Today’s letter is underwritten by Eileen Fisher. Thanks EF for knowing how much 5 Thingers love you. A smattering of pieces styled today is from this iconic brand.
I remember someone once saying to me (I wish I could remember who!) about 20 years ago, when I was new to New York and new to the fashion industry that I should never wear my most fashionable clothing to “fashion” events. Not to say there isn’t a time and place for capital F fashion (aka THE REST OF THE TIME 🙂 🙂 🙂 ) but when surrounded by clothing, it’s best to take a beat and let your clothing fall away a little. This advice has legs. It’s a good meditation for important occasions that have nothing to do with fashion week, too. When the pressure is on, and everyone is dressed to the nines, sometimes the best defense is simplicity.
Now, I don’t always follow this, but I do find that my most experimental fashion does not make me feel confident when I’m in a mix of a zillion different colors and prints and I’m trying to focus on my job – of seeing what is coming next. This tracks with many fashion designers too – those brilliant design minds that their finale bows in a uniform of trousers/jeans and a knit. See: Phoebe Philo, Jonathan Anderson. Dries van Noten. ETC!
Even though getting dressed up is what gives me my why, I tend to tone it down during the coming onslaught of my month of travel for the fashion collections that have already started and continue into October.
So I thought it might be fun to share a selection of looks that make me feel great, confident and (somewhat) subtle – many of which I wore this past week.
At the same time as I was planning this, Eileen Fisher reached out to see if I wanted to partner with them to mix in a few pieces and I thought…considering their black PJ pants are my fashion month travel non-negotiable, YES! So there will be a bit of EF sprinkled throughout.
I INTERRUPT THIS BROADCAST TO BRING YOU AN URGENT PSA: I HAVE FOUND A REPLACEMENT FOR OUR DISCONTINUED HALF SLEEVE DREAM TEE (you remember the one…)
So this deep dive into Eileen Fisher as the glue is a double whammy of excitement. You’re welcome.
This dressing meditation is always an important one for me as I swap seasons. I tend to default to more styling to ensure I feel unique. But when I take some of the “extra” away, I find the essential comes through. Essential is not minimal, but the pieces that allow me to still feel like myself without excess. And not for nothing, it also helps with packing for my impending London—>Milan—>Paris pilgrimage. I’m not trying to pay for overweight luggage here.
It’s not just fashion week that this is helpful for. It’s also back to school. I’m not going to meet the new teachers in a Charlotte Simone coat. Though I love her for a bus stop drop off once I’ve gotten to know the other parents already. 🙂 This is where Eileen Fisher has already come through for me the past two weeks. The clothes are cut just right to throw on without a second though. First day of school outfit three outfits down. ⬇️ The tank is oversized how I want it, but not precious. It says I’m here to roll up my (theoretical) sleeves. As does the silk jacquard top below. Just with actual sleeves!!
And a moment for these dirty white utility jeans that are sure to be the evolution of my enormous white shorts I wore on repeat all summer. They’re the perfect fodder for a fancy jacket. But also rest a little easier than blue jeans (I’m not ready!!!) with a t-shirt for the urgent errand. Will be pairing with the bubble sneakers come actual fall. Yes…I got them.😆 FYI, they run a half size big.
And finally, my favorite rule to break this time of year, all white after Labor Day. With a hint of leather (a skirt if you don’t happen to have a butchers apron LOL!!!) and closed toe shoes is my outfit du jour until we get to more civilized fall temps. The concept here being that I’m hot! Just getting into my summer rhythm! But ready to incorporate the IDEA of fall. Bits of leather. Real shoes. And color coming through in jewelry. It’s a good formula. Try it!!
And when all else fails, white cotton and black chinos to the rescue. A simple look to take us home inspired a hybrid of Celine fall and my new favorite instagram follow: Keaton Gray. I would usually snaz up this outfit with a layer over the turtleneck or a belt or a long colored necklace. Something to make the shoes not feel so statementy…but forcing myself to pare back created an outfit that I love!! It’s more feminine in a way. And I’m feeling that these days.
Welcome back to school everyone. Take a deep breath, simplify your outfit and keep on keeping on. It will be Thanksgiving before you know it!
Yours TRULY,
Becky
