The Favorite Five — Ari Elyse

I never really understood the idea of a time capsule wardrobe until I turned 20. Like your saying that I should have a total of 20 (or less) items per season to live off of...like that's not realistic. But it is. paris has made me realize that I don't need a lot to compile a "fashionable" wardrobe. So in celebration of my discovery of how to be a minimalist, here are five pieces in my wardrobe that I could not have lived without this Fall.

1. Steve Madden boots

Honestly the MOST important item I have ever invested in. These boots have gotten me through every single thing. They have survived all 0f (but not limited to) the following things:

Countless nights out in Paris, where 7 am was my bedtime
3 trips
About a thousand metro rides.
3 dates
Cobblestone streets
A Christmas Market
The stairs going out of the metro stations at Montmartre
My first magazine launch party

You know that saying about walking a mile in someone's shoes? Well I've walked a thousand in these and they are still as cute and comfortable as ever. They are my go-to shoe for any situation and any outfit, and I'm pretty sure I wore them almost every single day during the fall and winter months (let's not lie I also wore them during August with some cute shorts). So praise to Steve Madden for making a kick-a** pair of shoes, because they have definitely survived the mean (yet fashionable) streets of Paris.

2. J. Crew Military Jacket

Okay gonna admit, that whenever utility jackets were becoming a thing, I was not about it, but J. Crew has made me a believer. It's cute, it's functional, and it's incredibly versatile. This jacket was only made better by the fact that I didn't pay full price for it (praise the fashion gods for outlet malls). But in all honesty, this jacket has been a great layering piece, and was ideal for me to have for this semester since I travelled around a lot.

3. Leather Leggings

Anyone who really knows me, knows that pants are not my favorite thing. I mean yeah I do have that pair of boyfriend jeans that I love, but nothing comforts me more than a solid pair of black leggings. And it's even better when those leggings are leather. I don't know there's just something about leather that makes you feel so confident. For example, I was wearing my oversized sweater and nikes the other day, but I still felt put together ( and dare I say kind of like a bad a**) because I was wearing my leather leggings. So shout out to Saks Fifth Avenue for the steal.

4. Fur Vest

Okay if you had asked me like last year if I would ever have a piece of faux fur in my closet, I would have probably laughed in your face. The relationship between me and faux fur was kind of like this:

Faux Fur: Hey you know what would look good on you....?

Me: What?

Faux Fur: Me *winks suggestively*

Me: Hahahahahahahaha...you're tacky and I hate you...

Yeah it was like that (also if you don't get that School of Rock reference, then why do I even do this?) But one fateful day in early August, I was out shopping with Kim (my mom, yes I refer to her as Kim sometimes) and stumbled upon this gem. I don't know what pulled me towards buying this, but when I tried it on I was just like wow, I have to have this. So even though my dad literally said I looked like a wookiee with it on, I got it, and I don't regret it at all. I can wear it to formal events or just for casual everyday wear. Also I just feel hella fab in it, like it's something that a socialite would wear when the police came to tell her that her rich husband had died (lol where do I get this from?).

5. Statement Necklace

Last, but definitely not least, a statement necklace. I love a good statement necklace, I have about five of them, but the one that I have fallen in love with is my gold necklace that I got while in Spain. Now before you're like "Oh my gosh Spain? Gold? This had to be expensive." No no no my dears, you should know that I rarely pay full price for anything, and I'm always down for a great bargain/dupe. I got this piece at El Rastro, which so happens to be the largest open air flea market in Madrid. The necklace was the result of a 2 for 10 euro deal, and is now a consistent feature of any outfit I wear.