10 Magic Wardrobe Essentials If You Hate Everything, Nothing Fits, You Hate Your Body, And Everything Is Itchy
I did the dirty work for you.
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by Audie Metcalf
Clothes and accessories are fun and pretty to think about in theory. But in practice, the truth is, I hate most everything. I hate the fit. I hate how it hangs. I hate the way it looks on my butt. I hate the material. Perhaps you are more easy going about such things and you just throw on whatever jeans are washed and go about your day.
I wish I could be you.
But I am just so full of hate.
Perhaps it comes with being an exacting person who demands things to be just so, or perhaps it’s a relic of perfectionism, or, just maybe, I just want things the way I want them. To quote Miranda Priestley, as I do near daily, why is no one readddddyyyy.
And so I’ve selected a few pieces in my wardrobe that truly thrill me in terms of how they fit, flatter, and feel. I’m never disappointed by midday when I wear them. I silently celebrate my sartorial choices every time I catch a glimpse of myself in a storefront window. And, most of all, they make me feel … like myself. As all clothes should do. And I thought, perhaps one or two of them will do the same for you.
Let’s do this.
1. The Jeans I reach For Most Frequently
The magic is in the lightweight thinness of these jeans so they feel like housepants but are possibly the most flattering jeans on the butt while never giving that“ugh I wish I could rip these jeans off of my body,” tight feeling. I saw THIS influencer talk about them and she has immaculate style so I had to buy them immediately but later realized Jen A seems to also be a fan and the stars felt unequivocally aligned.
Price: $172 - $245
2. The best everyday tank top that makes your boobs look great and doesn’t show bra straps
Sometimes cheap things are the best things. I’ve been wearing this style of Aerie tank for 7 years. The ribbing sort of sucks you in while being very soft, it has a low enough neck to be flattering while not revealing, and it’s long enough to sort of scrunch the fabric around your midsection so you don’t feel exposed. I looooove wearing a plain tank with an otherwise smart outfit.
Price: $15
3. The most shockingly comfortable & Chic Sandals
In my old age, I simply do not slip on shoes that are in any way uncomfortable. But I still long to finish a cute outfit with a cute shoe. And I absolutely will pay top dollar for foot comfort. It’s a great place to invest in your wardrobe. These flats are so gorgeous they make anything you wear look elevated and chic. The leather is soft and cushioned and heaven to wear.
Price: $125
* Gifted
4. The Dream Cotton Pant
What: J.Crew Luna Pant in Cotton Poplin*
The perfect pair of pants if you’re dripping with sweat and wish you were someone who could wear shorts but NEVER wear shorts. These drawstring, slightly barrel-shaped pants are basically shorts with long legs. They come in brown,* which I’m actually wearing in #3 on this list. Even though it’s almost the end of August I’m declaring them the pants of the summer. (They run quite big!)
Price: $98
5. The Most Flattering Sweater More People Need To Know About
Free People Soft Focus Fine Gauge Linen Pullover*
This is the most tissue-thin sweater that creates a perfect hourglass shape and ends on the most flattering spot on the arm.
I also highly recommend wearing it over this dainty bralette that actually works on big boobs.
Price: $98
6. The Most Thrilling Party Shoe
Quince Italian Leather Slingback 75mm Heel*
The only type of heel I can wear and not think about all day is a slingback. These are profoundly comfortable, and silver heels with the aforementioned jeans are such a cute and easy way to look like I’m sort of cool and fashiony when in fact I am not cool and not fashiony.
Price: $82
7. The blazer that doesn’t even need a written description because just look at it
Aritzia Babaton Standout Blazer*
I don’t “get” boxy blazers. They make us all look like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. If I’m going to wear some overthing, that overthing better make me look unbelievable. And this blazer. Well. Nothing comes close. Nothing. It also has a lovely stretch so I don’t feel like I’m wearing a straight jacket so I can actually “use” my “arms.” And wearing a blazer fully buttoned up like this, almost as a shirt over jeans or a maxi skirt, is a revelation. It’s such an easy, quick thing to throw on and poof, I’m chic.
Price: $248
8. The Earrings I Wear Every Single Day
Quince 14K Gold Lab Grown Diamond Huggies*
Earrings have become strangely annoying to me once I entered PeriM, but these I don’t even notice. They go with everything, and they just live in my ears and are a miraculous price given that they’re real.
Price: $358
9. Ummmmmm … the most incredible bra ever?
Neiwai Barely Zero Anchored Cup Strap Bra*
Sorry, I’m not using a photo of me in my bra for this. But oh. my. god. This bra. This ugly MIRACULOUS bra. First, it feels like literally nothing. Truly. Just nothing. The kind of bra you don't rip off the second you set foot in the door because you just don’t even perceive that you’re wearing a bra. Second, it’s so smooth and gorgeous it makes everything I wear look ten times better. It’s one size only which seems bizarre but a few of us behind the scenes have gotten this bra, and we’re all very different sizes, and it works on all of us. Is it sexy? No, it’s not. But I wear THIS* when I want a sexy bra.
Price: $39
* Gifted product
10. The pants we really need to shut up about
Maeve Colette Linen Stretch High-Rise Wide-Leg Pants*
Find me a woman who does not look amazing in these pants. That is a fool’s errand. Because there is no such woman. Wide hips, big rumps, flat butts, small waist, belly pooches, no curves, lots of curves. It works on evvvvveryone.
I have these pants in many other colors, but for spring I’ve been reaching for this pink and this pink because they make me happy. And if our clothes don’t make us happy, what are we all even doing?
Price: $110
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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