Essentials

What are the One Atrium essentials?

Everyone knows what their closet favorites are – it’s those pieces you wear to death and keep on wearing. The goal is to have a complete wardrobe of your favorites, making the most out of the items you have – and reducing your clutter.

Take the time to look through your closet and make a mental note why you love these pieces. It will serve as a great reference in the future for defining your value preferences and the items you own. It could be as simple as versatility, a flattering cut, and/or a particular fabric that keeps you coming back for more.

Below are mental notes of my staple items:

1) Little Black Dress

• This is a classic for a reason. It’s versatile, easy to dress up and down. LBDs never go out of style. I prefer them sleeved with an interesting neckline, and in heavy fabric that gives some form.
• Tip: I rarely see people taking these little black dresses out of a formal setting – but throw on a knit, boots, and tights – you got yourself a casual look. Put on a blazer and it works in a professional setting.

2) Black Booties (Flat & Heeled)

• This is the easiest way to spruce up an otherwise normal outfit. They provide a nice contrast that still complements other pieces in my wardrobe.
• Tip: Make sure your shoes are comfortable. How often do you ever wear shoes that are not? Beauty is not worth the pain – especially when you are limiting the number of pairs you own.

3) Long-Sleeved Sweaters (Full & Cropped)

• It gets cold in San Francisco. Dressing in layers is essential here and rarely do I not need a sweater. I keep a couple of these in neutral colors and solid fabrics – because I know 90% of the time, I’ll need to wear them.
• Note: I personally love super soft sweaters made of natural fiber (rather than synthetic), but materials like cashmere, wool all degrade and pill over time. I know that these items will need replacement and higher care, but I am willing to make that compromise.

4) Skinny Jeans

• I own these in black and white. The durability of denim is what makes this item such a staple. I can wear these everyday. They work nicely with boots, flats, or heels.
• Tip: Pants are difficult enough to find the right fit for. I find pairs with a bit of stretch content molds to my body shape over time and adds an additional level of comfort.

5) White Shirt

• This is another item that can easily be dressed up or down. I wear them when it comes to formal meetings or work, and pairing them with light-colored bottoms or shorts transforms them to a relaxed weekend vibe. I own these in cotton and silk.
• Tip: A quality shirt, considered more dressy, will give the impression that you put in effort to looking your best.

 

x o x o . crystal