Hi friends! Today, I bring you the Bible. HA. Really, the CUR Bible. Because it’s been a labor of lovelovelove to make it happen, with the amount of archival rummaging that needed to happen to bring it all to life. Today we’re talking 10 things that essentially compromise a “CUR Closet.” I was inspired by one of my own favorite bloggers, Katey, who did her own version back in the day. It’s such a fun way to “sum up” the style of not only me, but likely of many of you who have continued to stick it out together through the years. 😉
Aaaaaand since it’s back-to-school season, and your girl is *missing* a good BTS Target haul, we’re making up for it for any of you babes in the back-to-school shopping mindset looking to add a few on-brand staples to your closet.
Actually, keeping it to only 10 things was a bit of a challenge. But I did my best and included photographic PROOF of wear, also as inspo for ways to wear each category in your own closet. Fair warning…this post is absurdly long and obnoxious. and took – I KID YOU NOT – about 40 hours to find, format, and write everything out. So. May you find SOMETHING valuable + fun inside its depths. 😉
LET’S GO.
1.) Dainty gold jewelry
If you follow along on Instagram (especially Instastories), chances are, you’ve heard me mention my Olivia Name Necklace from The Sis Kiss before. That, and Tula. 😉 But really, it’s no secret how attached I am to this thing; I’ve worn it nearly daily since Olivia’s birth, and it’s particularly special to me whenever we’re apart (like when she was in the NICU for 73 days, or if I’m traveling without her).
The girls who run the shop are SO sweet, and they passed along a discount code for you girls since I talk about them so much – ha! Code ERICA15 will get you a discount on a name necklace of whatever the heck else your heart desires. Personally, I *strongly* recommend personalized goodies like this especially for the holidays; these name necklaces are just SO perfect for anyone from new mamas to newlyweds, or justbecause she’ll lovelovelove.
There are three other necklaces I’ve typically got on repeat in the dainty gold jewelry department.
1.) My gold E coin. It actually says “one in a million” on the back of it, making it another great giftable (actually, these all are!). Also looks good layered with other dainty gold pieces!
2.) My “Not Sorry” necklace. Got this at Rachel Hollis’ RISE Conference (author of “Girl, Stop Apologizing”), and it felt fitting .
3.) My gold heart. This one is from a Christian storefront and has a Bible passage on it:
2.) The Leith dress
This is THE dress that I rave about constantly, that I have – I kid you not – in five colors sleeveless, four colors with long sleeves. It wears so well that you won’t need to replace it each season, making it very much worth the money. It’s SO insanely flattering on literally any body type, I also kid you not. I’ve had followers message me on Instagram after buying it themselves saying how it’s their new favorite dress, too, and they’ve got a totally different body type than me – which I lovelovelove!
The ruching on the side slims the appearance of your stomach area, since there’s the pulled fabric going across (it hid my baby bump when I was pregnant before telling people!). The slight asymmetry in the hem line draws the eye to your leg in a really flattering way (+ it makes you look taller by not drawing a straight horizontal line across your thighs!). It’s not skin-tight, but tight enough to hug your curves in all the right places. And it’s moveable enough to wear while chasing the kids around, without worrying about flashing folks if you move too quickly. Also dresses up AND down so easily, so it’s 100% a CUR closet must.
3.) “Disney World-worthy sneakers”
By “Disney World-worthy” I mean sneakers that are cute enough AND comfortable enough to last you all day walking around Disney World if need be. So you KNOW they’re comfy…because anyone who’s been to Mickey Mouse land can attest to the fact that park hopping could be an Olympic SPORT. My last big Disney trip exacerbated what was apparently a stress fracture in my hip because we walked a whopping 59,788 steps (24 miles in 3 or 4 days, no joke). SO…the shoes matter.
These are the three pairs in particular in my closet that are truly Disney World-worthy.
Top of the list were the glittery Golden Goose lookalikes from Amazon that I’ve raved about before – they’re comfy, they’re cute, they’re waaaaay more practical + affordable than $600 GG sneakers (I will never understand why folks would spend that much money on dirty-looking tennis shoes…). Under $40 and run TTS – I have both the silver and gold glitter pairs!
Next are my *actual* Disney shoes – these are unreal in the best sense. They’re – wait for it – Dr. Scholl’s. And they’re cute as heck and comfy as heck, too, and I’d recommend them to anyone + everyone on the planet. I was shook. AND I am SO stoked because I found them for 55% off right now…from $70 down to $30.72!!!!
The third pair are another pair I’ve worn in actual Disney World: these red kicks. They come in other colors if you’re not feeling red, but personally, I think it feels rather festive. 🙂
4.) Leopard print
I mean, if you’ve been following along with CUR for approximately half a second you’d likely have picked up on this one. 😉 If it’s leopard, it’s in my closet. Maybe I should mix up my print portfolio…and then again, I don’t mix up my husband or best friends, so never mind. 😉 Leopard is a neutral. It just is. You can pair it with other prints, with other colors, with just about anything – and it’s seasonless and timeless and classic and never going out of style, ever.
Clearly, I have a problem. But a GOOD problem, albeit. 😉 It’s just a power print that never fails. If you have NOT yet tried to add some leopard to your own closet…WYD. Seriously, what are you doing?! DO IT, girlfriend! Try it. Let it lift your spirits…time to treat yo’self. 😉
5.) Cozy casual
This one needs is like its own sub-category within a category, because it includes all things Barefoot Dreams, Thread & Supply, Cuddl Duds, and Wildfox. All *fabulous* brands for the softest, squishiest, COZY AF pieces, and all brands that I own multiple pieces from! Especially since I work from home, it’s pretty darn easy to justify cozy casual separates on a regular basis. Of course, I try to force myself to put on “real clothes” for work, but if you own any of the brands I just mentioned than YOU KNOW how hard of a feat that is. 😉
HOT TIP: If you’re not trying to spend the big bucks on Barefoot Dreams but are dying to get your hands on a piece, Nordstrom Rack gets Barefoot Dreams pieces in sometimes! So bookmark this page and check back often to find what you’re looking for at a discount!
I ALSO found Thread & Supply there – WOOHOO! From the wubby pullovers to this shearling-lined corduroy jacket which is *so similar* to the lavender jean jacket with shearling that I shared on my Instastories recently that y’all LOVELOVELOVED.
AND AND AND Wildfox is also at the Rack here. SO if you’re looking to treat yo’self… 😉
6.) Pearl jean jacket
Another piece that you have PROBABLY seen sported around these rosy parts if you’ve been hanging around here awhile. I got my first pearl jean jacket a few years back, and it just might be my all-time favorite piece in my closet. It’s been sold out forever but I just saw that it got RESTOCKED, so can we get a HALLELUJAH up in here?!?!
I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been stopped in public because of this thing.
It’s also fun because it’s that fabulous worn-in denim feel, so it feels very casual + comfortable, but the pearls snazz it up so much that you can make it fashion.
My other pearl jean jacket worn here is this one; another great option that’s slightly different, with a darker denim and pearls moreso on the shoulder area than sleeves.
7.) Bodysuit
A good bodysuit is always in style. I personally lovelovelove because it takes away the hassle of tucking and keeps everything really streamlined together. Other shirts that are looser around the waistline might add extra fabric, especially when trying to tuck, which can add “fluff” there. SO if you’re looking to keep things slimmer/streamlined in appearance, bodysuits rock.
They’re also definitely what I recommend for a night-out look as a grown-up, since they can feel sexier without being sleazy. Highly recommend!
8.) Leather leggings/leather jacket
I’ve said it before that my own personal style is like equal parts girly x edgy. Maybe you’ve gotten that feel befoire? But TBH, sometimes it feels so hot and cold within my own wardrobe. One day I’m in a twirly skirt and heels, the next I’m in combat boots. Both feel completely “me.” Two things that feel very me in the “edgier” category: a faux leather jacket, and leather leggings.
A good moto jacket is clutch for automatically adding some edge to ANY look. Really, you can throw one on over the aforementioned twirly skirt and heels and THAT can feel more street style chic and less fairytale-esque. It’s always a go-to for me for a night-out, or anytime I want/need to feel a bit more badass.
Then, leather leggings – specifically, my Spanx leather leggings. These are one of those things that I believe are a MUST HAVE in every girl’s closet, especially if you live somewhere that gets cold for the fall/winter season! These are really the warmest pants in my closet. I prefer them over jeans for cold days, because they’re truly insulating – not to mention slimming. Bless you, Spanx, for tucking in ALL THE THINGS.
9.) Statement heels
Another total power piece: the good statement heel. Pair with an otherwise neutral outfit for a true pop, or mix and match with whatever else you’re wearing – really, the sky’s the limit.
Some personal favorites…
- These studded pumps are lookalikes for the Valentino Rockstud pump! I have lookalikes, just not these *exact* ones, but my exact pair isn’t sold on Amazon anymore. BUT, my own pair was about $100 more expensive than these, so yay for the discount!
- For a good statement heel that’s still office-appropriate (and truly doesn’t NEED to be a statement – they have basic blacks + neutrals, too!) is the Everlane Day Heel. I’ve shared them many-ta-time here before, but I really can’t recommend them enough – they’re the most comfortable heel I’ve ever worn, will give you absolutely NO blisters or rub marks (truly, bless up), and work for all-day workwear.
- Steve Madden is one of my favorites for shoes in general, but especially for statement heels. (The leopard block heels I’m wearing right above are Steve Madden, as are the super shiny mirrored heels above!)
10.) Jumpsuit
A good jumpsuit is my chosen power piece in ANY occasion. If you need to dress up, be that for a conference or wedding, it slays. If you need to just throw something on and go and feel chic…it works casually, too.
Only caveat: you have to get nakje to pee. But it’s the small sacrifices, folks, for big style. 😉
What’s your personal favorite category in the CUR closet?
What kinds of things would you lovelovelove to see styled for fall? Let me know below!
