The Pieces I Keep Reaching For (And Why They Still Work)

We all have them—the pieces that somehow end up back on our bodies week after week. The jacket that finishes everything. The dress that always makes sense. The shirt you meant to wear once, but is at the top of the rotation.

I’ve styled red carpets, editorials, brand campaigns, and everyday women and men entering the most pivotal moments of their lives—and no matter how wide the wardrobe, the same truth applies: we all return to the pieces that work.

And by “work,” I don’t mean trendy. Or expensive. Or even flattering in the most obvious sense. I mean the ones that feel aligned. The ones that carry you. The ones that let you move through the world feeling a little more like yourself.

These Pieces Aren’t Random

It might feel like your go-to outfit is just easy or convenient. But it’s actually giving you information. About your energy. About your identity. About how you want to feel—even if you’re not always sure how to say it.

The pieces I keep reaching for tell a very clear story. Not just about what I like, but about what supports me.

They’re dependable in a way the trend cycle never is. They carry memory, mood, intention. And most importantly, they hold their power—season after season, moment after moment.

So here’s a look inside my own styling brain: what I reach for, why it works, and how to find your own forever pieces.

1. The Structured jacket

There’s something about a jacket with just the right shape—clean lines, strong shoulder, minimal bulk—that gives everything else you’re wearing a little more intention. Not stiff. Not overly tailored. Just structured enough to bring clarity to the look. For me, that’s my black leather jacket with gold details. I love it and it will always be one of my go-to staples.

Why I keep reaching for it:
It holds the outfit together without overtaking it. Whether I’m in jeans and a tee or a dress, my leather jacket gives the whole look a little umph. It frames me—without trying too hard.

What it’s taught me:
Structure doesn’t mean restriction. The right jacket doesn’t limit movement. It gives it direction.

2. The Dress That Always Feels Like Me

Every woman has a dress like this—or we should. Mine isn’t flashy. It’s not tight. It doesn’t scream for attention. But the moment I put it on, I know I’m in the right thing. It’s the dress I wear to feel grounded and at ease, whether I’m heading to a meeting or going out to dinner. For me, this is a thin comfortable material that fits like a glove and moves with my body.

Why I keep reaching for it:
Because I never second-guess it. I’m not adjusting, not wondering if it’s “too much” or “too basic.” It just works.

What it’s taught me:
Personal style isn’t built on standout moments. It’s built on consistent alignment.

3. The Oversized Button-down I Thought Was “Just for Travel”

You know that piece you pack thinking, this’ll be good for the plane, and then suddenly you’re wearing it everywhere? That’s this shirt.

Soft cotton, dropped shoulder, long enough to layer, sharp enough to stand alone. I’ve worn it with leggings. With denim. Over a flowy dress. Under blazers. It’s that flexible.

Why I keep reaching for it:
It’s versatile. It balances structure and ease, which is exactly how I want to feel when I’m moving.

What it’s taught me:
When something works for you stick with it.

4. The Pants That Took Me a While to Trust

These pants weren’t love at first try. High-waisted, wide-leg, slightly cropped. At first, I wasn’t sure. But then I wore them. Then again. Then again. And now they’re my most reached-for base. They make every top look better. They move with me. They say “I showed up,” even when I didn’t have the energy to try.

Why I keep reaching for them:
They give me proportion, presence, and posture.

What they’ve taught me:
Sometimes the piece you resist becomes the one you rely on. You just have to give it space to earn your trust.

5. The Piece I Thought Was “Too Bold”

It’s a coat. Bold, not subtle. I bought it thinking I’d wear it once. It’s become my cold-weather signature. People ask about it. I feel seen in it—not in a performative way, but in a connected way. It truly matches my personality and it makes me smile when I wear it.

Why I keep reaching for it:
It lifts. It holds. It’s the piece I throw on when I want to feel awake—even if I’m not.

What it’s taught me:
Statement pieces only work when they’re rooted in identity—not just impulse.

These Aren’t Just Favorites—They’re Mirrors

The pieces we wear over and over are reflections. They reflect not just what we like, but who we are when we feel most present.

That’s why, when I style for red carpets or photo shoots or personal milestones, I always ask: What do you already reach for when you want to feel grounded? That tells me so much more than a Pinterest board ever could.

Because if your “special” clothes feel disconnected from your everyday self, the look won’t land. The photos won’t feel like you. And the moment will pass without feeling owned.

Your repeat pieces are your visual baseline. And when you understand what they’re telling you, you can build on them—in ways that are still you, just elevated.

How to Find Your Repeat Pieces

If you don’t have go-to pieces that work in every chapter, every season, every state of mind, it’s not because you lack style. It’s because you haven’t taken the time to listen.

Here’s how to start:

1. Audit What You Actually Wear

Not what you like. What you wear. Lay it all out. See what themes emerge.

Are you drawn to softness or structure? Neutrals or contrast? Fluid lines or precision?

2. Ask: How Do These Clothes Make Me Feel?

Don’t just ask if they look good. Ask if they hold you. Ask if you’d want to be seen by someone important in them. If yes—you’re onto something.

3. Name Your Anchors

What are the three pieces in your closet that you trust implicitly? That work across moods and moments? Those are your anchors. Build around them.

4. Rebuild, Don’t Replace

You don’t need a whole new wardrobe. You just need more of what already works—and a better understanding of why it works.

Style Is What You always Return To

The fashion world loves a debut. A reveal. A transformation. But real style? It’s in the return.

It’s in the pieces that feel like home. The ones that meet you in your moments and reflect you back to yourself. The ones that show up again and again—reliable, adaptable, expressive.

And if your closet doesn’t have enough of those? That’s not a flaw. It’s an invitation.

To reconnect. To refine. To choose with more care.

Because the most iconic looks aren’t the ones that surprise you. They’re the ones that stay with you.

With all the style and love you deserve,

Monica