What Makes it Special?

With this outfit I wanted to try out a military/utility look, which I've seen cropping up all over the place lately. The one thing I really wanted to avoid, though, was having the outfit look too uniform-ish, so I added my asymmetric, ruffled tunic and left the jacket hanging open for a more relaxed look. To keep the tunic in place and give me some waist definition while still keeping the look less structured, I put a belt under the jacket rather than over it. I liked the added interest of having the jacket ties hanging down.

These pants are some I've had for quite some time, but they're generally only used for casual weekend outfits because they're too short to be worn with heels. Tucking them into boots made them a great alternative to the incomprehensibly popular cargo pants. I simply cannot understand the appeal of pants that make your thighs look bigger and your legs shorter, and frankly, the idea of carrying cargo in your pants is sort of gross. This pair, on the other hand, has cute, buttoned pockets in the back, and the bottom hem (if you could see it) of each leg has a button tab detail, which is more than enough utility styling without a hint of load-carrying capacity.

The tunic and jacket are both fairly basic pieces, but I want to call attention to them because they meet a particular criteria that I try to apply to all my clothing purchases. Whenever I'm considering buying something, I always ask myself, "What makes it special?" The something special could be really minor; on the jacket it's the fact that the buttons on the pockets are offset, and on the tunic it's that asymmetric ruffle. But whatever the something is, it should set the item apart from similar ones, so that you can always point to that detail as the reason you bought it.

Asking what makes it special is a great way to keep yourself interested in your wardrobe, and also a great way to scrutinize a potential purchase. Because if you can't point to at least one feature that makes the item unique, then you should really keep looking. Now obviously I'm not talking about true basics such as layering shirts, which only need to fit well and be comfortable to do the job. This is about items which have the potential to be the main focal points of an outfit, because they're the ones that are going to get noticed. And I'm not even talking about buying pieces that are overtly unique and one-of-a-kind, such as my Attila skirt; the 'What makes it special?" approach can be applied even to simple wardrobe staples. Here are a few ideas for looking for a little bit of 'special' even in your basics:

• Pencil skirts: Look for interesting pleats rather than a simple slit, topstitching or button details, or textured fabrics. A uniquely-cut pencil skirt is also a great find; look for gathers up one side or an asymmetric hemline, for instance.
• Dress pants: Try fabrics that have textural stripes rather than a solid color. Buttons and topstitching will also add interest.
• Shift dresses: Neckline details, pockets, and piping can jazz up this wardrobe basic.
• Jeans: Look for jeans that have an interesting wash or unique hardware. Some jeans also have colored stitching at the hem that's only visible when the cuffs are turned up.
• Blazers: Again, buttons can make all the difference, as can lace-trimmed cuffs, detailing in the back, or a textured fabric. And like pencil skirts, look for blazers that have a unique cut.
• Anything striped or plaid: Look for an interesting arrangement of the pattern, such as perpendicular panels, a bias cut, or a mixture of different stripe sizes.

These are just a few details I've come across that can elevate an item to special. Think about your favorite pieces; what details make them special to you?

Jacket: thifted
Tunic: Free People
Belt: thrifted
Pants: La Redoute
Boots: Dr. Marten's