Don’t you just hate those days when none of your clothes feel good on you? You tear up your closet, you try on like fifty or sixty different outfits, and your room ends up in shambles. Like, the kind of shambles where you can’t see your floor anymore and you’re not even sure you have a bed. Then, once you give up on finding an outfit you’ll be totally happy with, you go to your wardrobe staples. These are the articles of clothing in your closet that you never get tired of, that you put into the laundry every single week, and that you always feel comfortable in.

Today, I will reveal that which all of my billions and billions of fans have been asking me to for ages (okay maybe no one asked me but you get to read about it anyway); I will tell you my top ten wardrobe staples. That way, when you see me on the street, you can be like, “HEY! WEREN’T YOU WEARING THAT LAST WEEK?”

And I’ll reply, “Why, yes. Yes I was. This is one of my ten wardrobe staples.” And then we’ll both smile and continue on our merry ways.

My Trusty Denim Shirt (Which Happens to be From Target)

Men's Denim Shirt, 21 Men, $22.90

There’s just something about this shirt. First of all, it fits perfectly, and has a sort of heaviness that I really appreciate. Plus, it has button snaps, so you can just rip it open at any given moment. Such a plus. It forces me to take risks and to stop wearing denim bottoms for a day. The one I got from Target is no longer available, but 21 Men has one that's cheap and pretty stylish.

If You Liked it, Then You Shoulda Thrown a Cardigan on it

Tri-Blend Unisex Ribbed Cardigan, Tri-Black, American Apparel, $44

American Apparel actually has the best cardigans ever. They wear in perfectly; mine is almost three years old and still going strong, and it literally goes with everything. It’s the perfect light jacket for when it’s not really cold but you don’t want to go out in just a shirt, and it even has pockets to hold stuff.

The Plain White Tank

Viscose Sexuali-tank, American Apparel, $26

A tank that’s not quite form fitting, but not super loose either. It goes perfectly under open button-up shirts, it tucks into dress pants and nice shorts to give you a more refined look, and it’s the best thing to throw on in the summer before you run to the beach or go for a walk or go out to lunch. It’s just so easy.

Black Slim Slacks

Stretch Twill Slim Slack Lite, Jet Black, $75

You need to have tight black pants. They’re appropriate for so many occasions. They look great with almost every shape of shoe. They are so slimming and match almost every color and they are just necessary. I love to slip them on with my trusty denim shirt. It’s one of my most worn outfits in the history of ever.

That One Women’s Shirt I Decided to Buy and Never Regretted It

Plaid Chiffon Oversized Button-Up, American Apparel, $58

Back when I worked at American Apparel, we got this see-thru chiffon shirt. Super oversize and super feminine. Until the super butch plaid color showed up (and I use the term “super butch” really lightly). It’s such a perfect men’s piece, though. Leave it open with a shirt under it (or a plain white tank, teehee), or button it up and tuck it in. It magically kind of looks like something super chic and designer level. I swear.

My Dad’s Old Combat Work Boots

Men's Cheyenne Waterproof Boot, Payless Shoesource, $34.99

Don’t you just love finds like this? My dad got these from the Payless Shoesource, or something to that effect. Then he got a new pair and left them for the taking. I love wearing them with shorts or pants, and since they’re just black and industrial looking, the price-pinching quality isn’t really all that obvious.

Beanie, Beanie, Beanie

UO Watch Cap, Urban Outfitters, $15

I think beanies are a gift from heaven. You can add them to any outfit to give yourself a little bit of an urban edge, plus they just kind of pull outfits together if you ever feel like you’re missing something. It’s like a fashion curveball. Plus, if you’re having a bad hair day, no worries. Just slip this sucker on and you’re good to go.

My Trusty Leather Jacket (Which Also Happens to be From Target)

Members Only Men's Bomber Jacket, Target, $99

So it’s not perfectly shaped, and the sleeves might be a bit roomier than I’d like, but this jacket really gave me a lot of mileage. Especially considering that it only cost me $50 and it’s almost five years old. It’s great to put over button-ups, and it’s even better when you dress it down and slide a hoodie underneath. It’s kept me warm and dry on many a rainy occasion. As of now, Target kind of beefed up the design and the price, so maybe my jacket gets moved to the "vintage" category? Eh? Eh?

My Signature Short Shorts

Cotton Twill Welt Pocket Short, American Apparel, $50

As you may or may not know, I’m really tall. Like, the 6’3” kind of tall. And more than half of my body is just legs. When I stand next to some of my short friends, my hip bones are at their shoulders. So, what can I say? Whenever it’s summer, I seize the opportunity to show of my assets.

The Topsiders I Refuse to Let Go of

Men's Authentic Original Boatshow, Sperry Topsider, $80

If you read my previous article about how I’m unhealthily obsessed with my chocolate Sperry Topsiders, then you knew this was going to make the list. I don’t know where I’d be without these shoes. If I ever win an award of any kind whatsoever, I’m pretty sure I’m going to thank these shoes in my acceptance speech. It’s fine. I know I’m weird.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about replacing my Sperry Topsiders. I bought them about two years ago, in an attempt to meet the employee style standards for my job at American Apparel (don’t worry, they're not as scary as they sound). I settled on the dark chocolate brown ones, the ones with the gold eyelets. And the thing is, I fell in love with them. I bought another pair, a black pair with patent-leather accents, and I started wearing both, interchangeably, almost every day. There was just something about them -- the fact that they could be dressy and casual, trendy, and also just so easy to slip on -- I never wanted anything else. And sure, I loved my black pair, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t favor the brown ones just a little more.

We lounge on the SoCal beaches, and we're not sorry about it.

Then, last January, I went to study abroad in Berlin, Germany. I brought my chocolate Sperrys and left the other ones at home (sorry, black Sperrys, you know I love you). Well, just like in the United States, I wore them almost every day. Not just in Berlin, either. Every time I traveled to a different country or city, they were the first thing I packed.

This means, in the height of a humid summer in Berlin, my Topsiders marched with me through the streets, into dance clubs, and along the endless tables and stands of flea markets in Germany’s capital city. Even during the unpredictable summer storms, we ran, sopping wet, laughing and trying to find cover.

These Topsiders strolled through the small, intricate network of canals in Venice, and during the “Carnevale di Venezia” to boot. We were dodging crowds in countless mask and clothing shops, and whisking past lavishly dressed individuals in capes and gowns. Most importantly, we were eating pounds and pounds of pasta and pizza and gelato. And they never complained once, even when I spilled all over them.

My shoes and I walked over 30,000 steps together in Paris. I know this because my mom’s pedometer told me so. We got to see (most of) the Louvre together. We had to trudge up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower (because we didn’t feel like waiting in line for the elevator), but it was worth it to see the spectacular view. We got to sit in the Notre Dame Cathedral. We walked all through the “Centre Pompidou,” which is, I’m convinced, the most extensive collection of art I’ve ever seen. I say this knowing I went to the Louvre just before. But maybe the Pompidou was more up my alley.

In Greece, we drove to the edge of the island of Santorini, right to the lighthouse, and climbed down the rocks at the edge. It literally felt like we were at the edge of the world. We threw rocks as hard as we could, trying to reach the water. My Topsiders and I got really sandy and salty on the famous black and red sand beaches all over the island, and also on the gorgeous shores of Barcelona.

In Germany, we walked along the Berlin Wall, In Ireland, we walked the grounds of the Blarney Castle. In London, we followed the footsteps of Mrs. Dalloway, of Virginia Woolf. In Florence, we felt right at home in the famous leather market. Even in the United States, my Sperrys have walked with me through Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, and New York.

Now, my chocolate Sperrys are wrecked. Now, they look ragged and old, and they need to be replaced. But we’ve gone through so much together, and I can’t just throw them away… can I? You might think it’s stupid. Honestly, I feel a little crazy myself. It’s weird to get so attached to clothing. But why should it be? These shoes have gone all over the world with me. Sure, I’ll make memories with the new ones, but it won’t be the same.

I guess I just wanted to put it down somewhere. To chronicle my adventures with my shoes, and let you know that fashion doesn’t just have to be about luxury. It’s something you incorporate into your lifestyle. Agree or disagree, these shoes are connected to memories, and they take me back through the places we’ve been. That’s fact.

Whether they be flat front versus pleated or white versus dark brown, there are plenty of ways to wear chinos. With so many options for just one pair of pants, it would be easy to get lost and confused about what to choose, but with just a little bit of effort, you can easily navigate these stormy waters. One of the most important aspects is the fabric. Quality brands such as Dockers will offer a variety of fabrics, and it is important to know which is appropriate for each occasion. Touching the pants is the best way to know for sure, as the appearance won’t always let you know. For more formal events, the sleeker fabrics will be preferable, while casual wearing can be done in the rougher fabrics, such as corduroy.

Camel Active Woodstock Chinos, zalando.co.uk, £85

Once you decide on fabric, the height of the pants is next. While this seems trivial, it quickly becomes obvious why this is important. This issue is like wearing a nice shirt with a jacket; nobody will see most of the shirt, so only the front needs to look good, right? Wrong. You never know what the occasion will dictate, so it is best to be prepared. This principle applies with chinos as well. A pair that sits a little bit higher on the waist is better for fancier occasions, while low rise chinos are perfectly fine for casual wear.

Broken-In Chino in Bootcut Fit, jcrew.com, $75

A great way to think about these aspects would be to consider two ends of the spectrum. If you are going for a classier look, think slacks. How they look and feel will come close to the style of chinos to get. On the other hand, casual chinos come close to jeans in their fit and feel. While neither completely reaches those two ends of the spectrum, they provide a great quick guideline for the shopper who either doesn’t have much time, or wants to spend it elsewhere!

So, I have this hipster friend. Like, seriously hipster. She’s a five foot tall lesbian, complete with faux hawk (awesome). She works at the Apple Store (of course). She has an expansive collection of beanies and v-necks (fierce). And she’s also one of my best friends in the world (true love). Anyway, a little while ago, we’re hanging out and she says to me, “Hey. Feel these jeans. Right now.” I put my hand on her knee, expecting the usual soft, worn feel of all the Levis I have in my drawer, but instead I feel a rough stiffness. “They’re raw denim.”

BAM. Note the rolled cuff at the bottom. The white seam is the mark of true raw denim.
Unbranded Skinny Selvedge Jean, urbanoutfitters.com, $78

“Raw denim?” I ask, inquisitively (I’m totally aware this is feeling like a weird after school special by the way), hoping she’ll take my cue on continue.

“Yeah. Totally unwashed, untreated, un-everything. Just raw. They’re usually pretty expensive but you can order a pretty legit pair from the Urban Outfitters website for like 80 bucks. Get some with me. We can break them in together.”

I’m sitting there thinking, Raw? Unwashed? Break them in? What is all this sorcery? But then I think about how I should try new things and how I love fashion and pretending I’m a hipster, so why not?

If you haven’t figured it out by now, these kinds of jeans are the antithesis of “distressed” jeans, but the eventual goal is to get there yourself. Instead of buying a pair of jeans that has a predetermined fade, you create your own fade based on the way you’re shaped and the way you move. Essentially, your own perfect pair of jeans.

Flash forward to me pulling on my raw denim jeans for the first time. It’s just as uncomfortable and slightly painful as you might imagine. And the point is to wear them every day, and to not wash them for six months to a year. But it wasn’t very long before they were loosening up, and before I knew it I was showing off my “honeycombs” (the creases on the backs of my knees), and my “whiskers” (the folds where I bend at the hip), and just my jeans in general. And I was surprisingly getting a lot more compliments than I expected!

And I’m not saying this is something you have to get all intense about. Some people make it into a lifestyle, and spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars just on one pair. But I’m here to say the $78 Urban Outfitters pair is well worth the investment, and you won’t regret it. Take it from me. Or take it from my hipster Apple-employed lesbian best friend.

For many men, black, blues and reds are heavily travelled territory as far as colors go. Many add in greens and most other colors to spice it up, but for a large number of men, there is a final frontier: pink. While any man who is secure with himself has given up the idea that pink is solely for women, sometimes even the secure men don’t see pink as an option. This notion is not only off base, but simply wrong! Just because when we were born we were wrapped in a blue blanket doesn’t mean we can’t use the color our sisters were donning in the cradle!

Loud Mouth Border Bright Pink Shirt, loudmouthgolf.com, $75

In fact, pink is a great indulgence. Now, shades and hue are important here, and if you go crazy with a bright magenta shirt, you will look a little silly. In general, a soft and light pink is what you are looking for. Wearing a nice pink polo out at night is a great way to draw attention to yourself without seeming desperate for it. You are more likely to receive looks that say “he is different” or “he’s really comfortable with himself.” In addition, it will show women that you aren’t held down by society’s insistence that men be afraid of pink. Again, the bright pinks are better left at home, as those are more for boys who believe what they are doing is rebellious. Wearing pink isn’t a rebellion or something crazy; wearing pink is a way to vary your already adventurous wardrobe. Especially as the summer months come to a close, now is a great opportunity to indulge yourself in this great color. Hurry, before falls oranges and browns take over!

Long Sleeve Man's Shirt in Pink, wholesale-dress.net, $15