This is fabulous. I don’t know how you do it but you consistently nail it. Pure pleasure, insightful, well-intended, humble and moves me to where I feel joy in my toes.
I feel like this is another one of your pieces that evokes different thoughts and emotions every time you read it. Sparking new and innovative ways to look at the ordinary and the unordinary. Dressing from the gut and having a still closet is the perfect way to describe it. I too am going through that phase though for different reasons, circumstances, and time in my life. I find myself putting together outfits that I normally would not and pulling out items I had not planned on wearing though having them together and wearing them has never felt more me. Or the new me? I also have items I had all the intentions of wearing by now that are just sitting in my closet waiting for their moment. Though instead of trying to get out of a fashion rut I am more in a mental funk and finding myself in a constant wave of new ways to "self-care" and dressing well is one of them as of late. In regards to the still closet, I was so focused on building a capsule wardrobe I find myself overwhelmed with maybe too much new and life itself is moving in a pace where items I thought to be a foundation in my wardrobe are landing in the donation pile sooner than expected and I am questioning my growth and identity in a way I did not expect. I appreciate the way you can put a label on things that I do not even think to honor with much more than a passing thought or solution, just part of the chapter I am on. It brings a much needed mindfulness and an added reminder to take a moment and a breath. To be grateful for where you are at in the moment. Like you were talking about on your last newsletter. I now see that in a different light as well. Thank you thank you. xx Adding that dressing from your gut suits you in a way that inspires me to intuitively fall into how I wear my clothes as well. Dressing from the gut looks good on you. I think it is also an inner glow which is what navigates the gut feelings. Present softness. Assured. 💫👑🐝
Relating to this so hard, Leandra. I've noticed a little change away from what I used to think getting dressed -- I'm Bold! Fuck what anyone thinks! I'm wearing this! -- into something different, something you've (beautifully) named intuitive dressing. Which is more like - this is how I feel or want to feel today. Sometimes I do not wish to stand out. And that too, is me. I can be me and be experimental and out there and I can be me and want to fit seamlessly into my environment; that is a calming lovely feeling. The point is that gut -- what do you *actually* want. And lately I find I like getting "in touch" with that intuition by touching. Literally! Like I run my hands across the pants, and it helps me feel without brain. And know. I have been writing, working it out here: https://heymrssolomon.medium.com/do-i-look-fradiculous-c617e6570c5d xoxoxo Rachel
I have to say, I LOVE these outfits (bar the gold dress/ orange leggings one, which is too high-falutin for me) - which means to say they feel very authentically you, not remotely over-wrought or trying to do something specific. And I also think this nails how I feel about social media, as a similarly porous person who cannot have apps on her phone, in a way that I haven't been able to articulate:
"even if you don’t compare yourself to others, even if you don’t care what they have vs. what you do, even if you don’t generate output for the apps you visit, they pull you out of yourself"
That Cawley Studio coat is calling my name! Love the whole look, really. Totally with you on the ability of music to bring you back to yourself. Maybe I'll throw on some music later, and show all the Lovelies on Geneva what outfit it inspired. This post has been very inspirational; I now want to go play in my closet (and maybe buy a new coat)!
Actually on this note, DOES ANYONE WANT TO MAKE THE GROUP A PLAYLIST? Dying for upbeat music recommendations that are also sensual and easy to dance to
I have a couple on Spotify that I think fit that description and would not mind sharing. Just need to figure out how. Do I just paste the link? I second Daniela's sentiment below.
Two different vibes. Eclectic, some electronic, some nostalgia. Fingers crossed the links work. Looking forward to others playlists as well. I just love sharing music. 🌟
Thanks for this! 'This Must Be the Place' is probably my favorite love song, ever. I have always loved how David Byrne could be sentimental about the passing of time without being maudlin or syrupy-sweet. Kishi Bashi does a good cover of it. Give it a listen if you haven't heard it.
I also love LCD Soundsystem. Could listen to them all day long.
Such a good song! You are so right about David Byrne. I will definitely check out that cover. That song always reminds of Lars and the Real Girl. I recently rewatched it and it hits me every time.
Agreed about LCD Soundsystem! They are always a solid choice and I also think of Groove Armada in the same vein.
I am so glad you like it! We all have different tastes and experiences and it gets so personal with music so I figured I would just throw them out there.
Ah! Honestly the best of all love languages. How romantic! I grew up playing multiple instruments and was around a lot of musicians in my twenties so now it is just part of my soul and every day life really. Funny how it seems like five other life times ago but really shaped who I am today, sigh. I honestly can not think of a time when music was not pivotal. I was just thinking how playing an entire album, we all have our favorites, can be so healing and inspiring. Also, different every time. Can't wait for you to share! 😊
Oh I'm so glad you ask. That is a broken cord from a string game that my kids like to play. I roped through an old Celine charm (the C) and an old Celine earring (the fox) and turned it into a necklace to wear with drab colors :)
Hi Leandra - who makes those navy trousers in the last photo? I'm 5'4 and having trouble finding a good pair of classic trousers that aren't itchy. Thanks!
On your point C, I think you're right that it's more creative, and I'm not sure if when you say "because there is more to play with," you mean technically (as in more garments) or figuratively, but I think it might be the latter -- there are more restrictions because of the weather, and those restrictions do incline me to push up against the boundaries and turn them into something more playful
Can we see your closet?
I cannot figure out how to stay organized and I couldn't imagine how you do it...
Yes I will do something on my closet, this is a good idea.
Loved this piece. Do not quite get along these days with my clothes, for similar reasons...
This is fabulous. I don’t know how you do it but you consistently nail it. Pure pleasure, insightful, well-intended, humble and moves me to where I feel joy in my toes.
I feel like this is another one of your pieces that evokes different thoughts and emotions every time you read it. Sparking new and innovative ways to look at the ordinary and the unordinary. Dressing from the gut and having a still closet is the perfect way to describe it. I too am going through that phase though for different reasons, circumstances, and time in my life. I find myself putting together outfits that I normally would not and pulling out items I had not planned on wearing though having them together and wearing them has never felt more me. Or the new me? I also have items I had all the intentions of wearing by now that are just sitting in my closet waiting for their moment. Though instead of trying to get out of a fashion rut I am more in a mental funk and finding myself in a constant wave of new ways to "self-care" and dressing well is one of them as of late. In regards to the still closet, I was so focused on building a capsule wardrobe I find myself overwhelmed with maybe too much new and life itself is moving in a pace where items I thought to be a foundation in my wardrobe are landing in the donation pile sooner than expected and I am questioning my growth and identity in a way I did not expect. I appreciate the way you can put a label on things that I do not even think to honor with much more than a passing thought or solution, just part of the chapter I am on. It brings a much needed mindfulness and an added reminder to take a moment and a breath. To be grateful for where you are at in the moment. Like you were talking about on your last newsletter. I now see that in a different light as well. Thank you thank you. xx Adding that dressing from your gut suits you in a way that inspires me to intuitively fall into how I wear my clothes as well. Dressing from the gut looks good on you. I think it is also an inner glow which is what navigates the gut feelings. Present softness. Assured. 💫👑🐝
Relating to this so hard, Leandra. I've noticed a little change away from what I used to think getting dressed -- I'm Bold! Fuck what anyone thinks! I'm wearing this! -- into something different, something you've (beautifully) named intuitive dressing. Which is more like - this is how I feel or want to feel today. Sometimes I do not wish to stand out. And that too, is me. I can be me and be experimental and out there and I can be me and want to fit seamlessly into my environment; that is a calming lovely feeling. The point is that gut -- what do you *actually* want. And lately I find I like getting "in touch" with that intuition by touching. Literally! Like I run my hands across the pants, and it helps me feel without brain. And know. I have been writing, working it out here: https://heymrssolomon.medium.com/do-i-look-fradiculous-c617e6570c5d xoxoxo Rachel
I have to say, I LOVE these outfits (bar the gold dress/ orange leggings one, which is too high-falutin for me) - which means to say they feel very authentically you, not remotely over-wrought or trying to do something specific. And I also think this nails how I feel about social media, as a similarly porous person who cannot have apps on her phone, in a way that I haven't been able to articulate:
"even if you don’t compare yourself to others, even if you don’t care what they have vs. what you do, even if you don’t generate output for the apps you visit, they pull you out of yourself"
That Cawley Studio coat is calling my name! Love the whole look, really. Totally with you on the ability of music to bring you back to yourself. Maybe I'll throw on some music later, and show all the Lovelies on Geneva what outfit it inspired. This post has been very inspirational; I now want to go play in my closet (and maybe buy a new coat)!
Actually on this note, DOES ANYONE WANT TO MAKE THE GROUP A PLAYLIST? Dying for upbeat music recommendations that are also sensual and easy to dance to
I have a couple on Spotify that I think fit that description and would not mind sharing. Just need to figure out how. Do I just paste the link? I second Daniela's sentiment below.
Two different vibes. Eclectic, some electronic, some nostalgia. Fingers crossed the links work. Looking forward to others playlists as well. I just love sharing music. 🌟
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Nbuem2VNZjxaCHIgMzkcU
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/165HQu6lIDtiYxYfJ7FlK9
Thanks for this! 'This Must Be the Place' is probably my favorite love song, ever. I have always loved how David Byrne could be sentimental about the passing of time without being maudlin or syrupy-sweet. Kishi Bashi does a good cover of it. Give it a listen if you haven't heard it.
I also love LCD Soundsystem. Could listen to them all day long.
Such a good song! You are so right about David Byrne. I will definitely check out that cover. That song always reminds of Lars and the Real Girl. I recently rewatched it and it hits me every time.
Agreed about LCD Soundsystem! They are always a solid choice and I also think of Groove Armada in the same vein.
I am so glad you like it! We all have different tastes and experiences and it gets so personal with music so I figured I would just throw them out there.
Ah! Honestly the best of all love languages. How romantic! I grew up playing multiple instruments and was around a lot of musicians in my twenties so now it is just part of my soul and every day life really. Funny how it seems like five other life times ago but really shaped who I am today, sigh. I honestly can not think of a time when music was not pivotal. I was just thinking how playing an entire album, we all have our favorites, can be so healing and inspiring. Also, different every time. Can't wait for you to share! 😊
Hi Leandra ! I would love to join your Geneva group. Would it be possible to be invited in ? 🙌🏻
Yes! https://links.geneva.com/invite/d2d5b68f-e919-4354-976c-fec35fde8bef
Dear Leandra, could you please let me in too? Xo Mits (subscriber)
Hi!! Please send an email in response to your confirmation of subscription and the link will be sent through!
WHAT is the necklace with the big gold charms on neon cord, please and thank you?
Oh I'm so glad you ask. That is a broken cord from a string game that my kids like to play. I roped through an old Celine charm (the C) and an old Celine earring (the fox) and turned it into a necklace to wear with drab colors :)
Brillliant!
Hi Leandra - who makes those navy trousers in the last photo? I'm 5'4 and having trouble finding a good pair of classic trousers that aren't itchy. Thanks!
Hi! Those are from an Italian company called Giuliva Heritage
Thanks! Any recs for classic trousers at a slightly lower price point? $100-500?
How about something like these? https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/dries-van-noten/clothing/wide-leg/pleated-gabardine-wide-leg-pants/46376663162419069
Beautiful thoughts. Its incredibly underrated how our closet needs time to mature and learn to work it magic, within itself.
On your point C, I think you're right that it's more creative, and I'm not sure if when you say "because there is more to play with," you mean technically (as in more garments) or figuratively, but I think it might be the latter -- there are more restrictions because of the weather, and those restrictions do incline me to push up against the boundaries and turn them into something more playful
Also, re: D, YAY