I’m not going to lie, the new Charlie XCX album is catchy but as someone who will be spending her summer stateside with a toddler it’s not *highly relatable*. That is, until I heard ‘the girl, so confusing version with Lorde’ this morning. It’s a poppy, upbeat tempo’d song with simple lyrics that capture the essence of female friendships. I am one of those people who maybe (definitely) gets overly influenced by pop culture and thought to myself later, as I tried to figure out what to wear in 100 degree heat, but can we work this out on the remix……with our closets?
Mine is maybe in the most pared back state it has been in a decade. I culled it again and again before our move in an effort to only bring stuff I actually wear and want to wear to our new home. It has been simplified- down to my best basics (lots of denim and white tanks) and a few maximalist leaning statement pieces- gone are the girly sundresses I swore I’d wear and the pre-pregnancy stuff I thought I’d love again, the clothes from brands with questionable labor practices, the pants that never fit quite right. In essence, it’s much easier for me to realize the missing pieces in the puzzle. I don’t feel the need to carelessly refill it as I would have in my early 20s, but my everyday looks could use a little…remix!
Some ideas below if you’re in the same boat.
punchy colors- A hot take- I think it’s easy to get over-influenced by the neutrals that fashion is so deeply in love with right now and during the summer they can feel a little Blah! I often look at runway recaps and long for designers to embrace color again - and I think they are, but it’s been a slow transition away from oat colored everything. Nothing punctuates an outfit more than a poppy red or bright orange. And there’s a happy medium- a neutral sweater (in oat, no less) with a colorful bralette peeking out. More ideas here- Queen Musia lipstick (love this formula), Red Marques Almieda top, Birkenstocks, Dries Van Noten fringe bag, Loewe hat, Mirror Palais necklace, Paco Rabanne sequin top, silver hair tie, Bottega sunnies, leopard shorts.
playing with prints- Possibly my favorite secondhand find as of late (from my shopping adventure with Rachel Solomon to Veblen in Miami) was this gingham Prada nylon hat (before my fellow germaphobes say anything about buying a hat secondhand… it was new with tags!). A nice addition to a monochromatic fit.
organizing- Might seem counterintuitive to a remix but it’s easier to mix it up when everything is in its place. You might even find something you’ve forgotten about. For me it was this cardigan.
accessorizing- We’re in the season of less clothing, more accessories! Hats, raffia bags, sunglasses, jewelry. An easy way to remix your fit. PS, they don’t have to be pricey - I wore this bag on repeat in Miami and recs here on bag charms, some of which you might even have at home.
planning! - After a trip filled with too many outfits I didn’t like, I decided I’m not utilizing my closet to the fullest extent- often relying on grab and go looks comprised of basics. So, I’m trying to plan. As I mentioned in last week’s letter, I bought a clothing rack that has changed my life in terms of outfit planning- so helpful to have a place to hang pre-planned looks. Sometimes that means a full look, sometimes it means pulling out a pair of shorts I haven’t worn in awhile and waiting for inspiration to strike.
my Shopbop hearts page here, trying to update daily with the best of their new arrivals!
The SSENSE sale is still up to 70% off - lots of Jil Sander, the fringe Dries bag pictured above, Vivienne Westwood, Simone Rocha accessories and more.
Very inspired by this Paris Georgia set I found browsing Moda this week, probably something you could DIY if you found the right pieces, too.
My friend Danielle, who is really a gem of a human being (Virgo women are superior) texted that she bought this Khaite belt that I often rave about - truly one of the best accessory buys rn.
This Italian homeware brand has my heart- apparently it’s an extension of their founder Martina’s interior design magazine. I love these tumblers and this serving bowl.
In case you’re new here, I come from a leopard is a neutral household. My daughter’s guncle (& my bestie) told me I should link these leopard shorts I sent him. Ordered a pair for myself cause I couldn’t resist.
Speaking of shorts, the ones I mentioned in last week’s letter arrived and I was surprised by how much I love them. On sale here.
ok, talk soon! tap the heart if you enjoyed reading and forward to a fellow fashion lover if you feel like it :)
xo, Liz
I love a closet remix, and moving things around is part of mine, too. Also -- outfit planning is THE WAY. I missed it so much last week in my move for the summer. Now get out that banana dress. XO.
I just did a closet clean out too and it feels so freeing! now I just need to schlep the donation pile and/or find a new home for items.