I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge.

I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge.

      Jennifer Atilémile epitomizes the woman who excels in various fields. A genuine multi-hyphenate, she is a model, writer, creative, activist, and intellectual. As an editor in residence, she offers an insider's perspective on the fashion industry. I am approaching a month in my new home, which I recently purchased with my fiancé. Having moved frequently during my childhood, I never experienced a sense of permanence. This is likely why I surrounded myself with belongings; they provided comfort and security. Even if I had to relocate again, I could always count on having my favorite sweater.

      My current job allows me to travel frequently, and I truly enjoy it. If it's not a 24-hour job—where I fly in the night before, work all day, and then head back home that same evening—I like to schedule a little outing for myself. I’ll take a walking tour around my hotel area, explore some vintage boutiques, and treat myself to a nice lunch or dinner. It’s my way of adding romance to my hectic schedule and ongoing jet lag. I'm particularly fond of browsing vintage shops in Europe because their style and taste stand out compared to that of America.

      Due to my love for fashion and my inability to resist a great vintage find, my apartment was brimming with clothes before we moved into our house. I recall my fiancé commenting when we began discussing living together, “You’ll have to sort out your clothes because there’s no room for me.”

      Packing for the move brought a mix of liberation and emotion. I was creating space for my new life while saying goodbye to the clothes that had accompanied me through some of my most transformative years. I managed to part with numerous pieces and even held a closet sale just days before moving. It was a joy to see others appreciate my clothes in a way I hadn’t in years, and it felt good to let them go.

      The truth about me is that I tend to shop emotionally. While I'm not impulsive, I do make purchases to celebrate achievements or cope with life’s tragedies. Now that I’ve bought a house (the ultimate purchase, by the way), my impulse buys have decreased. Although I still shop, it's much more intentional. I seek items that will endure rather than things I’ll have to replace by next season. Here are some items I brought with me, along with a few things on my wish list. Since my birthday is approaching, I’m allowing myself to indulge a bit.

      Valuable Jeans

      I think I had around 30 pairs of jeans—no one really needs that many. I kept my classic, reliable pairs. You can’t go wrong with a good pair of Levi’s. I'm also a fan of Reformation jeans and Good American. I found my vintage Levi's at an amazing store in L.A. called With Love, Lenny, where you can choose a pair of jeans and have them tailored to fit you—such a great experience.

      Levi's

      501 '90s Straight Leg Jeans

      Good American

      Soft-Tech Good Classic Bootcut Jeans

      Reformation

      Cary Slouchy High Rise Wide Leg Jeans

      Fun Shoes

      If I’m going to have multiple pairs of the same shoe style, the second pair must stand out. I often receive compliments on the pair from Lili Curia.

      Lili Curia

      Beau Lace-Up Loafers

      I bought another pair of shoes before our move, but since we now have a mortgage, I’ve put myself on a shopping ban. I can still shop, but items must sit in my cart for a while before I make a decision, plus I’m implementing a strict “one in, one out” rule. This pair from Nou captured my heart and will be a lasting part of my closet.

      A Cute Dress

      I moved during what I consider an in-between season (L.A.'s weather has been quite unpredictable, 95° one weekend and 65° the next), making it hard for me to part with my summer dresses. I adore this one from Réalisation; it features one of the brand’s cooler prints.

      Réalisation

      The Cora in Mirage

      This Exact Matching Set

      I’m also a huge fan of the 11 Honoré revival. I’m constantly on the lookout for occasion wear, and I was fortunate enough to shoot with them recently, allowing me to take this outfit home. I really like this two-piece set as it simplifies choosing what to wear since the top and bottoms are designed to go together.

      An image from my recent 11 Honoré shoot

      11 Honoré

      Embellished Matching Set

      A Paris-Inspired Pencil Skirt

      Honestly, I don’t own many miniskirts; I prefer midi skirts. However, one trend I noticed a lot at Paris Fashion Week was pencil skirts. My goal this year with my purchases is to only add unique pieces to my wardrobe. This one from Dries Van Not

I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge. I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge.

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I Began With 30 Pairs of Jeans *Way Too Many*—Here’s What Made It Through My Major Closet Purge.

I purchased a house. Here’s a list of what was discarded during my closet decluttering before the big move.