How to Find the Closet Essentials That Actually Work for You | Styled, Off Script Ep. 7

Every closet has a few overachievers—the personal closet essentials that quietly make getting dressed easier.

The shorts you wash quickly because you want to wear them again. The jacket that somehow works with almost everything. The dress that holds an entire memory. The jeans you trust enough to put on without a backup plan.

These pieces are not always new, expensive, or particularly impressive on a hanger. They simply keep showing up—and somewhere along the way, they become the MVPs of your closet.

In Episode 7 of Styled, Off Script, Marge, Liz, and Maloree look beyond the usual list of closet essentials to ask a more personal question:

What clothes have earned your trust?

Listen: The Clothes That Earned Their Place

In this episode, the hosts compare the pieces they wear most, the clothes they will never give away, and the styles they once believed were not “for them.”

The conversation moves from broken-in denim shorts and inherited caftans to sentimental dresses, oversized button-downs, and a moto jacket that has survived 13 years, multiple style eras, and even a black-tie wedding.

But the episode is not really about creating another checklist of things everyone should own.

It is about what happens when a closet finally begins to reflect the person standing in front of it.

“There’s no question whose closet it is today. It’s my closet.” — Liz

Styled, Off Script, is a podcast about personal style, fashion, and the real relationship we have with our clothes—and how it evolves alongside who we are.

Powered by Dia & Co, each episode features candid conversations exploring style, identity, self-expression, and the real-life moments that shape how we get dressed.

Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Amazon, or to read the full transcript, keep scrolling.

The Starting Lineup: Marge, Liz, and Maloree’s Closet MVPs

No two starting lineups look exactly alike. That is what makes them useful.

Marge’s closet MVPs are often roomy, versatile, and capable of shifting between different versions of her life.

Her oversized denim jacket can go over a dress, work with sandals, or make an easy outfit feel more intentional. Button-down shirts have remained a constant for roughly 15 years, moving from winter flannels to lightweight summer linen.

Then there are the pieces that do not work quite as hard but hold something just as important: joy. Her rainbow sequin jacket may not belong in the weekly rotation, but it takes her back to a Harry Styles concert, cutoff shorts, sequined boots, and a very specific version of herself.

Liz’s closet has a denim jacket for nearly every mood, occasion, and weather report.

Her current MVPs also include cutoff shorts, inherited caftans and robes from her grandmother, and a moto jacket she has owned since her son was born 13 years ago.

The moto jacket has dressed up, dressed down, collected scars, and adapted as the rest of her style changed. More importantly, it gives her an immediate sense of confidence and adds a little edge to the more classic parts of her wardrobe.

Maloree’s hardest-working summer piece is a pair of black shorts that goes with nearly everything. Year-round, she returns to comfortable, trusted denim.

Her closet also contains a different kind of MVP: sentimental dresses connected to weddings, milestones, and meaningful moments. She may not wear all of them now—and some no longer fit—but their emotional value makes editing them a little more complicated than simply asking when they were last worn.

“I’m just going to dress in what makes me feel good and what I like.” — Maloree

Does Everyone Need the Same Closet Essentials?

The hosts’ answer is a fairly immediate no.

A traditional capsule wardrobe usually begins with the idea that a small group of universally useful pieces can work for almost anyone. But usefulness depends on the person.

A structured office dress is not essential when you do not work in an office. A white button-down is not helpful when it never feels like you. A closet filled with perfectly coordinated neutrals may make one person feel calm and another feel like all joy has left the building.

Closet essentials should reflect:

• How you spend your time
• What makes you physically comfortable
• The level of variety you enjoy
• The silhouettes and colors that feel like you
• The amount of decision-making you want from your clothes
• The memories and meaning attached to what you wear

The goal is not to reject simplicity. It is to make simplicity personal.

Try an Outfit Formula Instead

An outfit formula offers some of the ease of a capsule wardrobe without prescribing the same clothes to everyone.

A formula is simply a combination that reliably works for you.

It might be:

• A button-down shirt + wide-leg pants
• A favorite dress + an unexpected jacket
• One bold color + one print
• Trusted jeans + a new top silhouette
• A casual base + a more polished third piece

The exact formula matters less than knowing why it works.

Once you recognize it, you can create new versions from the clothes you already own. You are not rebuilding your wardrobe every morning. You are playing matchmaker.

“I like playing matchmaker in my closet.” — Liz

This Week’s SOS: My Closet Is Full, but I Wear the Same Five Outfits

This week’s Style Emergency came from the hosts themselves:

My closet is full, but somehow I still end up wearing the same five outfits every week. I do not necessarily want to buy a whole new wardrobe—I just want to feel excited to get dressed again. How do I figure out what is working, what is taking up space, and where to begin?

1. Follow the repeat wear

Start with what you already reach for.

Which pieces are consistently clean, comfortable, and easy to style? What do they have in common? Pay attention to fabrication, shape, color, length, and how they fit into your real schedule.

Your repeat outfits are giving you information.

2. Put the clothes on your body

Something can be beautiful and still not belong in your closet.

Try it on. Sit down. Walk around. Reach for something on a shelf. Notice whether you immediately begin adjusting, pulling, smoothing, or negotiating with it.

Discomfort does not become more useful because the item looked promising on the hanger.

3. Name your formulas

Look at the outfits you wear most and identify their structure.

Maybe you consistently pair a roomy top with a wide-leg bottom. Maybe you rely on a dress and a third piece. Maybe everything starts with jeans and changes through shoes, color, or accessories.

Once you know the formula, you can introduce variation without abandoning what already works.

4. Add one new player

Refreshing your style does not require replacing your entire closet.

A different jacket, new shape of top, unexpected color, or more current bottom can create several new combinations when it works with the MVPs you already own.

The new item becomes the bombshell entering the villa. The trusted pieces help it settle in.

5. Keep a giveaway bag nearby

Liz keeps a donation bag in her closet and adds to it in the moment.

When she tries something on and realizes she is not only avoiding it today but is unlikely to wear it again, it goes into the bag instead of disappearing back into the closet.

This makes editing an ongoing habit rather than one enormous, emotionally exhausting project. It also makes genuine wardrobe gaps easier to notice.

Find the Closet Essentials That Work for You

Sometimes you know exactly what is missing. Sometimes you only know that getting dressed has become repetitive, frustrating, or disconnected from your current life.

The Dia Core Four Essentials Boxes offer four places to begin.

Choose the area of your wardrobe that needs support, and a stylist will curate five pieces around your style, fit preferences, lifestyle, and feedback. Try the pieces at home, keep what you love, and send back the rest.

The Boxes are available anytime, feature an ongoing rotation of new arrivals, and do not require a subscription.

The Core Four can become the starting lineup. Dia’s rotating limited-edition Themed Boxes offer trend-forward, seasonal ways to introduce something new when the reliable favorites could use a little more energy.

Want to Build Your Wardrobe Over Time?

The Core Four boxes are designed to help you refresh a specific part of your closet without committing to a subscription. But sometimes, what you really want is a little more guidance—and someone who can help you see how all the pieces fit together.

With a Dia & Co Style Plan, you’ll work one-on-one with a stylist each month to build a wardrobe around your real life, evolving preferences, and personal style. It’s less about starting over and more about finding the next right pieces for the closet you already have.

“You’ve got to bring in a bombshell.” — Maloree

The Best Closet Essentials Have Earned Their Place

A useful closet does not have to be minimal. It does not have to follow someone else’s list. It does not have to look like anyone else’s.

It simply needs enough pieces that make getting dressed feel possible—and enough room for your style to keep evolving.

Start with the clothes that already show up for you.

Then decide who deserves to join the team next.

---

Got a style dilemma?

We’re taking real SOS submissions for future episodes.

Whether you’re:

• packing for a trip
• stuck in a style rut
• navigating a wardrobe change
• or just not sure what to wear

Submit your own SOS request and we may feature it on the show!

Click for the Full Episode 7 Transcript.

Marge Welcome back to SOS. We’re here for episode 7, lucky number 7. I am Marge, joined by Liz and Maloree. 
Liz So glad to be back. 
Marge I’m really excited because we are talking about closet MVPs, the pieces we couldn’t live without. I think we’ve teased a lot of these out in the past. And now we’re having a whole episode dedicated to our closet favorites, the go-to pieces, the essentials, or a phrase I use a lot, elevated essentials. And it’s because we all have them, and— 
Liz Yeah. 
Maloree [laugh] 
Marge Not everybody’s are the same, but I think there are some that are probably more shared common across the others. So to kick us off, I would ask first, is there a piece that you would call an essential, or call your MVP, the piece you wear most often? Is there, like, a go-to in your closet right now? Is it seasonal? 
Liz Maloree, you wanna start this time? 
Maloree Yeah. Hang—sorry. My child just walked in here and, like, scared the crap out of me. 
Marge The reality of recording a podcast. I love that. 
Maloree Oh, man. Okay, repeat again, sorry. 
Marge Is there a piece in your closet that you wear the most often these days? Is it seasonal? Have you had it for a while? 
Maloree I think mine definitely seasonal because I have been wearing the crap out of a pair of Madewell shorts lately, just because I love the length of them. And I know I’ve talked about it before, but I just love the quality of Madewell jeans. They last forever. But those are definitely the pieces working the hardest right now. They’re black, and it just goes with everything. But then, like, year-round, I also have a pair of Madewell jeans that I like to roll up during the spring and when it’s warmer. And then I roll them down when it’s cold. So definitely, like, a good pair of, like, nice-fitting jeans that are comfortable. Because if it’s not comfortable, I’m not wearing it ever. 
Liz Mm. 
Marge So worth it. Period. I love that. Liz, how about you? What’s your go-to? The piece you wear most often? 
Liz Yeah, well, I will go with, um, seasonal as well. Um, I am a girl who loves a pair of cutoff shorts in the summer. 
Marge Hard same. 
Liz So I just—I don’t care. I’m not a brand loyalist. Um, I just like a good-fitting pair of cutoff shorts. Probably the more raggedy, the better, to be quite honest. The more broken-in, the better. And then year-round, I think Maloree probably mentioned that in an earlier podcast, but I am known for a denim jacket. And so it is my layering piece of choice. Um, I have many a different denim jacket depending on my mood, my attire, where I’m going, and the weather. And, um, but I am often with a denim jacket in tow. So that is definitely what works hardest in my wardrobe. 
Marge It is mind-boggling to me that people that say, “I already have a denim jacket,” and then they can just, like, live their life. 
Liz Yeah. I don’t know what that means. That’s not in my vocabulary. 
Marge I don’t either. I have multiple, and each serve a very different function. And I love them all. 
Liz Correct. Correct. Correct. And I’m always looking for more. Somehow I never have enough. I never have the one that I, like, actually need for what I’m wearing. 
Marge Totally. I wanna react to the cutoff denim shorts because I was doing my nightly before-bed doom scroll recently, like every night, and I—somebody posted. This is not a take that I agree with, but I think it’s maybe interesting to talk about. They were talking about how women of a certain age and of a certain size shouldn’t wear cutoff denim shirts. There are shorts, they’re not for you. If you’re X, if you weigh whatever, you shouldn’t wear this. And it got me real heated and angry. And then I went to the comment section, and there were so many people fighting too. And I was like, okay, I could go to bed now. 
Maloree I wish you can see my face right now. 
Liz Good. 
Maloree Well— 
Liz You didn’t have to wage war. Someone was doing it for you. I love that. 
Marge No! It was—it was weird because obviously it was, like, a rage-bait post to get people’s engagement— 
Liz Yeah. 
Marge —and it definitely did that, and then the comment section very quickly was like, nah, this isn’t the take, nope. 
Liz Great. Great. Great. 
Marge I was like, great, I can go to sleep, good night. 
Liz I love that for you. Sweet dreams. 
Marge Why are we policing people’s bodies? I don’t get it. Like, I love cutoff denim shorts. I actually just bought a pair that are drawstring— 
Liz Ooh. Yes. 
Marge Though, they’re really wide-leg, and they kind of feel like something that you would find in a toddler section, but made for plus sizes. 
Liz Yeah. I know exactly what you’re talking about. 
Marge And I mean, lately, because I don’t have my full closet here where I’m currently residing, at my parents, they have become, like, my go-to summer staple shorts, and they’re so comfortable. 
Liz Mm-hmm. Yep. Yep. I—I—I must admit that I—and I think I may have spoken about this actually in our first podcast—I steered clear of shorts, for whatever reason, for a very long time. Um, and then I was very self-conscious in shorts, and I am not sure what it was, but—well, yes, I am sure what it was. We moved about six years ago to the hottest place on Earth. What I believe to be the hottest place on Earth. And for my own survival, I realized I had to wear shorts. Um, and I am so glad that I allowed—I gave that gift to myself because, one, I’m just a happier person. And, two, you know, I—I feel good rocking shorts, specifically jean short—denim shorts. But, um, I—I think that is just such a strange, like, barrier I put on myself. I don’t know why I decided I couldn’t wear shorts. I don’t know why I decided that they didn’t look cute on me. But it was definitely something—it was a barrier that I inflicted on myself. And it was also a barrier I alone had to remove from myself. And I am so, so glad I did. And I think it’s really important for my kids to see me in shorts and, very honestly, I live a happier life now that I wear shorts. And I live—I—I wear shorts in the summer probably 90 percent of the time. So it has had a real impact on who I am. 
Marge I love that. Absolutely love that. Shorts are very freeing. 
Liz Yes. Yeah, yeah. 
Marge And, yeah, I don’t know what I would do without shorts. Do you have, um—is maybe one of your other, like, MVPs a piece that has nostalgia, or is, like, an old piece of clothing that you carry with you that you could never donate or get rid of? Is that something you wear all the time, or is that sort of preserved to the back of the closet, enshrined in its own heavenly corner? 
Maloree I feel like that’s my entire closet. 
Marge Okay, say more on that. 
Liz Do you— 
Maloree I don’t know. I’m just one that, like, holds a lot of—I’m a very sentimental person. So I hold on to things that, like, I’m like, “This happened in this”— 
Marge Yeah. 
Maloree Or, like, especially dresses I feel like is even more because I—I think a lot of my, like, big events happen in dresses, like special occasions and stuff like that. So I hold on to them, and I, like, never wear them. So they’re just there. And a lot of them don’t even fit anymore. So it’s like, I don’t know why I’m holding on to this. It’s just here taking up valuable space as I have a pile of new stuff I need to put up. But I don’t know. I d—I definitely hold on to things that are sentimental because that’s just me, I guess. I’m a little sap. 
Marge I definitely have that. 
Liz I—I have a lot of my grandmother’s clothes, um, specifically caftans and robes. And I—I will say, I am proud to say that they don’t just sit there. I do make use of them. I wear them. They are part of my regular rotation. 
I have both winter and summer caftans and bathrobes that I make my way through on a regular rotation. And so I try my best to take very good care of them. Um, not to the same level that she did, unfortunately. We are operating under different budget constraints. Um, and—but yes, I do wear them, and I love them, and they mean a lot to me. Um, but I think that they wouldn’t have quite the same meaning if they just sat in my closet unworn. So, so yeah, that’s something that I—that I think about quite a bit. Yeah. 
Maloree I aspire to be Liz’s grandmother one day. 
Marge I think. Yeah. 
Liz Everyone aspires to be my grandmother. 
Marge Yeah, I could do with a couple of caftans. That feels the vibe I’m trying to bring to the function. I’m with you, Mal. Like, I have quite a few dresses that I’ve worn to close friends’ weddings that were just so much fun that wearing them or even just, like, looking at them makes me really happy. And there was a period of time, and I think I may have talked about this previously, where I had a really nice clothing rack in the middle of my home office, second sort of little area, where I hung my most favorite pieces and also, like, the most loud sort of crazy pieces that I wouldn’t necessarily wear on a daily basis. And it was, uh, it was during COVID where, like, I was wearing comfy clothes and T-shirts and pajamas all the time, but I wanted my clothing to, like, remind me of more exciting times and then sort of, “We’ll get outside one day.” And I had a lot of those dresses or pieces that I really loved. Like, sometimes—I mean, I have this great rainbow sequins jacket that I bought. I don’t know if I bought it for my birthday. I don’t think I bought it for really any occasion. I just was like, “Well, that’s crazy and fun. Why not?” And I ended up wearing it to see, uh, Harry Styles at MSG. And I wore it with cutoff denim shorts and these fun sequined boots. And that’s so not an outfit that I think I would ever, like, recreate, but for that moment was really, really fun. And so that sort of has that nostalgia that I don’t ever want to get rid of it because it sort of takes me back to that— 
Liz Mm-hmm. 
Marge —that concert. And I don’t know, I think it’s fun to see how, yes, you obviously wear typically one, maybe two outfits a day, if that, but yet we always have so many clothes. Is there something, Liz—you mentioned shorts being something that you didn’t think—like, you resisted for a long time and eventually embraced. 
Maloree Still nothing here. 
Liz Mm-hmm. 
Marge Is there anything else that you never thought you would like, but then you’ve come to not just like, but now has become an essential that you wear all the time or one of your favorites? 
Liz I mean, I would say basically my entire wardrobe— 
Marge Yeah. 
Liz —is—is a s—is a style now that I did not think I would ever wear. And—and part of that is because my style is so my own. And, well, okay, so I grew up in Southern California and then I lived my young adult life, early married life, on the East Coast. And I was going into the office like everybody. And I just had, like, a very clear picture on—and we talked about this a little bit last week in, like, early career, or last time in early career—of how I thought I wanted—I was going to dress. And it was very, like, refined, and it was very, like, based on how other people dressed. Like, I identified how I would dress so clearly based on other people. And so—and there was just not a lot of creativity, I don’t think, to how I dressed. And—and now, it’s not that I—I don’t think I dress, like, particularly flashy or crazy, but I definitely make a lot of choices in how I dress. And so I wear a lot of shapes, in particular, that I think I steered clear of for a really long time. So I’m 5’3″. I have larger hips, a big bust, and short legs. And I think, like, because of that, for the majority of my life, like, oversized clothing was not something that I ever considered wearing. And I would say most of the time now you see me in a wide-leg pant or an over—like, sort of, hate to say it again, but a maxi nap dress, or some sort of, like, oversized T-shirt dress or an empire-waist dress, something that has little to no shape is basically what I’m getting at. And that’s my style of choice right now. And I think that probably every style guide would tell you that that is not, quote-unquote—I hate this word—flattering, um, on me. And yet— 
Maloree [laugh] 
Liz —I love the way that that looks on me, and I think that it works. So I—I don’t know if that answers your question, Marge, at all. But all of those p—those are the pieces right now that are filling my wardrobe, and those are things that I would not have reached for five, 10, 15 years ago. 
Marge Yeah. And I think that’s a beauty of personal style. And I may be, like, deep in the, “What are we doing for our fall campaign?” and, like, marketing planning this week, ’cause that’s what’s on my work calendar and what I’ve been spending a lot of my time thinking about. But really, the freedom and the autonomy in choosing your own style and having an opinion on your own style, as opposed to being told what to wear or being so heavily influenced by other people on what to wear, that is really exciting to me, especially as someone who grew up in my teenage years and early adulthood didn’t have a whole lot of options and couldn’t have a real strong opinion because there just wasn’t the options available. So being able to work for a company and run this business that is really true to our core, helping other people unlock their personal style. Like, obviously, we have an amazing group of stylists who are here and happy to give style advice and give recommendations. And if you want someone to sort of hold your hand or be that friend to help elevate and—and coach you through it, absolutely. But it’s also really exciting when people start to determine what they want for themselves and have that evolution, and they sort of take the power back into their own hands. And it’s awesome. It’s awesome to see. I would say, Liz, you dress so creatively, and your personal style is such a strong reflection of who I know you to be. There are—I have various friends that are like that. Then instantly you’re like, “That’s a total—like, that’s a total blank outfit,” or, “That’s a total Liz outfit,” or, like—and it almost is— 
Liz Yeah. 
Maloree Uh-huh. 
Marge —um, kind of you, even if you’re not there. I see something, I’m like, “Ah, that makes me think of Liz. That’s awesome.” 
Liz Well, I—and I think that that’s—that’s one of the reasons I was excited for today’s topic, because I think it’s taken me a really long time to get there. And if you looked in my closet today versus 10 years ago, you would see a very, very, very different closet. But I think that my closet today is very, very reflective of who I am. Ten years ago, it wasn’t. Like, it could have been somebody else’s closet. And it didn’t mean that when I got dressed, I didn’t look like myself. 
Marge Yeah. 
Liz But not everything in it was reflective of who I am. And today it is much, much—there’s no question whose closet it is today. Like, it’s my closet. 
Marge Has anything stayed from then to now? 
Liz The jean jackets, I think. 
Marge Yeah. 
Liz The caftans and the jean jackets are consistent. 
Marge Yeah, yeah. Mal, anything for you? I know you’ve talked a lot about your style journey and how it’s evolved. Is there anything that’s in your closet that has been around for a while that still remains, like, a forever, a forever piece? 
Maloree I honestly—like, I was thinking about it, and I don’t think so. I feel like I’ve really gone through, like, an overhaul within the past few years, and I think it’s just—I think it stems from really becoming more comfortable in who I am. And like Liz was saying, like, my closet reflects me. And I think that really took time because I, too, was the same way. Like, I was dressing based on, you know, what people were saying I should wear or, like, I just—I was conforming to the idea of what I was being told I should look like and dress like. And I’ve just, like, decided I don’t care anymore, and I’m just gonna dress in what makes me feel good and what I like. And I don’t care if it breaks any of the style rules, quote-unquote, you know, What Not to Wear, whatever. Like, and I think that’s—like, as Liz was talking, the more I thought about it, I think it just comes from, like, becoming more confident in yourself, in who you are and how you want to portray yourself. And I think that’s—so, no, to answer your question, there’s not anything that has really stayed other than a good pair of jeans. The styles have changed because I was, like, ride-or-die skinny jeans, and those are still in my closet, but I have embraced more wide-leg and, like, things that I’m comfortable in and love the way that I look in. So, yeah. 
Liz Mm. What about you, Marge? 
Marge I think definitely the denim jacket, but the evolution of the denim jacket has definitely changed from what I had before. I think probably 10 years ago, I had a cropped, just under my bust, cropped, tighter-fitting denim jacket that I think I, like, stitched patches on and sort of embroidered in fun ways. It was, like, really, like, cutesy and—and femme, and that’s great, and it then started to feel kind of constricting. My most recent, which I’ve now had, I think, for the last, like, five years, is, like, a very oversized, kind of—I wouldn’t say it’s, like, got a lot of holes in it, but it’s definitely a distressed, lighter-wash, oversized denim jacket that I wear all the time. I feel like I can dress it up with a dress in my shoes and sandals, but it’s also not—like, I could wear it almost anywhere and feel really good in it. And sort of that, like, oversized feeling makes me feel really, like, cozy and comfy. There was such a period of time, such a long period of time, where I feel like plus bodies were, like, told, “Oh, well, you shouldn’t be ashamed of your body. Wear tighter-fitting clothes and say, like, ‘Who cares?’” Or— 
Maloree I honestly, like, I was thinking about it, and I don’t think so. I feel like I’ve really gone through, like, an overhaul within the past few years, and I think it’s just—I think it stems from really becoming more comfortable in who I am. And like Liz was saying, like, my closet reflects me. And I think that really took time because I, too, was the same way. Like, I was dressing based on, you know, what people were saying I should wear or, like, I just—I was conforming to the idea of what I was being told I should look like and dress like. And I’ve just, like, decided I don’t care anymore, and I’m just gonna dress in what makes me feel good and what I like. And I don’t care if it breaks any of the style rules, quote-unquote, you know, What Not to Wear, whatever. Like, and I think that’s—like, as Liz was talking, the more I thought about it, I think it just comes from, like, becoming more confident in yourself, in who you are and how you want to portray yourself. And I think that’s—so, no, to answer your question, there’s not anything that has really stayed other than a good pair of jeans. The styles have changed because I was, like, ride-or-die skinny jeans, and those are still in my closet, but I have embraced more wide-leg and, like, things that I’m comfortable in and love the way that I look in. So, yeah. 
Liz Mm. What about you, Marge? 
Marge I think definitely the denim jacket, but the evolution of the denim jacket has definitely changed from what I had before. I think probably 10 years ago, I had a cropped, just-under-my-bust, cropped, tighter-fitting denim jacket that I think I, like, stitched patches on and sort of embroidered in fun ways. It was, like, really, like, cutesy and—and femme, and that’s great. And it then started to feel kind of constricting. My most recent, which I’ve now had, I think, for the last, like, five years, is, like, a very oversized, kind of—I wouldn’t say it’s, like, got a lot of holes in it, but it’s definitely a distressed, lighter-wash, oversized denim jacket that I wear all the time. I feel like I can dress it up with a dress and my shoes and sandals, but it’s also not—like, I could wear it almost anywhere and feel really good in it. And sort of that, like, oversized feeling makes me feel really, like, cozy and comfy. There was such a period of time, such a long period of time, where I feel like plus bodies were, like, told, “Oh, well, you shouldn’t be ashamed of your body. Wear tighter-fitting clothes and say, like, ‘Who cares?’” Or— 
Liz Yeah. Yeah. 
Marge It’s more flattering to wear bodycon dresses and show it all, or if you’re not showing—like, if you’re gonna wear shapewear, like, look thinner, whatever. Like, all these things where I felt like everything had to be really tightly fitted in order to fit in with what was available and what was, like, on trend then. And now, like, I really don’t want anything touching my body. And I just, like— 
Maloree Mm-hmm. 
Liz Mm-hmm. 
Maloree No. 
Liz Especially in the heat. 
Marge Yeah. Like, I want things big and billowy and roomy. And, like, I want to look put together, and I like to feel put together, but I—the idea of putting on, like, a very tight bodycon dress is, like, the last thing that is exciting to me. Like, no thank you. And, like, for some people—like, I say that to say, like— 
Liz Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I got that. 
Marge If that’s what you like to wear, go for it. I don’t care. Like, I don’t care. Wear whatever you want. For me, just not something that I want. Looking back at our essentials and our MVPs, are there any specific styles that either you have multiples in or you find yourself gravitating to? I know for me, I am such— 
Liz Right. 
Marge A, like, button-down shirt person. I feel like I’ve always been a button-down shirt person for, like, the last 15 years, from flannel in the winter to big, flowy linen shirts in the summer, collared, not collared, half-button, part-button, short-sleeve, long-sleeve, in almost every color. Like, that is, I think, a piece that I have far too many, and I would not want to count. But is there any other, like, specific style that you would consider one of your closet MVPs? 
Liz I don’t have multiple of these because I don’t need multiple, but another MVP in my closet is definitely my moto jacket. Just, like, for longevity-wise, also, like, I’ve had it—goodness, I got it when Ezra was born, so 13 years—and I wear it— 
Marge Yep. Yeah. 
Liz Every fall. I mean, I live in California, so it gets a lot of wear fall and winter and into early spring. It is my jacket, and I wear it with absolutely everything. So it is my casual jacket, it is my, like, going-out jacket, and it is my, like—if I—I hate to say this, but I wore it to my brother’s black-tie wedding when I needed a jacket because it was the appropriate jacket to throw on over my shoulders. I mean, it looked fantastic with my ball gown, I will say. And, you know, I have, like, a—yeah, it was amazing. I have an amazing picture in my moto jacket at the end of the night. And I just—I think it is—it has worked so hard in my closet, and it just— 
Maloree Yeah. 
Marge I’m actually sure it did. I feel like moto jackets look good with everything. 
Liz I mean, it has the scars to show it, but that’s almost made it better. And I think it’s a piece that, I think, over the years, while the styles have changed, it’s such a classic piece that it has sort of gone along with the sty—with, as the styles have changed. So that’s okay. And like I said, I can dress it up, I can dress it down. It’s just something that feels essentially me, also. It gives a little edge to some of my more classic styles because I do still have that little bit of me that, like, has that more refined look sometimes. But, like, I want to bring a little bit more edge into my outfits, and so by adding the moto jacket, it just instantly does that. And—and I—so I like to do that. I happen to be in Connecticut right now visiting my family. Mind you, it’s summer, so I don’t have my moto jacket with me, but I can, you know, I can rock the Westport, Connecticut look and add a moto jacket and instantly feel more like myself when I’m here at other times of year. And there’s a confidence that I feel when I wear my moto jacket that—that I know will make me feel more like myself. 
Marge I think it’s one piece that everyone should at least try on and wear on a night out. 
Liz Yeah. Mm-hmm. 
Marge Just as, like, a test, because it doesn’t have to even be a fancy one. It doesn’t even have to be a real leather one. There is something about it. We had talked about, a couple episodes ago, about the faking it till you make it, and it is really, really a powerful tool slash costume to put on. And instantly— 
Liz Totally. 
Maloree Yeah. 
Liz No. Yeah. 
Maloree Mm-hmm. 
Liz Totally. 
Marge Maybe not instantly. Give yourself, like, 15 minutes in a public place to, like, just, like, “Okay, I feel okay, right? Like, it fits,” you know, whatever. And tell me you don’t feel like a bad bitch after. Like, it is truly one of the most formative pieces in my closet, when I got my first moto jacket. 
Liz Yeah. 
Marge It was like someone flipped a switch after a couple hours, and I was like, “Who is this girl who has her whole life together, doesn’t take shit from anybody, like, instantly feels really cool without doing anything but putting on a jacket?” 
Liz Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And to your point, Marge, like, there are moto jackets at every price point. And—and I—I, what I love now is that, yes, there is the traditional, you know, leather or faux-leather moto jacket, but there are so many different fabrications now, whether it’s a suede moto jacket or a canvas moto jacket. You know, you’re not really— 
Maloree Mm-hmm. 
Marge Every place for you. 
Liz —bound to a single option. And I think there really is something out there for everybody, but it is such a universally, like, versatile silhouette that I just really think that it’s something that can very easily fit into lots of different closets and be used in lots of different ways. So I reach for mine all the time. 
Marge And, you know, even if it’s, like, a one time a year, it just gives you that little, like—that you’re like, “Oh, okay. Okay.” It’s like—like Sandra Dee at the end of Grease. It’s just that little something that, like, “Wait, I had that girl in me the whole time. Okay, here we go.” And it really is—it sounds crazy, but it really does make a difference. 
Liz Yeah. Yep. Yep. Exactly. You got it. Yeah. Totally. 
Marge Um, okay, I may start a little bit of a debate here. 
Liz Ooh, I love a debate. 
Marge Does everyone actually need closet essentials? Like, should everybody have a capsule wardrobe of the same 10 pieces? Should we all— 
Maloree No. 
Marge No? Love that. 
Maloree No. I’m just—like, it depends on your lifestyle, like, who you are, what you do. So you go and, like, look up 10 essential capsule wardrobe, you’re gonna get the same 10 items. That’s not gonna work for me. Like, I don’t need a dress—like, a ponte black dress to wear to the office daily. That’s not my life. Like— 
Liz Yeah. 
Marge Yeah. 
Maloree That’s just not—I—I don’t think so. I think it’s very personalized to who you are. Now, could you make something of a capsule wardrobe kind of work? I think maybe for a short period of time. Definitely not, like, long-term, but you could definitely get pieces that mix and match and fit your lifestyle. I just don’t think that it works for everybody, and I think that’s okay. 
Liz Mm-hmm. I would also argue no. I think if a capsu—I agree 1,000 percent with Maloree that everyone cannot have the same capsule wardrobe. And this idea where, like, these are the 10 essential pieces everyone needs in their wardrobe is 100 percent bullshit, except for maybe a denim jacket, um, says the queen of the denim jacket, but not the same denim jacket for everybody. 
Marge Cult. Yeah. 
Liz And for myself, I will speak only for myself, but, like, the idea of living within a capsule wardrobe of any kind, like, I would spontaneously combust. Like, all joy would leave my soul. Even if I had my 10—the 10 items that made me the happiest and were the 10 most-me pieces, I would be—all joy would cease to exist, and I would be so sad. 
Marge You—yeah. 
Liz As someone who is currently traveling, I tried very hard. I packed for 12 days in a carry-on suitcase, and so all of my pieces mix and match. I have a color palette for my trip, and I did a very good job. I’m extremely proud of myself. 
Marge You have a color palette for your trip. 
Liz Yep. Yep. So I can mix and match. Um, I—you—I should do—there should be a photo carousel to go with this podcast. Um— 
Marge No one’s saying it. I love it so much. Wonderful. Yep. 
Liz Yep. Yep. Um, I was—this was, like, top, next-level. But that being said, I’m already sick of everything I brought with me, and I’m only halfway—I’m not even halfway through my trip. And I just—it’s just—it’s—I feel sad. I miss my clothes. My closet is one of my happiest places to be. I love visiting my friends there, and—and I just—I feel sad being so limited. And I—like, this is gonna sound so pathetic. Oh my God, I can hear my dad making fun of me. I don’t care. I like playing matchmaker in my closet, and I like taking people on blind dates in my closet and forming new matches. And with a capsule wardrobe, relationships get old and stale really fast, and there’s no new matches. So that is what I have to say about a capsule wardrobe. 
Marge Yeah. Maybe it’s kind of like a Love Island situation, in which, like, because the pool of people is so small, there’s only so many matches you can make. 
Maloree I was literally about to say. 
Liz Exactly. 
Maloree You gotta bring in bombshells. 
Liz Exactly. Well, I may or may not have sent myself a rental bombshell to enter the villa while I’m here. 
Marge Ugh. Or the OGs. 
Maloree Yeah. 
Marge I’m sort of wishy-washy on this. I think there are some pieces that everyone needs, regardless of gender, age, but I also don’t think we should start a cult with it. I think it’s open to interpretation. And I don’t know, for some reason this sort of brings me back to the people who were— 
Liz Hmm. Mm. 
Marge —being inspired by Steve Jobs’ outfit feels like insanity to me because it was a black turtleneck and black pants and whatever. That screams no joy. But the people who are like, “Well, I wear the same thing every day because then I don’t have to think about it, and then, like, I save time and I’m efficient,” and whatever, and I’m like, “So, you sound real boring, bro, and maybe you find other ways to enhance your personality. Debatable.” 
Liz Okay. 
Maloree That sounds boring. 
Marge Um, but I think there are some pieces that, like, are just sort of core to, like, everyone. But also, if it doesn’t work for you, then, like, Maloree, to your point, like, if you don’t need a black ponte-knit dress because you’re not ever going to wear it, like, there’s no—why do you have it? And so I think—I think it, like, has to work for you. I do also understand that there are a lot of people who are different than the three of us are— 
Liz Right. 
Marge —and who want that prescriptive, like, “Here’s what I wanna wear. I wanna wear, like, this-style top, this style—” Like, I totally understand and can see where that makes life really easy. Especially, like, as I’m currently living in a period of my life that is very complicated and everything’s changing, having limited clothing options— 
Liz Absolutely. 
Maloree Mm-hmm. 
Marge —in front of me and only being able to choose between, like, either this shirt or this shirt or this shirt, and these pants or shorts, like, does make life easier to then go out and get the day started and do what I need to do. Do I feel like part of the joy is ripped from me? Yeah, a little bit. But I think—I think, like, if you want that prescription, if you want that—if that’s something that doesn’t add value to your life— 
Liz Totally. 
Marge —you have other ways to get that, and, like, that’s your bag for personal style. And I think that’s what’s cool about it, is you can opt into it, but you can also opt out of it. 
Liz So, speaking of happy medium, one of the things that I’ve recently subscribed to is this idea of, like, outfit formulas, which maybe that is just capsule re—capsule wardrobes rebranded, but I do think it gives a little bit more personalization, a little bit more room for play. And it’s sort of this idea of, like, you figure out, or you learn with a stylist, what formulas work for you, and then you mix and match those formulas within your closet. So, speaking to, like, what you’re saying, Marge, of, like, you either have what you have, or you figure out what you like, and you work with what you’ve got to make new outfits or new mix-and-matchings and new pairings out of what you like or what you got. And—and I like that because it means it’s going to be tailored more to you instead of this capsule idea, which feels very generic, or at least historically feels more generic and more, like, for everybody and for the masses. And—and I think your outfit formulas can be as— 
Marge —and who want that prescriptive, like, “Here’s what I wanna wear. I wanna wear, like, this-style top, this style—” Like, I totally understand and can see where that makes life really easy. Especially, like, as I’m currently living in a period of my life that is very complicated and everything’s changing, having limited clothing options— 
Liz Absolutely. 
Maloree Mm-hmm. 
Marge —in front of me and only being able to choose between, like, either this shirt or this shirt or this shirt, and these pants or shorts, like, does make life easier to then go out and get the day started and do what I need to do. Do I feel like part of the joy is ripped from me? Yeah, a little bit. But I think—I think, like, if you want that prescription, if you want that—if that’s something that doesn’t add value to your life— 
Liz Totally. 
Marge —you have other ways to get that, and, like, that’s your bag for personal style. And I think that’s what’s cool about it, is you can opt into it, but you can also opt out of it. 
Liz So, speaking of happy medium, one of the things that I’ve recently subscribed to is this idea of, like, outfit formulas, which maybe that is just capsule re—capsule wardrobes rebranded, but I do think it gives a little bit more personalization, a little bit more room for play. And it’s sort of this idea of, like, you figure out, or you learn with a stylist, what formulas work for you, and then you mix and match those formulas within your closet. So, speaking to, like, what you’re saying, Marge, of, like, you either have what you have, or you figure out what you like, and you work with what you’ve got to make new outfits or new mix-and-matchings and new pairings out of what you like or what you got. And—and I like that because it means it’s going to be tailored more to you instead of this capsule idea, which feels very generic, or at least historically feels more generic and more, like, for everybody and for the masses. And—and I think your outfit formulas can be as, like, complicated and as big as you want them to be. And so maybe your formulas start pretty small, but, like, if you’re—if you’re more like us, then your formulas can be complicated and really involve lots of different numbers or whatever, or pieces. And if you don’t want them to involve that much, they don’t have to. 
Marge So, Liz, what I think you’re trying to say is that we are mathematicians and scientists. 
Liz Duh! 
Marge And we should be paid more. Okay, cool. 
Maloree Women in STEM. 
Liz Always, on all days. 
Marge That’s—that’s—I have actually, when I first started as a stylist, often thought about styling as an equation. What are the options? Like, what is the A variable plus the B variable plus C, D, E to make a five-piece Style Box work most cohesively based on all of these constraints and controls? And it was—it was, like, a fascinating puzzle to me, in which I understand that to other people that is very confusing and difficult, but I saw it more as a fun challenge and puzzle. Like, how do you get the shot on goal more often than not? And then to have people’s opinions and feedback come back to me to be like, “Yeah, the way you said this and this could go, and this and that—” 
Maloree Mm. 
Liz Right. 
Marge Yes, they see it. That’s the vision. 
Liz Well, and, like, I think you can use these formulas in a lot of different ways. So for me, like, one of the challenges I have, like we were just talking about, is, like, I love the pieces in my closet, but one of the challenges I have is I tend to wear the same three things every day. My shorts, for example. So, like, sometimes I will challenge myself with formulas, like, wear one piece with bold color and one piece with pattern. 
Maloree Mm-hmm. 
Liz And so then I go into my closet and I’m like, “Let’s pull one piece with bold color and one piece with pattern—any piece, pieces—and mix them together.” Now, obviously that’s not going to work for everybody. That’s, like, a ridiculous—what’s it called?—equation to try to make for everybody. But for somebody else, that equation might be something more like, “I love a button-down shirt, so my equation today is going to be a button-down shirt and—” 
Marge Yeah. 
Liz “—pants with a stripe.” And so that is sort of the—the logic that I’m going into my closet looking for and pulling those two pieces together. 
Marge That’s awesome. I love that logic. It actually speaks to—we didn’t have a new SOS, so shout-out: If you would like to be featured in an SOS coming up in the future, please submit an SOS. This one, I think, was sort of inspired by a conversation that the three of us had. But speaking to, we have closets full of clothes, but somehow keep wearing the same five outfits every week and wearing those same— 
Liz Literally. 
Marge —MVPs every week. I think your formula, and how to mix in or challenge yourself to wear something new from your closet that you already own, or maybe new for something—like, add one piece new versus two pieces new into, like, mixing up those five outfits so that they feel a little different. Like, instead of buying a whole new wardrobe, you can add one or two new pieces, and somehow that then elevates multiple different outfits in your closet. 
Liz Right. 
Maloree Mm-hmm. 
Marge I love that. Is there anything that you would recommend, like, that people should evaluate when looking for or, like, identifying their closet MVPs or finding their essentials? Anything that, like—what’s worth keeping? What’s worth replacing? Like, how do people identify? I’m sort of throwing some, like, last-minute questions here on how people can start to pay attention to their MVPs. 
Maloree I feel like you really kind of have to go in and, like, Marie Kondo your—your closet. Like, put it on your body. If you are sitting there fidgeting with it, get rid of it. Like, you’re not gonna feel comfortable in it. You need to make sure that what’s in your closet is stuff that you’re actually gonna wear. And if—I—I am very guilty of this, and I was actually working on cleaning out my closet this past weekend, and I was like, “This is so cute, though.” But then I put it on, and I’m like, “I don’t like it on me. Like, I just don’t feel comfortable in this. Why am I holding on to it?” Because my life is not gonna, like, magically change to where this is gonna, like, fit me and fit my life in a way that makes sense. So, like, just get rid of it. There’s no—there’s no sense in holding on to it. So I think that, for me, is, like, number one. Just go through— 
Liz Oh. Mm-hmm. 
Maloree —make sure that you feel comfortable in it. It doesn’t even really have to, like, work with everything else you have going on because, like you said, you can add new pieces here and there to make it work. But just, like, get rid of everything that doesn’t bring you joy, that doesn’t make you feel comfortable and make you feel like yourself. Just throw it out. Donate it. 
Liz Okay. 
Marge I think that’s exactly right. I think sometimes people put a limit on, “Well, I bought this, and I just haven’t worn it yet. And because I haven’t worn it yet, I’m going to donate it because I haven’t.” And for me, like, sometimes I buy something, and I may see, like, the vision of the one piece, but I don’t see the vision of the whole outfit yet. And so— 
Maloree Mm-hmm. 
Marge —I feel this, like, outside pressure of, like, “Oh, well, you haven’t worn that, and you bought it. Like, what are you doing with it? It’s, like, not doing anything in your closet.” But then I know myself well enough that, like, down the line I’ll be like, “Where was that plaid balloon-sleeve shirt that you bought last year and never wore but wanted to?” And then there are other pieces that you do hold on to, that you wore once, you don’t feel comfortable in, and you’re like, “You know what? I—” I think sometimes it’s kind of like fostering and rescuing animals or pets. I want my clothes to live their best life, too, and I want someone to love them and give them the best experience that I couldn’t give, if I couldn’t give them that. And so there are some pieces that, while I love them dearly, I know I’m never going to wear and don’t really see myself wearing them again, that I’m like, “No—” 
Maloree Mm-hmm. 
Liz Mm-hmm. 
Marge “—I’m okay. I can part with this. I want it to find joy somewhere else. We had a good run.” And then I usually cry about it later, but I’m like, “No, no, no, it’s fine. It was for the best.” But I think that’s—I think being able to have those, like, hard conversations. And I know a lot of people are like, “I’m bringing in a friend or somebody else to, like, help me be objective,” and I think if that’s helpful for you, then that’s fine. But I think— 
Liz I love that. Yeah. 
Marge —that often is—I would—I would not—I don’t know if I would be able to be as truthful or honest because I think I’d want to, like, people-please that person, and/or, like, be, like, too strict. Like, “I don’t want to get every—I don’t want to get rid of everything, but I do want to get rid of everything to, like, say that we did the thing,” where you kind of have to, like, sit there and be like, “Okay, it’s just me and me. What are we doing? Are we gonna wear this? Are we not?” 
Liz Yeah. I agree. 
Maloree Mm-hmm. 
Marge Make the decision. Um— 
Liz Right. I think doing it with some regularity is very important, too. Like, I just tend to get very overwhelmed, I find, if I don’t do it regular. Like, I just—I keep a giveaway bag in my closet, and I will just, like, as I’m getting dressed, if I see something or I try something on and I, like— 
Marge Yeah. Ooh, that’s smart. 
Liz —decide I’m not going to wear it, and I realize in that moment that not only am I not going to wear it today, but I’m probably not going to wear it ever, I will just add it to the giveaway bag in that moment rather than do, like, a massive cleanout. I mean, I still do massive cleanouts, but I sort of like to do it more in the moment because otherwise it goes back on the hanger and sort of goes into the abyss, and—and I miss it in that moment. And I just— 
Marge That’s so smart. Yeah. 
Liz —I find that if I do it in that moment, it’s just, like, it—it keeps me going. It keeps my closet more fresh and more manageable and more current, and me more accountable, and—and I just sort of know what’s there, I guess, um, and where my holes are also. Like, if I put on a T-shirt and it has armpit stains on it or something, and then it goes— 
Maloree Yeah. 
Liz —in the “this is not going to be worn anymore” pile, I also know that I need to replace it in that moment, too, or whatever. So I do that. 
Marge That’s super smart. 
Maloree I really love that. I will be adopting this practice because, like, I—I don’t know why Andrew decided this weekend was a great weekend to do it, but he started it, and I was like, “Crap, now I have to do it.” But, like, going through all my stuff, it’s such a chore, and I hate that it’s such a chore. But this feels so much, like, easier, and it makes so much sense. Like, in that moment, just—and then you don’t overthink it. 
Liz Such a chore. Yeah. You—it’s—right, exactly. 
Maloree ‘Cause that’s also my problem. Like, I’m going through it, and I’m like, “But I could wear this,” and then I end up keeping it, and then I never wear it. 
Liz Exactly. ‘Cause then it’s—it becomes so much of a bigger decision otherwise. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I do also go through things twice a year because, as I said, my closet is my favorite place, which means there’s a lot of stuff in it. And so I move my summer and winter clothes, like, in and out, and that is, like, an inherent time to go through everything. Um, but keeping the steady—the steady stream of, “I’m not wearing this. I’m never gonna—” 
Maloree Oh, boy. What’s it— 
Liz “—this goes into the—the bag of donate,” does keep me more accountable. And I do the same with—I—the kids know they can just bring stuff in there also, which is— 
Marge Such a great idea. Yep. I think we’re gonna document part of this idea and put it into the blog, which is where these episodes live, on dia.com/SOS. But we will give some tips and tricks, maybe our favorite essentials, not saying that you need to, like, opt into those essentials. We do always have themed boxes that are essentials, so we have Work-Ready Essentials, Everyday Essentials— 
Liz Awesome. 
Marge —Night Out, or Dressed-Up Essentials, and Weekend Refresh Essentials. So if you are looking for your new MVPs or sort of looking for more guidance on where to start, we have those options. But take some time to play around in your closet and figure out what works for you. And we’re here to help you figure it out if you’re not sure where to start. But this has been really fun, and I may or may not be getting a Dia Box in the next few days, so— 
Liz Mm-hmm. 
Marge —we’ll have to talk about that on the next episode. But this is awesome. Thank you both, and we thank you for listening, and we’ll see you in two weeks. 
Maloree Yeah. 
Liz Can’t wait to hear what you got. Bye.

---

Looking for more Styled, Off Script? Check out our other episodes:

---