10 Clothing Pieces I Can’t Live Without

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: These are the perfect jeans. The slight stretchiness, the fit, and the confidence that’s created? Perfection. After having these jeans for a few months, I decided it was time for another pair—especially since I was wearing the pair I had to death. Unfortunately, (and also fortunately), I accidentally purchased them in the same color. But since I love them so much, I didn’t even care. We all know how hard it is to find good jeans, so if you find a pair that makes you feel good in your own skin, get a second color (and a third). And don’t worry, I have another color sitting in my shopping cart as we speak.

I used to live in Arizona, and for three months out of the year when the heat reached triple digits, I lived in these biker shorts. The best part? You can wear them for more than just activewear and can easily dress them up or down. The material is super thick and comfortable, so they’re not see-through, and you can wear them all day long. I have them in both black and beige, and I wear both constantly.

If I’m wearing earrings, nine times out of 10, they’re these. I used to always lose my earrings, but once I got my hands on these, it all changed—because I wasn’t about to lose these gems. These mid-sized hoops don’t irritate my ears, are super lightweight, and add the perfect amount of pop to any outfit. I have them in both silver and gold.

I have to admit: I’m a bit of a shoe addict. I’m not ashamed to say I used to bring a suitcase full of just shoes—or a shoe-case, as my dad would say—on vacation with me. As I’ve gotten older, I realize I don’t have the money (or closet space) for a new pair of shoes every month. The solution? Investing in shoes I really love. Boots that fall right below the knee are super versatile: You can wear them with shorts, dresses, skirts—whatever your heart desires. These are my go-to to wear all year round.

If you know me, there’s a good chance I’m wearing either biker shorts (the ones above), my Abercrombie jeans (also listed above), or the Zara Francoise pants. Between my black and beige pair, these straight-leg trousers are a staple in my wardrobe. Plus, they get new colors in every couple of months. A mix between slouchy and fitted, they easily go with anything and everything, casual or formal.

I am a firm believer in stylish outerwear. Want to switch up the look? Throw on a cute new blazer or trench. But what do you wear underneath? Basics—and these editor-favorite ribbed tanks do just the trick. While they’re super comfy and look high quality, they only cost $8 (which means I own literally every color). Pro tip: I like to style them with a cardigan tied around my shoulders to give the outfit a French-girl-in-the-countryside vibe.

While I love to dress up, I genuinely am someone who could live in comfy clothes for the rest of my life. And when I’m not wearing any of my staples above, I live in these Amazon sweatshirts. Not only are they super inexpensive, but they’re also soft and come in a variety of colors and styles. I have a hoodie, a pullover, and a zip-up. Trust me: They’ve all had their fair share in the spotlight.

For those days when you’re having a bad hair day or your roots are just a little too grown out (being a blonde is hard!), a basketball cap will be your best friend. I usually opt for a baseball hat like this one because it instantly takes the look from sporty to chic (P.S. don’t tell anyone I’m not actually a Yankees fan. The hat’s just super cute, OK?).

Summer has finally arrived, and with it has come the stifling Chicago humidity. Surprisingly, the worst part of the humidity isn’t the frizzy hair or the constant sweating. It’s the feeling of denim shorts sticking to my skin. Instead, I love to opt for a comfy, linen pull-on pair that feel like pajamas but look anything but.

Monochrome outfits aren’t exactly a new trend, but I’m saying this for all to hear: They’re here to stay. This set has become one of my favorite outfits because it makes me look chic and requires the least amount of effort. Plus, it’s so easy to mix and match and style in different ways—like wearing the shirt open with a crop top and biker shorts instead of the pants. It’s the one-and-done summer outfit of my dreams.