The £35 dress that’s survived 8 years of capsule wardrobe audits
What is it that makes a piece stand the test of time?
Hello you!
It cost next to nothing. It’s made of cotton. There are no designer labels on it and I shudder at the thought of what kind of fast fashion factory it was manufactured in.
But still, this white sundress will be with me for another summer. It’s survived 8 years of stringent capsule wardrobe audits and I still love it just as much as I did when I tried it on in store. I found it at Urban Outfitters through a recommendation from one of my favourite fashion influencers. This is how I find a lot of my pieces, don’t we all - but that isn’t the reason it’s lasted so long. I’ve made plenty of mistakes over the years buying pieces that were also recommended.
Admiring this dress in the mirror for the 8th year in a row got me thinking. What it is that makes a piece stand the test of time in our wardrobe? Is there a secret formula or is it coincidental? Knowing the answer is sure to save us £1000s, endless hours of wasted time and a lot of heartache.
I wanted to break down why I think this piece has made the cut for so long. I audit my wardrobe religiously every season, so that’s 4 times a year. You can watch these audits on YouTube if you fancy. I’ve never once put this piece in my maybe pile nor has it ever required repair. Year after year I look forward to wearing it on repeat whether I’m sitting out in the garden, wandering around a city or looking for the ideal spot on the beach.
Here’s what I’ve come up with and my hope is sharing the formula will help you on your capsule wardrobe adventures too.
Simplicity - the design is extremely basic. There are no fancy details. No frills, patterns or embellishments beyond the buttons that run down the front. I like that these draw the eye to centre of my body and think they have a flattering elongating effect. The simplicity means it’s very difficult to go off it because even if your style changes it still fits in.
Comfort - the adjustable straps, elasticated back and feel of the material on my skin mean I actually want to wear it. I love wearing it. I rarely wear it with a bra though you could and a strapless one would work best. This might be tmi but on holiday or when it’s really hot I’ll even wear it without knickers and feel safe doing so thanks to the length as well as the lining. My body moves freely in it without feeling like I’m naked or wearing a sack.
Colour - it’s white. A beautiful pure colour that never dates. It feels like summer when I wear it. White often gets a bad rap as being a difficult colour to wear but I disagree. It’s the one colour that can be bleached should any stain be too difficult to shift with a remover for one. I also think white has a way of looking chic and expensive in the same way black does. Finally it’s incredibly easy to style because every colour compliments it.
Fit - it flatters me. I’m 5ft 2 so I need to be careful when it comes to the fit of my clothes. I can easily look a lot larger than I actually am or shorter by being drowned in excess material. This dress hits my mid calves, a very favourable place for a hemline to sit. The straps are straight whilst the neckline is a v-neck, the best kind for my inverted triangle body shape. The high waistline with a full skirt makes me feel feminine and balances out my shoulders.
Easy to care for - I can put it in the washing machine. There’s no need to take it to the dry cleaners or even worry about hand washing it. Hand wash and dry clean are palatable but the easier it is to clean something the better because we’re not deterred from wearing it. Yes it wrinkles but these are easy to get out with a steamer and I actually like the way they look throughout the day.
Practical - It works in a city setting, the countryside or on the beach. I love wearing it for all 3. There’s an ease to it. I also feel I can dress it up or down with shoes and accessories. Heeled sandals and an evening bag would elevate it to garden party or even wedding guest attire. Walking barefoot in the grass is my favourite way to wear it and feels the most like me. There isn’t a summer activity I enjoy that I wouldn’t wear this dress for.
And there you have it. These are the components that make it so versatile and a piece that I think will continue to remain with me for many more years to come.
You can’t buy this exact dress anymore but if you search Urban Outfitters Emilia white midi dress you might just find a similar or preloved version if it’s a style you’d like to try. Mostly I’m curious what your version of my little white dress is? And why you think it managed to secure a place in your wardrobe for so long?
Lots of love
Jessica xxx
I often joke as I (again...and again) put on my ancient (2008?) Old Navy floral a-line but here we are and I love that it still works.
Mine is the Doen Joan dress in a heritage soft brown calico dye, sheer, floaty, soft yet confident in style . A dress that’s not too girly perfect for layering in various ways. In it,I feel like I’m in a period drama (Joan of arc, minus the heat tho!) translates between Paris and Provence. City to countryside. Purchased as pre loved.