Letter of Rec #083: Seeking the tiny fashion minutiae that reflects a life lived-in
Plus, I’m not kidding, a case for Hoka’s hiking sneakers
Two women who have recently been on my mind: Maryam Nassir Zadeh and Margherita Missoni. Both are quality social media follows, if only because their slideshows full of informal, often blurry photos, taken from all over the world and compiled who knows when and with how much thought actually succeed in bringing to life the qualities of what inspire them. There’s a real femininity, in particular about Maryam’s output, that is very inviting and seductive.
I’ve been working on one of those long-form look book posts that I just realized I tend to publish at the turn of a new season and toiling through my closet and feeling around to understand whether I’m satisfied with how I’m putting on clothes — and I keep thinking about how thirsty I am to locate then nibble into these tiny details, the weird fashion minutiae that is not planned or intended or even always identifiable. We so often scrub ourselves clean of it but I think it might be one element of what defines the magic sauce.
A pin clipped into a lapel, styled over a 60 cm scarf that fringes but only because of tear that’s developed over time from overwear.
The wackiness of color combos that work because they have muted over years of wear, due to stain or natural sun fade. Or finishes that just found themselves next to each other on you, not by styling but effortlessly over the course of some weeks you haven’t changed all that much.
Paying attention a little more closely, this is what’s so special about the M’s: their personal style reflects the breadth of lived-in lives.
There are no two women I can think of who embody the spirit of seeking out — no, it’s really more like scavenging for — beauty and making it spicy within the most bland moments of daily life.
This is, I think, an it-factor that one must possess to be truly original. And I’m craving so much of that lately — to see, to feel, to be.
It’s one reason I love doing the street reports so much, and a reminder that there’s no correct way to wear clothes, no way to interpret a trend that ever falls over more authentically than when you feel your way through it, attempt a million ways to nestle it into your life, and what happens when you let the non-Fashion garnish —earrings your mom gave you, a summer string you can’t take off, shoes you you wear because they’re broken in so well — serve as your main event.
What’s on your mind lately? What are you looking at, thinking about, liking?
This fall doesn’t feel as urgent or intense a shopping season as it has in recent years, which usually tells me the dust of a trend cycle is settling. Wardrobe nirvana is here! (Or, you know, ppls minds are elsewhere.)
Are you spending much time on the shoppable web? With one cycle anchored always means another is just getting going. That makes it a good time to see what’s out there (it’s a past-time I enjoy anyway), what feels good, what doesn’t, but to return to the closet empty handed — rich only in ideas. It takes the edge off of the forthcoming change. What has appealed to me lately:
Cult Gaia’s collection for Gap. These are the pants, I like this take on the classic denim jacket and think a dress like this could go everywhere you need to in the hours past 7 p.m. from now through the holiday season.
Do you find yourself reaching for recreational sneakers more often lately? I’m surprised by how into these tiger print sneakers I am. A recent launch Le Monde Beryl.
Fabric belts could be the next thing, see: this ruffle piece from Liberowe and Aflalo’s ‘Fenn.’ We can probably thank Prada for this one.
Oh shit, unrelated but look at this thing. I’ve been wearing a ton of cargo pants (see: these, these), which has drawn me towards more glamour up top.
Also feeling pretty sure it’s the year of the coat-as-part-of-the-outfit for no reason other than that every outfit these days feels a little better to me with something long over it. I have my nose out for this guy.
To this point, welcome Margaret to the group chat, a tiny brand by a woman called Margaret, who makes just two products: an ‘Opera’ coat and these long red leather gloves. I learned of the brand earlier this week when the designer replied to a newsletter send. Her coat is an elegant way to feel like you’re in a robe while you’re out, no? Maybe that’s actually what I’m sensing re: the above. Cold weather ways to wear sleep clothes out.
Which for some reason reminds me of this necklace from Jujuvera. I still think about it a lot! Maybe I just want to dangle. Would this vintage # do the job instead? 👇🏻
But the best thing I’ll show you all day are these earrings, straight from Greece, by Danai Gianneli. The gold pair is beautiful, but I think the silver hits better (and is $2k less expensive 😬).
Encountered on Instagram 1: this “coming soon” footwear brand. The short-heel open toe mule in partic boasts such a sleek shape.
Encountered on Instagram 2: Lotte.99 and this crinoline skirt. Something about this brand feels so good — like makes me want to rent a house in Katonah and drink squash soup while wearing cheetah print.
Back to jewelry for one sec, have I already shown you Shtor’s golden swan comb?
I looped it through red string and styled it with Aligne’s slime green velvet jacket last week.
Want to know where I went? The supermarket. That’s it.
In assembling next week’s lookbook, I styled a Speedo-style b-suit with a pair of trousers. It’s the part of the post that feels most alive! A sampling:
