The Essentials

This post comes from a place of deep frustration.

Frustration wardrobe wisely.

I've been pursuing the search for the perfect white buttoned-up shirt since winter, because my last one sadly is no longer among us due to old age. 

And the search has left me empty-handed every time I exit a store. 

This has left me puzzled: the most classical and timeless item is nowhere to be seen. 

Of course this is not entirely true. There are some examples out there, but they are merely a failed copy of the buttoned-up. 

When talking about wardrobe essentials, the first most important criteria is fit. And the funny thing is that this is the last thing retail-clothing companies pay attention to. 

One can say that "It's cheap. What else do you want?" The more effort you put into the process of design the more it will affect the final price tag. I get it. 

When you walk into a clothing store and see thoughtless design and antipeople stance, then I'm thinking "Who is going to wear this?" Of course tastes are different, but some things are so obviously suffering from PDS- Poor Design Syndrome. And it's sad, because if these items are made out of a material that is a mix of different fibers then there are not that many options to actually (re)use them. So practically the valuable resources are just...wasted. 

I'm not going further into this topic just because A I'm not that competent enough to start blaming and pointing fingers, it's just my personal opinion, B I wasn't planning to talk about that. 

So back to the main point. 

Secondly, the frustration came from the fact that with spring arriving to the Wild East my wardrobe seems to be  not satisfying enough for me. Well, it doesn't satisfy my own needs anymore. And it has driven me to the point where I'm questioning my own sense when I was buying these "strange" items. I don't consider myself an emotional buyer, so that's not the case. But I have these obsessions concerning clothes and I can close my eyes at the price, cut, size, material, color, pattern, etc, if the item has one criteria- price, cut, size, material, color, pattern, etc- so-so-so overwhelmingly (yeah, talking about being non-emotional buyer, such a hypocrite writing here) right for me. If something is an unbelievable match for me then I'm prepared to make a compromise. 

Having one of those Aha! moments right now. Who needs a therapist, when you can be one for yourself, huh? Just start a blog and write about yourself... Simple as that.

So during this Big Spring Cleaning join me and open your closet doors with the most critical look and a cool head. I don't know about you, but when I flick through my wardrobe and it's seriously not inspiring me to get dressed then I feel a bit unhappy. 

So, pack away the things for winter, sort out the pieces that leave you questioning why it's in your closet or don't fit you no more and take them to your local Recycling Center. And now you've made room for your spring favorites. And when you're at it, leave a bit room for the newcomers.

I have a tendency of writing long introductions, don't I?

So about the newcomers. If you are having the same problem as me with your wardrobe malfunction then it's time to invest in some good old essentials that are the only things I've been wearing lately and are the superstars/saviors in my eye, because as I mentioned before there are a lot of these "compromising" buys that maybe before were ok, but now they aren't goon enough for me anymore. And when it comes to essentials, you will never feel the dilemma of having nothing to wear. They frame one's wardrobe perfectly and are the best friends for combining an ensemble several times. 

I've noticed that people usually invest more in pieces that are for special occasions, which is totally ok, but when it comes to things they actually wear most often they tend to skimp. "I'm not going to spend THAT much on a simple tee!". Sounds strange, right? Maybe even a bit familiar? Hey, I've been there, too.

But, actually, when it comes to essentials, it's very much cool to invest. Quality is the second most important aspect next to fit so don't compromise on that. And because of everything I've been saying (even convinced myself) I'm going to move towards the "usual" clothing stores as I'm not thinking about giving up on the search for the perfect buttoned-up.  

In the end, because of the functionality your wardrobe will thank you, because of the quality your wallet will thank you, because of the long lifetime of the garment the planet will thank you and you can do a nice pat on your back, because you are a thinking human being. 

And actually a lot of these basic items have become iconic clothing for a certain profession or a loved celebrity. 

But what are these essential pieces I'm praising?

The Black Blazer a la Jennifer Aniston

The White Buttoned-Up Shirt a la Carolina Herrera

The Trench Coat a la Detective

The Little Black Dress a la Audrey Hepburn

The Breton Shirt a la Coco Chanel

The Plain White Tee a la James Dean

The Pencil Skirt a la Marilyn Monroe

The Fedora a la Frank Sinatra

Statement jewellery a la Elizabeth Taylor 

The Ascot Blouse a la Margaret Thatcher

Well, maybe It's just me who needs it...

Intriguing and not-just-warm sweater a la Elsa Schiaparelli

Etc.