paid too much for alterations, but fit is everything: shoulder seam at your arm, sleeves at your wrist, just enough shape when buttoned. If I can’t hug someone, it’s too tight.

Stylists push structured wool or crêpe, but honestly, ponte or stretchy blends are way easier for work and travel. Try navy or plaid, but skip shiny polyester unless you like static. I rotate two blazers—single-breasted, one with silk lining I found on sale.

Blazers outlast trends. Double-breasted is a whole vibe, but I’m not that brave. One expert said, “A good blazer is visual authority—throw it over a tee and nobody questions you.” Even expensive ones wrinkle if you jam them in the closet. I just aired mine out last night; looks fine, good enough.

Wardrobe Staples for Infinite Outfit Ideas

Honestly, “just stick to basics” is the laziest advice ever. What does that even mean? You buy five basics and suddenly, what, you’re a style genius? Nope, I still end up in the same jeans and tee for, like, half the week. Stylists keep parroting about “three must-haves”—denim, white shirt, turtleneck—like that’s some magic formula. I’ve dragged all three through coffee disasters, groceries, running for trains. I’ll admit, they didn’t bail on me, but let’s not pretend it’s that simple.

Go-To Denim for Any Look

Look, the “perfect jeans” myth needs to die already. If straight-leg denim (Levi’s 501, AGOLDE Riley, whatever) shows up everywhere, there’s probably a reason, but I still don’t buy the idea it works for all bodies. At least they don’t bag out or get weird at the hem after one wash—small win. I saw some 2024 retail report (Edited? I think?) saying straight and relaxed jeans are up 32% over skinnies. Not shocked. I’ve worn the same pair to three totally different things in a week, swapped the belt, changed the top, and nobody clocked it. Is that style or just laziness? Who can say.

Sizing is a joke. Nordstrom stylists told me people whine about fit but ignore their own measurements. If you want a tip: skip distressed jeans if you ever sit on anything gross. Denim’s weirdly indestructible, but black jeans? Lint magnets. I don’t get it.

Crisp White Shirt Styling

Ironing is a scam. I swear, shirts wrinkle just from existing. “Wrinkle-free” polyester? Lies. A solid cotton poplin, though, can survive sweat, sticky seats, and even an emergency nap at the airport. I’ve worn mine as a beach cover and a pillow, sometimes both in one trip. A Nordstrom stylist, Priyanka, claims a white shirt “makes everything look intentional.” I wore mine open over a tee and someone actually complimented me—then immediately ranted about hating ironing. Relatable.

Roll your sleeves or risk looking like you’re headed to a job interview. Leave a couple buttons undone, always. Layer under vests, tuck into denim skirts, whatever. Half-tucks are for people with time; full tucks stop the bunching.

Bleach pen. Seriously, why doesn’t everyone own one?

Essential Turtleneck Outfits

Turtlenecks, huh. Didn’t we leave those behind with Steve Jobs and weird ‘90s photos? Apparently not. Every style editor I know keeps a black or gray one stashed in their car. Thin, stretchy, not the chunky ones—those just make me look like a turtle, not in a cute way. I layered mine under a corduroy jumpsuit once. Looked weird in person, fine in a selfie. Go figure.

Vogue (2023? I think) keeps pushing merino or thin cotton for layering. Don’t bother with bulky knits if you want to actually move your arms under a jacket. Turtlenecks save me in unpredictable weather—one time I pulled one on under a blazer at 6am and didn’t hate my life when the office AC went nuclear. White ones? Makeup stains everywhere. Still, nothing else makes jeans or even shorts feel “finished” with less effort.

Thumbholes are a weirdly great invention. People will comment, but it’s worth it if you’re always cold.

Polished Neutrals: Tops, Tees & Button-Ups

Building an outfit only works if your staples don’t self-destruct in the wash. White tees? They’re basically disposable if you don’t baby them. Picking neutrals isn’t just “beige over black”—sometimes one off-white shirt changes my whole closet’s vibe, and then a random graphic tee outperforms three “essentials” in a week. Rules? I don’t think so.

The Classic White Tee

Stylists obsess over white tees. They act like you can’t function without one. I ruined four with lemon stains before realizing fabric weight actually matters. 100% cotton, not ribbed, not spandex—way better under a cardigan, but brands love to “reinvent” them every year. Uniqlo U’s version is almost boxy and, shockingly, still looks decent after 20 washes. I checked.

Needs to be thick enough to hide a bra, thin enough to not suffocate you. I tried doubling up once and just looked like a bored retail worker. Supposedly, neutrals a bit darker than your skin don’t wash you out, but who has time to figure out undertones? White tees pick up denim dye, so keep a stain pen handy. Why is something so basic so high-maintenance?