Minimal looks for maximum impact
+ Inspired by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy!
Hi and happy Friday!
I hope this newsletter finds you supine on a couch, tucked under a weighted blanket, with snacks and/or a piping hot cup of coffee in hand, finger hovering over the play button on movie two of the day. Just in case the movie is one you’ve seen before, or you just need a distraction, here’s the follow up from Tuesday’s newsletter! In case you missed it, we chatted about Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and recreated five of her looks. While searching for copycat pieces, I found so many items that I think would have hung happily in Carolyn’s closet, I decided to gather them all together in a 30+ piece ‘Things I Like’. So, below is the collection of those things, all ready for you to (hopefully) lazily scroll through.
One quick q before we dive in, though, while I figure out the timing of the December newsletters:
Thanks for your response and happy shopping!
*items marked with an asterisk received a discount after I added the item to my liked list*
1. Giant funnel neck button jacket, $39*. This neck! This jacket feels Japanese to me in that it is utilitarian with its coated canvas textile, giant front pockets, and funnel neck (great for inclement weather) but it is also incredibly interesting in design. Wear this bad boy with the neck open and unbuttoned as a wide collar or button it all the way up, add a beanie, and maintain some privacy in this crazy world.
2. Sterling/mother of pearl earrings, $40. Just, really pretty earrings in a unique shape.
3. Ellen Tracy satin heels, $35. How 90s are these? Add #15 to these and you’ve got yourself a look straight out of She’s All That but which wouldn’t look remotely out of place today.
4. Striped mock neck, $14*. I mean, classic is as classic does.
5. Jcrew camel turtleneck, $68. Wear with #10 or #16 or even over #15 for some proportion fun. Oversized turtlenecks can’t lose.
6. Sheer silk blouse + tank, $75. Stunner of a set. I didn’t not totally mean to line this set up with #11 and #16 for a reason…
7. Navy asymmetric column gown, $63. One simple detail that makes the whole look. You just need a low chignon and #2.
8. Dior floral satin slip skirt, $25. Would also be cute with #6 (the set or either piece individually) but I would personally wear it under…
9. Vneck sweater dress, $15. …this little cutie! There’s a v short scene in an episode of Sex and The City where Carrie wears an oversized vneck sweater dress in navy and ever since I’ve always loved the casual coolness of them. Maybe the camel version (for $15) is the casual cool for you!
10. Black silk charmeuse pants, $37. Like Carolyn’s black silk skirt, these fit the simple but elegant bill perfectly. The way these beauties move is ethereal.
11. Anne Klein spring ring belt, $33. So unexpected as a clasp and I love it. Throw on with some jeans or maybe over #14 for some 70s flair?
12. Long velvet purse, $29. I don’t think I’ve ever said I love the length of a purse before, but here we are. From the 40s and every bit as modern as if it came out today (could definitely fit your phone!).
13. Cropped turtleneck, $27. Another classic and no, I didn’t intentionally pair it with #18 at all!
14. Navy tunic sweater skirt set, $50. Love a navy, love a knit set, and loooove the deep V of this tunic. Depending on your height, this could also prove to be a very cute minidress, as well.
15. Satin-top minidress with slit, $21*. Just, straight up effective.
16. “Dior” camel wide leg pants, $42. These are in absolutely no way real Dior pants but I loved the shape of them, so I included them! I just need you to know they’re knock-offs. They look almost like they’re canvas, so these pants will hold their shape, which is ideal. Would be cute with #13 or #23.
17. Wide leg pinstripe pants, $44. If you don’t want such stiff wide leg pants, here’s another option! These are swishy and drapey and cuffed and also would look amazing with #13 or #23.
18. Brown satin miniskirt, $16*. I never see these in brown! That alone is enough reason to share it, but it’s also mega cute and would look great with #30 and #19.
19. Black velvet boots, $90. Gorgeous and rich, with a low enough heel for comfort (important to me).
20. Black leather jacket, $75. Saw this and thought the word, “crisp.” No bells and whistles, just great leather in a simple cut. Very CBK with a simple black turtleneck underneath.
21. Khaki lace-up dress, $55*. Remember when these were all the rage? Maybe, 8 years ago? I can’t remember the original designer (comment if you do! this is a low-level mystery that’s driving me nuts), but you couldn’t throw a rock without seeing a bunch of them in fast fashion stores. Well, it turns out the true original is vintage Forenza. And it turns out I still love this design (just add #19!).
22. Grey ribbed column dress, $30. I envy the person who wears this. I mean, look at it! You can’t hide in a dress like this and you can’t not show up in a dress like this. I’m imagining someone’s winter wedding and you take off your coat and it’s one of those moments wear everyone’s heads slowly turn toward you. All you need is a killer - and I mean killer - pair of giant chandelier earrings. The cut, the simple rib - this feels very The Row but for a few thousand dollars less.
23. Black two-button vest, $10.50*. Perf vest for high-waisted stuff.
24. Blue circle skirt suit, $59. This is a combo of business and pleasure and I love it. The blazer is pure “get shit done” and the skirt is all like, “but have fun with it!”
25. Brown woven ankle boots, $70. Never seen these in ankle boot form! Usually they’re flat knee-high boots, so I dig the more modern vibe of these. Great under a stovepipe jean.
26. Black maryjane flats, $39. Cute and classic.
27. Gold round pendant necklace, $25. An everyday wear!
28. Grey knit side slit skirt, $72. I’m not sure how vintage this one is (I love when vintage looks modern but the slit looks suspiciously too modern?) but I’d still wear it regardless. Would be really cute with #23 and #19 and either #31 or #20 on top.
29. Sleeveless turtleneck, $20*. Very CBK, just add a simple trouser or pencil skirt!
30. Black quilted silk blouse, $30. It’s the details! But not gimmicks! It may be hard to see, but the collar and cuffs of this blouse are quilted. Nothing crazy or mind-blowing, but thoughtful and lovely.
31. Collarless black jacket, $22. The best thing about collarless jackets is that they let your turtlenecks shine! Imagine this over #5 - so chic.
32. Black tent top with gold chain, $22*. No need for a necklace - this top provides its own! I’m a big fan of the tent shape in either top or dress form, because the silhouette is playful and fun to mess around with. High-waisted items look especially good with tent tops, and of the ones on this list, the most unexpected but coolest combo would be with #16!
Hope you found some gems, or at least some inspiration for remixing your own minimal closet! Thanks as always for being here and if you love this newsletter, please consider sharing or upgrading, ‘twould mean the world! Support your local shops on Saturday if you’re shopping and have a great weekend xx Maggie