Shopping To Build, Not To Keep Up
The great news is that we have endless choice….the paradox is figuring out how to choose.
After really studying what I wear most often—and what feels most like me—I’ve realized I return to these eight categories again and again. Knowing this is helping me filter out so much noise, shop to build, and still enjoy all the art without feeling the need to keep up.
No matter the season, these are the categories that consistently define my personal style. Some are core items, some are about styling, some about proportion, and some are about the energy of color, prints, and movement.
1. Colorful Knits & Accessories
I especially love colorful stripes and beautiful sweaters, probably because I wear them year-round in San Francisco. I pay close attention to color layout, fit, and material because those details make all the difference. I’ve realized I’ve moved away from overly fitted or bulky styles. In general, adding more color through shoes or necklaces instantly makes an outfit feel alive and personal. I’m tempted to splurge on this polo because wow is it extra special!
2. An Easy Oversized Button Down
A button-down is one of the most reliable pieces, especially for work days. I love an oversized fit—the kind that feels effortless but still intentional. I’m drawn to shapes that give room without losing structure. My go-tos are the Gap Big Shirt and the AYR Deep End.
3. Printed Pants & Skirts
I’m obsessed with printed bottoms because they immediately give an outfit life. Fit matters so much here though—and there are always lots of misses, but when they hit, they really do. I’m especially drawn to prints with depth, embroidery, stripes, or a special fabric that feel expressive.
If you love these stripe jeans, you have to see the matching jacket! I haven’t found a pair of silk pants I love but I thought these taffeta barrel pants might be worth a shot—I like the mix of fancy with a hip shape. I’ve tried these on but haven’t bought a pair yet because I don’t know what color to get!
4. Neutrals With Contrast
I’m a big contrast person. If I’m wearing lighter tones, I almost always want something darker grounding them. Even with neutrals, I’m constantly playing with contrast because it creates presence and keeps simple outfits interesting. Sometimes it also just acts as a nice palette cleanser between more expressive looks too! I just picked up these white jeans for the season ahead.
5. A Piece That Says It All
These are the pieces you instantly recognize as yeses! For me, they’re often brighter, expressive, and hard to ignore—in the best way. A strong print, a funkier color story, or a silhouette that carries the whole outfit without needing much else. I think this floral top would be so cool unbuttoned with jeans or a pair of denim shorts—I’ve been obsessing over all the loud Rixo prints right now.
6. Structured Blazers & Tops
Blazer (old Veronica Beard), Linen Pants, Vintage Ferragamo belt & LV Tote
I love adding a little structure when I’m out and about—especially for professional events or going out on the town at night. Structure heightens my sense of confidence, and feels most me when paired with softer or more relaxed pieces. I’m eyeing this cropped tweed blazer for a talk I’m doing in a couple months. More of this silhouette please! I think it would be so cute open with jeans and a belt.
7. A Great Maxi Dress
Maxi dresses are such easy pieces to live in, especially in temperate coastal weather. I especially love ones that doesn’t feel too precious—something that works just as easily with sneakers as with sandals or flats and that can easily take a cardigan thrown over it. The best ones move well and can shift depending on how they’re styled. My new favorite styling idea is wearing a shirt dress or wrap completely open and flowy like this. Which takes me to….
8. Flowy & Open Tops
I’m always drawn to tops with movement. When shopping for these, I usually prefer open or interesting necklines and fabrics that create softness without losing shape. They bring ease to an outfit and often feel the most natural on me. I think this floral embroidered one would be worth the splurge. Also this one and this one are pretty special too.
As I put this list together, I found myself wondering why I rarely gravitate toward tight pieces or showing much skin—especially because sometimes I judge that preference in myself.
But I realized my style choices may just be intuitively protecting my sensitivity to the world. What I wear helps me feel safe, expressive, and in flow without overextending myself. And that was a cool aha!
