Every letter I think starts with “Here we are!” but in fact, here we are! Which means, Here I am! Trying to figure it out, feet firmly planted on the side of adulthood, yet somehow still mentally seeing where the wind takes me. I’ve never had much of a plan (aside from work as hard as I can, be a good person, try and have fun) and things have always worked out, but now I’m really in a position where I need to make my own plan, and then make it happen. Being largely freelance is largely exciting, principally inspiring, but also partially frightening, and somewhat daunting. Your own success or failure is solely your responsibility, as I wrote before, there’s no shield to hide behind. Your choices take on a lot more weight. Every move is a professional one because you are your own job, in a way. Does that make sense?
And until I get my shit together in a more concrete way (if/when) I’m putting a lot more time, thought, and energy into these little shopping missives. We’ll see where it takes me, but it’s fun to think about shopping for other people (friendly reminder here that I am taking on some personal styling/shopping clients, and IT IS FUN and LIGHT and FRIENDLY! Hit reply to hit me up!), and also fun to look more closely at what I’m wearing/wanting/buying/getting rid of as it relates to how I relate to the world right now. I like having a few go-to pre-set outfits that I can throw on and feel good, and that’s one of the things I really try and help my personal styling clients with. Today, I was driving around with my friend/agent Delphine, who is French, and we were laughing at how all the major media outlets rely on the “The ten X THINGS French girls wear/eat/do/read…” whatever to get clicks. And she said, “You know why French girls look so cool? It’s because they wear their clothes. Nothing is too perfect. That’s so boring.” And she’s right! The point of this is to help you find things that fit in with what you already have so you can better wear your clothes, or find things you absolutely love.
SO! With something of a more formal plan for these coming in to place, here’s a new thing where I’m looking about some of my go-to outfits, why they work (or why I think they work) and then shopping them out.
First, the cat burglar look.
I honestly can’t link to all the letters I’ve called out these pants in, it’s practically every single one. But they are perfect. They’re an investment, and they’re technically leggings, but they’re one of the best, most useful things I own and I wear them at least once a week.
They’re a scuba material, so they’re incredibly sleek, and they look fabulous with a pair of heels and a true blouse. They’re almost like, formal leggings. I would totally wear them to a wedding. But I put this outfit on the other day and just felt so stellar in it.
I’m not typically one to wear a lot of black, I prefer navy, but the black shirt with the black leggings looked fantastic. Then the navy sweatshirt around the waist made the whole thing feel less hardcore NEW YORK. The other day I wore it all with my black clogs, but it would be equally as successful with gray New Balances. And finally, necklaces. Mainly my Dorsey James necklace, and my Sherman Field chain and locket. It’s casual on the verge of dressy. But not complicated or tricky.
1. Danielle for Comme Si*, $295
This is the actual shirt I’m wearing. I love how crisp and sharp it is.
2. Mango, $37
This one seems to be kind of between the Comme Si and the Alex Mill - medium starchiness.
This is washed paper poplin, so will have kind of a dry feel, but nice and soft and worn-in.
The pants! THE PANTS!
Ok, these are a very different thing, but a similar vibe. I love the cuff detail. These are a great pick for someone who doesn’t love being out in the world in leggings.
6. Esse, $480
Navy! And again, not leggings, but these have a fun front slit, like The Row ones.
Favorite sneakers!
8. Aeyde, $375
I love these clogs. I love the tonal quality with the wood sole, and that there’s basically no detail.
I can’t stop wearing this necklace, it makes everything better.
A bracelet, not a necklace, but just so good.
Next, super preppy.
Another thing I can’t stop posting about and recommending - my navy sweater vest! Man, I wear this thing way more than I thought I would when I bought it. It’s a great layering piece BECAUSE… it makes a button down warmer on its own, OR, it’s nice under a blazer because it doesn’t add bulk to your arms.
The main way I’ve been wearing it is with my beloved Wranglers (which I’m wearing in this pic above), a button down, a belt, and some little flats. I really like how classic and traditional the whole thing looks, but also kind of cool and not frumpy. It’s maybe not something Lauren Hutton would have worn, but I feel like Lauren Hutton when I wear it! God, Jesus, I love her so much.
In my opinion, this works best when the vest is oversized, and gives you a kind of prep school vibe, more than like, straight out of a Polo catalogue ca 2004. It’s a 90s preppy feel, not contemporary preppy - the proportions make it not too on the nose.
Your jeans will also want to be cropped, and bonus if you can have slightly dirty hair or a little B.O. or a hangover.
1. J.Crew, $138
This is the closest to my vest, though mine is a bit boxier, and has a crew neck. But I love this one, especially in a few sizes too big.
Also love this one with buttons!
A tan version, I’d size way up on this, since it’s a bit cropped.
These are my everyday go-to. I love that you can buy them by waist and inseam size so you get a great fit. And they’re inexpensive!
5. J.Crew, $138
There’s this look in Something About Mary where she’s wearing some low-rise straight dark rinse jeans and little flats and I think a red tee shirt, and god it’s so good! These remind me of those jeans.
A light wash option. I have these in black and they’re a perfect fit.
7. J.Crew, $50
Ok I know everything is J.Crew, but they’re really good lately, and this is an excellent simple belt.
Perfect little ballet flats in a fun, off color.
Again, perfect, simple little loafers! No frills, no twist, just perfect.
10. Dorsey, $550
The necklace again!
11. Alex Mill, $145
This is pretty self-explanatory - it’s a great striped cotton shirt! End of story!
12. Gap, $60
I love the look of this oversized white button down. Super classic, very Peter Lindberg.
13. Yaitte, $225
What a shirt! Jeez Louise, this color! These stripes! Heaven with a navy knit. I want this one.
Last, a dress!
Ok so, I’m a real pants gal, but occasionally I do enjoy a dress. My most wearable one is a classic, black slip that I like to wear with a navy blazer and sandals. I feel clean and sleek! Very throw on and go, it’s truly (in my opinion) the perfect outfit.
The trick is in having an oversized blazer, and a casual shoe. Go too fancy on bottom and you risk looking too. Too fitted or cropped with the blazer and you might look like a Linkedin profile pic. And then to just be mega chill. Trust in the babelieness of your look and let yourself marinate in feeling like a hot bitch.
Last thing though, you don’t want your blazer to be too stiff or thick. It should have structure, but some swish. All of these will do that.
1. Cuyana, $228
This is like, draw me a black slip dress. As simple as it gets. I generally prefer ones that are less shiny, but I like how this is such a blank slate.
2. COS, $99
Ok, so this is a scuba material, and it doesn’t have the swish of the dress I’m wearing, but with the longer blazer (like #5) it will do the thing really nicely. I love a scuba material - so chic.
The bust on this dress, and THE BACK! Jesus, so sexy. I love that the bust looks kind of like a 40s slip, I just love everything about this.
4. COS, $225
I think I need to get this blazer, I keep recommending it, and everyone I know who has it raves about it. Apparently it’s a really nice, fluid weight but still has structure, which is exactly what you want in a blazer. It also has matching pants so you can get the whole suit.
I have a version of this blazer, which is what I’m wearing in the photo. Yes it’s expensive, but it’s also probably the only blazer you’ll ever need. So. Cost per wear?
This looks like it might be too thick for these purposes, but isn’t this gorgeous? I love it.
The Row on sale! I can’t wear shoes that tie very often anymore because I usually have a kid in my arms when I’m heading out the door but I desperately want these.
I have a pair of these in brown leather and they’re just gorgeous. These would be so nice with the white silk dress.
Honk if you love flip flops! They nicely balance out the formality of a dress with a blazer and make the whole thing feel more sexy but with a hangover and some B.O.
That’s it! Thank you for reading, I love you.
Your friend,
Laurel
*Some of these are affiliate links and if you make a purchase I might earn a commission. Which is nice for me.
Link for The Row pants is broken, FYI, don’t want you to lose some $s navigating outside your link. OR a sign that I should not buy $550 scuba pants. 😅
Laurel, I need your help! I'm 25 and after covid wiped out the last few years of partying, I'm finally going back "out out" again — and I have no idea what to wear. I want to look hot, but not like every other girl at the bar/club/etc. In your next shopping round-up, can you include some party looks.