You’ve already seen a few of our favorite items on our Gifts Under $30 guide, so you won’t see any raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens here. Today’s post is all about our favorite things to wear! (Because brown paper packages tied up with string are our actual favorite thing… when they come from Amazon or Target or Old Navy or… you get the gist.)
1. Denim Button Skirt / 00-24, $35
Kathryn / My denim button skirt came from a Loft sale last holiday season, and it has quickly become one of the most-worn items in my closet! It’s perfect for summer weather with a tank top, or winter weather with some OTK boots and a scarf. Summer owns one too! I’m convinced it looks great on any body type in any outfit. It’s still at Loft in straight sizes, or a similar one at J Crew in sizes 00 to 24.
2. Open Layering Lightweight Cardigan / X-4X, $25
Kathryn / I adore this cardigan. I bought it on a whim in Target, during one of those you-don’t-tell-Target-what-you-need-Target-Tells-You kind of trips earlier this fall. I have worn it at least once a week since. It’s the quintessential third piece: I feel like it can bring any outfit of mine completely together, but it’s not too heavy that I feel too hot wearing it all day during our Texas “winters.”
3. AE Play Legging / XXS-XXL, $27
Summer / I have tried all kinds of black leggings in search of the perfect pair, and this is the best winter legging I’ve found. They’re brushed inside for a fleecey, cozy feel, high waisted but they don’t feel like they’re trying to suffocate you, and they have POCKETS on the side of the leg that are large enough to fit a phone into. These are especially great while traveling when you need to just shove your passport somewhere safe quickly as you grab all of your stuff from the security line. They come in other colors if you want to branch out from black (I also have olive and navy) that are just as comfy and cozy.
4. True Body Triangle Bra / XS-XL, $44
Summer / This is one of those purchases I’ll wait to buy until it’s on sale, but they almost always have a coupon code for first time buyers. I absolutely hate underwire bras, which is what prompted me to give this one a try. It’s so lovely, molds to your body, and is smooth under clothes. The convertible straps are especially handy in the summer for hiding under tanks and racerback tops. The v-neck keeps it hidden under most tops (anything I would wear to work completely covers it, but it may not work for a more revealing top).
5. City Coat / 00-24, $99
Summer / This is a favorite thing for both of us! I got this coat for Christmas last year, and convinced Kathryn to grab herself one when it went on sale this summer (her coupon code didn’t apply and she ended up paying full price, but she liked it so much she kept it anyway!). This coat really pulls my outfits together in the winter, I feel like I can wear it with anything from leggings to a fully sequined dress. We preferred the classic colors, but I am definitely lusting after the bright green one. I love this coat so much, I even got engaged in it!
6. Ava & Viv Basic Long Sleeves / 1X-4X, $12
Kathryn / After Summer and I discovered our love for fashion and matching early on in our friendship, she started constantly nagging me about one thing: “you don’t own a single solid item.” She wasn’t wrong. It made matching super difficult for us. I was all about hero pieces and not into the whole layering or owning closet staples thing. I have since learned to truly appreciate closet staples for what they can give you: a solid canvas to make any outfit come to life. I bought white and rust long sleeve shirts from Target (during the same trip I got the cardigan from earlier) and they have been my go to all fall long. I love these long sleeves so much that during Cyber Monday madness, I also bought them in black, burgundy, dark green, and heather grey. They also come in mauve and light blue, run true to size (I have them in 2X), and are sooooo soft.
7. Tumbled-Leather L.L. Bean Boots / $159
Summer / These are my favorite pair because they’re made of a softer leather than regular bean boots and lined with a flannel material that’s cozy but not too cozy for southern winters. I paired them with thick socks on a January trip to Chicago and my feet didn’t freeze off, which is probably the best endorsement I can think of. If you live up north or are outside a lot, they also make a shearling lined pair that is the same soft leather, but extra warm.
8. Ivory Tortoiseshell Glasses / $32
Summer / I searched all over for the perfect pair of round ivory tortoiseshell glasses before I stumbled on this pair from Eye Buy Direct. I have several pairs of glasses, but these are the ones that make me feel the most put together. Not only were these just what I was looking for, but they were super affordable. EBD runs BOGO deals pretty often so you can get two for the price of one if you time it right. I definitely recommend you get the blue light blocking lenses to protect your eyes.
9. Plaid Blanket Scarf / $19
Kathryn / Last year, I had a job that required significant work travel, so I experienced Living In Real Winter for the first time in my life. I wandered into a Forever 21 in Chicago one day, and picked up this scarf. Oh, am I glad I did. It’s oblong, so it’s extra big which translates to extra warm. When I left my Chicago project, I immediately started on an NYC project, in the dead of winter, so this scarf was my everything. I wore it bundled up in the NYC streets and used it as a pillow on my frequent plane trips. It’s one of my favorite things because it reminds me of a very new time in my life, and it’s still super cute to wear as a scarf or a shawl for fall and winter in Texas! I couldn’t’ find the original F21 style and color, but they do have a similar oblong style in red plaid, perfect for the holidays. Alternatively, ModCloth has one in a very similar color, as does Loft and Maurices.
We hope some of our favorite things might make perfect gifts for your loved ones this holiday season. Tell us, what are your favorite closet staples or beloved accessories that you can’t live without?
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