I am a preschool teacher, and I find myself getting lazy with my style. Before you jump on me for that, imagine the working conditions: on any given day I may have to help a child out of their pee-soaked pants, wipe paint off the floor, and sit within reach of many a milk-spill.  I’m not going to wear certain items to work when I know it might result in picking playdough out of intricate beading or carefully trying to dab out some bright red paint from dry-clean-only silk.

But I also live and work in New York City. I commute from my Outer Borough abode to the Upper East Side every day, and often make stops in the East Village, Chelsea, or Park Slope Proper for daily errands. My lifestyle does not include Soho loft parties, or glitzy philanthropic galas, but it does involve many live music performances, dinners out, and lots of time spent meandering through hip parts of Brooklyn. I don’t always want to dress like a preschool teacher. How does one shop for this kind of double life? Does it mean I need to have two separate wardrobes? I can’t really afford that… the rumors about teachers’ salaries are fairly accurate and the high cost of city living still shocks me. But I need to look presentable and professional, so what’s a lady to do?

In the past few years, I have building my wardrobe and my style from pieces that will last for the future few years (or many future years, if I’m lucky). A good friend wrote this piece on fast-fashion over two years ago, and it still rings in my head when I’m feeling tempted to swing by H&M on my way home (I pass one every day). The last time I did swing by H&M, I tried on 12 items. ALL of them were ill-fitting and featured less-than-desirable craftsmanship. I walked away with a scarf on sale for $5 and even that turned out to shed yarn bits all over my winter coats. Stores like H&M are no longer doing it for me. I’ve realized that I’m turning into a genuine, certified grown-up and my clothes need to reflect that.

So, I’m working on my “collection.”

• Two beautiful and simple Clare Vivier bags are my most recent additions, and will remain a part of my wardrobe for years to come. They will be heirlooms once my future daughter or granddaughter pries them out of my cold, dead hands.
• I’ve collected some great fitting denim in the past few years (Nordstrom Rack is my goldmine for that – I can’t wait til the Union Square location opens this spring).
• I have found multiple jackets that will keep me warm and well-dressed for many seasons.
• The Frye Harness Boots I purchased last year are still going strong, and I learned are a family style, tried and true: My dad used to wear them when he was my age – talk about everlasting style.
• I’ve recently acquired a “little black dress” from Anthropologie (Thanks, Alex!) that has just enough unique detailing to make it special, but enough simplicity to make it last. My old LBD is a little too little for my gradually sophisticating (a new word is born) tastes.

Plus, I’ve got my eye on a few future “collection” items as well. In many cases, these are “investment pieces” like this suitcase from Want Organic for J.Crew:

It costs a pretty penny, but that’s the kind of item I can use for an eternity.

As I continue on this adventure of collecting classic pieces, I am doing my best to find as many as possible at a discount or on sale. And if they are not on sale, I will evaluate them until I determine if they are worthy of all the currency they cost. I do continue to keep around plain V-neck T’s and less expensive jeans for that work wardrobe of mine, but I try to pair those with nicer sweaters or accessories to keep myself looking presentable whenever possible.

It often feels like an uphill battle, but, so far, I’m pleased with where it’s going.