Trying To Wear Color... 3 Good Outfits #5
Confronting my fear of purple and yellow + conquering "boho" silhouettes & the "thneed" I can't stop wearing
Last week I gave myself the mini “challenge” of dressing in ways I normally don’t. And it was fun! Honestly, writing this letter, and specifically this series, has given me a new reason to get dressed and put some care back in to myself. I am SO grateful for it. This week is a combo of challenge & familiar territory.
#1 COLOR!
Color! Oh boy. This is something I struggle with bigtime lately. But I have these gorgeous trousers from Indress, and I’ve only really worn them once. This week I was heading to Victoria’s (of The Stax) house, and she wears lots of color and print and does it so beautifully, so I thought only fitting for me to show up in some too.
So yes, it’s wrinkly, and my hair is wet, ha, ha… Here was my thought process - at first I wanted to wear the pants with black, but then I felt like a bumblebee. And the idea of wearing these pants with something like a white tank or tee feels not so interesting. But I have this sweet knit from Cos in lilac, and the shape of it is super familiar for me. Wearing color with color (but no print) made this all feel a little more natural and easy.
1. These are cotton/linen/silk, so they have a similar sheen to mine. They’re slightly more lemon yellow than marigold, but still beautiful. Ulla Johnson, $590
2. Not yellow, but a similar shape and similar idea in this incredible royal blue. Cos, $135
3. For even more contrast, I like the idea of these pleated, silky pants. They’d be great with a top that has a bit of weight and structure. Mango, $60
4. Finally, if you’re really unsure about color, these tan Dries pants are a nice sub-in for yellow, and will go perfectly with a colored top. Dries van Noten, $675
5. This is crepe instead of knit, so might be nicer for warmer weather. I like the oversized shape with wider pants - this would be great with the Ulla Johnson pants. Cos, $99
6. Very very close to what I’m wearing, but more fitted. Pact Apparel, $39
7. A celery colored cashmere knit! Picture this with the dries pants or the royal blue pair. So good. Lisa Yang, $415
8. A neon one! So good with another color! Allude, $245
9. My most beloved sandals! The Row, $790
10. I also love these as a grounding point for an outfit - something to make it feel more casual and easy. I wear mine all the time. Havianas, $26
11. Perfect minimal sandals from Jil Sander, man the dream. Jil Sander, $640
12. And now, a super, super elegant pair from Toteme. I love the brown of these. Toteme, $490
#2 SHORTS!
I really struggle with shorts. I know a lot of other grown ups do too - I like wearing denim cutoffs but I don’t always feel super polished in them. I like the idea of twill shorts, but then I feel too stuffy. Usually in the summer I wear men’s swimsuits as shorts, but then I got this pair from Doen.
They feel so ME! Not just because they’re navy, but they’re mega short, pleat front, and cotton. I’ve been describing my style as 80s Volvo station wagon, and this is very that. I love this outfit, so much. And shorts are REALLY hard. What I’m learning is ones that are roomy around the leg, but SHORT really do it for me. And slightly athletic. So here are the Doen ones I’m wearing (for preorder, $148) and the same Doen sweater I’m wearing ($498). It’s mega soft, cotton knit, with leather detail buttons. SO GOOD.
1. These are slightly more polished and structured than mine, but still have the puffyness I love. Khaite, $234
2. Really excellent camp counselor vibes here! Raey, $270
3. Super close to the ones I’m wearing, just a little longer. You can always roll! Or not! Alex Mill, $135
4. I love this pair from Jenni Kayne, super preppy classic - and up to size 14. Jenni Kayne, $225
5. I have these shorts and I LOVE THEM. They’re like cotton vintage track shorts. I live in them all summer. Rawson, $40
6. The sweater! Love of my life sweater! Men’s cotton knit from J.Crew, I love this sweater. J.Crew, $65
7. The perfect summer sweater - a cotton knit that buttons up the back, so you can wear it both ways. Alex Mill, $150
8. And the most perfect sweater for this whole feeling. ILY New Balances. New Balance, $85
9. Sneakers too literal for you? I love this high vamp ballet flat as an alternative. Everlane, $140
10. And then! The only bag for the look! Hermès canvas backpack #1… $340
11. Hermès canvas backpack #2, $756
12. And my favorite one, Hermès canvas backpack #3, $660
#3 I NEED A THNEED
Here again, that Goop cape scarf I am so obsessed with. It makes everything I own feel cooler, better, warmer - ha! -, and I don’t know what it is about it but it just DOES the thing in terms of making something normal feel more stylish.
But I was wearing it over this Deiji Studio mini dress that I’ve struggled to make work. It’s so voluminous, and kind of prairie, which is not me. But it’s also black, and I love the brand. Putting it over my beloved Row leggings made it feel less boho, and more…I don’t know what. Then I put my camel blazer on top, and the Goop thing, and I was like, HOT SHIT. Felt great.
1. The dress/tunic! It’s so beautiful, I just don’t typically wear things so flouncy. The slimness of the pants really grounded it. Deiji Studio, $190
2. My! Favorite! I love everything about these, if you’ve been reading before you know how much I love these, but if not, they are PERFECT. The Row, $550
3. Honestly though, a pair of legit workout leggings would also be nice here, as long as you can’t see the branding. Tory Burch, $138
4. A really good substitute in terms of color and proportion to my Partow blazer. Cos, $225
5. And here! The Goop thing! It really is like a thneed - it’s a scarf! It’s a cape! It’s a sweater! It’s a really critical styling piece! I love it. Goop, $475
6. These Toteme flats! SO beautiful. They’d be a nice bit of polish for this kind of outfit. Toteme, $590
7. And once again, my favorite sandals. Perfect with everything. The Row, $790
8. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, I’m a huge fan of Dorsey and their lab-grown sapphire jewelry. It’s beautifully made, and so cool. It’s a major statement piece, but super affordable for the look. Dorsey, $425
9. One more super easy jewelry essential - a great chain. Perfect with or without charms, and under $500. Ring Concierge, $398
10. And finally, the bag I WISH I was carrying - at the top of my list of wants, this tote from Metier. It’s so gorgeous and so classic. Metier, $2,550
There we are! I hope you’re somewhere fun!
Love, your friend,
Laurel
Trying To Wear Color... 3 Good Outfits #5
I love your newsletter! You’re the cutest. Need those Doen shorts...are they true to size?
just got my doen shorts and I LOVE!!!