Style class last week, I did from home. Filmed by your’s truly, please don’t judge. Derek, I am speaking to you. This is the first time I’ve put a video on Substack, we’ll see how this goes. But to be super helpful, I’ve also included all the pics below. Ok?
Nailing the right vibe when you’re headed out to an event is everything. No, this isn’t about the nods of approval from those around you. Rather, it’s about aligning the feeling you get in your style with your environment. Show up at a movie premier or an art gallery event in your chicest office suit, no matter how incredible you felt earlier in the day, you may feel mismatched that evening These events call for non-chalance, our lived in items coupled with a bit extra and that morph depending on who or what you’re standing next to. The Tuxedo Blazer paired with denim and gold (we showed the flat Here, the heel is coming soon) with the casual men’s tie paired with some flashier pieces has all the bases covered. But not in a way that’s attempted to please all yet comes up short pleasing no one. This look is a purposeful mix of textures and colors and relies on a closet tool kit of elements that can be pulled out every time the occasion warrants. I’m wearing many of my own pieces here - like the St. Laurent tie (I paid a stupid amount for something that could be easily replicated with black ribbon or even a black shirt cut in strips and tied) and my Balenciaga jeweled hoops. The earrings were an investment when I bought them years ago, but I’ve now worn them far to many times to count. That doesn’t make them cheap, but it does make me feel good that it was a smart purchase. In this fit, I feel at home nodding thoughtfully at that dramatically odd interpretative art piece centered on a giant cavernous wall.
Dinner out during the holidays, it’s always chill but with a bit extra. The beauty of a slow build up of accessories over time is that they’re familiar but still special, and they lift up your favorite everyday pieces when the time of year begs for just a bit more. Something as simple as tossing on an over the top bag with all of your favorite items does the trick. I love this with my earrings that Hanna created years ago, you can check out what she’s doing Here.
I bought the Rabbane bag at McMullens in Oakland this last August. It was a toss up between that and this bag from Lisa Folawiyo - ultimately I bought the silver and gold because I had nothing like it. I do have a bright yellow Jil Sander bag, and while yellow is not blue, it does fill the need in my closet for a good Tibi ring-4 bright bag. But if you don’t have a good ring-4 bag, this Lisa one was great Here:
Headed to the bar at the holidays? The top is perfect for the moment when it’s a “waist up” type of situation, just please don’t call it a date night top. That’s a cringe if you can recall the trend, because while yes, it did work on a date, it really worked for little else. Something like the navy blouse here in a silk cotton voile does the trick, it lifts a pair of jeans but still looks as though it’s part of the same thought. This one is available Here. These black Tibi Ryder jeans are on heavy repeat for me, but if you want to nix the rips, the black Sid does the trick Here. Something about a sheer black tight feels so right for evening, I love it with an open toe Sandal, don’t let the heel scare you. Yes, I love a good flat, not only are they comfortable but they let you stand with a chill that a super heel can never achieve. HOWEVER, the heel on the Guy Sandal would never be so rude, it gives height and ease, together. And that’s good. And of course for a full on moment, these red guys are the best here.
Here’s another city event option, dialed up a bit but decidedly chill all the same. I mean, the sheer beaded dress has strange cloud animals scattered throughout, it’s hardly meant to be taken too seriously but it does give major creative chomps. I’m pairing this with a semi-sheer tight, and one with a black control top that gives a little more coverage where I need it. The Tuxedo Jacket gets lots of play here, in navy and black it feels strong but not aggressive. On the video, I showed it with my vintage Fendi beaded baguette bag, if you google them you’ll find many. HOWEVER, I was shocked at the price. This isn’t what I paid - I found mine at a random vintage shop in Boston. I think there are many other options in the market - for something that gives some holiday bling but at a better price - that’s my opinion.
Sarah’s tackled a tricky one here. She’s got upcoming events that are city inspired, but in more low key areas- think America’s vast Midwest. The challenge is to nod to her new holiday environment but still look decidedly like herself. We’ve all been here at one time or another, just going home south for the holidays often gives me pause on what to wear. Sarah’s mixing in her cropped sporty blue jacket with the sheer lace Skirt over tights and a sensible Pump, in black satin but with an oddly subversive clear strap is right in her zone. And the upside down Tank gives good strange at the bottom but is so deceptively simple at the neckline.
While Sarah’s mid-west bound, I’m headed to Savannah, Ga. We’ll go out to dinner, the restaurants are definitely sophisticated, and it’s Christmas time for us so I like to lean in to green, only with a bit more spin on it than usual. The Sweater that I’ll be laying on the couch in watching Elf for the hundredth time also goes out to dinner worn with the Rabbane bag, my Dorsey necklace that is just one giant tennis bracelet around my neck, and my Elmo red Shoes. The Charlie Shirt adds a layer if I don’t want the holes to expose too much skin. Depending on the temperature, that’s a consideration. The Ryder Jean sits a bit higher so it gives more coverage than a lower jean, but you can still get a draft through the carved out shapes!
I also love leaning in to all the tropes of a holiday without the literalness of the ugly Christmas sweater. No matter what or how you’re celebrating, taking the holiday monikers and just dialing them up a bit, embracing the kitsch, feels good. To me. The green Maria La Rosa socks clash nicely with the red Heel (this was our sandal from last resort, so it’s on sale on our site, ok?). The white sheer Top adds some unexpected elegance to the mix and it keeps the family guessing. That’s a good thing.
Rae’s headed to her friend’s gallery event. Seems like she has this on the docket at least once a week rolling into the holidays. She’s taking that same sheer beaded skirt Sarah’s wearing in the lovely Midwest and layering it over a black fitted Skirt that lets her run straight from the office to the gallery, she’s now a bit “more” than she was at the studio. She’s mixed it with the black jacket that doubles as a shirt, I suppose that’s why we named it The shirt jacket. She’s mixing it with the fluffy black feather Shoes that we will all be wearing on full rotate in a couple of weeks.
Ok, I’ll try and get to the second half of this tomorrow. Another 4 hour flight on my calendar means I should have lots of time to get this done. Enjoy.
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