I tried these 3 current fashion trends for you
stay relevant with me, or die trying
Did you know I secretly love trends? I wrote a whole report on trends a couple months ago, which means maybe I’m just terrible at keeping secrets... I love trends because they’re like little bite size ways to keep my wardrobe feeling fresh and relevant, even while much of my clothing has been lingering since at least 1973.
Fashion is a language, and sometimes tying that one item into your outfit that everybody recognizes is like going to a party and saying all the right things. You want to find that perfect balance between “what the hell is this?” and “oooh, I get it!”. That’s where the secret UNIQUE sauce lives.
It’s been several weeks since I’ve published a newsletter, so I'm easing back in today with my favorite topic– FASHION. Below, I’ve picked out three very trendy items I purchased this year:
A checker print cardigan from Stine Goya
An oversized collar blouse from Levi’s
A second skin top that is a cheap knockoff of Marine Serre, found in a Greenpoint boutique
And just for funsies, I’ve styled them each 2 ways: for daytime and for evening. Did I do okay? Would you wear these looks? Neither of those questions are of any importance. However, I do want you to enjoy the outfits I’ve put together and use them as inspiration for some looks of your own!
Checker Print Sweater
Okay, hello, I love this sweater. It was pricey, and now I understand why. It’s delightfully warm, and I want to live in it daily until at least mid-April. Checkerprint is huge right now, and I thought I’d be mad about it but I am not, somehow? This print looks good on everything. Including me. Including you. In 10 years we will look back and ask “what were we all thinking?”, but we are going to do that anyway, checker print or no checker print, which means there was never a better time than now to dress like a board game.
Day: This is an outfit I wear a LOT. I like how the checker print and gingham play so well together here. I think it’s because the black and white print helps structure the colorful elements more, so if I look like a clown, at least I look like a REASONABLE clown, which is preferable as far as clowns are concerned. This vintage raw silk scarf is my current favorite and the color goes great with the peach and lavender sweater pattern. I used to be mad at socks with sandals, until I realized they are comfortable. Sometimes I wear this to the laundromat.
Vintage scarf, Stine Goya cardigan, & Other Stories blouse, off-brand jumpsuit, Hysteria by Happy Socks socks, Melissa sandals
Evening: Styling this sweater for an evening look was challenging, but tucking it into some dramatic pants really sealed the deal. I added a pussybow blouse to change the neckline. Heels make anything dressier. I added a fancy belt and a turban. Does it look like I would be pouring you brandy at my in-house bar? Does it look like I would be speaking with a drawl? Does it look like a cast member of Dynasty is about to push me into a pool? I hope the answer to all three is yes.
Vintage scarf, Stine Goya cardigan, Zara blouse and belt, vintage slacks, H&M socks, off-brand heels
Giant Collar Blouse
I really like big ridiculous collars. Mainly because I have absolutely zero cleavage. What my chest lacks for in boobs it can make up for in big extravagant collars like this one from Levi’s– a brand I never expected to allow anywhere near my boobs, mainly because I thought they only produced jeans. No matter your bust size, there is a ridiculous collar out there for you.
Day: This whole look is a great example of why you should be shopping second hand. It makes me look like I’m Tik Tok famous, but most of it is vintage. Also, these pants are stretchy and I feel obligated to highlight this. This outfit looks good at work, at the grocery store, out to lunch, and in this corner of my apartment. Big collars are cool because you can layer things with them, which is nice when it’s 30 degrees outside.
Vintage scarf, off-brand glasses, Levi’s blouse, vintage sweater vest, vintage pants, Zara boots.
Evening: This is my new favorite outfit for reasons I don't feel a need to explain, but I will anyway. I recently tailored this 1960’s lamé dress to fit me, and it’s a match made in heaven with this blouse. I chose all metallic accessories, and somehow these glasses are 100% necessary here. I will probably wear this on New Year's Eve. Who wants to kiss me?
Zara headband, off-brand glasses and earrings, Levi’s blouse, vintage dress, calzedonia stockings, Max Mara heels.
Second Skin Top
For years I associated turtlenecks with the early nineties – the bad early nineties. I remember heading off to 2nd grade in my ditsy floral-print jersey turtleneck-and-leggings-set, to join a sea of other little girls, awash in the same get-up paired with velcro sneakers and Goody hair accessories. An entire classroom full of Stephanie Tanners. Fortunately fashion decided turtlenecks could be cool again, and this sheer one is proving this case. Would I have worn this in elementary school? Yes I would have. Let the following two looks be an example of “it gets better”, fashion edition.
Day: This outfit gets a lot of action from me, and seems to say “I’m arty and quirky”, without me ever having to speak either of those words into existence. Layering works best if you take one patterned thing and one solid thing and stick them on top of each other, the way I did here. If you wear a lot of patterns, get yourself a solid color turtleneck. If you wear a lot of solids, try a printed turtleneck. If you’re me, try both.
Apatico Hat, MLE barrettes, off-brand top, vintage jumpsuit, Melissa mules
Evening: A sheer top with a modest bra underneath is such a great look for the evening, and somehow goes from a casual friend-hang, to a fancy party, seamlessly. I went full fancy with the rest of this look, pairing the top with a velvet skirt, a sculptural hat, sparkle socks, heels, and metallic earrings. This entire ensemble is saying, “I am distinguished and refined”, while still letting everyone know that I’m absolutely the weirdest person in the whole room, which is kind of my M.O.
William Okpo hat, vintage earrings and skirt, off-brand top, off brand socks, Naturilizer heels.
