Gap Essential Short Sleeve Crew T ($19.95) This 100% pima cotton t-shirt is basic and versatile. I like this particular crew neck as it’s a bit wider, a style that helps elongate the neck. (I’m also partial to V-necks for the same reason.) Stock up on these Ts now, some are on sale for as little as $10.99.
The J Crew Vintage Cotton T ($35.50) The cotton used to make these Ts is soft and thin, and cut just right. Not too short, revealing the mid-rift, and not too long. Who needs extra material bunching around their hips? It pays to price watch this one as the tees go on sale regularly throughout the year. I’m wearing a J Crew Vintage Cotton T in the photo above.
Club Monaco’s Sunny Tee ($39.50) This is a lightweight knit T is made of model, a type of rayon, which gives is a luxurious silky feel. These tops are hand wash only, a lesson I learned the hard way. (It will not only shrink, the whole shape of the t-shirt will be affected if you chuck it in the washing machine, let alone the dryer.) As with the Gap and J crew Ts, these come many great shades, an easy way to inject some colour into your spring wardrobe.
T by Alexander Wang Classic Tank with Pocket (starting at $80) Alexander Wang Ts are soft and perfectly slouchy, I love them paired with skinny jeans or leather (faux or not) leggings. One of my favourite styles is the classic pocket rayon tank, which I layer over a more fitted tank. It’s dry clean only, so I don’t tend to wear these day in and day out. Note that these do tend to fit on the large size. I can easily fit into an XS, and still have room for layering underneath.
Equipment Riley T ($178) A few years ago, the French clothing line Equipment launched the perfect silk button down shirt. They’ve now expanded the line to include other amazing staples. I love their silk T, perfect with a skirt for the office or a business dinner. Silk means dry clean only, but this is a basic you’ll have for years.

What are some of your go-to basics, and where do you shop for them?

-Anna

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And on kitchen day, we definitely keep our designer clothes far away from our cooking! Here we are with guest chef Fabio Viviani. 

2. Rose Gold Arrow Ring, Lisa Freed

3. Crystal Cluster Necklace, J.Crew

4. Sheer Panel Flare Dress, Elizabeth and James

5. Chaos 105 Silver Leather Sandal, Manolo Blahnik

6. Fiona Earrings, Stella & Dot

7. Studded Military Shirt Dress, What Goes Around Comes Around

8. Tatumn Denim Shirt, Club Monaco

9. Peony T-Shirt, J.Crew

10. Calvin Leather Jacket, Isabel Marant – Etoile

I wore it a couple of times, only to tear it off as soon as I got home. I haven’t seen eye to eye with baby pink since the early 70s.

That’s when my crafty juices started flowing. Since this is as common as a solar eclipse, I had to seize and harness the impulse. It was time to get dyeing!

I’ve dyed clothes before, but only sturdy materials. Cashmere was a whole other ball of wool. I went online to research it and phoned a few wool shops for advice. They advised against it. Dye works best in the hottest possible water.

Rarely one to be discouraged by mere facts, I decided to take the risk and try dying it with Rit dye powder. It’s inexpensive and readily available at many drug stores. Few things speak to me as loudly as the words “cheap” and “hassle-free.” I’d dye it in cold water and take my chances.

Optimistically I bought black dye, but was willing to settle for, well, a sweater that was anything but pink. Two packs of dye and a good long (2 hour) soak in the dye bath later, my sweater was a lovely shade of something unexpected. Pink + black = taupe. At least when it comes to this particular cashmere sweater. Who knew? Considering taupe is definitely my new grey, which used to be my new black, I was quite pleased with myself.

What else in my closet was dying for a makeover?

Next up were a pair of overly faded black jeans that were headed for the donation bin. Now, restored to their original shade, they’ll live to see another year.

This old arm-pit stained white t-shirt? Grey it is!

Now I was ready to tackle my biggest fashion faux-pas. My favourite bathrobe. Many of us have such a security blanket in our closets. Cozy and warm, but unfortunately, fairly hideous in all other aspects. Imagine if you will – me, in the robe, plus Velcro rollers, plus fuzzy slippers. I was one hot prize! It was time for a change.

Sadly, as we all suspected, there is no help for polyester. Some fabrics, like Spandex, acetate and yes, poly, won’t take a dye like Rit and I wasn’t willing to cross the cheap/hassle-free continuum to look for another product. Some clothes are simply not worth saving.

Dying garments is an easy and cost effective way to breathe some new life into your wardrobe. If you’re hitting the dye vats, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Natural fabrics like cotton and silk tend to hold dye best.

• Wear gloves. Even when you’re opening the dye pack and mixing it.

• As per above, dye in the warmest temperature water possible. I dyed the sweater in cold, with a good splash of warm thrown in. Though pleased with the results, but it wasn’t anywhere near the colour it was supposed to be. Warmer water would likely have made a difference.

• When it comes to dying clothes in the washing machine, don’t forget to set aside time to clean the interior of the machine after. It can be a mess.

• Dying in a bucket or pail works, but make sure you stir the soup regularly to ensure the dye sets evenly.

• If you’re trying to reach a very dark shade, use at least two packs of dye. 

• Rise the garment until the water runs clean before you wear it. And as an added precaution, wash it alone the next time it hits the laundry bin. 

For more dying tips check out: www.ritdye.com. I’d love to hear about your dyeing successes!