Anine Bing on Buying Less and Finding Your Personal Uniform

I recently came across a Marie Claire Australia podcast featuring Anine Bing and immediately wanted to share it here. The conversation goes far beyond fashion—Anine talks about starting over in her 40s, motherhood, divorce, building her brand, and finding her way back to herself.

But her thoughts on personal style and buying less, but better really stayed with me.

Her philosophy is refreshingly simple: figure out what makes you feel like yourself, invest in fewer pieces you genuinely love, and build a wardrobe where everything works together.

Listen to the full podcast episode here.

Start With What You Actually Love

When asked why women still find getting dressed so challenging, Anine's answer is simple: edit.

“Less is more and really find out what they feel like the best in,” she says.

Her advice is to fill your closet with the pieces you absolutely love, invest in fewer but better things, and get rid of the rest.

And your version of a great wardrobe doesn't have to look like anyone else's.

“For one woman, that's a denim, the T-shirt; for another woman it might be a dress or whatever.”

The point is to figure out what makes you feel like you — confident in your own skin.

Find Your Personal Uniform

Anine believes every woman should know her personal uniform—not a literal uniform, but the clothes that consistently make her feel confident.

One woman might feel most beautiful in a dress. Another might feel empowered in a suit.

So instead of asking What should I be wearing?, ask:

How do I want to feel?

That's the question that can make shopping—and getting dressed—a whole lot easier.

Anine's 8-Piece Wardrobe

When asked what she would buy if she were starting with an extremely edited wardrobe, Anine did not hesitate to say:

 Great denim
A white T-shirt
A blazer
A leather jacket
A pair of boots
Sunglasses
A cashmere knit
A cool bag

The magic isn't necessarily in the individual pieces. It's that they all work together.

And that's the real idea behind a good capsule wardrobe: buy pieces that work harder.

Buy Less. Buy Better.

The Get is all about buying less, buying better and wearing it more, but Anine makes a compelling argument for it.

Yes, quality pieces can require a bigger initial investment. But constantly buying things that don't quite work can ultimately cost more.

“We end up with so much junk in our wardrobes that ends up costing more than if we just bought quality pieces,” she says.

Her own wardrobe is consistent. When asked what she's worn repeatedly for the last 15 years, she names denim, boots, leather jackets, blazers, white T-shirts, shirts and cashmere knits.

In fact, she says she has about 20 white T-shirts in her closet.

That might be the best argument for personal style: when you find what works, you don't need to reinvent it.

Clothes Should Make You Feel Something

Perhaps my favorite part of the conversation is Anine's perspective on what clothing can give us beyond simply looking good.

“Clothing is really powerful,” she says. “It can change how you feel about yourself instantly.”

Isn’t that really what personal style is about? Not owning everything that's trending. Not having the biggest wardrobe. It's finding the clothes that make you feel the most you.

And If She Could Only Keep One Thing?

Denim.

When asked which single item she'd choose from her wardrobe, Anine immediately comes back to jeans.

“I feel like I keep coming back to denim,” she says. Putting on the perfect pair makes her feel like she can “conquer the world.”

I think there’s something to be said about forgetting what’s trending and whether you saw it on Instagram. Does putting it on make you feel excited, confident and authentically you?

If it does, you've probably found a keeper.

The Get Take

I’m not suggesting you replace your entire wardrobe with eight new pieces. Start with what you already own. Look at the jeans you always reach for, the blazer that makes everything feel pulled together, the sweater you practically live in… Those pieces are telling you what your personal uniform already is.

The ultimate luxury isn't having more clothes. It's having a closet where almost everything works—and everything feels like you.

The Get Recommends: Smyth Hotel, Tribeca

A perfectly-located Tribeca stay that gets the details right.

When I’m staying in Manhattan, location is everything, but a great location only goes so far if the hotel itself isn’t somewhere you actually want to spend time. During a recent stay at Smyth Hotel in Tribeca, I found the combination to be just about right: spacious, beautifully appointed rooms, an exceptionally comfortable bed, a great restaurant downstairs, and a location that makes exploring downtown New York incredibly easy.

The Room

One of the first things I noticed was the space. The rooms at Smyth feel generous by New York City standards, with thoughtful details and everything you need for a comfortable stay.

And then there’s the bed. One of the most comfortable hotel beds I’ve slept in, which, for me, is one of the biggest tests of a hotel.

The marble bathrooms are a nice size and equally well considered, with Malin+Goetz bath products—absolutely loved their rum body wash.

Dinner Without Leaving the Hotel

Another major plus: Smyth Tavern, the hotel’s restaurant, is right downstairs.

Sometimes the last thing you want to do after traveling or a long day walking the city is figuring out where to eat. Smyth Tavern makes that easy, and the food was genuinely good. It’s a great option whether you’re staying at the hotel or simply looking for an easy place to walk-in without a reservation.

The Location

Smyth is located on West Broadway, putting you right in the middle of everything that makes Tribeca such a great neighborhood to stay in.

There’s a Chambers Street subway entrance just a few steps away from the hotel, making it easy to get around the city, and plenty of places to eat within walking distance. Le Pain Quotidien is right next door for an easy breakfast or coffee, while The Odeon is just down the street for a classic downtown New York meal. I also have to give a shout-out to Forgione, another fabulous spot in the area by chef (and my fellow neighbor) Marc Forgione. 

There are also plenty of places to grab a drink nearby. Holy Water, Saint Tuesday and Smith and Millsare a few good options when you want to venture out for cocktails without going far.

A Great Base for Exploring

One of my favorite things about Smyth's location is how close it is to the West Side Highway and Hudson River waterfront.

If you like to walk or run while traveling, this is a huge perk. The Hudson River path gives you miles of room to get outside, with plenty of sightseeing along the way as well as kayaking, tennis, mini golf, and more. You’re also surrounded by some of the best downtown views of the city.

It’s a great area for exploring on foot, whether you’re heading through Tribeca, toward SoHo, or along the waterfront.

The Get Take

For me, Smyth hits that sweet spot of being comfortable without feeling overly formal, stylish without trying too hard, and convenient to the West Side Highway, Financial District, SoHo and the subway.

The rooms are spacious, the bed is excellent, the location is hard to beat, and having a solid restaurant downstairs makes the whole stay that much easier. Bonus points for also being pet-friendly and having soundproof rooms.  

Would I stay here again? Absolutely. I want to return back in the fall and sit in their cozy Galerie bar enjoying a nice drink by the fire with friends.

The Get rating: A definite recommend for a downtown NYC stay.

Classic Spectator Style: What to Wear to the US Open

The US Open runs from August 23 through September 13 and overlaps with the start of NY Fashion Week, which means we’re talking about some of the hottest—and most stylish—times of the year. So while dressing for the Open is certainly about looking good, it’s also about dressing for the heat and potentially spending several hours walking around the grounds.

Here are some of The Get’s picks for both him and her.

For Him

The polo. The Lacoste Original Polo is still the gold standard.

A striped tee for the days you want something more relaxed. The Ralph Lauren Striped Lisle Tee has that easy, put-together look without trying too hard.

Linen, because it’s hot out there. The Ralph Lauren Lightweight Linen Shirt is breathable, breezy, and looks stylish buttoned over a tee or worn open.

On his feet: Adidas Stan Smiths — perforated stripes, green heel tab, done.

For Her

The shirtdress that does it all. The Ralph Lauren Cotton A-Line Shirtdress is polished, cool in the heat, and doesn’t need much beyond a great pair of sunglasses to finish it.

For something effortless for night: The Anthropologie Somerset Strapless Maxi Dress is easy, breezy, perfect.

And if a sporty skirt is more your speed: The Wilson Midtown Tennis Skirt is the real deal—actually made for the court and just as cute off it. Pair it with a boxy T-shirt or tank.

On her feet: The Birkenstock x Proenza Schouler collab if you want a fashionable yet comfortable all-day-into-night sandal; the classic Adidas Stan Smith; the Nike LD-1000; or a stylish A.Emery sandal for an elevated yet minimal look.

The Accessories That Matter

Hats: The OG US Open Cap for the traditionalists, the Polo Sport Chino Baseball Hat for easy prep, and the Janessa Leoné Felix Bucket Hat if you want your hat to double as the outfit during the day.

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Original Wayfarers — timeless, unisex, and they go with literally everything above.

A tote: The Indego Africa Raffia Tote is beautiful and gives back. Indego Africa works with artisans in Rwanda and Ghana. Or go with a small-sized L.L.Bean Boat and Tote if you want the classic of classics.

A portable fan: This one on Amazon is small enough to toss in your tote and is great at keeping you cool.

SPF that won’t melt off by set three: EltaMD UV Sheer SPF 50 — lightweight and no white cast.

See you courtside. xx

The Tank Tops Worth Buying

There are certain pieces that just make sense when you’re experiencing a sweltering summer. A great white T-shirt. An easy linen button-down. And, of course, a really good tank.

Tank tops are one of those wardrobe basics that can be paired with anything—jeans and sandals for an easy everyday look, a long skirt when you want to look a little more pulled together, or under a shirt or blazer for another layer.

Tanks are foundational pieces that you’ll reach for well beyond the warm-weather months. Remember, less is more. Buy the best you can afford, and choose a style you’ll want to wear again and again. The tank may be simple, but it will always be a foundational piece in your closet.

Below is a roundup of my favorites (the majority of them are among their respective brands’ best sellers).

Cos Ribbed Tank

TOTEME Curved Tank

Prada Ribbed Knit Jersey Tank

Zara Ribbed Tank

J.Crew High-Neck Tank Top

In Good Taste: Noria Morales

In Good Taste is an ongoing series from The Get designed to spotlight men and women whose style and taste can be genuinely trusted.

In Good Taste features thoughtfully chosen things that our tastemakers rely on, return to, and use regularly—the items that have earned an authentic place in their lives, cabinets and closets.

Noria Morales is a mother, entrepreneur, thinker, and dreamer who lives between New York City and the wilds of the Hudson Valley. A former fashion editor turned brand builder, she has spent her career bringing ideas to life—from major design collaborations at Target to co-founding The Wonder and, today, working with brands and creatives through Brand Love Lab. She has an instinct for a good story, a great idea, and the details that make something feel special.

For this edition of In Good Taste, we asked Noria to share the one item she uses constantly and genuinely recommends.

Mary MacGill

Noria’s Get: Mary MacGill Baroque Pearl Earrings

"I’m a simple gal. My style is pretty classic but also a little bohemian. I love pearls, but the wild kind. These earrings are my go-to because I dress pretty simply, and I like the way they dress everything up, but kind of romantically. I’ve had these earrings at least three years. They go with me everywhere. They are the perfect earring. I wear them nearly every day. When I travel, I always choose the simplest things that roll up, so good earrings are my clutch piece. I fancy myself the Girl with the Pearl Earring, lol. Something I wasn’t expecting: the earrings pick up the white in my hair nicely. I don’t mind it. Mary MacGill is also an incredible designer who has a shop in Germantown, near where I live in the Hudson Valley. She does a lot of different things with pearls. I just feel like she is my pearl lady.”

TWP

Quickfire

Most-used item in your closet: Probably the TWP button down shirts. I have them in a few colors. Great fabrications and cuts.

Favorite purchase under $100: Underdays underwear. I bought them at Selfridges a few years ago when I realized I had forgotten to pack underwear lol, and they had a pop up cart. It’s anti-microbial, comfortable. It’s like wellness undies! And super soft not scratchy. They ship to the USA!

Favorite splurge: The Loewe collab with Suna Fujita a few years ago is still one of my favorite artist collabs of all time. I bought the Lemur puzzle bag and adore it. TBH it’s a fight between the pearls and my lemurs for fave thing in the world. But this collab is really worth investing in if you love animals, whimsy, and Loewe. Suna Fujita is a lovely artist.

Must-have travel item: Communite makes these giant cashmere felted scarves that are insanely cozy and great for travel.

Brands you consistently trust: Toteme

Favorite beauty product: Olio e Osso sticks. They are like nourishment for my skin. I have them in multiple colors and the plain one. When you’re older, you need to feed your skin more. These are made from evoo.

One thing you'll never stop buying: A great fitting, beautiful bra that isn’t scratchy. This Wolford one is a fave and it’s crazy on sale.

Wish List: Art. My husband and I have a list and he is good at watching the auctions. But everything we want is always like $100,000 and we gotta get the kids through college soooo….

Onda Beauty

Noria's NY Black Book

Self-care: Wthn for Facial Acupuncture, Stretch’d for face massage

Bar: Bar Pisellino

Coffee/Matcha: Ok not a coffee shop but La Dong on 17th makes Vietnamese iced coffees that are insane. You can get to go. Great bar here to for meetups.

Weekend escape: Hudson, NY

Shop local: Bode in Tribeca is such a beautiful store experience. Then get beautified at Onda.

Favorite restaurants: Boqueria (my husband’s so maybe I’m biased but it always serves), El Pingüino in BK, Nakazawa for sushi bar splurge. The Commerce Inn for cozy nights at the bar seats.

Love browsing: Finch in Hudson. It’s the best, run by Andrew and Michael who have incredible eyes.

Simply irresistible: The Frick.

The Frick Collection

On Her Radar

Scent: Xinu VetiVerdi. It’s a Mexican fragrance house that is like pure magic. Mystical and fresh at the same time.

One to Watch: Claire Oswalt is an artist (and dear friend) who just keeps wowing me with her work.

Getaways: Ibiza or Scotland

Favorite Hotel: Probably Kit Kemp’s hotels in London. Charlotte Street Hotel is always a pleasure.

Don’t Miss: Schiaparelli at the V&A is open until November. The V&A is just a treasure trove on its own.

Follow Noria at @noriamorales for more thoughtful style inspiration.

Thank you, Noria!