INVENTING THE WHEEL
The easiest method for getting dressed every day (and liking it)
Raise your hand if you want to dress better in 2026? Raise your hand if you just want to simply get dressed in 2026? Polish it up, elevate, or just generally step up your game and put on clothes that make you feel dressed every single day?
This is all possible. And it actually does not need to be very hard at all.
I wrote a lot about this in MY BOOK. If you subscribe to this newsletter, I am sure you have read my book, but if not… you should!
I wrote my book during the pandemic, when the connection between mental health and getting dressed became so apparent. Many of us would work in our pajamas or stay in sweats all day, and it didn’t always feel great. What I realized in working with clients during that time is that a little can go a very long way. I talked a lot about low-effort, high-impact styling tips and how sometimes just the act of thinking about your look and being intentional can make a massive difference in your outlook.
But what if we are starting from scratch? What if it feels hard and daunting to just put on clothes every morning? Forget a “LOOK.” What if we just want to get in the habit of putting on clothes every day, even to work from home? I can make that feel not only easy, but I think it can even be a fun practice in self-discovery and help you evolve your style.
As usual, the tips below are going to seem simple, and that is because they really are. No complicated number systems or formulas or tricks or hacks. Just some easy and practical ways to set your day (and year!) up to be successful.
I initially started typing “don’t reinvent the wheel,” but then I realized we don’t all necessarily even have a wheel to reinvent. We first have to invent or identify our wheel. In this extended metaphor, “the wheel” is an easy go-to outfit that makes you feel good. It is your safe space. It is the jeans you pack when you are leaving for the weekend. It is the t-shirt that fits nicely. It is the sweater that is cozy but makes you feel great. This is where we start. In my book, I call the pieces that you wear most often “the regulars.” They are the pieces in the heaviest rotation. If the regulars are the building blocks, the wheel is the go-to look.
I have a few WHEELS in my repertoire at the moment (I will go over them below to act as some examples!), but the best thing about these looks is that they are not necessarily static. Sure, we are not reinventing them every day, but they do evolve (more on that below!). And evolution is the best part of fashion and personal style. Spending time with your closet can be an opportunity to nurture your creativity and discover yourself over and over again. You do not need to remain static. Even with your three words, they are meant to change and shift and evolve.
So my first tip for getting dressed each day is a very, very simple one. Start with the wheel. Put it on your body. Done. You did it!
MY WHEELS: I am being SO real with these looks. I am not trying to impress you here (or make myself look more relatable). These are the things that I actually put on my body the most on a daily basis. You have probably seen these pieces before in my newsletters or on my IG, because this is really what I wear. I am not trying to sell things or show newness right now.
If step one is to identify your easy go-to look and put it on, step two is even easier. Put on the same look you wore the day before (your wheel!) and change one thing. Just one. No, seriously, that is all. Put on what you wore the day before, but switch up one thing. If you wore jeans and a T-shirt, try the same base combination but add an accessory. Or try black jeans instead. Or swap in a long sleeve for the T-shirt.
I take this tip VERY seriously. Sometimes I change nothing (besides my underwear). I pride myself on taking great care of my clothing, but on the weeks when I do FaceTime sessions from my home office every day, I will often just drape my pants and sweater over the chair in my bedroom and put that on as my base for the week. But I don’t stop there. I will often switch up the jewelry if I am working from home. Or if I am leaving the house, I will grab a different coat than the day before. This is also an amazing place to play with the “wrong shoe” concept. The shoe can totally transform your look, so I will often try two or three pairs before leaving the house. For me, this is a very easy and low-stakes way to play with your look. It is a finishing touch, so it doesn’t require totally changing your clothes, which can honestly be annoying. And of course, it is usually the less likely shoe (or handbag, or sunglasses) combination that feels the most interesting.
It seems really simple because it is, but by the end of the week I often end up with a totally different look. And then that can merge into the following week. And soon you have a new “wheel” that you can play with.
MONDAY
MATE tee, MATE triangle bra, MATE high waist brief, EREDE collar, HIGH SPORT sweater, TIFFANY & CO cuff, TIFFANY & CO ring, 1ST DIBS Vintage Cartier ring, 1ST DIBS antique ring, EREDE ring, THE ROW pant, COMME SI socks, ROTHY’S clog
TUESDAY
HIGH SPORT sweater → ALEX EAGLE sweater
WEDNESDAY
EREDE collar → LE SUNDIAL collar
ROTHY’S clog → THE ROW flats
THURSDAY
THE ROW pant → AFLALO jeans
FRIDAY
THE ROW flats → REFORMATION boots
LE SUNDIAL collar → MOSQUITO SHOP necklace
SATURDAY
ALEX EAGLE sweater → ISSEY MIYAKE coat
Added the JUJU VERA earrings
Removed MOSQUITO SHOP necklace
SUNDAY
AFLALO jeans → THE ROW pant
REFORMATION boots → THE ROW flats
Added the BERGDORF GOODMAN bag, TIFFANY & CO ring, 1ST DIBS Vintage Cartier ring, 1ST DIBS antique ring, & the EREDE ring
Removed JUJU VERA earrings
MONDAY
CHLOE sunglasses, STUDIO NICHOLSON jacket, NEST JEWELRY necklace, ALEX EAGLE sweater, CHAN LUU scarf, PHOEBE PHILO pant, BALENCIAGA bag, THE ROW flats
TUESDAY
ALEX EAGLE sweater → THEORY sweater
WEDNESDAY
STUDIO NICHOLSON jacket → 6397 blazer
THE ROW flats → TECOVAS boots
THURSDAY
PHOEBE PHILO pant → THE ROW jeans
FRIDAY
CHLOE sunglasses → OLIVER PEOPLES sunglasses
TECOVAS boots → THE ROW flats
Added the CHAN LUU scarf & KHAITE pendant
SATURDAY
6397 blazer → COS coat
SUNDAY
THE ROW jeans → SUZIE KONDI pant
MONDAY
MAYA STEPPER earrings, RENGGLI tee, CO sweater, PHOEBE PHILO belt, THE ROW jeans, TECOVAS boots
TUESDAY
PHOEBE PHILO belt → KALLMEYER belt
WEDNESDAY
RENGGLI tee, CO sweater → ALEX EAGLE sweater
MAYA STEPPER earrings → SHANNON BOND earrings
THURSDAY
TECOVAS boots → REFORMATION boots
FRIDAY
Removed PHOEBE PHILO belt & SHANNON BOND earrings
Added NOUR HAMMOUR coat & VERTIGO necklace
SATURDAY
REFORMATION boots → TECOVAS boots
THE ROW jeans → TOTEME skirt
SUNDAY
TOTEME skirt → STILL HERE jeans
Something! Anything! Please! I have said this before but I want you to reverse the Coco Chanel quote and instead of “take one thing off”…I want you to add something. I think we have become minimal/lazy/obsessed with looking “effortless” that our looks are falling short and feeling boring. I have had SO many clients say, “But it looks like I am trying too hard when I add jewelry or a belt,” and to that I say… no, it actually really doesn’t. It looks like you are trying, sure. But trying too hard? By adding a belt? No. Have you ever looked at someone wearing a belt and thought, “Ew, they tried so hard, how embarrassing?!”. I doubt it. I will say, I think what these clients are feeling when they say that is that there has been effort put in. And we perceive that as bad or embarrassing. But it really isn’t. The act of adding a belt or clasping on a necklace isn’t that effortful BUT it does require some thought and it signals intention. It does not just happen on its own. There are choices made, there is a point of view. And having a point of view and looking intentional takes a little extra effort.
These additions can be super small. Here are a few examples to get you started :
ADD SOME JEWELRY
If you typically wear earrings, try adding a cuff as well.
If you wear a few delicate necklaces layered together, add one more to the mix.
If you wear the same necklace everyday, add some hoops.
If you wear a watch, layer a bracelet with it. Or two!
If you want to experiment with something low stakes, try a brooch on your coat or jacket. This feels super high impact but low stakes because you can take the coat off!
ADD A BELT
If you typically wear a lot of black, try a chocolate brown belt for some contrast.
If you love tonal looks, try a belt that is a similar tone to your trousers.
If you want a more subtle look, try a belt without hardware like a leather tie belt or a tassel belt.
If you want to give some edge, add a belt with extra hardware like grommets or studs.
If you like to play with texture, try something suede or patent leather or embossed leather.
If you like neutrals but want to explore prints and patterns, try an animal print— I love leopard and python.
If you like to play with proportion, try a tie belt over a coat or jacket to create a cinched waist.
ADD A SCARF
If you are intimidated by a scarf a good way to introduce it is by treating any scarf like an “outdoor scarf” meaning wear it with your outerwear. Even if it is silk. This is a great way to ease into scarf wearing because it is more transient and you can take it off when you get to where you are going
If you like to play with textures, add a scarf that contrasts the rest of the look. I find a silk scarf is a nice way to add some softness and polish if a look is feeling edgy or sharp. The contrast is really important here, instead of saying “my look is really polished and preppy so I should add a silk scarf,” you want to do the opposite. Add that element when the rest of the look is missing it. You can use the scarf to pick up the slack.
If you like a chunky or heavy boot, I find that a big cozy scarf is nice to add to your winter look to balance the weight. Since you have something heavy and chunky at the bottom, adding volume at the top creates a nice equilibrium.
If you don’t have a scarf but like this idea, grab a sweater and tie it around your shoulders.
If you don’t know how to tie a scarf, here is some inspiration for you. Remember, it is actually about imperfection so don’t waste your time fussing over it.
(1) COS sweater
(2) RUADH jean
(3) RUE SOPHIE coat
(4) LARROUDE boot
(5) NOUR HAMMOUR sash
(6) BEN-AMUN necklace
(7) AT PRESENT cuff
(8) CELINE sunglasses
(9) THE ROW bag
(10) MOSQUITO SHOP comb
(1) GOOP sweater
(2) OSSOU jeans
(3) SOURCE UNKNOWN coat
(4) COS boots
(5) ORGANICJOHNPATRICK scarf
(6) STUDIO NICHOLSON bag
(7) LINDA FARROW sunglasses
(8) CASA SHOP brooch
(9) ANNIKA INEZ earrings
(1) SOLDOUT.NYC turtleneck
(2) MASSIMO DUTTI jeans
(3) TORY BURCH jacket
(4) AEYDE boots
(5) PIERRE-LOUIS MASCIA scarf
(6) CELINE belt
(7) LEIGH MILLER ring
(8) REFORMATION ring
(9) MADEWELL ring
(10) AFLALO necklace
(11) MADEWELL bag
(12) TOM FORD sunglasses
Thank you Mate the Label for sponsoring this newsletter and introducing me to my new favorite bra and underwear!!! I also have to shout out their bootcut leggings that i was sent and also love. Okay, that’s all!
This was so helpful, Allison…and doable! I feel capable of this haha! Thank you so much, as always.
I LOVE these ideas! Thank you Thank you. Excited to experiment with one extra