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L.A. on our minds. If you are looking for ways to help Angelenos in the midst of (in the wake of? I’m writing this hopefully a day out from publication) the wildfires this week, check out my friend Grace Atwood’s Instagram stories — she spends a lot of time in L.A. with her L.A.-based boyfriend and I found lots of ways to plug in via her feed.
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There is a reason monochrome dressing never goes out of style: it is the lowest-lift way to look polished. This is my go-to styling trick when I am feel completely uninspired — winter whites, head-to-toe navy, etc. (Above, wearing this Kilte half-zip, marked down right now, this Rag + Bone tee, and these SLVRLAKE jeans.) But there is a fine line between neutral and boring — have you ever tried to emulate the look of those neutrals-only street style starlets and feel like you end up looking blah? Some observations I’ve made about avoiding the plain Jane trap:
01. Mix textures. I specifically like to combine cashmere or a chunky knit (something with luscious texture) with denim, silk, cotton that reads either flatter or shinier.
02. Play with different shades of a certain color to add dimension. The whites should not be identical.
03. Add contrast through accessories. Use jewelry, bags, sunglasses to add colors that read “neutral” on their own but act like exclamation points together — e.g., glossy gold; tortoise frames; etc.
Some specific outfit ideas below:
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy navy! This is an outfit versatile enough to take me from a work meeting to carpool pick up to a cocktail with Mr. Magpie. Aside: I am eyeing a new sunglass silhouette this season; do we think I can pull off the oval?! I went down a deep TikTok rabbit hole looking at women unboxing and trying on Celine triomphe oval sunglasses, and I think I can do it…! (Look for less, seen in collage below, here.)
VINCE FLUID TROUSERS (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // CASHMERE TURTLENECK (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // MADEWELL FLATS ($110!) // ALC COAT (ON SALE) // GERARD DAREL BUCKET BAG (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // LE SPECS SUNGLASSES // SHASHI EARRINGS
ARITZIA SWEATER // FAVORITE DAUGHTER JEANS // THE FRANKIE SHOP OVERSIZED COAT (LOOK FOR A LITTLE LESS HERE, AND EVEN LESS HERE) // ERIC JAVITS HAT // LE MONDE BERYL FLATS (INCREDIBLE LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // ANINE BING SUNGLASSES (LOOK FOR LESS HERE AND HERE) // HEAVEN MAYHEM EARRINGS // SAVETTE BAG (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // TOTEME SCARF
J’ADORE a winter white look. This is probably my most-worn approach to monochrome dressing. Bonus that you can get extra wear out of white jeans across all seasons of the year.
This sleek black look is perfect for an elevated date night, fundraiser, wedding rehearsal dinner, etc. Channeling Gwyneth here. I don’t usually reach for silver jewelry but this application feels slick and modern to me. Also, can we talk about these perfect $160 heels?! We need these.
SILK SKIRT (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // VERONICA BEARD BLAZER // PERFECT BLACK PUMPS ($160!!!) // BLACK MINI BAG // STUD EARRINGS ($35!)
I call this Copenhagen Cute — what I imagine I’d wear if I was a Danish mom. Love the idea of dressing down a trouser with a chunky knit.
FAVORITE DAUGHTER TROUSERS (SIMILAR VIBE FOR LESS WITH THESE) // ARITZIA COAT // NILI LOTAN SWEATER (LOOK FOR A LITTLE LESS HERE) // VARLEY BEANIE // GAZELLES // STAUD BAG // GORJANA HUGGIES ($55!) // LE SPECS SUNGLASSES (LOOK FOR LESS HERE)
P.S. On pursuing English as a major.
P.P.S. A poem I absolutely love.
P.P.P.S. Out with the lanterns, finding myself.