Wardrobe (2024.12)

Over the last year I have refined and simplified my wardrobe so that every article of clothing works in conjunction with one another to create functional outfits based around temperature and comfort. I removed extraneous ‘one-off’s’, doubled down on what worked and embraced redundancy to eliminate ‘outfit decision paralysis.’ I have also fully embraced Merino wool because of its exceptional moisture wicking and odor eliminating properties which allows me to wear the same items longer and prolong my need to do laundry.

This wardrobe is comprised of 69 unique items which weigh 11,879 grams (26.19 lbs) and cost a total of $4,447.93 (at time of purchase).

All of my clothing comfortably fits into one half of my rolling suitcase, with shoes taking up about half of the other side.

To keep things simple I still wear the same underwear (x8) and t-shirt (x6) every single day. Black underwear and a navy shirt are great for hiding stains which allow for repeated wearings between washes.

I replaced all of my 100% cotton t-shirts with 100% Merino wool t-shirts and the difference is nothing short of incredible. My cotton shirts would undoubtedly get soaked with sweat when I would wear my backpack on a hot day, which would make me uncomfortable and slightly embarrassed. Additionally, the cotton would wrinkle and stretch, making it undesirable to wear again before washing. In contrast, Merino wool shirts have been a game-changer. I sweat just as much, but Merino wool efficiently wicks the moisture away, preventing that unpleasant, sticky feeling. Switching to Merino wool t-shirts has easily been the most significant upgrade to my wardrobe.

I now own just two pairs of shorts (x2), both with zippered pockets; a feature I find essential. While I love Merino for shirts, my preference for shorts and pants is a poly-blend. I favor synthetic fabrics for their lightweight nature, moisture-wicking properties, and quick-drying ability. In hot weather, they efficiently manage sweat, and in the rain, they prevent getting waterlogged.

I've replaced my jeans, sweatpants, and hiking pants with a single versatile pair (x2). Realizing that rain and moisture ruin denim and cotton, I dropped the jeans and sweats. My old hiking pants, though practical and synthetic, lacked style. My current pair is stylish enough, features a cargo pocket, zippered pockets, a built-in belt and cuff snaps for rolling up which is perfect for hot days. While not the ultimate pants, these have clarified what attributes I want in my ideal pair.

I own two identical Merino wool zippered hoodies (x2) for their perfect temperature control. Unzip when hot; zip it and hood up when cold. The hood alone has spared me on windy days when I didn’t think to bring a scarf.

My Merino wool sweater (x1) is the dressiest item I have, so when I go out for nice meals it is typically what I will wear. It can also be cleaned in the washing machine which allows me to circumvent the costs and inconveniences of the dry cleaning world. Call me crazy, but if I can’t wash it at home it isn’t worth buying.

Nothing has changed with my cold weather gear. When the temperatures drop below 45°F I switch out my underwear for Merino wool long underwear (x2) and my t-shirt for a Merino wool long sleeve shirt (x2). My cashmere beanie (x1) will undoubtedly be replaced with something Merino in the near future as it is showing its age. My Duchamp scarf, modified by a friend into a neck warmer like a TurtleFur, is something I highly recommend doing with an old scarf. And to keep my fingers warm I have a pair of touch-sensitive gloves (x1) that I don’t love but do the job. Not pictured is a long-sleeve UV-resistant shirt, which I wear when I know I need to be in the sun all day - a rare occurrence, so I only have one.

My sock selection is also largely unchanged, with the exception being my no-show socks (x5) which have been upgraded (of course) with Merino wool replacements. I am still using the same pairs of hiking socks (x6) and thick winter socks (x2) as they still have life to them and are already made of Merino wool.

I continue to use a combo of inexpensive bathing suits (x2) and the waterproof wallet and ‘wet suit bag’ that came with a pair of expensive Vilebrequin trunks I purchased a long time ago and no longer have.

When I get home for the day I immediately switch into my lightweight ‘indoor set,’ comprised of a thin Merino wool hoodie (x2) and thin Merino wool sweatpants (x2). If the floor is cold, I add slippers (x1). I occasionally wear the hoodie out when facing overly air-conditioned spaces or breezy conditions, which makes it semi-indoor/outdoor, but I’m okay with that. If I wasn’t constantly traveling and had extra space I would absolutely have distinct indoor and outdoor clothes.

If it is raining or windy out I will put on a lightweight shell (x1). And if I need to battle low temperatures I have a down puffer (x1) I can wear individually or layer underneath. They both fold and pack down to a fraction of their size and weigh almost nothing. I got rid of my previous umbrella after ditching my pants that absorbed water and now rely solely on the shell for full rain protection. I plan on adding a second, backup, shell due to how important it has been and how much my entire wardrobe’s functionality would suffer if it was gone or damaged.

I've been promoting 'barefoot' shoes with wide toe-boxes forever and recently switched my everyday sneaker from Lems to Vivobarefoot. The Vivos offer more ground connection, ideal for soft, varied surfaces but less comfortable on long stretches of concrete. Try multiple pairs if you are new to barefoot shoes to see what works for you. My Lems boots still perform well for off-road use when extra traction is needed. While Crocs' special-editions have become over-the-top, their classic clogs remain excellent, versatile footwear. My indoor slippers are still in use, and after getting rid of my sandals and realizing how useful they were, I repurchased them.

Without question I am always wearing one or both of the bags above. Instead of trying to keep my bags organized, I realized one day that my bags should do that for me and the rest is history. Out of all the sling bags I have purchased and used, this sling bag has the right mixture of materials, layout, number of pockets and overall utility. My backpack, whose logo is covered with an old skate patch, similarly has the right mixture of the aforementioned and was selected based on all of its unique pockets and features. While I’m very satisfied with the bag, something about it leaves me wanting. Since we all need to carry things, make sure you have a bag you love. If not, consider improving or replacing it.

I walked into A Million Sunglasses because my Oakleys were scratched. I got into an excellent conversation with the salesperson, Muhammad, where he basically told me that “Maui Jim has better optics and better customer service;” I was instantly sold. The optics on the sunglasses I purchased are indeed better, and the fact that Maui J im will provide customer service that actually shows they want to help their customers is what I look for in a company that I do business with.

I continue to rock my Casio F-105W on an 18mm velcro strap and absolutely love it for doing everything I need it to while essentially being weightless. The best tools are the ones you barely know are there.

I’ve had this particular baseball hat for a little over two years. It’s looked better, and I didn’t wash it before taking this photo, but it can withstand a wash-cycle without issue. It keeps the sun out of my eyes, and the heat off my head. I’ve tried to find fancier versions of this hat, but for now, this one just feels right.

I truly believe that the most important thing you should and can invest in is a wardrobe that allows you to feel comfortable enough to be yourself. Only owning enough to live out of a suitcase is as much of a feat as it is a moment in time. As life changes, so will my wardrobe. Hopefully these lists can serve to paint a picture of the person I once was and provide a history of who I continue to become. If you can improve your wardrobe and/or life with this information - all the better.

If you love your clothing and think I should know about a particular piece you have and use, please leave it in the comments.

Accessories

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Outerwear

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Shoes

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Underwear

Automobile (2024)