The Platonic Closet, 2020

I first wrote about this idea back in 2016, and it’s an amusing mental exercise if you’re as obsessed with your closet as I used to be (I’m still obsessed with clothes, but less obsessed with my closet, if that makes sense. I kinda just gave up on thinking about it as a thing requiring active planning, you know? It just … exists. It’s a place I stash All The Things.) 

Anyway, one’s Platonic ideal of, say, a Dress of a Skirt is *not* the same as one’s favourite dress or skirt. This is important. It’s more a representation of all the key elements that person looks for in that type of item. You may not own an item that perfectly encapsulates that, but basically … the Platonic ideal would be the closest thing in your closet. 

Playing the Platonic ideal game can be useful if someone is at a stage where they’re still trying to figure out what they enjoy and want to wear. Beyond that, it’s just for fun. I never took it too seriously (even back in 2016 when I was WAY more into overthinking absolutely everything) because … well, I hate anything overly prescriptive. I’m the kind of person who’s, like, “let’s build a box” and then proceeds to want nothing to do with that box because “let me live, please!” 

So if at this point you’re saying “hey, this useless exercise sounds like fun, let’s do it!” and not “what the hell did I just read, JFC!” then, friend, you are watching the right stories 😊 Let’s, in fact, get started!

Dress

I don’t wear dresses as much as I used to. Like the moon and tides, my interest in certain categories of clothing waxes and wanes. Can you believe there was a period when I was super obsessed with pants?! Yeah, me neither … but the blog assures me there was. Anyway, this was an easier category to decide back in 2016, is all I’m saying.  Speaking of 2016, this was my pick:

And now:

After much deliberation, I picked this Pink Tartan dress for the following reasons:

• it’s midi length
• It’s body skimming but not body-con or tight 
• It’s got some cool draping and other interesting design details (which, sadly, are hard to photograph)
• It’s a plain enough pattern to mix with others, or wear with solid colours. 
• No sleeves – good for layering. 

For what it’s worth, I still love the Phillip Lim dress. Its main drawback now is the length (wish it was longer).

Pants

Hahahaha! Ok but fine. 

Yes, I picked (faux) leather leggings as my Platonic ideal but hear me out. First of all, in the year of our Lord almost 2021, they definitely belong in the pants category. I think that dispute has been settled, yeah? Second, here are the pros:

• comfortable 
• stretchy
• Did I mention stretchy and comfortable?
• Look mildly edgy without requiring one to do anything more than breathe. 
• Great for layering but can also be worn on their own because … pants. 

Blazer

2020 has warped my brain. I don’t get blazers anymore. Well, in theory, I guess I do. I just don’t wear them anymore so I really don’t know what I want from one. Basically, not to be a blazer. 2016 Adina would be horrified, I’m sure:

This is more like it, though:

Here is what I like about it:

• wool-silk blend = mind blown. Cozy but lightweight, non-scratchy. Perfect for home. 
• Unstructured but with interesting design lines. 
• Can be thrown over anything as an extra layer. 

Skirt

Ahhh. Finally, I could write an entire separate novel about The Skirt, but I won’t because I’m lazy and also there’s no fame and money in that. Let’s have a look at 2016 Skirt:

Not bad. That was a good skirt. Too bad it doesn’t fit and it’s knee-length. What about 2020?

Now, again, remember we are not talking about my favourite skirt here. This is the Platonic ideal:

• midi/maxi length
• Body-skimming but not tight
• Interesting design details
• cool texture (in lieu of pattern)
• Good quality material with some weight/drape to it

Shoes

This will surprise exactly no one. 

I almost picked my Birkenstock’s. I did. And then, I almost picked my leather sneakers. But while both are versatile, they’re not quite as versatile as these shoes. 

• flats, because duh!
• Black (but a metallic would be equally appropriate)
• Pointy toe because I am trend-regressive and I don’t care. 
• Plain, black flats can be dressed up or down with basically any outfit. I picked the lace-up ones over a loafer, for example, because I think it’s more versatile for my personal aesthetic. 

Bag

Blame 2020 for yet another thing: making my bag collection superfluous. I don’t go anywhere, and my bag needs are limited. But let’s look first at 2016:

Cute. Not super exciting but a solid, versatile choice. And now?

I have, no joke, at least 3 of these small black crossbody bags and they are pretty interchangeable except for the difficulty of shoving in my iPhone 10. This Rebecca Minkoff bag scores highest on that metric, because it’s the largest of the bunch, so it wins the title. Here are the important elements:

• Small, lightweight, can be carried cross-body
• Fits essentials (credit card, phone, mini hand sanitizer)
• Is black, goes with everything
• The end 

For the record, this remains my favourite bag:

Thank you for checking in and reading my frivolous musings, today and all year. Happy holidays!