I Built An Impeccable Capsule Wardrobe Around These 5 Favorite Daughter Essentials

Elle

4 days ago

As someone who lives in a small New York City apartment, curating a timeless yet functional capsule wardrobe is nothing short of a challenge. Trends change with the weather, and since I ran out of closet space long ago, there's no room for pieces that won't outlast the current season. Luckily, I found one of the internet's best-kept secrets to a stylish, versatile wardrobe that never feels dated: Favorite Daughter.
Founded in 2020 by sisters Erin and Sara Foster (you might also know them as the creators of Netflix's hit show Nobody Wants This), Favorite Daughter's emphasis on sleek tailoring instantly catches the eye. It certainly did mine.
I've been stumbling across Favorite Daughter for months now, with the brand popping up in my social media feed and Pinterest mood boards to the streets of New York. And I'm not the only one who's catching on. Several pieces, from jeans and tees to floor-length dresses, have achieved repeat sell-out status.
Since prices run mid to high, I was curious to see if they're worth the investment. When I got the opportunity to try five wardrobe heroes—a classic tee, sundress, silk skirt, jeans, and a blazer, all ranging from $78 to $348—I wore them to the office, weekend brunch, and everywhere in between for a month. And yes, I now have favorites.
As someone who's 5'10", finding a flattering pair of jeans that touches the floor has been a lifelong endeavor—one that finally ended when I stumbled upon this pair from Favorite Daughter. The Masha Super High-Rise Jeans have a belly button-grazing fit and loose yet structured silhouette, perfect for looking polished while still feeling comfortable. Because of the wide-leg construction, I've been loving pairing the Masha jeans with pointed-toe heels for an elongated look or with suede sneakers when I want to dress them down.
While they run slightly large (I ordered my usual size and needed a belt), the 33-inch inseam means that they're actually designed to fit longer leg lengths. (If you're under 5'9", don't sweat; a 29-inch inseam is also available.) Note that they have a button closure rather than a zipper. I was impressed by how well this pair has maintained its shape and color despite several washes.
Crisp and boxy without being too wide, The Favorite T-Shirt is an instant classic. Since the white tee was sold out in my size at the time of testing, I knew the brand had to be onto something—and I wasn't disappointed.
Even though the Moonbeam color I chose is less straightforward to style than crisp white, I'm a huge fan of the shape-retaining cotton fabric and vintage vibe. The crop is perfect; it grazes just below the belly button for complete coverage in high-waisted jeans or trousers. When the white comes back in stock, I will be buying it.
I have more than my fair share of sundresses, so it takes a lot to impress me, but this one stands out with its relaxed silhouette. The no-frills linen construction is a blank canvas for endless styling opportunities; you can dress it up with heels and a necklace stack for a feminine look or pair it with motorcycle boots for added edge.
Though a little too low-cut for office days, the dress has a built-in liner that keeps it breezy without being sheer. And like all good LWDs, it has pockets.
The unexpected hero of your summer and early fall wardrobe? A silky skirt. There's a lot to love about this ankle-grazing option, including a lightweight viscose fabric and a stretchy elastic waistband for easy shirt-tucking.
Since polka dots seem to be the print of the summer, I found myself reaching for this pretty pattern more often than expected—styling it with tees, tank tops, and even a crisp white button-down on cooler days. Even better, it'll still work with sweaters and turtlenecks when the seasons change.
Note that the fabric is fragile; I hand-washed this skirt with cold water just to be safe, but after a few wears, I noticed a snag on the front. Even so, The Favorite Skirt comes in 10 different colors and patterns ranging from romantic florals to buttery solids, so since I've been wearing the polka-dot print so frequently, I'm tempted to buy it in another color.
If I had to pick an absolute favorite piece from Favorite Daughter, it would be this blazer. It goes with everything—trousers and a tee, jeans and a tank top, dresses, and even a silk skirt—so it's worth the splurge, in my opinion. The navy blue pinstripe, single-button closure, and subtle shoulder pads add a polished finishing touch, so it's a sleek layer to throw on when office temperatures run frigid.
Though I tested this blazer in a size larger than usual, it's a little more fitted than expected—so if you're wanting an oversized look, consider going two sizes bigger.
If you've been itching to upgrade your wardrobe with standout pieces that, well, stand the test of time, here's your sign. After over a month of testing, I found Favorite Daughter to be absolutely investment-worthy. Pieces like The Favorite Skirt and Pinstripe Blazer balance trends with timeless silhouettes, making it easy to wear each piece again and again.
When it comes to sizing, I found it to be inconsistent from one product to the next: While some items fit me perfectly in my true size, others (like the Masha jeans) ran slightly large. As long as you pay attention to customer reviews (check other retailers like Nordstrom and Shopbop on Amazon for even more feedback), you should be able to land on your correct size.
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