I recently did a spring cleaning of my closet.  I basically created three piles: a KEEP, a STORE, and a SELL.  The KEEP pile is everything I’m currently wearing throughout this spring season and need it readily available.  I also put in a new clause this year for my KEEP pile.  I read somewhere that everything you own you should be able to hug it and love it, so I did just that.  If I hugged it (shirt, jeans, shorts, etc), and I still loved it, I kept it.  However, if it no longer served me purpose after hugging it, I put it in the SELL pile.  (FYI, I plan on having a $1 sale soon on all my SELL pile items.  More info and details to come!)  The STORE pile was for all my thick winter coats, knits and accessories that I no longer needed since it’s 89 degrees today.

While all this cleaning was happening, I noticed that the things that I kept the most in my KEEP pile were my basics: white tees, cotton button-ups, denim.  When it comes down to it, the classics and basics are what you wear most often, and you go back to it over and over again.  That’s why you love it, and that’s why you keep it.

I am wearing a James Perse Collarless Shirt in White that I got a few years ago from their sample sale, (they normally have one at their headquarters in Marina Del Rey around May and December every year).  It was a STEAL!  This shirt is one of my favorite shirts to wear, EVER.  The quality of the cotton fabric is to die for, and I can wear it either loosely tucked-in or tied-up around my waist.  Here are some VERY similar looks:

James Perse Oversize Collarless Chiffon Shirt (on sale)

James Perse Slim Collarless Button Up (on sale)

James Perse Oversized Chiffon Stretch Button Up (on sale)

These awesome ZARA Relax Fit Ripped Jeans are some of the best denim I’ve ever purchased under $50.  The fact that they are so comfy and soft and yet ridiculously affordable baffles me everyday.  I don’t know how ZARA does it, but hats off to them and I hope they continue to do more good in the fashion world.  Here’s a similar look.

Fedora (my own) / Ray-Ban Aviator Classic Sunglasses / Vintage Alexandra Neel Turquoise Heels

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!  Enjoy your long President’s Day weekend!

Photographed by Larry Wong