There are a number of people I look to on the regular to find outfit inspiration from and London-based stylist, Anna Vitiello, is at the top of that list. With a wardrobe that looks like it’s been plucked from the ‘80s in the best possible way, she has a knack for dressing in sculptural silhouettes, bold colors, and eye-catching accessories, and has a strong personal sense of style that isn’t swayed by what everyone else is wearing.
Perhaps my favorite thing about her take on fashion, though, is her stance on normalizing the idea of rewearing pieces in your wardrobe. In a recent Instagram post pictured in a signature pair of geometric Loewe sunglasses that have been a mainstay in her wardrobe, she spoke about the importance of investing in pieces to wear again and again, rather than putting something on to wear for a single photo.
Curious to hear more, I spoke with Vitiello. “As we all know, social media has normalized having a new outfit for every post—it feels like consumption is at an all-time high, and what we need is directly the opposite,” she explained. “Slower consumption will not only benefit our pockets but the planet and our wellbeing, too—the pressure of wearing something new or ‘hot’ all the time is one that no one needs.”
What she recommends instead is a tight edit of fashion items you really love and plan to wear again and again. “Reaching for a few pieces that you know make an outfit come together is a more enjoyable way to get dressed,” she explained, “and also gives us the opportunity to refine our own personal style.” Here, she’s sharing the top 5 items from her curated wardrobe and why she wears each of them on repeat.
The item: reinvented leggings. Why it’s a wardrobe essential: “The perfect legging—that doesn’t look like a legging—is the hardest working piece in my wardrobe. I like to be comfortable but I’m not a jeans girl, so these are my go-to, and I adore these by Self Portrait (I also have them from Saint Laurent and Toteme!).” —Anna Vitiello
The item: one-stop shop piece. Why it’s a wardrobe essential: “The one-stop shop piece, as I like to call it, applies to a very few key pieces in my wardrobe that I can pick up in a rush and no matter what I wear with them, I feel like I’ve made an effort. We all have busy lives, and honing in on what works for you on the go really helps make your wardrobe work harder. This Elzinga blazer is something I bought earlier this summer and I’ll often pull the colors from the blazer itself to make the outfit come together.” —Vitiello
The item: investment bag. Why it’s a wardrobe essential: “The ultimate investment bag, because no wardrobe is complete without one. This isn’t about how much you spend or what brand it is, it’s about what works hardest for you, what brings versatility to your accessories repertoire. This Prada Cleo is that for me—subtly retro yet modern and clean, it pulls together all the different aspects of my style.” —Vitiello
The item: tailored coat. Why it’s a wardrobe essential: “It almost sounds cliche, but a really incredible, well-cut coat is a real necessity, come rain or shine. It’s the key to a polished wardrobe and the best-kept secret for those gym-to-work to dinner days. I love this one by Philosophy in this beautiful army green wool. I wear it with neutral colors and often to cover up a legging and sweater ensemble!” —Vitiello
The item: high-impact belt. Why it’s a wardrobe essential: “The perfect belt is something I’ve searched for forever. Gold is such a mainstay of my wardrobe, and the buckle on this is such a winner for me. It’s a vintage Judith Lieber piece teamed with my favorite necklace from my friend Doina x Monica Vinader’s collectionn to bring it all together (and lots of other gold, of course.)” —Vitiello
