Think about the last 12 months. How many pieces in your closet showed up in January AND July?

For most pieces, the honest answer is: they didn’t. They work one season, maybe two, then they hibernate. Which means you paid full price for a part time wardrobe.

I think about this every time I pack. I fit multiple climates into one 20 inch carry-on, and the pieces that always make the cut are the ones that never take a season off. Those are the pieces worth your money.

One catch though: “all year” means something completely different depending on where you live. A piece that works 12 months in Florida is not the piece that works 12 months in Chicago.

So I split this into two lists. Find yours:

🌴 Your weather barely changes all year

🍂 You get all four seasons

🌴 IF YOUR WEATHER STAYS (MOSTLY) THE SAME

This is you if "winter" means grabbing a light layer after sunset. Your enemies are heat, humidity, and freezing AC, so every piece here breathes, layers easily, and still looks put together. Let's go!

A button down shirt

Linen or cotton gauze, your pick. This is the exact linen one I’ve had in my suitcase since 2021 (I own it in white, flax, AND light cargo… I have a problem 😅).

I wear mine open, closed, knotted at the front over my dresses and jumpsuits, even as a swimsuit cover up. Seriously, this piece is a WORKHORSE!

If linen’s wrinkles stress you out, go for cotton gauze instead: it’s softer and much calmer about it. Quince has this one (runs big), and this one from LL Bean is worth a look too because it comes in more fun colors!

A sweater tank

I’m picky about my tanks. Like, embarrassingly picky. So believe me when I say this one earned its spot (I have it in beige, green and ivory, size S). It’s the tank that takes plain linen pants to the next level. This is a great no-tuck top.

Fun fact, my MIL who is 5'9" also has this same top. SHE LOVES IT and it looks gorgeous on her!

Linen pants

Yes, even in “winter.” That’s the whole point of your climate.

​My tapered pair is where I’d start. I also have the wide leg version in black and stripes. And stripes LOVE a wide leg.

PACT has gorgeous cotton gauze pants if you prefer that fabric over linen. And by the way, their entire summer collection is up to 70% off right now.​

One thing nobody tells you: linen stretches. The first wear feels snug, then it relaxes after a few hours. Don’t panic and return them.

​Ballet flats​

Coming from the woman who used to own over 100 pairs of shoes (Yes. One. Hundred.), hear me out: you only need a few pairs that work this hard.

I actually don't own a pair of ballet flats right now (ironic I know) - not because I don't love them, but because I haven't had enough time in the US to buy a new pair and test them before I travel with them. I have my own limitations LOL

Ballet flats dress up shorts, work with every dress and pant on this list, and take up basically zero suitcase space.

​Quince has lots of leather options and VIVAIA has some GORGEOUS styles (and they're known for comfort).

​These are the ones in my shopping cart. I almost got them, but since they wouldn't go with me to Italy this fall, why spend the money now you know? It can wait until spring!

​A maxi dress (or midi)

Throw it on and go. That’s it. That’s the styling advice 😂

The one piece outfit. When it's too hot to think about layers or you just have 10 minutes to get ready, this is the answer: one decision and you're dressed. Swap the shoes and jewelry, and the exact same dress covers a beach walk, dinners out, or running errands.

The one in the photo below is from Quince, but if you're looking for another sustainable brand with chic styles, PACT has beautiful dresses that are also comfortable and won't break the bank.

🍂 IF YOU GET ALL FOUR SEASONS

Your test is harder: a piece has to survive July AND January.

Let's be honest, most of your closet never will. Your shorts and your puffer are never going to be friends, and that's fine.

The goal isn't a 100% all year closet (that's impossible where you live). The goal is owning a handful of pieces that never clock out, because every one of them means fewer decisions, less "I have nothing to wear," and less overwhelm when the seasons flip.

My advice? Aim to have MOST of your closet work for 3 seasons, then let these 5 cover all four.

A cashmere silk pashmina

I'm basically terrified of being cold, so this might be the hardest working thing I own. I have several versions (different fabrics, different purposes for travel), and the cashmere silk blend is the one that earns all four seasons.

Here's why the blend matters: cashmere brings the warmth, silk keeps it featherweight and breathable. 100% cashmere would be too much in summer, and pure silk wouldn't do enough in winter. Together? Warm without being too warm.

Summer: your defense against freezing planes and restaurants.

Fall & Winter: your scarf.

Spring: your evening wrap.

A cashmere sweater vest

Don’t sleep on the sweater vest. People call it “trendy,” but it’s trendy in the way that it comes back every single year.

Sleeveless is exactly why it works all 12 months: alone or over a tank in spring and fall, over a long sleeve top in winter, and in summer it survives aggressively air conditioned spaces.

​This cashmere fisherman one is the one I have and LOVE!

White leather sneakers

You only need ONE pair of white sneakers. These are the ones I have.​

Leather is what makes them a four seasons shoe: it wipes clean, holds up in cooler months, and still breathes in summer. Bare ankles in July, warm socks in January, same pair.

If your winters are wet and slushy, go with Vessi instead, they’re the waterproof option. I have their Soho style and LOVE them. They're the ones I'm packing for fall in Italy.

A cotton cardigan

Cashmere gets all the attention, but cotton is what makes a cardigan work all 12 months: it's warm enough for chilly mornings, and breathable enough that you're not sweating by noon. The buttons are the whole trick. Open, closed, sleeves pushed up: it adjusts to the temperature instead of you changing outfits.

​This is the exact one I own and I wear it over anything! Love the color too (it's called Agave).

​Talbots has some cute cardigan options too.​

Ponte pants

I hadn't found pants I liked this much in YEARS. They fit right out of the package, zero alterations needed. I have them in basically every color (size 2, 26 inch inseam, I'm 5'4").

The slightly thicker, wrinkle resistant fabric carries you through fall, winter, and spring. In summer, save them for travel days and icy AC.

One note before you order: so many of you with apple shaped bodies wrote in after last week's email (I see you! 💛), and for you I don't recommend my exact pair. The front pockets add volume right at the midsection. This is the pair I recommend for you instead.​

Want more options? Spanx makes Ponte pants too, and here are all the Ponte styles from Quince.​

One last thing before you go.

If you just read this list and thought about all the money you've spent on pieces that only worked one season... please be kind to yourself. Nobody taught us to shop this way.

We were taught to buy for the season, the event, the trip. (Remember the 100 pairs of shoes? No judgment here 😅)

And you don't need to buy all of these tomorrow. Start with your own closet: I'd bet you already own a few of these pieces, they've just been waiting for you to notice how hard they can work. Go find them and start wearing them. Then pay attention to your gaps and fill one at a time.

That's how you build a wardrobe that works FOR you, instead of one that needs replacing every season.

Hope this was useful. And thanks for being here! I appreciate you more than you know 🌻

XO,

Aimara

New styling articles on the blog:

• ​21-piece Quince capsule wardrobe for fall​
• ​40 EASY Ponte pants outfit ideas​
• ​35+ silk skirt outfit ideas to steal​