Here’s how I propose discovering the must-have pieces in your wardrobe: pack for a couple of back-to-back trips, take lots of photos, then notice what you’re wearing in practically every photo. That’s how my recent travels showed me I was reaching for the same favorite pieces again and again.

The number one piece that I reach for? My knit polka dot blazer from the Loft. It keeps me warm on the plane, isn’t too hot in Florida, and is great for layering in the cold. It’s like a cardigan but with a little more presence, and the polka dots give it personality.

polka dot blazer on the beach
On the beach two days before Christmas.
white shirt polka dot jacket boiled peanuts
Finding my favorite snack at a gas station in South Carolina while driving my mother-in-law from Florida to Pennsylvania in November.

Sadly, this jacket has gotten too big for me and is now looking kind of shapeless, but I just can’t quit it without a replacement. Last week I got a mailing from Express that showed this checkered knit blazer from their spring 2015 collection, and it looks promising. It’s not on their website, but their solid knit blazers are, and they’ve received lots of good reviews. Have any of you tried them?

big bust find express checked knit blazer

In the beach and peanuts photos above, you see two more of my standbys for my upper half: my $10 Lord & Taylor brand tee shirt, and one of my white Campbell & Kate button-fronts. Together with my French blue Campbell & Kate button-front below, I really don’t worry about what to wear to fit my boobs. These pieces pretty much go with everything.

blue shirt posing with Lisa Dolan Lee Lees Valise
Posing with Lisa Dolan after Leah and I toured her brand new lingerie store–Le Piege des Boobies— in November. Lisa herself has designed the amazing sleep set you see between us. She cleverly accounts for multiple big bust considerations in the design, and once I find my notes from our meeting, I’ll share them with you!

Then there are my khakis that you see above, which together with my denim pencil skirt have carried me everywhere for the past several months.

My final core piece is the blue Lauren by Ralph Lauren surplice dress I shared with you in June. I wore it to Leah’s wedding in October!

big bust dress success to leahs wedding

If I had to, I could probably make it through the rest of the year wearing only these pieces, but I’d get pretty bored and everything would wear out. However, realizing what my favorite pieces are is helping me a lot with my wardrobe planning. Instead of being distracted by everything in the stores, I know the base that I’m building from. I’ve also discovered some gaps that I was able to fill with a few trips to thrift stores and sales. More on that tomorrow!