My dressing strategy that involves buying less

Simple outfits anchored by a few great pieces

I didn’t invent wearing men’s sweaters. This isn’t groundbreaking. But I did finally understand why I keep stealing Dave’s. He was giving me shit one day for taking one of his, he gave me a “you have a closet full, why are you stealing mine?” and all I could say is “they just fit better.” Which is true.

What I didn’t realize until recently is that the second I put on a men’s sweater or sweatshirt, it automatically looks like I’m not trying. It gives very strong I don’t care energy, but somehow still looks cool? The second I put on something more fitted from my own closet, I enter a “what does this need” spiral. Better shoes. Better hair. Maybe a belt. Maybe a jacket. Suddenly I’m adding and adding and adding. Men’s sweaters never give me that panic to complete an outfit. Just me?

A few of my menswear observations…

• Longer sleeves = better scrunch

• Wider shoulders = more relaxed fit

• Less cling = less adjusting

• They work with everything I already own

This has also sent me down a mental path that I’m finally ready to commit to… here we are: I am not buying anything new for my closet for 6 months!! I need to be forced to work with what I already have instead of buying things I think will fill a gap in my closet. Best case scenario: I save money, get really clear on what I actually wear and end up with a tight edit and a very specific list of pieces worth investing in. Dave’s closet would obviously be very helpful during this time. Who’s with me?!

These sweaters- technically, they’re not Dave’s, Alex Mill ( a brand I’ve loved for a long time) sent them to me, but now they’re very much in OUR rotation ;) The nice part about sharing is that Dave likes a more fitted look, I like a slouch. So I buy oversized, he buys true-to-size, so it mostly works out for the both of us.

Here’s a few Alex Mill looks 50% menswear. The trousers are women’s and they are fantastic and on sale. And the white tee I’m wearing underneath is also from their women’s section, but it’s perfect.

grey knit and the LESET pants I can’t stop wearing. navy sweater around my waist, white tee

the softest sweater you’ll ever wear, cool jean in red,

jordan cashmere sweater, nottinghill sweater, white tissue tee (out of stock but linking a similar men’s tee that’s a similar fit, thin and soft like the women’s tee), primrose trouser (out of stock at Alex Mill but Nordstrom still has a few! Run!), red donegal sweater, coat out of stock, but another I just bought here

Besos, Odie