Jumpstarting the activity of getting dressed
Because it's falling a bit flat.
I’ll say it: I’m a bit tired of the demure dressing thing. I mean, I love it. I love The Row and Lauren Manoogian and their adjacent brands who make the best [insert staple] possible that can be worn forever and ever. But sometimes I feel like… Don’t I want to save at least some of those serious items for my future? What if I want to be less serious about the whole thing? I love luxury, even quiet luxury at times, but what lights me up from the inside is something more joy inducing. Give me a color story. Give me something to look at, something unexpected and mismatched and fun. I enjoy the quiet coolness of my MNZ tops and mfpen pants, but I miss getting dressed with a sense of play and experimentation, where the outcome is so original, it’s immune to the male gaze or trend cycle or any fashion opinion. As much as The Row is providing wardrobe solutions, it’s not solutioning this for me.
A few talented fashion writers and friends — Nicole DeMarco, Danya Issawi, Ruby Redstone, Tara González, Kat Thomas — exemplify exactly what I’m talking about in how they dress. With a devil-may-care air about them, these outfit concoctions evoke more depth of personal style than a luxury trench or hot girl top ever could on its own. Think chiffon with plaid, leather with stripes, taffeta with lace, textures and shapes, mismatched patterns. Those perfected, luxury items can be ingredients for the final outcome, but the seriousness is stripped away by a more imaginative approach to styling. Rather than serious, these outfits feel like a wink or a knowing look. It takes a certain courage and sense of self to dress in a way that feels unique, a way that makes the onlooker think wow, I wouldn’t have thought of that. The ironic thing is, I think the ability to put an outfit together in this way comes entirely from an internal place. Personal style is not about what you wear. It’s about what lights you up, how you put an outfit together, how you construct the thing.
In that line of thinking, below are some pieces that are fueling my personal fashion fire. I’d like to reconnect with what it means to get dressed from an extremely personal lens and jumpstart my own POV on clothing, but that’s for another essay. In the meantime, here are just a few items refueling my outfit ideas. As they say (who said this?): And this time, with feeling!
TOPS
Coperni Silk Polka Dot Blouse, The Real Real
Anna Sui Button Up Top, The Real Real
Tom Ford for Gucci Top, The Real Real
Eckhaus Latta Brown T-Shirt, SSENSE
Jean Paul Gaultier Sheer T-Shirt, The Real Real
LOULOU Studio Zamia Blouse, SSENSE
SKIRTS AND PANTS
Simone Rocha Embellished Skirt, The Real Real
Chloe Studded Skirt, The Real Real
Tao Comme des Garçons, SSENSE
Dries Striped Lounge Pants, SSENSE
Comme des Garçons Flower Skirt, The Real Real
Anna Sui Skirt, The Real Real
Chocolate Suede Cool Pants, Still Here
Jil Sander Suit Skirt, SSENSE
Y’s by Yohji Yamamoto, The Real Real
Saks Potts Sequin Skirt, SSENSE
Simone Rocha Floral Skirt, The Real Real
Eckhaus Latta Lace Skirt, SSENSE
SWEATERS
Jean Paul Gaultier Printed Sweater, The Real Real
NONAME Red Mohair Mini Cardigan, NONAME
Wales Bonner V-Neck Jumper, Vestiaire
Molly Goddard Pink Fair Isle Vest, The Real Real
Molly Goddard Striped Sweater, The Real Real
Molly Goddard Wool Striped Cardigan, The Real Real
BODE Sweater, The Real Real
Polo Patchwork Cardigan, eBay
NONAME Prep Cardigan, NONAME
OUTERWEAR
Dolce & Gabbana Lambskin Jacket, The Real Real
Wales Bonner Jacket, SSENSE
J.Kim Black Jacket, SSENSE
Holzweiler Khaki Jacket, SSENSE
Moschino Cheap and Chic, The Real Real
Jil Sander Cream Jacket, The Real Real
Prada Wool Jacket, The Real Real
Miu Mu Evening Jacket, The Real Real
…and that’s just clothing. More to come in the accessories and shoes categories. Let me know what you liked, bought, or what’s making it all happen for you when it comes to joy in the outfit department.
honored truly !!