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, fit, and confidence it creates? 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. I bought them in the wrong color, which was a blessing and a curse. But since I love them so much, I didn’t even care. It is hard to find jeans that fit you well. So if you are happy with your choice of color, go ahead and get another pair. 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, I wore these biker shorts when it was triple digits hot. The best part? They can be worn as activewear or can be dressed up or down. The material is super thick and comfortable, so they’re not see-through, and you can wear them all day long. They come in black or beige and I wear them both all the time.

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. They come in silver and gold.

I must admit that I am a bit of an 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? Buying shoes I love. Boots that fall right below the knee are super versatile: You can wear them with shorts, dresses, skirts—whatever your heart desires. These boots are my favorite to wear throughout the year.

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. These straight-leg pants are a staple in both my black and beige wardrobe. You can also get new colors every couple of months. They can be worn casually or formal with a mix of fitted and slouchy styles.

I believe in stylish outerwear. You can change up your look by adding a new blazer or trench. Add a new blazer to your look. But what about 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.

Although I love dressing up, I am a realist who can live comfortably in comfortable clothes for the rest 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 and pullover as well as 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. This baseball hat is my favorite because it instantly elevates the look from sporty-chic to chic. don’t tell anyone I’m not actually a Yankees fan. The hat’s just super cute, OK?).

The scorching heat of Chicago has finally arrived. 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. I prefer to choose a linen pull-on pair that feels like pajamas but looks professional.

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 been one of my favorites because it looks chic and requires minimal 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 summer outfit I want to wear all year.