Cost-Per-Wear Success Stories

Practical and absurd purchases that worked out in the end + a picture of me in compression boots!

I don’t want to suggest that you should have a capsule wardrobe. I think that would be sad and boring. I’m not opposed to knowing your sartorial strengths, but please don’t entertain limits and fall victim to the organizational allure of uniform dressing and capsules. I’d like to offer an alternative. In an effort to organize myself better and fully utilize my wardrobe, I’m identifying my closet heroes. The workhorses, the go-to’s, canon stuff — all to determine my own little capsule of perfect pieces without limitation. It’s a capsule of joy, one that I created out of emotion and love that will bring me peace whenever I reach for it. Can your 2 button downs/1 suit/4 perfect tees etc etc do that?!

These were my wardrobe heroes of 2024. Some I have identified as such because I revisited them again and again with the same pleasant results, and some because I wore them once or twice but it was fireworks in my heart.

Re/Done The Mel Jeans // Not a mom jean, but big time Daddy jeans. Just a very nice, very regular jean. Straight down the line, no fuss no muss, perfect rise. I went up a size - they are unisex so not exactly built for the curves on this road. at least 2x a week for me if I’m in a jean wearing mood.

The boots I’m wearing here continue to be a big surprise. I was in Paris for market 2 years ago. Alone, tired and in need of a nice experience after a long day, I went to Le Bon Marche where I saw these short, simple cowboy boots on a sad table off to the side of the shoe display and tried them on. I didn’t look at the label and bought them immediately. I kid you not — I have worn them 400 times since. No notes.

Redone Mel Jeans, Brut Belt, The Row Top , Skorpios Alexandra Boot

I wore some variation of cowboy boots all year. I continue to do so now. These Khaite Cowboy Boots are infinitely wearable. The key for me is ankle length. I don’t want to tuck my pants into a cowboy boot. Very not me. But the suggestion of a cowboy boot poking out from the depths? You know what, hell yeah.

Slvrlake Mica Jeans // This is not the ideal picture but it’s all I have. These jeans are a core style for Slvrlake and I have them in 3 washes because they are that good. A lower-than-I’m-used-to rise, with a full trouser leg. It reads like an adult pant and not a jean which is nice for those weird days when you can’t make up your mind about who you are.

Slvrlake Mica Jeans, Slvrlake Boston Trucker Jacket

Christopher John Rogers Caftan // Cue the aforementioned fireworks. I wore this on my 40th birthday, in Iceland, to dance under the midnight sun with my best friends in the world. I was *so* happy, and every time I look at this dress I smile. I plan to wear it going forward over stovepipe jeans and unbuttoned at the bottom like Christina (of team CJR) did for dinner. We sold out at AF within a day.

CJR Caftan , Jil Sander Heels (here are newer, similar ones — bonus they’re on sale)

Leather Bomber (Men’s version is all I could find still kicking around) // An admittedly insane purchase, but one that will go in my will to whichever child is driving me less insane the day I finally finish it. I wear it in all weather. It is exceedingly warm. I love to wear it over a dress just to keep ‘em on their toes.

There are lots of good leather bomber options out there but if I had to choose differently I’d choose this COS Bomber, this ACNE version, or this Khaite one.

The Row Leather Bomber, Brut Top, Absolutely Fabrics Sweatpants ( you can’t see them but I’m wearing my Skorpios boots here too!)

Cartier Sunglasses

Going off road a bit to switch to Medicine cabinet workhorses (shout out to Cipralex, 2024 to forever!) and tell you what made a difference to my skin over the course of the year because yes, it takes time. Laneige Cream skin — I put it on after I wash my face every day before all my other potions and it feels heavenly. Perfect in winter for extra hydration.

I’m a recent Skinceuticals convert. I swear the P-Tiox serum has erased the little lines creeping in around my eyes. It’s magic. The C E Ferulic Serum smells like Salami but it has evened out the tone of my skin so on balance, I accept. Finally, the SPF has the best texture for a mineral SPF that I have come across. It’s easy to use every day. I’ve also started using the Ziip Halo , which so far seems to be worth it. The biggest hurdle is making the time to do it, it feels chore-adjacent. I have just started using the plasma serum and moisturizer from Dr Diamond’s Metacine (they don’t ship to Canada, so again I’d like to remind you that Reship exists) and I can’t recommend it yet because it’s new, but stay tuned.

Back to the closet — I am a big button down girl. I won’t call it a uniform for the purpose of validating my opening paragraph, but a button down is a go-to for me. This one is a nice, simple, oversized fit and I love a crisp blue. Here is another lower priced option that I like - I sized up to get the blousiness I want. This one is more casual and I wear mine as a coverup on vacation and in the summer months.

We sold out of our red Zankov sweater almost immediately at AF but I found it for you here because everyone asks whenever I wear it.

This Wardrobe x Hailey Bieber suit (Blazer + Trouser) has been to funerals (ugh), cocktail parties, corporate meetings, and trunk shows. It’s heavy without feeling stiff, I have yet to encounter a loose thread, and the buttons are still tightly fastened. Great quality and very easy separates.

Wardrobe NYC x Hailey Bieber Blazer + Trouser, Lemaire T Shirt, Skorpios Boots (again!)

Substack is giving me the music (in the form of a scary orange banner that reads “NEAR EMAIL LENGTH LIMIT”) so I just want to end on two absolutely nuts purchases that I made last year and stand by wholeheartedly. Even better, I have a picture of myself wearing both at the same time for peak absurdity. If you, like me, are active but refuse to stretch, I would like to present my case for the Normatec Boots. Its a compression massage which does all the work for you by the glow of the tv light as evidenced below. The second nuts purchase was these leopard print jammies from Skims. I love skims, I hate D&G. So this collab was tough for me initially but I live in these from 7 pm onwards Monday to Friday. They are stretchy, washable silk satin heaven.

Ok I’m done! Sorry about your new President America. Love you.

x

Kael