My Personal Uniform: 50 Pieces That Make Getting Dressed Effortless

The staples that make my closet work—from the most flattering jeans to the swimsuit I want in multiple colors.

Here’s what’s in today’s post:

• The white button-down I wear so often it’s become my uniform

• A truly perfect swimsuit that I crave in multiple colors

• Jean shorts that actually flatter in your forties

• $95 sunglasses I've restocked three times

I really love the idea of a personal uniform. I want to walk into my closet and know that every single item is something I genuinely love and feel great in—no “I’ll wear it someday,” guilt, just pieces I’m actually excited to pull on all the time.

My theme for this year is about simplifying every aspect of my life, and with that, I’ve been dressing for how I want to feel on a given day. It’s really shifted my approach from choosing outfits based on what’s on my calendar to being guided by how I want to show up—and it’s made getting dressed feel so much easier.

My current life season is all about being comfortable, confident, and effortless. Broken-in jeans, soft sweaters, well-fitting t-shirts, neutral tones. It’s not about “less style,”—it’s getting dressed with more intention and not spending a ton of time overthinking it. (Seeing how crazy everyone is over Carolyn Bessette’s ultra-simple wardrobe choices, I don’t think I’m alone in craving this vibe right now.)

I’ve also noticed that the pieces I reach for over and over all have two things in common: quality materials and a great fit. Get those two things right, and you look like you have an expensive wardrobe regardless of what it actually costs. Those are really the only two style rules I follow anymore.

my 2026 style mood board

At the start of every year, I do a bit of a wardrobe recalibration. I’ll pull inspo on Pinterest, create a little mood board in Canva, and settle on a few words that capture how I want to feel in my clothes this year. My words for 2026 are effortless, classic, and alive (meaning I can do anything and go anywhere in them). When I’m considering a new purchase, I hold it up against those three words as the ultimate filter against impulse buys I might later regret.

Then I shop my own closet! I’m a big believer in slowly building a wardrobe over time—adding things with purpose rather than starting over every season. Once I know what I already have that fits the vision, I can be intentional with where I need to fill in the gaps.

My 50 Wardrobe Essentials for 2026

OKAY, time for the essential items I build my wardrobe around, paired with some inspo for how I’d style them. If I only had these pieces in my closet, I could put together countless outfits that feel totally me.

SHORT-SLEEVE TOPS

• Next Ex Shirt, TWP: Such a cool fit—the rolled sleeves make it feel intentionally styled even when you threw it on in 2 minutes.

• Jessa Boxy Tee, Nation: That rare cropped t-shirt that actually flatters. High-waisted pants were made for this.

• Wool Silk Short Sleeve Crew, 440ME: The wool-silk blend is so elevated—I always get compliments when I wear this.

• Perfect Tee, nuuds: The fabric is next-level soft, and the fit is truly perfect. I layer this under everything, work out in it, sleep in it…

• Cashmere Crewneck Tee, Haven Well Within: What I wear when I don’t know what to wear. Pure cashmere, classic crewneck, and looks polished whether it's tucked into trousers or thrown over shorts.

SHORTS

• Rome Shorts, Sezane: A chic removable belt makes every outfit look pulled together. I have these in a few colors and always pack them on vacay to wear with swimsuits by day, heels by night.

• The Perfect Vintage Jean Shorts, Madewell: I love the carefree vibe of cutoffs, but let’s be honest, they can be tricky to pull off after 40. These are my go-tos: high-rise, curve-enhancing back, with a raw stepped hem that’s a just-right length.

• Dani Short, Paige: The A-line silhouette on these is so flattering, and since they’re cut from Paige’s vintage denim, they feel perfectly broken-in from the start.

LONG-SLEEVE TOPS

• Max Shirt, Sezane: My official uniform—the white cotton button-down was my entry point, and then the ecru stripe and the denim version followed shortly after. It's the shirt that I want to wear every day (and I often do.)

• Garçon Classic Linen Shirt, J.Crew: I’ve worn J.Crew’s Irish linen shirts for years, and they somehow get softer all the time. Love the menswear-inspired cut on this that feels both relaxed and polished—I wear over swimsuits & tanks all summer.

• Oversized Core Crewneck, Elwood: Wearing this one as I type! It’s the perfect not-too-heavy weight, and the colors are all perfectly washed out to look like something you stole from your college boyfriend.

• Unisex Oversized Crew, Daily Drills: The coziest sweatshirt hands-down; this is my uniform for lounging and weekend errands. There’s something about the oversized cut that somehow looks good on everyone, hence why I keep collecting it in different colors.

SWEATERS

• Cashmere Half-Zip, Jenni Kayne: This is such a good one—the boxy, oversized fit is exactly what you want from a cashmere sweater you’ll wear forever. It’s got that kind of popped-collar energy when it's unzipped, and it just feels like pure luxury.

• Cashmere Shaker Stitch Crewneck Sweater, Haven Well Within: I wear this classic constantly. 100% cashmere in a style that works for everything from lounging to getting dressed up, tied around the waist, tossed over shoulders—it earns its closet space year-round.

• 2025 Rollneck Sweater, J.Crew. Trust me when I saw that everyone needs this iconic sweater in their closet. The updated version is the best yet but still has all the classic nostalgic vibes, and it feels way more elevated than the price point implies.

• Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Rollneck Sweater, Quince: Another one I cozy up in constantly. The fisherman rib gives it substance and texture, with an impeccable fit.

PANTS

• Anessa 31” Wide Leg Jean, Paige: I wear these high-rise wide legs most days of the week. They’ve got that worn-in, lived-in character I love that kinda makes them feel like soft pants but with the polish of jeans.

• The Half-Pipe Ankle Jean, Mother: I can’t wear these without getting multiple requests on where I bought them. They make your waist look curvy, and your legs look long, and the unique shape feels a bit more fashion-forward than other jeans.

• Le Crop, Sezane: A high-waisted flare leg that I own in denim, ecru, and stripes—they’re super flattering and look good with everything.

• Cashmere Wide-Leg Pants, Haven Well Within: For WFH days when I want the comfort of pajamas but want to look effortlessly chic for Zoom calls.

• The Effortless Pant in Linen, Aritzia: I have these in three colors, and they’ve become what I reach for when I need to look put together with minimal effort.

• Slinky Rib Streamline Pant, nuuds: Another stealth comfort pant, I get so many compliments when I wear these. Way less restrictive than leggings, the ribbed fabric has an incredibly drape that feels chic.

OUTERWEAR

• The Super Puff Jacket, Aritzia: If you're thinking of splurging on a Canada Goose puffer, stop and get this $235 version instead. Everything from the length to the material is absolute perfection. I have it in black AND taupe.

• Scott Trench Coat, Sezane: I've worn this timeless trench for years—it's the quickest way to pull together any outfit, from dresses to sweats.

• Lotta Blouson Jacket, Varley: This jacket goes from workouts to weekend activities without missing a beat. I love the unique drape that makes this feel really elevated.

• Christie Blazer, Sezane: This is a forever blazer you can toss on over a tee or wear as a full suit. I sized up because I like it oversized.

ACTIVEWEAR

• Booty Boost Leggings, Spanx: The name says it all—these are so sculpting that you literally look in the mirror and wonder when you got so fit. Might be too much compression for some, but I find it supportive.

• 7/8 High-Waist Airlift Legging, Alo: Also very sculpting and so sleek, these leggings move seamlessly from workout to errands and make legs look miles long.

• Ripstop Hike Shorts, Quince: An underrated source for workout clothes, these have an athleisure vibe that makes you look like you just came off the trail. A really good fit, short but not too short.

• Reversible Racer Bra, FORM: My go-to sports bra with the perfect mix of support and comfort. The reversible detail means two looks in one, and the racer back actually stays put during a workout.

• Frame Tank, Left on Friday: This square neck top is so flattering and plays double duty as tank and sports bra. It’s incredibly comfortable and smoothing for workouts.

SWIMSUITS

• Swim Scoop Top and French Cut Bottom, Negative: I discovered Negative’s swimsuit collection this year and somehow want every single one. But I started with this scoop-top that’s both sporty and chic, with a French-cut bottom that boasts a hard-to-find mid-rise front and just cheeky-enough bum.

• Ha-Ra Top and High Cut Bottom, Nu Swim: The most classic and sporty two-piece that I've worn on repeat for 5 years. Someone always stops me and asks me where I got it.

SHOES

• Original Achilles Low Sneaker, Common Projects: I love these sneakers so much, I'm on my third pair (and they were the #1 shopped item from this newsletter last year!). They're the perfect minimalist sneaker that makes any outfit look sporty-chic.

• Daney Ankle Boot, Steve Madden: A square-toe ankle bootie with a micro heel in butter soft leather that feels 3x more expensive than it actually is. I wear these out to dinner with jeans constantly.

• Sonia Mules, Sezane: I’m not really a heels girl, but I do love a clog. When the occasion calls for a little lift, this platform mule feels elevated without trying too hard.

• New Balance 327 Sneakers: My go-to workout sneaker—basically perfect. The platform sole adds support and makes my legs look a few inches longer, and I've cycled through 3 pairs.

HATS

• LA Dodgers 9Twenty Hat, Aritzia: My casual day uniform, I throw this cap on whenever I need to get out the door fast. I love the sporty touch it adds to a white button-down and jeans.

• Elva Chunky Rib Beanie, Varley: This chunky knit beanie is one of the few that flatter my face. I love the shape, the fit, the rib—it’s just perfect.

• River Straw Sun Hat, Gigi Pip: I get more DM’s about this hat than any other item in my closet. A perfectly-shaped sun hat in a classic lifeguard shape, with enough structure to not get floppy. My ideal finishing touch to any warm-weather outfit.

ACCESSORIES

• Beale Sunglasses in Cognac Tortoise, Warby Parker. I’m notorious for losing sunnies, so I really appreciate the under-$100 price point of these (I’ve replaced the exact same pair 3 times!). The warm tortoiseshell is so flattering and goes with any outfit.

• Romie Hoops, Sezane: These sculptural hoops add a minimalist touch to both casual and elevated outfits. I wear mine literally every day.

• Taylor Belt, Sezane: I have this truly classic, high-quality belt in both black and brown. It’s an easy way to add structure and polish to jeans, trousers, and even linen shorts.

• Mini Bennett Bracelet, Electric Picks: This menswear-inspired bracelet has a timeless, effortless vibe—I love it on its own or with a stack, dressed up or with jeans and a tee.

• 2 Chains Necklace, Electric Picks: I’m often rushing to get out the door, so I appreciate that this double strand takes the work out of layering necklaces—just throw it on, and it looks instantly intentional.

• Silk Scrunchie, Crown Affair: I love that Crown Affair makes the mundane feel truly luxurious, and this silk scrunchie is no exception. I use it to put my hair in a high pony at night, with no creasing (just volume) in the morning.

• Whipped Non-Wire Bra, Negative: The best wireless bra, full stop. The whipped material is butter soft and sensual, and completely seamless under everything. It’s a bra you actually forget you're wearing.

• Mongolian Cashmere Slouch Socks, Quince: Pulling these on feels like a little luxury every time. I wear them with ankle boots, but also with lounge-y pieces at night when I’m curled up on the couch.

BAGS

• Celine Luggage Tote: This was my first (and one of my only) true investment pieces, and it’s probably my most treasured wardrobe possession. I love it as much now as I did when I got it a decade ago—it’s truly stood the test of time! I’m linking to some well-priced used Celines, which is both smart and sustainable.

• Farrow Bag, Sezane: Words really can’t express my love for this beautiful heritage leather bag. Its shape is a nod to 70s style, and it makes every outfit look intentional.

• Midi Sac, Clare V: This chic crossbody is compact and incredibly versatile. It's surprising how much it holds considering its size. I have it in both tan and forest green, and wear it constantly.

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Your turn—share your faves! Tell me in the comments about a wardrobe essential that you love and wear all the time.