As you may have noticed I have a few pieces that I own and wear constantly (or maybe I’m being paranoid and now everyone knows). Lately I’ve been trying to give away/sell (Poshmark!!!) any pieces that I don’t wear often for a few reasons:

1. I’m starting to believe “less is more,” and when a room isn’t cluttered with clothes I won’t wear, it’ll make my life more streamlined.

2. Living with someone else means less closet space (even if you use an entire bedroom for a closet like we do…yes…that’s true and I’ll share it at some point).

3. The clothes I actually wear fit my style AND are comfortable, which is why I wear them all the time.

As far as the pieces I own and wear all the time, I try to stick to the basics: black pants, jeans, white undershirts, white tops, black tops, etc. It may sound like a lot of “blah,” but that’s the point. Keep it blah so you can really make a statement with your rental pieces. Make the rental pieces your pieces to remember, and the blah pieces will just act as a base.

My favorite thing to wear are black pants. I just love me some black pants. I particularly love this pair from Ann Taylor, or this pair from Ann Taylor Loft. Now, not everyone can wear Ann Taylor. This is something I’ve come to learn in life. Ann Taylor was basically handed down from God to short girls. They do have a petites section, but I never shop in it–the regular cut fits me (again, 5’3″) without having to have the hemline taken in. But the lesson is to find what works, and work it!

Now, if you’re wearing rental clothing you’re going to want to wear undershirts when you can. Maybe I’m crazy, but really–other people may have worn them! Just a little barrier is nice, plus they smooth you out. And the older I get the more smoothing the better! My particular favorite cami is from Old Navy. I am not a huge Old Navy/Gap/Banana Republic shopper, but Old Navy has V-Neck camis for cheap. Look, if I’m buying undershirts that no one is going to see that will require bleaching then I’m going to buy 5 at a time Old Navy for $3/piece. They are perfect. And I’m not known for exaggerating.*

As far as jeans go, I’m a Paige Denim girl through and through. Paige jeans feel like they were made for real people (not just girls who look like my perfect little sister…ugh! right? just kidding I love you!). I’ll spend a little extra on jeans, because I buy one pair a year (Bloomingdale’s Denim Days FTW!). Remember: with the basics we’re going for quality over quantity (I keep telling myself and then it’s Black Friday and I TOTALLY freak out). Pick which works best for you, and what is comfortable for you (and then send me links because maybe I’ll want them, too).

Remember, this is all just me. You’ll have your own way of making the rentanista life work for you. Maybe it’s just to add pieces or to try before you buy. Maybe it’s to try and cut down the clutter in your closet. Maybe it’s just ’cause you wanted to. There are so many ways and reasons to be a rentanista. Find yours and get to it!

*this is an utter lie