Interesting Alternatives to Wardrobe "Essentials" | Italian Spring Staples

I know what you're thinking. Oh great, another essentials video. What are you going to show us, Alyssa? A button-up shirt? A pair of straight leg jeans? No, no, no, my friends. We know that wardrobe essentials look different for everyone. That's why today I'm going to share some alternatives that might look a little bit different but that are still just as versatile. I'm going to focus on keeping them really general on their elements of style so that you can apply these different essentials to your own wardrobe and your own personal taste. You likely already have them in your closet. Look, if I've learned anything from living in Italy, it's that embracing our own personal taste is the best wardrobe essential we'll ever own. Okay, for the record, these don't have to be light pants. These could be any bottoms that are a lighter color. What I want us to do is get away from constantly reaching for our blue jeans. One of the biggest struggles of spring and shoulder seasons is the fluctuating temperatures, cold in the morning and in the evening, and then super hot in the middle of the day. The easiest way to handle this is a lighter pant but in a heavier fabric. So choosing something like a canvas or a denim but in a lighter color, even a heavier silk, is great. I like styling lighter separates in a monochrome look, which is the same color head to toe. So remember, this doesn't have to be cream or accrue or white for you. It could be a paler shade of a color that you really like. The reason why I like doing this is because every accessory that I add, even if it's simple, feels so much more impactful. Like the contrast of the black sunnies, the focal point created by the black belt, and the interest created by a sporty running shoe with a look that feels more elegant. Spring is still a season where the coat that we wear is a huge part of our outfit and the first thing that people see. And while I love a good trench coat, I also believe in having a coat that is completely different in silhouette and texture. So that way I can play with proportions and have interest. A shorter jacket with some pockets or interesting button details is a great option to have. I like this boxy cropped one because it allows me to balance out the wider leg proportions that I'm wearing a lot this season. I also like that it's got some structure to it so it still feels a little bit like a trench coat, still feels really polished, even if I'm wearing it with a looser denim and a sneaker. For you this could look completely different. Maybe the element you want to focus on is the texture, so you get something in like a cool rain slicker texture or maybe even a suede. Hello! The Italians are masters at choosing good outerwear, so my suggestion would be to find an alternative that either adds drama and tension to your spring looks or one that adds harmony and balance. If you still struggle with things like understanding balancing and drama with proportions, texture, color, then grab a ticket to my next live shop your closet workshop. We go through all of it. Tickets are linked below. I'm shocked to see so many Italians still wearing their dark fall boot. I'm a huge fan because it allows us to extend our wardrobes without shopping. Seems like the total opposite of a spring essential and that's why I love it and I'm including it. The visual weight of the boot adds instant drama and instant edge. Pairing these boots with a sheer tight not only balances it visually, but it also just makes sense for the cooler temperatures in spring. These boots add a great focal point to any of the rest of your spring wardrobe, like lighter pieces kind of like we saw in the first look, dresses, and skirts. Okay I know something colorful isn't groundbreaking for spring and can seem really obvious, but the point is to get us out of whatever neutral or darker colored clothes we might be automatically pulling from our closets out of habit. Color tends to scare people but it doesn't have to. These slingbacks are a deep khaki green which might not seem like an obvious choice with the yellow blouse and blue jeans, but that's what adds interest and also makes a look feel authentic and lived in. We don't want to have to buy something new just to go with whatever certain colors already in our closet or when we buy a new color. I've had these slingbacks for years but the top is new secondhand so now I still feel like myself even though a yellow top is a departure for me. We also don't want to get stuck in the idea that our shoes have to be toned down or a neutral if we're wearing something colorful anywhere else. Most of the time we're wearing a skirt or pants, I mean hopefully we are, and there's always something breaking up those colors between what's on top and what's on your feet. I want us to reframe the idea that just because something is supposed to be essential doesn't mean it has to work with absolutely everything in our closet. It's an essential because it's an excellent expression of how we want to feel and who we want to present as. No matter what time of year or what decade I've been in Italy, the common style through line is cool fun sneakers. Ballet flats often make an appearance on spring wardrobe essential lists but I'm making a strong case for colorful or interesting sneakers. Actually it doesn't even have to be a sneaker, just a fun shoe. A personality-filled shoe up levels any outfit even if it's super preppy or even if it's a dress or something really romantic. It's the easiest way to change up the style of a look with just one swap. If you want an outfit to feel more dramatic and bold and interesting, then your separates on top should also be colorful and interesting so that the shoe kind of blends in cohesively. Alternatively, if you want to make the shoe the focal point and that piece of unexpected intrigue, then pair it with your classics, your go-tos, and easy staples like I did here. So that is what I have for you today. I hope you enjoyed today's video. Let me know what you think of these essentials in the comments. I always love hearing from you. Thank you so so much for watching. I'm so grateful you're here and that you are as excited about slow fashion and using what you already have as much as I am. Don't forget I have tickets to my live workshop coming up. It's at the end of May. It's going to be so much fun. Failing that, if you like the concept of elements of style and learning about how to use proportion and silhouette and all these things, then buy my course. It's really affordable and it beats buying a bunch of clothes that you'll never wear that you waste a lot of money on. Okay, thank you so so much for being here and I will see you in the next slow fashion video. Ciao!