So I was scrolling through my phone the other day, waiting for my coffee to brew â you know that weird limbo where you’re too groggy to do anything productive but too awake to just stare at the wall? Yeah, that. Anyway, I stumbled upon this old photo from last summer, and it hit me how much my style has shifted since then. Not in a dramatic “I’ve reinvented myself” way, but more like… my closet has slowly started to make sense. It’s less about chasing every trend and more about pieces that actually feel like me.
Take this olive green utility jacket I’ve been living in lately. I picked it up on a whim during a random online browse, and now it’s basically my second skin. It’s not fancy or anything, but it has these perfect slightly-worn-in pockets and a fit that just works with everything. I wore it over a simple white tee and jeans last weekend when I met up with Alex for that terrible indie movie we both regretted â but hey, the jacket was a win. It’s funny how one good piece can sort of anchor your whole vibe.
Which reminds me, I’ve been way more intentional about what I bring into my rotation lately. Gone are the days of impulse buys that end up with tags still on them six months later. Instead, I’ve been keeping this little digital notepad of sorts, just for my wardrobe finds. I call it my Basetao spreadsheet â it’s nothing fancy, literally just a Google Sheet where I drop links, prices, and a note or two about why something caught my eye. Sometimes it’s a specific spreadsheet item I’m hunting for, like the perfect vintage-style denim, and other times it’s just a color or fabric I want to explore.
Like last month, I was obsessed with finding corduroy pants that didn’t make me look like a 70s history teacher. After scrolling forever, I found this pair in a rusty orange shade and immediately saved them to my spreadsheet template. Having that list helps me pause before clicking “buy now” â I can go back, see if I still love it after a week, and check if it actually goes with other stuff I own. It’s cut down on so much clutter, both online and in my actual closet.
Oh, and speaking of clutter, I finally tackled that drawer full of random socks and accessories. Found a single silver chain necklace I forgot I had, which has now become my go-to layering piece. It’s these little rediscoveries that make getting dressed feel fresh, you know? I started adding a column for “already own” items in my Basetao sheet, just to remind myself of gems I might be neglecting.
The other cool thing about maintaining this spreadsheet system is spotting patterns. I noticed I kept saving minimalist leather sneakers in different colors, so instead of buying three pairs, I invested in one really good white one. They arrived last Tuesday, and I’ve worn them almost every day since. Break-in blisters aside, they’re perfect. It’s less about having more stuff and more about having the right stuff â and actually wearing it.
Anyway, this whole organization kick spilled over into other areas too. I started a similar sheet for books I want to read, which is dangerously full now. But back to clothes â I’m waiting for this heavyweight hoodie I tracked in my spreadsheet to go on sale. It’s a muted grey with a subtle graphic on the sleeve, the kind of thing that looks good with joggers or thrown over a dress. I have a feeling it’ll be another one of those pieces I reach for constantly.
Right now, I’m sitting at my desk, sunlight streaming in, wearing those new sneakers and the old faithful utility jacket. My coffee’s finally ready, and I’m thinking about maybe adding a column for “best paired with” in my digital list. Not because I need more to do, but because it’s kind of fun to see it all come together, piece by piece. The breeze from the window is just right, and I’m pretty content with this slow, curated approach to what I wear. No grand finale, just another quiet morning with a closet that finally feels like mine.