I may or may not have a shopping addiction, so choosing the top 10 items in my closet was really tough. You might be asking yourself: “Gemma, nobody is forcing you to pick 10 items and didn’t you come up with this concept anyways?”. Well, yes, yes I did, but once I decide on something, it takes a lot to talk me out of it. Some would call me stubborn, but I prefer to be labelled as determined.

Some way, somehow, I did it! Here are the top 10 items in my closet (in no specific order):

Clothing

1. White Jeans – Mango

I think a pair of white jeans are a staple in anyone’s wardrobe, no matter what your style is. This is especially true if you’re like me and enjoy experimenting because they are the perfect neutral base. They tend to elevate any look, compared to blue denim. Whether you need a casual or dressy look, white denim is an easy and chic option.

2. blue gingham skirt – handmade

This is one of my most prized possessions, not just because it is beautiful, but because I made it with one of my favourite people. This was made from vintage fabric that my aunt had for many years, and I immediately knew what I wanted to create with it. The whimsical combination of polka dots and blue gingham go so well with the flowy silhouette of the wrap skirt. I am a big fan of colour and patterns, especially pairing multiple in an outfit. This makes it such a statement piece that immediately sparks joy in the wearer, which I why I love styling it.

3. Polka dot skirt – vintage Marallis Collection

This is another piece in my wardrobe that holds sentimental value for me. It was my grandmother’s skirt, so as you can tell, she was a fashion icon. I can honestly say that the three most powerful role models in my life, my mom, aunt, and grandmother, are all inspiring and strong women who love fashion. I guess that’s where I got it from! This skirt encapsulates that history for me, and I know Nonna Teresa would be proud of how I wear it and honour her every time I do.

I love how you can wear it as both a skirt and a dress. To wear it as a dress, you can either cinch it in with a brooch for a more tight-fitting look or drape and cinch the fabric with a low-waisted belt for a bubble dress effect. And if you can’t tell from the previous outfits, I love a good polka dot moment!

4. Keyhole Shirt – Vintage Holt Renfrew

While making this list, I realized I steal a lot of vintage clothes from my family. This is a very versatile shirt, that can be dressed up with heels and a skirt, or dressed down with cargo pants. I love wearing it both ways, and it’s a staple piece in my wardrobe even at university, which is a feat because the prerequisite for class is: very comfy.

Bags

5. Cream Suede Top Handle – Chloé Paddington

You guessed it: this is another sentimental item in my closet. Writing this made me realize I hold a lot of value for my clothes, which is probably why I love fashion so much as an expressive outlet. This was also a gift that took me a year to decide on. You wouldn’t guess it based on the amount of clothes I have, but I am extremely picky when buying things, especially since I have matured in my personal style. Ask anyone who tries to get me gifts; it is a struggle. But, I consider this a strong sense of taste rather than fussiness. I love the unique bulky hardware of this modern remake of a vintage style, the versatile colour, and the mix of suede and leather that adds texture. I often add bag charms to add colour and more whimsy to the bag and overall outfit.

6. Tropical Print Fish Handle – Alex Max

Whenever I travel, instead of getting trinkets that I don’t use, I love shopping for unique items that I cannot find back home. I got this bag in a cute boutique shop in Tropea, Calabria, Italy. The fun handle and print is me in a bag, so I had to get it. I usually style it as an elevated beach or pool bag because of the tropical print and vibrant colour.

Shoes

7. Suede Flower Heels – Vintage Prada (SS 2008 Runway)

These might be my favourite shoes or even item that I own. The colours, the patterns, the silhouette, everything about this shoe has me obsessed. I could even attribute the way my style has changed in the way I use colours and experiment with things more is because of these shoes. They are a piece of art in a shoe, so whenever I have the opportunity to wear them, I always do, from special occasions to vacations. They are also immensely comfortable, and I can wear them for hours, which is a major bonus.

8. Steve Madden Boots

This is a two in one entry, so I guess I did cheat a little. Steve Madden boots are the only boots I buy because they are wide calf approved. For many of their boots, there’s a wider calf option, which fits perfectly on me, unlike other boots that are way too tight on the calf and bunch uncomfortably. I wear them so often as they are perfect for any season and go with pretty much any outfit.

The dark brown moto style is my tried and true boot for styling with jeans or skirts, whereas my newest addition, the cream knee highs, I mostly wear with skirts or dresses. The leather on the knee highs is more delicate as well, so I don’t get as much wear out of them, but when I do, they add a fun touch to the outfit.

9. Black TIe Up wedges – Pegabo

This is another item in my wardrobe that has been passed down to me. They are from the late 90s, and have been worn so much that I recently had to get the ties redone by a shoe cobbler. This is also one of my biggest tips for anyone: find a good shoe cobbler and your shoes will last forever. It’s also a great way to push back against fast fashion and constantly having to buy new shoes. These are also very comfortable, and I can dance in them all night long. Pretty much all of my favourite shoes have to be comfy, versatile, and a little bit quirky in a way.

Accessories

10. Charms and brooches

Bag charms and brooches are my weakness. I have been collecting them from my family’s closets to shops in the alleyways of Italy, and random gift bags for years. I love the versatility of brooches that can be added to bags, shoes, and clothing to whimsify any outfit. Above are some of my favourite ones which are staple additions to my everyday outfits.

I hope you enjoyed and were inspired by some of my favourite pieces. If you want more info on any of the additional styling pieces, comment below!