Beige and brown and rust and russet...
+ Autumn neutrals are in the air!
Hi and happy Friday!
Welcome to all the newcomers! Can’t tell you how excited I am you’re here and ready for the good stuff! I know last week I promised color, but I figured I’d start this new chapter with some classic RGV styles. Meaning, you’re gonna find a lot of neutrals in here. But never fear, next week I’ll share all the green and navy things I’ve found over the last few weeks because they’re great and cute and deserve the spotlight.
Before we dive into styling, though, I need to do some blatant self-promotion and let you know that today at noon I will be doing a vintage story sale over on my Instagram. If you’re looking for some special white basics, some punches of marigold, or cool & collected navy, then check it out. Here’s a little sneak peek of what will be for sale:
But let’s move on to our newsletter looks for the day! We’ve got three styled looks and a brown rainbow of ‘Things I Like.’ When I went to visit my mom the other day I noticed that there were trees already shedding leaves and the last few days I’ve been able to leave all my windows open for a nice cool breeze. I know we’ll have another heatwave before long but it feels like fall is here! I love it! So let’s all dress like dead leaves!
On a housekeeping note, if you see any listings marked with an asterisk*, that’s a way of letting you know that I received an offer on it for a lower price! My way of helping you shop as smartly as you can. Get those vintage deals and…
…happy shopping!
Ebay is less than particular when it comes to photo quality, so while none of these creams/whites totally match, spiritually you can see what I’m going for, right? It’s all ballet-inspired and textures, and truly it began when I found this raffia skirt. I love raffia skirts for their weight and swing and craftsmanship, and this one is in stellar condition. The skirt felt poetic so I wanted to match that emotion and when I found these chic little flats I knew where to go from there. This chunky mock neck is perfect for the transitional weather and should be tucked all the way into the skirt. You want to let the skirt sing while also playing with visual weight (chunky sweater/long, slim skirt). A tight sweater would be cute with the skirt but a little too precious and on-the-nose for my liking, you know? You can wear the outfit as-is, or if you’re feeling chilly, you should add this INCREDIBLE trench. Truly, click the link to see how this beauty moves and fits and that collar! This silhouette would graze the skirt beautifully and still let it shimmy as it should. I don’t know how much the trench costs (I’m guessing over $100), but DM Vaux to find out!
I would say this is the most me look of the bunch. You know how much I love a Bermuda short with a tall boot, and these shorts have the perfect waist band and cuff for maximum chicness! The boots are a low enough heel that you would be comfortable all day but provide enough visual interest with the embossed trim. Like Look One, you could add a chunky knit here, but I actually prefer the slim one this time! Because the coat is already so oversized, I would want my foundational outfit to counter that shape and have a nice juxtaposition. Plus, with these amazing 3/4 sleeves, I would want that detail to be highlighted rather than masked - a chunky sweater would look like an extension of the coat. Add super sheer tights should the chill in the air grow.
If Look One was ballet-inspired, then this is a ballerina-turned-artist look. The cropped, wrap top would be super cute on its own but for layering practice and cold-weather practicality, this tunic is its outfit soulmate. The collar would lay over the v-neck of the red top, while the cut of the bottom of the blouse would splay open under the tight ties of the top to show off the pants. The pants! A steal for cream leather pants! Like Look One, again, these creams may/may not exactly match but you get the idea. The slim cut of the pant is a great balance to the blousiness of the top half, but if you wanted to get more directional about it, you know you couldn’t go wrong with some pleated palazzos. Finally, I’m definitely not a stickler for matchy-matchy outfits and would probably prefer a printed ponyhair mule, but these DKNY patent mules presented themselves and they are special, so who am I to deny them?
1. Oatmeal knit tunic and pant set*, $72. So soft! So chic and modern! Like can’t you imagine Babaà or Paloma Wool putting this out for fall? And the mixing possibilities! if you’re going to wear it as a set, might I suggest #4 and #2?
2. Cream wide wale corduroy jacket, $20. Click the link! This is much more special than it seems and is in perfect condition. Most excellent weight and unexpected color for a corduroy jacket. Would work with anything in this collage.
3. Graphic sweater, $32. Just plain old fun.
4. Brown notch velvet mules, $25. You can’t tell but this mule is twice-notched for a lovely little detail when worn. Plus, how often do you see brown velvet mules?
5. Les Copains rust pant set, $63. Chic. Love the color, love the difference in textures (top is knit, pants are woven). And again, with sets you’re actually getting a three-fer: the set itself, the top, and the pants. The possibilities!
6. Cinnamon suede & fringe pants*, $65. For the suede-lover and fringe-dabbler. Just the pockets are fringe, but this color alone is a statement. How good would these be with the rust Les Copains top?
7. Givenchy Sport monogram turtleneck*, $29. Great color, subtle little monogram, fantastic price.
8. Colorblocked knit dress, $82. LOVE this one. Love how the navy mimics the look of those exaggerated pin-up strapless dresses of the 50s. This dress does so much of the work for you, just add tall boots and modernist earrings.
9. Charles Jourdan leather cage sandals, $35. Nestle your toes in a cute little home! Not for nothing, these and every other shoe in this newsletter could turn more fall by adding a chunky oatmeal sock.
10. Cream crochet tunic and skirt set, $15 (!). The henley cut of the top, the open weave? This would be a fun set to play around with. Like wearing the tunic from #1 under the skirt or throwing the top over #7.
11. Tan obi-belt-esque dress, $75. This dress is all about the belt. Feels like vintage Chloé or Cardin but for a fraction of the price.
12. Gold lounge vest set, $40. Swan around your home fabulously, or take this set outside and swan around the world fabulously.
13. Brown n navy striped button down, $75. This is more than I would usually pay for a striped button down, but there’s something about this one that feels especially special to me. Brown and navy aren’t often paired together, which I really like, but the contrasting stripe placket and roomy cut makes this feel piece feel timeless and that I’d get lots and lots of wear out of it.
14. Space-dyed angora turtleneck dress, $62. Never not gonna love some space dyeing. Such a good length and if I do wear dresses in fall, it’s always long sleeve/short hem. Doesn’t take itself too seriously but am fully covered up!