Another summer rolls around and I am still looking for the perfect (insert any of the above).  You can’t tell me that these pieces do not exist because I have interviewed many who have found their holy grails although they struggle to complete their lists.

With all my years of shopping in London and in New York, this is my (summer and year round) list of the pieces that I still cannot find:

The Perfect Platform Wedge Sandals

I want ones that have a gigantic wedge but Jedi mind trick the illusion of making my feet look small at the same time.  They must look like I found them in a vintage shop or even better, be from one.  I want two perfect pairs: one in wood but are as light as cork. The other in raffia for overseas trips to places north of eighty degrees.  Oh and they need to cover my toes which I have a love hate relationship with.

The Perfect White T-Shirt

I hear conflicting stories on who makes them the best but I want need a pack of them because no one can live with one perfect t-shirt.  It should have a boxy cut to skim off hips because whoever made shrunken t-shirts that curve in at the waist should be taken behind a barn and shot.  The round necks should be boy-like high enough (assuming women want tit grazing wide front t-shirts should also be assassinated).  I want a deep v-neck one too. Sorry for the Goldilocks and the three bear analogy, but the material shouldn’t be too thin or too thick.  It must be just right.

The Perfect Black Tuxedo Jacket

I surprise myself that I don’t own this yet but this menswear rock chick does not.   The jacket must be long enough to skim with the perfect combination of slouch and structure. I dream of wearing it with perfect white t-shirts (see above).  The collar is everything: long, slim and the perfect satin sheen although the smoking jacket collar equally appeals.  It’s the jacket I would wear for nights out and draped over shoulders for imaginary instagrammable brunches.  I lie about the last part but you get the picture, heck you’ve probably seen and ‘liked’ the picture.

The Perfect Skinny Gladiator Sandals

I’m hoping THIS is the year to get them because I’ve noticed more of them this season.  Every single summer without fail, I look for THE perfect thin strappy flat sandals that have a cool toe inter-twining design and a do it yourself weaving up the leg because a mile long zip up the back of legs is cheating.  I’d want them in brown and in black. Brown for Jesus vibes and black for minimalist Margiela moods.

The Perfect Jeans

This ranks at the top of everyone’s wish list unless you’ve already found them in which case sod off  where did you get yours?  I want them to be Levi’s so they’re classic enough to look as good as high end and silently communicate that I don’t try too hard.  I could’ve got them for $5 from a thrift shop.  I could’ve paid $350  from At Goes Around Comes Around vintage shop but no one will ever know because they are Levi’s.  They need to make me look skinny (obviously) and magically be the right length no matter what shoe I’m wearing.  Any holes (also perfect) must be naturally created over time.  Being they’re perfect I obviously wear them all the time and they must be that lived in, I just herded in cattle with my husband on our horses shade of blue.

Note:  I should have a back up pair in a darker color because owning one perfect pair of jeans makes no sense.

The Perfect Denim Cut Offs

See above.

The Perfect Black Biker Jacket

I might write a separate post about this because it deserves one.  It is the no.1 wardrobe piece (besides the perfect jeans) that I am always looking for. Yes I have black leather jackets but not one nails every check list in one.  Several brands come close to that holy grail including Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and All Saints but I’m not sure if any of them actually are it.  Vintage shops in New York are brimming with them but it’s a hit or miss sort through that doesn’t guarantee The One.

With a clothes rail that still bends in the middle, I’ve almost given up the search (the forever shopper in me won’t though).

Do the perfect pieces exist or are perfect clothes just fashion fiction?

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The above pieces:  Topshop Soft Tailored Blazer.  Madewell Kana Lace Up Sandals.  Helmut Lang T-shirt.  Net-A-Porter Denim Cut offs.   Saint Laurent Espadrille wedges.  Balenciaga Biker Jacket. Levi’s jeans.