Issue #209: The 10 Most-Worn Everyday Pieces in My Closet

And how to create an outfit that doesn’t ‘expire.’

I often think of an article I read in Man Repeller a decade ago (?!) where Harling Ross Anton identified something we’ve all experienced, but that I had never put a name to, “The 3 P.M. Rule.” Maybe you already know what I’m referring to? By 3 P.M., even outfits that looked excellent in the morning tend to “expire.” They might fit uncomfortably tight after a few meals, or be wrinkled, stained, or sweaty. Given the option, you would rather run home from work to change before dinner out.

Much more rare are those once-in-a-blue-moon outfits that look just as good by the end of the day as when you started. I’ve come to think of these as “shelf stable” outfits, and as I’ve continued to break my own obsessive buying cycle and edit my closet, I’ve created one filled with these options that look and feel good all day long. At this point, I’ve never owned fewer clothes—but I’ve also never felt so confident in the items I do own. Here are a few of the qualities I believe contribute to a “shelf stable” outfit that lasts all day:

• Comfort. I no longer own pants that push against my abdomen after a big meal, and prioritize soft fabrics I feel good in. Even if a blouse is moderately uncomfortable (I recently got rid of all my wedgie-making bodysuits, even though they looked cute!), I will subconsciously avoid it each time it comes to getting dressed—or count down the hours until I can take it off.

• Versatility. On any given day, I’m running errands, working from a coffee shop, or heading on a hike or walk with Toast, with evening plans at the end of the day. I want an outfit that can go from each activity to the next, without necessitating a change!

• High-quality fabric. Buy less and spend the money on 100% cotton, cashmere, or silk. Synthetic fibers tend to trap and make body odor worse, and show sweat stains since they often aren’t breathable. I used to feel like my deodorant never worked, and prized my “Secret Clinical Strength,” but since gradually swapping out all of my blouses to be cotton, I’ve been able to wear fragrance-free deodorant.

Below, I dive deep into how to build a shelf-stable outfit, plus the 10 items I wear most often (never any affiliate links), and an update on my “no buy” year…

1. Begin with a simple base. IMHO, simplicity is the key to a “shelf stable” outfit. Start with the basics you feel good doing practically anything in—for me, that’s a cotton tank and denim shorts, a tee and jeans, a silk slip dress—and build from there.

2. Dress for the life you actually have. I love skirts, but I rarely wear them anymore since they aren’t practical for my life when I’m often eating lunch sitting on the grass in parks, walking my dog, and generally moving around a lot. Jeans may be boring, but they’re the staple I always feel best in, any time of day!

3. Shoes and accessories are your friend. Most of my outfits are exceedingly simple, but then I’ll add something like a bandana, cute shoe, or eye-catching jewelry to kick it up a notch. If I’m wearing a blouse, I tone down these additions and keep things simple!

Issue #181: My "No Buy" Year is Already the Best Decision I've Made in 2025

At the start of this year, I committed to not buying anything new. Since then, I’ve added five items to my wardrobe—mostly all replacements—all of which I sourced used, from two of my favorite vintage stores in Portland, Deep Lake and Modo Boutique. It isn’t perfect, but it’s a huge improvement from last year! Here’s how I make intentional purchases:

1. Don’t buy anything new. I’m lucky to live in Portland, where there are so many high-quality resale stores, but I also just don’t have a desire to buy anything new anymore, with the exception of certain things like shoes. It’s less expensive, and so much better for the environment, to buy used! And just about anything you can think of is available used—or will be if you wait a month.

2. When possible, buy in person. The number of times I’ve ordered something online and it looks nothing like how I imagined. The fabric is off, it doesn’t fit right. I find it so much more enjoyable to just shop in person; to try things on, so you know what you’re buying. Plus, when buying online, returns rarely go back into inventory—more often than not, they end up in a landfill.

3. Think about reselling it. In making these purchases, I’ve centered how difficult and time-consuming it is to ethically sell and re-home used clothes. I ask myself, “Is this something I’ll want to sell soon?” and “If I sell it, will it be tricky to find it a new home?”

4. Before I buy anything, I consult Pinterest for inspiration. I often come across new ideas for styling the things I already own. Happy to share the boards I use, if there’s any interest!

Buck Mason Tee (Multiple Colors)