Image above via Staud, featuring their gorgeous Carver coat in persimmon!
Q: Styling the black Spanx pants. Casual mom wear outfits for fall/winter.
A: My go-to way to style these is with a ribbed white tee (size up in this / runs snug — or get the look for less with this; I alternate between the two almost indistinguishably), a little cropped cardigan in a fun color/pattern like this or this, and some fun flats (like this or this). It feels like you’re wearing leggings and a tee — comfortable, requires minimal effort — but looks totally pulled-together.
Other ideas: oversized knit with cool sneaks, or Sambas with a button-down.
Q: Rehearsal dinner dress. At a steakhouse. Not white!
A: I love this tweedy Saloni. It’s festive and will make you the center of attention, but not white, and feels right for a steakhouse. Also love the feather-trim options from Cara Cara — this feels so flirty and celebratory, but appropriate again to the venue. Rhode also has great options in this lane, like this velvet floral midi, this scarlet patterned option, or this drapey velvet mini. If you’re a dress-in-black gal, consider this: a velvet bustier like this or this, a tulle skirt, and these heels (look for less — under $100 — with these). Pair any/all of these with great sparkling statement earrings!
Q: Cold weather running socks.
A: I love these Nikes, pulled up over my leggings! They aren’t insulating per se but my feet get hot after a few minutes in anything thicker. The Nike socks have a great elasticity and plushness to them. I even wear them to bed when my feet are cold! By the way, Nike just launched a new version of my favorite running sneaker (The Infinity Run) and I immediately ordered them in the cool green color — they always sell out in the smaller sizes in the good colors so I literally scrambled! More fall fitness finds here! I bought a lot of these items myself.
Q: A guest dress for a baby shower and Baptism, October in New England. Petite-friendly, not Doen.
A: I love the gem-toned caftans from Julia Amory. They’d work great for these occasions, especially with a suede mule. I also love a number of the fall patterned dresses from Parterre — something like this would be elegant and perfect for both occasions. If you lean a bit dressier, I love this Ulla (style down a bit with suede mules/heels) or this.
Q: Long tan winter coat please.
A: Aligne just sent me this gorgeous one (under $400) and it’s perfectly classic and oversized. It runs big and long — better fit for tall Magpies — but totally nails the borrowed-from-the-gents look. For something more tailored, and more of a splurge, consider MaxMara. I’ve eyed their lovely outerwear for years and years. It’s timeless. If you’re open to a pattern, this Veronica Beard herringbone style is at the top of my list. I love the sash detail because I’m petite and often find coats run enormous on me. This will help define a figure! Last but not least, this J. Crew trench-style wool coat is fabulous. As of time of writing, it’s 40% off, making it a total steal!
Q: My godson’s Baptism. Prefer pants to dresses!
A: Aw, God bless him! I feel like the Spanx pants with a chic cropped blazer and dressy shoes is perfect. I also think the Favorite Daughter “favorite pants” in brown silk with a little blazer, jacket, or cropped cardi would be fab. Finally, wide-leg cords with a fab statement sweater and heeled boots.
Q: Brown leather booties for fall.
A: These J. Crew ones are timeless and will go with everything.
Q: Dress to wear for October NYC bridal shower brunch (I’m a guest) followed by a birthday party (under $200!)
A: Fun! This Cara Cara dress, somehow marked down to under $200, or this Ophelia & Indigo (technically $230, but sign up for emails for 10% off, and the price comes down to $207!)
Q: Baby shower for the mom — baby girl, upstate NY.
A: Congrats, mama! Different but appropriate to the location/season, I think?: this oversized, feather-trim tunic top with maternity leather leggings and a cute headband or statement shoes? Also love these Sue Sartors in beautiful fall colors — would work with bump. This pretty wintry floral would also work with bump, I’m fairly sure, and I own this Hunter Bell dress in a different pattern and it’s gorgeous and oversized enough for bump.
Q: Dallas wedding (guest) dress in December. Cocktail attire!
A: I immediately thought red! Festive, on-trend, and bold like the Texans do! I love this, this, this, and this. I also love this restraint and simplicity of this red mini with a great heel and a low bun and big earrings. I also keep coming back to this burgundy velvet situation.
Q: Great idea for my baby shower hostesses.
A: If you/your friends are beauty lovers, I’d gift them each one of these splurgey U Beauty lip plasmas. They come in a decent sized box that you could wrap up in cello with a big gorgeous velvet ribbon and a hand-written note. If they’re not into that kind of thing (you know your girls), some other cute thank you options would be a box of Levain cookies delivered the day afterward; an elegant candle (these come in beautiful round boxes that would look lovely with a ribbon); or some fun plates/bowls from Roundhouse.
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P.S. Have you decorate for Halloween?
P.P.S. JOMO: the joy of missing out.
P.P.P.S. A little musing on how an end-of-day walk outside can cleanse the palate.
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