Fundamentals of a Wardrobe, Vol. 1

Fundamentals of a Wardrobe, Vol. 1

The Wardrobe We Built for Ourselves

“Where should I start?”

It’s the question we hear most often—and not just from clients building a wardrobe from scratch. It comes from people refining their style, rebuilding after a career shift, or simply wanting to dress with more intention.

For us, the answer began here.

Before Kilby had a name, before we opened the doors on Magazine Street, we started with garments for ourselves. The pieces we needed. The pieces we reached for over and over again. That became the basis for our first lookbook: Edition 01 – Fundamentals. A series of 10 styled looks, built from the core pieces we believe in most.

These garments weren’t designed to be trendy or seasonal. They were designed to work hard and look good—on the first wear, and the fiftieth.

We often describe our house style as a balance—between ease and intention, between Southern charm and quiet structure. The silhouette is tailored but not tight, shaped but never stiff. Jackets feature natural shoulders and soft canvassing, with subtle waist suppression that flatters without constraining. Trousers fall clean and straight, with just enough break. We lean into textures, neutral palettes, and garments that dress up or down depending on what life calls for.

What You’ll Find in This Series

Over the next few posts, we’ll walk through the philosophy and styling behind each element of the collection:

• Neutral two-piece suits with real range

• The shirt rotation we consider essential

• A case for good trousers

• The jacket that earns its place (yes, it’s the safari)

• And five silk pocket squares that quietly say more than you’d expect

We’ll talk about how these pieces were made, what details matter most, and how to wear them in real life. If you’re curious about how to build a wardrobe from the ground up — or just want to understand how we approach tailoring at Kilby — this is where we’d recommend starting.

We hope this series is helpful. And if not helpful, at least fun to read.

- Kristen, James & Sonny