Posts in Closet
Zipper thermometer

I like this tiny thermometer that hangs on the zipper pull of my jacket or daypack. It settles the question of exactly how hot or cold it is. The Sun Zipogage ($21) weighs only half of an ounce (13g) and is digital with an on/off button. (Tiny analog thermometers are not readable or accurate.) – KK

Closet, Travel GearClaudia Dawson
At the Ready Travel Dress

I bought this Beyond Yoga dress based on the reviews to be my go-to travel dress because it’s packable and doesn’t wrinkle easily. I’ve worn it many times, both while traveling and at home, and I love it so much that I had to buy another one in a different color. It’s the perfect length and so soft that I’ve even slept in it. It’s a bit pricey, but I wear it so often that it feels justified. I’ve washed it many times now, and it’s still buttery soft and wrinkle-free. — CD

ClosetClaudia Dawson
No-slip hangers

During a recent move, our movers suggested replacing our bulky plastic hangers with super-thin, non-slip velvet hangers — and they were right. They maximized my closet space while keeping clothes from slipping off. The 360-degree swivel hook makes it easy to adjust items so that they all face the same way. At around 50 cents per hanger for a pack of 30, they're an affordable way to instantly declutter your closet and give it a more uniform, boutique-like appearance. Best of all, no more clothes on the floor! Here's a photo of my closet with the hangers. — MF

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Long-sleeved wool t-shirt

Wool T-shirts are now my goto shirt. Modern 100% merino wool fabrics are better than cotton even in topical weather. They dry quick, never smell, feel nice. Since I live in perpetual autumn, and work indoors, I wear long-sleeved wool t-shirts. Logo-less brands, such as Meriwool and Merino.tech are not expensive ($49) and offer a long sleeved T in three weights from light to heavy, and many colors. — KK

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Favorite vacation sandals

Shoewear is such a personal preference that I normally wouldn’t recommend any, but I was complimented on my sandals many times in Cancun — even stopped on the street — that I feel it warrants a review. These are my first pair of Birkenstocks I’ve ever owned and I finally get what all the hype is about. The footbed offers a lot of support and comfort for all-day walking, and the platform heel makes them cute enough to wear with dresses at night. I also took them to Egypt last year while visiting pyramids and tombs, and never had any issues walking or climbing in the rough and sandy terrain. I own a pair in pecan, but for the next trip I might have to buy them in black. — CD

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Best shoe store

I’ve noticed that shoe stores have fewer and fewer styles or sizes. Their selections are particularly slim for anything not trendy. I’ve gone back to Zappos, the online shoe store, because they have fantastic choices in all sizes and widths. I order a bunch of variations at once, to get the perfect fit, and they make it super easy to return the unused for free. Despite this apparent inefficiency in shipping to and fro, in the end, Zappos is the most efficient way for me to find the kind of untrendy (and wide) shoes I like. — KK

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Ultralight trail running shoes + foam insoles

After a couple of years of walking five miles a day on my treadmill desk, my knees and feet were starting to feel worse for wear. I read Craig Mod’s recommendation for TSLA lightweight trail running shoes with a wide toebox and high-quality insoles and bought them. A month later, I’m pleasantly surprised that my knee and feet pain is gone. I just bought a second pair in another color because I don’t want to wear any other shoe. — MF

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Wool clothes

For multi-day hiking, the best base garments are merino wool. They won’t ever stink, and even in warm weather, they breathe. They feel good against the skin, are machine washable, and surprisingly durable. I have been slowly migrating all my hiking base clothing, from toes to head, to Icebreaker brand merino garments, such as this Icebreaker short sleeve shirt. – KK

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Outdoor clogs

We remove shoes in our house so we need super easy-to-slip-on clogs for going in and out. Cheap knock-offs of Crocs are what we have settled on, stashed outside each door. The Amoji Garden Clogs ($25) look better than Crocs, are extremely comfy, washup in water instantly, and are lightweight enough to double as camp shoes. — KK

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Face mask ear saver

I’m still wearing a face mask indoors. But my ears are paying the price, especially on long flights when the pressure of the loops against the back of my ears becomes painful. Last week I started using these Velcro face mask extender straps, which pull the loops away from the back of my ears. I should have bought these things two years ago. — MF

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Find your personal style

I like to feel comfortable in whatever I’m wearing and have never considered what my personal style might be. For the past two years, it’s been loungewear, but this comic strip by NPR Life Kit inspired me to change that. It’s a cute, visual guide that will walk you through cultivating your personal style and developing a shopping philosophy. — CD

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Great running socks

I started running a few months ago and needed running socks. These six-packs of Saucony Socks are just what I needed. They are slightly cushioned and have arch compression. As an added bonus, they are too weird-looking for my wife or daughters to be tempted to swipe. — MF

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Find your color palette

I’ve learned through trial and error that dark green washes me out and makes me look sickly. But after uploading a selfie to Colorwise.me, I was able to play around with seasonal color pallet wheels to discover the most flattering colors for my skin tone, hair color and eye color. — CD

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Super comfortable slippers I can wear outside

I rarely drive anywhere these days, and aside from taking walks a couple of times a day in the neighborhood, I’m sheltering in place. I decided to give my feet a break and I’m wearing slippers instead of shoes around the house. These $15 memory foam slippers from RockDove have an open back that makes them easy to slip on and kick-off, and the memory foam insoles are incredibly comfortable. Importantly they have a thick waterproof sole, so I can wear them in the backyard. — MF

ClosetClaudia Dawson
Comfortable closed-toe sandals

I work from home 80% of time and was in need of comfy footwear more substantial than flip flops but not as relaxed as slippers, in case I need to run outside. These Sanuk Yoga Sling Sandals were exactly what I wanted. They are cushiony and comfortable for standing at my desk, they keep my feet warm, and in my opinion, look good with jeans, plus I don’t feel like a slacker when I’m working without real shoes on. — CD

ClosetClaudia Dawson