When it comes to closet staples, I like to keep things pretty basic, but these pieces are anything but! So, if you want to know the five things you should have in your closet, then here are the essentials…

Black Blazer

Ahh… the elusive black blazer. Why is it so hard to find the perfect black blazer? They can be too short, made of flimsy fabric, or too heavy to be worn year-round. Once you find the perfect blazer, it can be worn all four seasons with everything from a mini dress to jeans or even thrown on over your workout outfit for coffee. I like mine substantial but not so heavyweight that they feel like a coat, especially living in LA. Anine Bing is a go-to brand of mine for jackets and this blazer is a staple piece for life – it checks all the boxes. I’m also loving the look of this Lioness blazer as well as this single button blazer. Frankie Shop is also killing the blazer game lately and this oversized faux leather version is fun for fall.

Light Wash Jeans 

I’m drawn to light wash jeans pretty much year-round – unless it’s the dead of winter. There’s something relaxed and uninhibited about them, and they work equally well with a white tee or a fancy blouse (in fact, they make fancy blouses and heels even better, by balancing them out).  My perfect jean is light wash, high rise, and straight leg with either some minimal lived-in rips or none at all. Agolde, Re/Done and Levi’s are my ride-or die-brands – everything from this fun 90s style to my classic 501 skinny jeans. Re/Done is pricy, but I always reach for this pair for nights out since the cut and length is perfect with heels. Another brand I’m into is Pistola, which is very trend-conscious and more cost-effective for a premium denim look.

Strappy Heels 

A couple years ago, this would’ve been “a classic pump,” which still stands – but between Covid life and just dressing more casual lately, I’ve been reaching for strappy heels more than ever. Nude heels, clear straps or  white straps – give me all of them!

Plain White Tee

This is a given for obvious reasons. Cotton Citizen is a relatively new favorite brand of mine for tees. I have a ton of tees but reach for this Tokyo Crop one most often – it’s the perfect cropped length and hits above my high waisted jeans – I also like that the fabric is a little more substantial. I also love The Great tees for a lighter, thinner version.

Everyday Tote

No matter how many cute mini bags I buy, I always need a larger daily tote for running errands, shopping, groceries, meetings, you name it. I really like my Leatherology totes – they make beautiful quality bags at great prices, and I don’t feel too concerned with really living in them or being too precious about them. I have both the canvas tote  and leather tote, both monogrammed with my initials. I also bought this YSL Rive Gauche bag this summer, which was intended to be a vacation tote, but I’ve honestly been wearing it just as much with end of summer looks in LA. Lastly, the YSL East West tote is a gorgeous and classic bag I’ve had my eye on forever – if I had to pick one designer tote to last years, this would be it.