Hi again, here we are with just a handful of things I love. My style (and I think the moment) sways wildly between super minimal and super maximal. And I’ve written about this before, I think, but one of the things that always kind of stressed me out about buying clothes or defining the way I dress (and now also the way personal style is talked about) is that it’s very concrete. I am a minimalist. I am cottage-core. I am a horny baby.
But of course nobody actually dresses that way, shops that way, or wants to live within a box. Sure, for me personally, since having kids and especially since moving to LA my personal style has massively simplified and gotten more streamlined, but I’m still buying things that set my soul on fire in a very obnoxious way. And that’s also what I think makes someone’s style singular - the ability to mix from the various categories and put things together in a surprising way. There’s a very Scandi-flavor of good taste that is compelling on Instagram, but I’m not sure I want to get a drink with. You know?
Anyway - I’ve been more articulate about this before here. But lately I’ve been really feeling the pull of only buying things that feel subtle and it doesn’t feel entirely authentic. Kinda boring, right? So here - I divided into two camps. The first SO FUCKING BORING but great essentials. Blank canvas pieces to built out upon and throw things in from the second category. The first category is primarily snacky treats, not crazy expensive. The goodies in camp 2 are a little more spendy. To be added in more sparingly. So here it is.
Kinda snoozy, right? But also classic, and timeless, and chic. And yeah, dressing just like this all the time would = good style, but maybe it’s a little one size fits all? A little Instagram-friendly in a barfy kind of joyless way. But good! And these pieces individually, SO GOOD. And for the most part pretty affordable. And a nice foil for the next set - so here we go. A ton of these are from Gap, which is v good lately, by the way. Anyway, anyway.
THE ESSENTIALS! THE BUILDING BLOCKS! THE BORING SHIT!
1. A glorious white waffle henley. God I love a henley! Perfect with jeans and blazers, kind of everything. $50
2. I love little bralettes like this. Super comfy under clothes, but also they look nice under a blazer with some big old trousers. Neutral in essence, but can be made spunky. $30
3. Another Gap goodie - this half-zip in nylon and recycled fleece inside! CHIIIIIIC with wide-leg trousers or something like a knife pleat midi skirt. But also nice with baggy jeans or some leggings. I got this one for myself. $80
4. Perfect little un-logo’d cap. That’s it! $40
5. I love everything about this little dress, but especially the square neckline. Isn’t it perfect? And only $135!
6. Oooooooo ok a leather trench - HOT FUCKING BITCH! So good with jeans but also with like leopard pants or a gray sweatsuit. $890
7. Waffle henley body suit - giggity giggity. Stays tucked in no matter how many cartwheels you do! $40
8. I am a real sucker for a good Mary Jane and these are great. They have an elastic band across the top for a bit more of a ballet feel (and also so you don’t have to fuck with a buckle) and I love them. $115
9. I loooove this giant tote. Whenever I see it out in the wild I want it. A very polished take on the classic canvas tote - I want one. $450
10. Nothing better than a simple stud. I go between these and a pair from Sherman Field that I loooooove (Hi Danielle!) $78
11. Here we have a perfect single breasted overcoat. The #1 way to look more expensive, in my opinion, is a clean, beautiful overcoat. This one is exactly that and is under 300. $290
12. Ok so ripped jeans, maybe not the most obvious for the boring boring but these are great and neutral and fine, maybe should have gone on the other list but I really needed some color over here and you can also layer these with crazier things to make them more fun. Let me live. $255
13. Behold! The perfect white tee. Cropped, boxy, not too sheer, not too thick, and affordable. A win. $25
14. And finally, I love these little shorties so much. I love the little button, I love the length, I love wearing underwear like this, a classic. $15
And now - the other things
1. So sure, a striped button down seems classic, but for me, it’s an extra kind of thing. I go for white on a day to day and sometimes I feel a bit like a banker in a blue strips. However! If I’m wearing a printed bottom or something a little more look at me on bottom, I’ll usually go for a stripe instead of a solid top. It seems counterintuitive, but to me, adding a classic stripe on top helps make the other things feel more chill. I have this same shirt in white and it’s so soft and fits me super well. I usually buy a large or an extra large because I want it to be oversized and clearly from the men’s dept. $40
2. Ohhh this bag. It’s a funny shape, and a statement color - and the nylon makes it so rich looking. A splurge, to be sure, but mega useful - wear it every day or on dressy occasions! Whatever you want! $990
3. I just really want some sport glasses, OK?! Imagine them with kick flair pants and a little cropped peacoat and these Margiela Tabi ballet flats. Good, right? $210
4. Another Margiela thing I love - a good worn-in looking studded belt. Great with a dress, great with oversized men’s trousers, great with everything. $355
5. Ok here are those Tabi flats. These have been on my personal wishlist for so many years, I don’t know why I haven’t bought them yet but maybe this is my time. $690
6. Oooooo this embellished camp shirt! The dream! I love something that’s a classic shape but a special color or finish, like this one. $249
7. A perfect little leopard mini skirt! Ugh! My dream! Wear this back to the striped button down. Heaven. $80
8. Ok I get so many questions about High Sport and whether or not they’re worth it, and yes they’re crazy expensive, but if you wear something like a kick pant with everything (like I do) then it’s worth it. They’re so beautifully made, so comfortable, and the colors are so sophisticated. I never ever thought I’d want lime green pull-on pants, but I can’t resist these. We also have navy and black online at ByGeorge :) $890
9. Perfect little fisherman sandals on sale! $149
10. I love silly socks, and these are just the sweetest. I really like them with a more masculine shoe, like a Blundstone boot, and then my Wranglers. $95
11. Again, these pants look super understated, but they’re mega wide-leg and men’s. They’re great in one or two sizes too big and belted to be kind of paperbag-waist. $90
12. Red cat-eyes! They kind of remind me of the Old Céline cat-eyes (remember the ones in cobalt blue?) but are a little softer. $189
13. Another winner from Tory Burch, I love these colors and the puffyness of the straps. I also love how they have a kind of 40s feel - chic. $199
14. Last but not least! A canvas leopard jacket. To be worn with everything, as a neutral. And reversible! A true neutral on the other side. $499
That’s it for now!
I love you.
Your friend,
Laurel
Perfection.