I am very happy to say, my pals at Sézane are supporting this letter. Sézane is a brand that resonates with me for the versatility of what they make, and the ease - easy and versatile are two of my favorite descriptors when it comes to clothes and style.
I’ve had this idea to do something around event dressing but using just one dress for a while - I don’t love the idea of buying a dress and only being able to wear it once, unless you’re renting it or bought it on consignment and will consign it again. I prefer the idea of investing in something beautiful that can be worn a million different ways, and then transforming it over and over again, all season. Anyway, this resonated with Sézane, given their sustainability initiatives, so we partnered on the concept.
So, behold! The dress in its most neutral, and wearable state.
THE BASICS
1. Sézane dress, $245 ; 2. Jil Sander sandals, $640 ; 3. Crown Affair styling gel, $42 ; 4. Sézane ring, $95 ; 5. The Row pumps, $1,290 ; 6. Saint Laurent pumps, $945 ; 7. Aeyde sandals, $325 ; 8. Sézane sunglasses, $180
If I look a bit pinched or stuffed sausagey, it’s because I’m PMS’ing like a motherfucker and bloated as hell. But even under those circumstances - this dress ticks all my boxes. Simple design, classic silhouette, neutral color, minimal details. You can’t really go wrong with a black strapless dress, in my opinion, it’s endlessly chic and a cinch to wear.
So anyway, this is most likely how I’d style it to a sort of normal wedding that didn’t give any other clues to styling. I’d wear it with flat sandals in LA, and with pointy pumps in New York for, like, a later afternoon ceremony and reception. This is also a look you can repeat ad nauseam because it’s so clean and simple. I like it best with slicked back hair, and minimal accessories to really let the simplicity of the dress sing.
FOR A BEACHY OR OTHERWISE STYLISH THING
When most of my friends were getting married, it was on the cusp of when “destination wedding” went from meaning getting married on a beach somewhere relatively convenient, to getting hitched on a tiny island in Italy, only approachable by an even tinier boat that left the main port once a week. These kinds of affairs present somewhat of a problem when it comes to getting dressed. Unless you’re given explicit directions (or a Pinterest board of inspiration - cringe, but also I see how that can be helpful), you, the guest, are left with a lot of guess work. Will you be on sand or on rock? That makes a massive difference in terms of footwear (never wear heels in the sand). Is it in a house of worship or outside? Is it going to be boiling hot, will your shoulders burn? Will you possibly have to trek through the woods to get to THE SPOT? And then! You want to look cool and interesting and European or whatever, but not like you’re wearing a costume. I’ve got you.
1. Sézane dress, $245 ; 2. Dries van Noten coat, $969 ; 3. Tove coat, $1,517 ; 4. Kallmeyer jacket, $825 ; 5. Calle del Mar jacket, $650 ; 6. Renato Cipullo pendant, $5,600 ; 7. Christina Alexiou pendant, $1,650 ; 8. Ancient Greek Sandals, $225 ; 9. Aquazarra heels, $1,150 ; 10. Toteme sandals, $500
The black dress is a perfect backdrop to dress up with kind of more personal, or offbeat layering pieces - and it’s totally transformed. It’s kind of a classic, chic chic chic dress in a minimal 90s way, but I love how it can also look artsy-ish here.
I’ve had this long, printed coat for years, and I wear it all the time for things like this. It’s nice because it covers my arms and shoulders (chilly nights or blasting sun) but isn’t super warm. It’s slinky and interesting, but isn’t wacko. I also really love the Calle Del Mar version in this layout because it’s a similar vibe, but lighter weight, and shorter - which will likely be more flattering if you’re not as tall. The Kallmeyer jacket is also great because it’s a mega light, sheer voile. So pretty, and will definitely not make you overheat, but gives an interesting detail to the outfit. I would also layer on lots of necklaces to further play into that - I don’t know, personal vibe.
THE MOST FRUSTRATING DRESS CODE OF ALL
Cocktail! It’s so vague - is it fancy, or is it not. I know there are technical rules or guidelines around what “cocktail” means, but to 90% of us who haven’t done a full cotillion thing, it’s still a little baffling.
When I get that guidance, I usually err slightly on the side of too formal, rather than too casual. But because it’s cocktail not formal, I like to still look and feel like myself. I won’t go whole-hog glamour, but I will wear heels, and I will wear something a little fun. This is ~party mode~
1. Sézane blazer, $255 ; 2. Sézane dress, $245 ; 3. Isabel Marant blazer, $976 ; 4. Blazé Milano blazer, $1,320 ; 5. Dries van Noten clutch, $1,325 ; 6. Westman Atelier lipstick, $50 ; 7. Saint Laurent mules, $945 ; 8. Larroude heels, $315
I love the retro glitz of this gold blazer, and with the simple dress it has woohoo impact. A blazer isn’t the standard place to have a little hit of sparkle, which therefore! Makes the whole thing more fun. And again - completely transforms the dress.
Ok, so in a nutshell - the way to do it is to first, choose a dress you really love, but one that is mega classic and mega simple. This one makes me feel like a swan. Second, do some thinking about the type of event (or wedding) you’ll be attending, and what the literal needs of the place will be. Sun? Sand? Mud, possibly? And choose your outerwear and footwear accordingly. Third, repeat, over and over for every fancy occasion you have forever. If it’s permissible to wear the same pair of heels to every fancy function, why not the same dress? Play with it! Enjoy! Put on lipstick! Drink too much (or don’t, you do you) and dance crazily! Invite me to your wedding, I’ll do all of those things! I love you!
Your friend,
Laurel
those BLUE SHOES at the end you're wearing, though!!!! wowieee LOVEEEE <3
MARRY ME