In cleaning my closet I’ve been reflecting on my favorite pieces – and it spurred me to start a new series: closet essentials!
Frequently I try to show things that are new, exciting, or trendy. It’s not as fun to show things that are closet essentials that I wear day after day. But there are lots of items I wear time and time again, and I figured it was worth sharing here on Helen Loves.
So I wanted to start with something timeless that I wear all.year.long – a denim shirt. I wear them to work with vests, sweaters, or on their own. I wear them on the weekend under oversized sweaters or with leggings. I’ve got versions that are short sleeved, long sleeved, button-up, tunic – you name it!
They’re also ideal for weird temperature swings where you don’t want to wear “real” Spring/Summer/Winter clothes – like this week here in Lexington. It’s been hot, cold, and everything in between. Plus I don’t feel like wearing thick sweaters lately, so I’m moving back to layers. And a denim shirt is a perfect base layer!
So I wanted to include a bunch of outfits I’ve featured here to show how much I wear chambray! And this doesn’t even include the times I’ve worn them in outfit pictures on Instagram. Keep scrolling to see how I’ve worn denim shirts, and then you will find all my picks at the very end.
Three FAVORITES here – my vest, top, and black crop pants! I love the detailing on this top I picked up from Loft last year. It’s light which means I can wear it in hot temps and it’s easy to layer under sweaters.
This top from Target is an ombre – which is a fun update! It’s definitely oversized (must wear with something tighter so you don’t drown in fabric!) and was a great fall option.
This top is the original chambray in my closet. When I bought it at Madewell I had no idea I would wear it so much. It has holes in it now actually! So I can’t really wear it on it’s own because of that…but they’re hidden under a sweater 🙂 (Holes are on the right hem) I’ve had it for 6+ years and worn it SO OFTEN so it’s definitely gotten a ton of wear!
It was SO COLD when we took these photos – the wind was whipping! But there you have it again, my trusty J.Crew snap-up chambray top!
One of my two outfit posts in January (whoops!) was this super simple outfit. Of course I had to include my Madewell chambray top! The original and the best, and one that I’m going to have to replace because I’m literally wearing it out.
Ok if you’re convinced, good! You need a denim shirt! So to help you buy one, I’ve rounded up a ton of favorites in this carousel below:
I’m hoping to make closet essentials a monthly series, so if you like it let me know!
