Maximal? Minimal? I've got you covered
(in REALLY good boots)
Hi and happy Friday!
Quick update to those who live in New York: weather-permitting I’ll be popping up at Ludlow Flea tomorrow from 12-8. I’ll have lots of tops, sweaters, leather jackets, and blazers so please come say hi! Keep an eye on their Instagram for closure updates in case the rain gets to be too much. It’s outside but covered!
Now, on to the newsletter. We’ve got the classic ‘Styled Looks’ and ‘Things I Like’ but I’ve added another variant of ‘One piece, two ways’ by styling pieces for maximalists and minimalists, rather than styling pieces for day and night. Also, if you’re a fan of fall or rom-coms, then you’ll love tomorrow’s paid subscriber newsletter which will take classic characters from Meg Ryan movies and update and extrapolate their wardrobes for modern times.
Hope to see you tomorrow (online or in person)!
Opening Ceremony print pants, $40. I’m on a rust/burnt sienna seek-and-purchase mission as a partner to all the browns I have in my closet. The color and texture of the dupioni silk and the minimal floral print are all aces in my book and these are a great foundation for a wild or subdued look.
Maximal - Mohair plaid coat, $70 + Tory Burch embroidered top, $32 + Lilac Justin boots, $98. This look actually kicked off with the Tory Burch top which, with its stiff structure and rowed print, plays off the pants really well. To add more depth in a similar color story but completely different print, I would add a plaid jacket. And then to really set it all off, these lilac boots are a surprising but perfect foil to the warm tones of the clothing. Rust + lilac who knew?
Minimal - Cropped Ungaro leather jacket, $80 + Sleeveless white mock neck, $23 + Lace-up boots, $56. Obviously these pieces are simpler - but no less impressive! A sleeveless mockneck is a classic piece for any season, and while the boots seem simple, they actually lace almost down to the toes, and I may be really sad I didn’t buy these. The major piece of the puzzle, though, is this cropped Ungaro leather jacket with the COOLEST buckles! You just have to click the link to find out.
Abstract sweater, $41. The best colors in a cool print! Don’t know that there’s much more to it than that, honestly. It’s a great sweater.
Maximal - Silk striped blouse, $29 + Plaid pants, $75 + Cowboy ankle boots, $69. For this look we’re playing off the browns in the sweater, so start simple with a striped silk blouse. Then, in the same chestnut brown, add a pair of plaid pants. At any point you could take the sweater off and the look would still be strong because stripes & plaids are an easy combo! Then, anchor the outfit with straightforward brown boots that offer more texture with the suede fabrication and western stitching.
Minimal - RL trench, $50 + Bermuda shorts, $20 + Brown suede boots, $76. I love shorts in the fall but I struggle sometimes because I don’t always want to wear minishorts and mid-thigh shorts never balance well. Enter: Bermuda shorts. What could easily go cheesy takes a hard left turn into chic when worn with knee-high suede boots. Once you add the soutien (a term I just learned for a very common style of rain jacket) collar trench, you’ll be warm but also very, very cool.
I guess I like to dress tonally because I found this incredible embroidered shirt (the cartoon is all across the back, too!) and my first thought was this plaid rain jacket that has the same colors but different print. Which then led me down a path of marrying maximal print-mixing and minimal details. SO, you start with the button down tucked into some light denim. Add forest green boots (!!!). Then throw on the rain jacket and layer on top with this white leather jacket. The leather is shorter than the rain jacket which is a layering trick I really enjoy.
1. Navy cupro shirtdress, $45. The slinkiness of silk but much easier to launder. These long shirtdresses can span the full year - wear it is a dress, as a skirt, a duster - the possibilities are endless!
2. Brown short suit (+ bonus skirt), $64. Finally I found a short suit that wasn’t a wild color (I do still love those). Fall-appropriate and also comes with a skirt! Though I styled a different outfit for her in tomorrow’s newsletter, this is absolutely an updated Sally Albright look. Just add a chunky turtleneck and chunky loafers.
3. Prada link belt, $70. A very fun way to jazz up any old pair of pants in this collage and beyond. Love the color combo.
4. Black patent & metal purse, $70. The metal details of this bag are what make it so cool. The bottom is actually a cage of sorts and the top flips up to open like a coin purse. And the chain shoulder strap seals the deal!
5. Linen button-back blazer, $26. Details! The way this buttons in the back means you can wear this curve-hugging and sleek or loose and cool. The length is also excellent and could use some sheen to balance its equestrian lean: perhaps #14 and some black combat boots?
6. Black suede fringe skirt, $38. I just found one of these for myself and damn is it fun to wear! I love fringe in every form but a black suede skirt really gives weight to something that can often skew frivolous. I’ve been tucking in an oversized oxford but this would also look great with a slim knit like #12 tucked in, or a white tee and #13.
7. Wide check tan pants, $28. Great color, great print, great cuff, great pants.
8. Clear plastic ring earrings, $23. I know I saw a contemporary designer release a pair of earrings almost exactly - if not wholly exactly - like these but now I can’t find them! Anyhow, these will look modern and stylish should you choose to purchase.
9. Cream knot cardigan, $26. I always love these knot closures (usually seen on Chinese cheongsams or embroidered jackets) and would wear this with a white turtleneck, some midwash stovepipe jeans, and a colorful pair of boots.
10. Forest green pleather Mondi jacket, $70. Don’t let the photo fool you - this jacket is forest green! I have green eyes and dark green glasses so I always look for dark green outerwear to really make my pupils pop. This one is simple, chic, and vintage ‘vegan’ if you are animal-product-averse.
11. Cream Armani vest top, $55. Horrible picture, but for those of you in warmer climates, this is a fabulous top! Kind of a vest, kind of a top? Would wear it with something high waist since it’s so cropped.
12. Strong shoulder cardigan, $15. Yes this is technically a cardigan, but it’s meant to be buttoned all the way up because there’s a placket that covers all the buttons except for the very top one which is gold and I love a detail like that. This also has removable shoulder pads but you know me…I’d probably add another set in there. Love a strong shoulder. This top would work with any bottoms in this collage and imagine how good it would be with the short suit?!
13. Mohair open jacket, $50. This is something I imagine I’d see chic people wearing in magazines while they’re posing in their beautiful, natural, minimal home and they casually mention they got this sweater “in a little tiny town I can’t remember the name of so you’ll never get there and find the same one so don’t even try, don’t let that thought even cross your mind, you feral goon!!!”…..and if I sound jealous it’s because I absolutely am but you know what’s great? Ebay can be your tiny little no-name town and this sweater can be yours at any time, so never mind the magazine people!
14. Armani parachute pants, $83. You get the shine of vinyl, with the mobility of these, and the name of Armani. Win, win, win.
15. Brown suede button-front dress, $45. This is the perfect dress to wander around a small, provençal town in search of hard cheese, warm bread, natural wine, and dried flowers.
Thanks as always for being here! xx Maggie