Wardrobe Notes: I'm Getting Dressed, Not Dressed Up
Charon's favorite pre-summer looks in rotation, canvas tote's and a kaftan obsession that won’t quit.
Quick housekeeping update: The Wardrobe has just added a new section: Sale. Here, you’ll find our favorite pieces, either marked down or discounted with a code from the respective webshop. Just click ‘shop now’ to go straight to it. The Auralee Washed Finx chino one-tuck pants, Toteme scoop-neck swimsuit in light Hay, and the LII boat neck jacket (all on sale) are leading the charge in our carts.
Charon: The days of an overly crowded closet, with at least 50 percent 'just in case' options for vague occasions, are officially over. It feels like a relief. It wasn’t something I set out to do, but rather an eye-opening side effect of emigrating to the other side of the world. One I welcome with open arms.
Going back and forth between South Africa and Europe has naturally filtered out the pieces I truly wear, the ones that serve a purpose in my everyday life. I left city life behind long ago and now take a dirt road to our house, surrounded by winefields. My son and I harvest from our macadamia tree, and on weekends I swim and hike. Life has become simpler, yet more meaningful, and so has my wardrobe. Needless to say, I don’t own high heels in South Africa. Who am I kidding? I wear Vibram Fivefingers or any kind of thong-style footwear instead. Right now, I’m completely hooked on these Christopher Esber Jo flip-flops in see-through, taupe or baby blue.
Rotation looks
Instead of dressing up in the morning, I simply get dressed. A genuine way of being and expressing myself that I didn’t know I was longing for. This doesn’t mean function wins over fashion per se, but rather that style takes precedence over trend. And yes, less is more. It comes down to every item in your wardrobe working with at least two or three other pieces in your ensemble. It’s about being playful with layering quality basics — Lemaire, Flore Flore, COS and Rhea for knitwear — alongside unique pieces (I’m thinking vintage designer or active pieces here) and strong, enduring accessories.
These pre-summer looks are built from just a handful of items I’ve been wearing on rotation. The HERMAN Relaxed trousers, which I have in both cream and black, are timeless yet surprisingly adaptable. The Edara tracksuit jacket can be worn three ways: slouchy and open, half-zipped, or tied up for a gathered effect. It offers both cool and function. The same goes for the KASSL EDITIONS canvas tote bag (more great colors and textures here) and my The Row Idaho XL bag, also in canvas here, both of which my wardrobe honestly can’t live without. And as simple as the Fane Bra bag appears, it’s drawing attention. These new colors make me feel like a kid in a candy store.
Getting my kaftan fix
Since bringing up a kaftan in our last newsletter of the 2024, I haven’t been able to think of much else. There’s something about them, easy, sophisticated and just the right amount of sexy. I'm fixated on adding the Rick Owens Tommykite kaftan dress (on sale) to my attire, but these kaftan-inspired pieces are also worth your attention: Róhe Linen kaftan dress, The Row Saute cotton kaftan, The Row Lanna cotton kaftan (on sale), The Row Millen silk and linen kaftan, ARKET Oversized shirt dress, Khaite Effy silk and cotton-blend organza midi shirt dress, Bambou Roger Kwong, Vareuse in iron gate (top), Toteme twill blouse and COS Men’s open-collar linen shirt.
The fastest moving accessory in my closet
I’ve noticed my sunglasses rotate out faster than almost anything else in my wardrobe. And I get it. They’re the kind of piece that can shift an entire look with almost no effort. I buy them, often secondhand, and wear them on repeat. Now that I’m living in summer most of the time, I keep about three styles in steady rotation. Some get resold after a while. Others take a quiet break in the drawer before making their comeback. I love a bold, honest statement pair to lift a look (read: the Hodakova CHIMI Edition Upcycled 02 Sunglasses or the Loewe Dive In mask), but lately I’ve been drawn to sharper, more classic shapes. These Thistles The Jack in black and green are with me everywhere I go right now.
The Maison Margiela grey and black layered trousers reimagined for summer, sparked this next look. It nods to the zip-off trousers concept, but with a twist. Now I’m wondering, could it also work ton sur ton? Probably too short for this particular outfit, but definitely suitable for rotation are these very affordable COS Drawstring cotton shorts.
Not in my closet just yet, but definitely in The Wardrobe and high on my personal wish list. These pieces are prime rotation material: a relaxed chino from Willy Chavarria, MM6 Margiela (on sale) or MSGM (also on sale). The Row 90s bag, already mentioned and wanted in any color, works across seasons and occasions. And then there’s this T-shirt and dress from Commission that keeps popping up in my mind.
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