I was talking with a friend yesterday about how much we both find it incredibly chic when women have their hair tucked into their coats or high-necked sweaters. Why is it that gives off that undone, Sienna-Miller-golden-girl mystique to it. A little unfinished, a little windspun, a little can’t-be-bothered?
What else do we find randomly chic?
A few of mine…
+Anyone drinking an espresso
+A glossy red manicure
+A man wearing a leather wrist-watch — gentlemanly!
+Pairing something masculine with something feminine — silk skirt with a woolly blazer, distressed denim with a lacy top
+When people have “an order” at a restaurant — I was out to dinner with a girlfriend and she ordered the steak frites “but with two servings of jus on the side,” and put in a special request that one of the bartenders (whom she knew by name) make her a manhattan
+Books with deckle edges
+A henley — I find these so attractive on both men and women! It shows just the right amount of clavicle and sternum, but feels utilitarian
+People who speak with their hands — charmingly expressive, as though they can’t get enough of themselves out through language
+Cursive handwriting
+A pen preference (I find it so chic that one of my best guy friends only writes in greek ink, and that my Dad carries around a Mont Blanc pen)
+People who annotate their books
+Sincerity
What would you add to this list?
Post-Scripts.
+This is an elaboration up a previous post, titled 11 Forever Chic Things.
+The people who keep the lamps lit.
Shopping Break.
+Can’t stop thinking about this velvet wrap jacket. The perfect piece to wear over all of our holiday looks this season.
+These jeans arrived and I understand the hype. (A Magpie reader wrote: “bury me in AYR jeans,” which piqued my interest.). They are a super-soft denim — not quite stretch but have that old, lived-in feel right out of the gate, as if they’ve been worn in for years. I took my bigger size (I’m typically between two sizes in denim, which is maddening) and find the fit perfect. Come in short and tall inseams.
+I had to order this plaid puffer. So cute! Been noticing a trend of tartan and plaid outerwear this season; this is my take on it. Love the idea of styling it with my navy Vuori leggings.
+Into the silhouette of these green velvet pants. I know a lot of you swear by the palazzo jeans from this brand.
+Cute sherpa blanket stitch jacket for under $100.
+For my “Little Women Winter” vibe: I got these charming paper chains! I’m obsessed! Also loving these paper honeycomb trees.
+Perfect wear-with-everything cardigan.
+Smathers and Branson is still offering its fall promotion (up to 20% off depending on spend) — now is the time to order a belt for your husband, father, etc for the holidays. I love this new pond hockey motif, but I recently ordered Landon one of their custom “Life Builder” belts and added all the motifs of significance to him — his basebell jersey number, the Maryland crab, UVA, etc! So special. We also recently picked up one of their wine coasters (we have this one) and we’ve both separately remarked on how much we love having it. We keep it on our coffee table in the living room and it’s so charming to have as a resting place for a bottle of red on a Friday night.
+How cute is this bandana print vest?! Currently 40% off. The Great had a puffer jacket in a similar bandana print a season or two ago that I’ve still not forgotten. This will scratch the itch. Other cute things to consider while there: this lace trim maxi skirt (similar to the Tuckernuck one but a fraction of the price — pair with a slim-fit cashmere shirt in the same color!), this pointelle sweater (I’m often looking for something on the dressier side to wear up top with velvet, tartan, etc over the holidays), this plaid barn jacket.
+Target holiday loading: gorgeous ribbon, patterned ceramic ornaments, velvet bows to tie on thin candlesticks, a velvet tree skirt, rattan trees.
+Two gorgeous, luxe limited-edition beauty packagings for the holidays: this Oribe hair care set (cover art designed by Finnish artist Kustaa Saksi) and this collector’s edition Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum (in an enormous bottle, designed by celebrated interior designer Chloe Redmond Warner). I love when brands do this; it signals to me such care and art in their work.
+This caped sweater is haunting me…so, so good.
+If you have fine hair that has never done an interesting thing in it’s life (like mine – ha), I’m very impressed with this volumizing prep spray. Does not weigh hair down. I spray it around the crown of my head and it really helps!
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I agree with your list, and would add:
– A handwritten note, especially if on personalized stationery
– A wax seal
– Matching pajamas
– “I’ll have one too” as a hostess offering drinks, something so welcoming, especially if you’re an early guest (guilty! too respectful of a specified time)
– A martini
– A cardigan over the shoulders, the more casual the better
– Candlelight
Somewhat off topic, I took your suggestion of listening to Laufey, and I am obsessed, have been listening non-stop. A wonderful playlist addition.
Oo wax seal and “I’ll have one too” — those are golden!
Yay! Laufey is such a delight. Very chic 🙂
For some reason I find monograms very unchic but do find personalized stationery with first, middle, AND last name to be very chic. Saying thank you to the bus driver when getting off. Ignoring trends that don’t suit you.
Love stationery with the full name on it, too — these are great additions!
xx
We host two of my goddaughters for Thanksgiving every year since they started university a 5 hour train ride away, and we’ve made it a tradition to see a performance while they’re here. Usually we see a show on Broadway, but this year.. we’re seeing a reasonably close regional theater’s production of Little Women!! It’s so exciting!! As for what I find randomly chic, it’s all about a certain confidence coupled with effortlessness. It’s hard because what is chic for one woman may not be for another. It’s a bit like that famous 1964 court decision in that the essence of what is chic is hard to define, but I know it when I see it!
Yes! “You know it when you see it.”
How charming about the LW performance! What a treat!
xx
My neck gets itchy just looking at the photos of tucked-in hair! I can’t abide it! But I agree that it gives an off-duty model vibe. Instead, I submit: pulling all your hair over one shoulder, a la Keri Russell in The Americans.
I’d add kiss lock handbags (also – calling your purse a handbag!), a sleek shiny blowout, a well-lit room or yard/landscaping, driving loafers, coupes instead of flutes for champagne, boxwoods.
Ha! I’ll take the Keri Russell hair situation, too.
Coupes instead of flutes! Yes!
xx
A signature hairstyle! My friend Emma always has a low bun, not too sleek, and she always looks so effortless and exactly like herself. Or my nana recently went back to the hairstyle she had as a young girl and it’s so sweet to see that same little bob in older pictures.
Anything that speaks to authenticity: someone with style that carries on despite trends.
Older ladies in pumps, hats, gloves (usually seen drinking espresso standing up at the counter)!
Laugh lines. Big smiles.
I saw a dad walking his kids to school yesterday who had a maroon corduroy suit on!! With a tan knit vest underneath, haphazardly buttoned, and a white shirt open at the throat. He looked so chic. I think choosing an unexpected color or pattern is always chic, it’s wrong shoe theory redux.
Personalized stationary. Thank you cards.
Symmetry. My friend Emma has these gorgeous busts on her shelves and I love that they’re arranged in pairs.
Knowing yourself! Liking what you like.
Having easy snacks ready to serve guests, truffle almonds, olives, little chocolate covered orangettes. Real teapots. Anything that makes people feel expected and welcomed.
Hobbies. If someone can decoupage or whittle or crochet, or makes their own beer or vinegar or throw pillows, I find it endlessly charming. Same goes for anything lovingly repaired. I like a lived-in patina.
Having a list of local shops you patronize where you’re a regular: a tailor, a butcher, a cobbler, a flower shop. It’s so adult but in this online era also feels romantic!
I’m a hopeless sucker for any neoclassical detail. Heaven.
Lacquer! My kingdom for a lacquered room.
Unrenovated spaces. I think it’s chic when someone makes a space their own with the bones of what they were left. Though perhaps I’m biased since that’s what we’ve done! I like things to age gradually rather than be wholly new.
I’m prepping for the holidays and I’ve just ordered some custom painted advent candles off Etsy that I’m unbelievably excited for!
Gorgeous list. I love the note about your friend “looking exactly like herself.” What a beautiful and rich observation!
I love that maroon corduroy ensemble! Chic chic!
xx