Raid Our Closets: 7 Employees Reveal Their Most Treasured Items

For the chronically online, it’s easy to get sucked into every single TikTok “it” item, like the infamous House of Sunny Dress that had what felt like 30 seconds of fame before fading back into obscurity. Every day TikTok tells users what’s “in” and “out," and while the platform has the power to bring stylish people together from across the country and beyond, the danger—if you will—is that items move in and out of “fashion” at a terrifyingly rapid pace. This causes consumers to turn to ultra-fast fashion retailers, contributing even more to a culture of overconsumption.

However, despite the influence of TikTok, as Gen Z enters adulthood they are paving the way for wearing whatever they want, with an emphasis on one-of-a-kind, can’t-find-anywhere-else outfits. After all, the best way to combat the constant desire to consume more is to fall in love with the garments, footwear and accessories you already own. What really drives and reflects someone’s personal style is that one item in their closet that they find themselves reaching for constantly—a piece that perhaps no one else owns.

So, we’re taking a moment to honor the well-worn and well-loved. Below, you’ll find the most treasured items from seven Day One employees’ closets. Read on to see what they’re wearing on repeat, trend cycles be d*mned.

Multi-colored coat

Valerie Gunn, VP of Story, Chicago

What drew you to this initially?

My grandmother's coat is a showstopper! I get comments everywhere I go. People will stop me on the street. I have a lot of her things because she was a stylish babe. But this item is my fave, most complimented piece.

What's the story behind how you got it?

I had a lot of my grandma’s clothes before she passed, but this is one item she held onto. I regularly wear the items I have from her, so when it came time to divvy up clothes, my mom went to bat for me to get this coat. My aunts wanted it, but everyone knew I was the only one who was going to actively wear it. She won out and it's now in my regular rotation!

What are some memories associated with it?

I met my friend’s sister for the first time while wearing this coat. Now every time she sees me, she tries to wear cool clothes because she said that she thinks I have the best style!

Could you see yourself parting ways with it?

No, it's a treasured item. I don't take it to places I could lose or leave it because I would be crushed if I did.

How do you think it fits into your overall personal style?

I love bold, unique items. I like to call my style “IDGAF Chic.” I want people to think, that outfit is weird, how is she pulling it off? This item is one that I don't think everyone could or would pull off, but any time I put it on, I immediately feel put together and like I am struttin’!

Kente cloth vest

Daniel Cole, Communications Coordinator, New York

What drew you to it initially?

I was drawn in by its Kente cloth inspired patterns. It provides a sense of depth, texture and versatility.

What's the story behind how you got it?

I got the vest from a Black-owned clothing vendor when I attended the Odunde Festival in Philly years ago.

What are some memories associated with it?

I went on a road trip with my closest friends for a weekend trip to Philly. We all bonded and experienced new festivals, events and activities. We created our own Coachella right there in Philly.

Could you see yourself parting ways with it?

Unless I accidentally lose my vest, no, I cannot see myself parting ways. I traveled far and wide for it!

How do you think it fits into your overall personal style?

I consider my style to be fluid and versatile. So similar to the vest, I like to dress my clothes professionally and casually. The vest itself can be dressed up or down and used for different occasions and seasons.

What are some memories associated with it?

Could you see yourself parting ways with it?

Unless I accidentally lose my vest, no, I cannot see myself parting ways. I traveled far and wide for it!

How do you think it fits into your overall personal style?

I consider my style to be fluid and versatile. So similar to the vest, I like to dress my clothes professionally and casually. The vest itself can be dressed up or down and used for different occasions and seasons.

Lime green heels

Livia Soong, Creative Director, Los Angeles

What drew you to them? What's the story behind how you got them?

These heels were from a D1A shoot I did a few months ago. I put together all the mood boards for the shoot and our stylist brought these as one of our options for wardrobe. The model ended up wearing them, so we couldn't return them, and they happened to be my size—so it was fate! I love the pop of color and how unique the puffy shape is.

What are some memories associated with them?

I get compliments every time I wear them so they're a fun conversation starter. I've only had them for a few months so I'm sure there will be many more memories to come.

How do you think it fits into your overall personal style?

I love a bold statement piece so this is right at home in my closet. I tend to wear a lot of neutrals but love to have fun with accessories like shoes and bags. I am also a big proponent of fashion never outweighing function (with some exceptions), so I love that this has a super low heel that I can wear both to work and out on the weekends. It adds a bit of spice to any outfit!

Self-designed silver ring

Juriel Furukawa, Designer, NYC

What drew you to it initially?

I made it, so I think it just naturally fits with my own taste and style. The shape is quite unique and it's made out of pure silver which is important to me because I want my jewelry to last forever.

What's the story behind how you got it?

What are some memories associated with it?

The piece reminds me of everything that I experienced while making the ring: my learning process, where I made it and how I initially became interested in making jewelry.

Mesh Jean Paul Gaultier dress

Grace Antino, Creative Producer, New York

What drew you to it initially?

This mesh style from Jean Paul Gaultier is an important part of fashion history. Many of his runway shows in the ’90s featured these innovative, eccentric mesh pieces that he said were first inspired by a tattoo convention. Plus I love the overall spunky and unique nature to it, the sewn in JPG name across the chest, its maroon color, the palm trees, white stars and its floor length style. I like to find pieces that exist outside of the norm and feel expressive and this accomplishes that.

What’s the story behind how you got it?

I had just moved to NYC for college and was working at a Buffalo Exchange as a buyer. I was behind the counter when this came across and I immediately knew I had found something special. It was one of the most beautiful vintage designer pieces I'd ever seen. I was in the process of establishing my personal style in the city and this gem came to me at the perfect time.

What are some memories associated with it?

I wore it all around downtown Manhattan as a 20-year-old, to the Met in 2020 with my best friend at a time when doing anything outside of our homes felt special and to Lana Del Rey’s Normal F*cking Rockwell tour.

Could you see yourself parting ways with it?

Never. I could definitely make a lot of money for it but it’s part of my personal style history and something I treasure. I also bought it for around $30 and dresses similar to it sell upwards of $2,000 online. Plus, I've never been able to find this exact dress anywhere else so it feels very special to me.

How do you think it fits into your overall personal style?

I love pieces of clothing that have stories behind them, whether they are personal to me or passed down from someone else. Collecting archival designer pieces and learning about fashion history have always been a passion of mine so this piece means a lot. JPG's legacy is amazing—he has always advocated for diversity, played with and disbanded norms and proved that fashion is an art form.

Timex watch

Frank Normandin, SVP Brand, New York

What drew you to it? What's the story behind how you got it?

It's a simple Timex watch face that I found in my grandfather's sock drawer while cleaning out his house after he passed. There's little monetary value since it's an “antique” watch, but the clean and simple design caught my attention immediately. I took it to a shop to get cleaned up and also ordered a nylon band to keep its look minimal.

How do you think it fits into your overall personal style?

In the age of digital watches I love having an “old school” version that is both in line with, and at times informs my personal style. But it’s also symbolically a connection to my family. My phone already does more than enough and I appreciate having an analog watch—both for the design and also as a reflection of my personal brand and aesthetic which adopts elements from the past: caring for the items I do have and taking small steps to be a conscious consumer.

Could you see yourself parting ways with it?

Putting it on every morning is now an established part of my daily ritual—the weight, the strap, the click I hear when the buckle locks—it's nearly impossible to think about leaving the house without it.

Black cowboy boots

Elise Bang, Senior Creative Strategist, New York

What drew you to them initially?

I knew I wanted a pair of cowboy boots when I bought them but I was unsure of which color to choose so I browsed on Depop for a really long time until I finally came across these.

What are some memories associated with it?

Some memories I associate with these boots are the year I went through a big breakup, the days when I would obsessively read Man Repeller and moving to New York without a job. When I lived in Chicago (where I bought them) people would always make fun of me for them, so I wore them more when I moved to NY. Now everyone wears cowboy boots!

Could you see yourself parting ways with it?

I could never see myself parting with them. I think they will stay a staple in my wardrobe. But if I do stop wearing them, they're too good of a find and since I have so many memories attached to them I would rather let them sit in my closet than let them go.

How do you think it fits into your overall personal style?

My personal style is not loud or eclectic so I usually try to sneak the cowboy boots into an outfit in a chill way. It's so easy for cowboy boots to make a statement like, “I’m going to a country concert!” (in a bad way). I try to avoid that. But since my personal style is pretty tame, when I wear them people notice.