Do you keep tools in your closet?

Answer: you do, even if you don’t think so. I’ll show you.

I’m a huge believer in first principles. They’re the literal measuring stick by which I make all my decisions, whether consciously or subconsciously. When I make mistakes, which is often and I’m not just speaking clothing here, I know it. That’s a big thing, a lot of people don’t know when they’ve even made a mistake. If you don’t know your principles, then it’s impossible when you’ve done something wrong and even more impossible to right the course. If you’re wondering what this has to do with clothes, give me a second, I’m getting there.

First Principles: Are fundamental assumptions that cannot be broken down further, they are building blocks, they stand fully alone, they cannot be deduced further.

First Principle Thinking: A way of problem solving that involves breaking down complex issues in to their most basic parts.

In the CP Book, 2nd edition, here, I lay out the thinking behind how to dress in terms of principles not rules. Ultimately you may realize that we have different principles, but happens but regardless, the process for how those principles are derived is the same. I also reduce items of clothing in our closets to their most fundamental attributes to determine the role they play, whether it be functionally, stylistically, or better, both. In essence, I view them as tools to get what I want or need.

I’ll start with the outcome first. Myriad outfits all made more functional or more interesting, and ideally both, all because of a button-down shirt:

Today, I’m highlighting the button-down shirt as a tool, first and foremost. We’ve drilled first principles and identified that it’s functionality is in that because it fully opens up, or buttons down, it can be manipulated and that’s where the genius lies.. To the naked eye, this may seem nothing more than a mere button-down:

Take them at face value and you’ll lose out on all the potential in the closet. Here’s some examples:

Exhibit A: As nothing more than a mere styling tool. I’ve wrapped one of my flannel shirts around the waist to use it as a pseudo belt, bring in more color to my outfit, make an already ironic clear boot and sock situation just a bit more so. Fana here has used it as a scarf. Is it keeping her warm? Hardly. But does it function just like a printed scarf, only a bit chicer and wholly in Fana’s vibe? Yes. It does. And that’s good.

Exhibit B: As a valve that can either turn up, turn down or simply balance the vibe. Over a lace slip dress, it says “I’m having you over for dinner, I’m nodding to the fact it’s a dressy moment, but I’m a little cold and I need to be ultra casual but reflective of the moment here.” Paired with the black leggings and tie, it’s full on going out someplace great but with much more interest. Same with the tuxedo look I have here just using a black ribbon as tie with a simple white shirt. All that creativity takes on a sense of familiarity when it’s tethered to the classicness of a button-down. You can see that Kickpleat, one of our favorite stores here, used the shirt to balance out the sportiness. Many ask me how they can make their super casual days, maybe chasing a kid around (tho I can’t imagine this model here overly burdened with toddlers) a little more refined. Make them feel more like themselves, chic but hardly pretentious. This is how.

Exhibit C: As a coverup or a third layer. The top on the far left, it’s sheer. Turning your favorite shirt into a pseudo jacket makes it less so. In the middle, yes you love your turtleneck but for fucks sake how many times can you wear it on its own without boring yourself? Sometimes it’s a new earring, or a switch of texture on the bottom - but now you know, it’s also thinking of it as a bottom layer to a shirt that adds dimension and interest. On the right there, that’s me shopping at the farmers market in Nice France. That shirt sort of brings in a boxy dress, I find that a better alternative to belts. But it was also was my easy piece to untie and put on in the frigid Uber ride to and from and the item that slid on easy when the sun beat down too hard and I wanted my arms covered but reality was that it’s super hot out. See?

Exhibit D: As a beach coverup. If you love a big bohemian number, go for it, I’m all in to see you there. But me, a shirt feels more me, even when I’m at the beach. In the pink button down here I was in IBIZA on the left. Yes, I went to the little hut on the beach, I bought the sandals with bells, the straw bag too. But for the actual coverup, I leaned in to my regular pieces like the wrap skirt and button down - not for any other reason than “why not?” They function perfectly for this moment. You can take it on, off, it’s light, you can wash it. And depending on what you pair it with, it can pulsate island in Spain or chill on Nantucket. Point is, whether you are in a very bohemian environment or a super classic one, you still retain your sense of self.

When you apply first principle thinking here as to how do I solve the problem of what to wear at the beach, and feel like myself, well, here you go. An example I’m sure you can understand, right?

Now if The Harvard Business Review or Bain & Co realized how clear these points could be made with just a few simple examples I think they’d be shocked that it’s come from quite the unlikely source. Our own closets.

Oh, I’d be remiss if I did not tell you that you can find the tops here.