I Don't Want To Dress Like A Cool Girl. I Want To Dress Like A Nora Ephron Character.

Above all, be the heroine of your own closet, not the victim.

Three years ago, I wrote about how all I wanted was to dress like a Nora Ephron character. The sentiment’s been true since one of my closest friend’s moms handed me a DVD of You’ve Got Mail at the end of high school. It became my comfort watch, even before I moved to the city. She and I used to visit Cafe Lalo on the Upper West Side, recreating our favorite scenes from the movie.

The cafe is closed now. My DVDs are all somewhere in a Des Moines Goodwill being sold 7 for $1. But the feeling, the inescapable urge to layer on a chunky sweater and wander around Riverside Park between sending flirty emails—that feeling’s eternal.

There’s a quirkiness to Ephron’s characters, a human frailty that’s refreshing in the cookie-cutter world of rom-coms. The dialogue’s quick, but equally as human, and easy to imagine overhearing on the street, like, “I don't want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void," from You’ve Got Mail. Considering the costuming in Ephron’s films is like considering the writer’s wardrobe herself. There’s an intentionality to the simplicity, one that allows the writing to claim center stage.

The summary: Nora Ephron characters have real jobs, complex romantic relationships, and unrealistic apartments, which is the exact formula for incredible outfit inspiration. Let’s get into some of the cornerstones of the look.

Menswear

It’s not a trend. It’s a lifestyle. And fall’s the best time for it. Instead of wrapping your button down tight around your waist or leaving it open over a tank top, try buttoning it up all the way or pairing it with a tie. Works for these two!

The best menswear is vintage. You’ll need a measuring tape and a little trust in the process, but the end result is going to be way better than if you simply popped into a J.Crew and asked for the Kathleen Kelly treatment. Trust me.

If you’re new, or apprehensive, start with one piece! A trouser with a tshirt you wear all the time! Maybe a blazer over a dress you adore! And when in doubt, I think sizing up always looks more lived-in. Sounds simple, but I was known to rock a tight-shouldered blazer back in high school.

How about a tweed blazer? Whip out your measuring tape and make it happen! It’s $44.

Trust me, I’m a very firm believer that the best button downs are vintage, but if you’re in need, I love this particular shirt from J.Crew (always on sale, usually under $50) and the specific sizing it comes in. I’d order a few different size combos to find your perfect fit.

This is a very 90s take on a chore jacket that I’m kind of obsessed with + it’s under $200.

The colors on this vintage vest are…insane (good way). I would wear with jeans and sneakers. It’s under $30.

This jacket belongs on the UWS. And I think it would be great for someone who’s a little skeptical of the whole barn jacket thing.

You could wear this with grey sweats and cozy into a diner booth with a book for an hour if you wanted to. It’s under $200.

Romanticized Pajamas

I want to be this girl. I do! And it’s a much more realistic goal when you can sleep with the windows open than in the sweaty center of summer. I even wrote about this whole process for Vogue a few years ago.

I would describe Nora Ephron characters as more cozy than chic, but I mean that in an endearing way. Her characters would wear flannel 100%. I can’t really picture any of her leads in a feathered silk set.

But to each sleeper belongs their own set of sleepwear intentions. I, for one, want to wake up feeling like the kind of girl who curls next to an open fire with a mug of coffee and a magazine, even if I’m checking my budgeting app while the water boils in a bleach-stained tshirt.

Prepare to be sick of my very unpaid, very real obsession with Land’s End. I get these in a Medium Tall with a contrasting monogram (red or yellow) and feel like a million bucks. Plus, the set, even with the monogram comes out to around $75.

This vintage set is $30!! It needs a tiny hole in the waistband mended, but that’s a tailor’s job.

Maternity PJs alert! How darling are these from Hill House?

I have a specific type when it comes to PJs…this vintage Brooks Brothers set is under $50.

Big love to my stylish Mother-in-law who first put me on to Printfresh. She also taught me the invaluable lesson to always size up on PJs. The best part? Most of their styles comes in TALL! (Including this one)

Sweaters

This is not the time for your cropped frilly number. No, no, no. This is a job for the wool number you borrowed from your grandpa as a kid and never gave back. We’re looking for sweaters with some personality, some heft.

Layered, of course, but also in place of outerwear in a very clever maneuver. I have it on record that according to a life-long Minnesotan, these are the best sweaters for pretending like you don’t need a coat.

Another tip here, take your sweaters, all of them, to be cleaned at the dry cleaner at the end of the season. That way, come November, you can greet them sans-must and in their full glory.

Sweaters don’t have to be boring! This is $80 and a near perfect red.

With Fisherman sweaters, it’s important to know what you’re signing up for. They are WARM and can be a little itchy if it’s your first time. I like to wear with a turtleneck underneath for the truly cold days. This one is ~$30!

I’ve been wearing this sweater over tshirts in the morning and I must admit, the effect is very Nora Ephron-y.

I’ll admit, I have a bit of an obsession with scooping up preloved La Ligne sweaters on eBay. This one is under $40!! The quality of all their pieces is incredible.

Ok, last one! I told you, it’s a problem. This one is new without tags for $130.

Tiny Watches

Despite identifying as a big watch girl, the Nora Ephron girl starter pack would not be complete without a dainty little timepiece.

My favorite new brand for this is March Hare, but there are also plenty to be founder on resale sites. The best part? These watches, even from high end brands, are a much more affordable entry level price. And a good way to test if you’d even wear one!

Leather is great, but requires care. I’ve taken my husband’s canvas watch strap to be replaced a few times. I like a metal link, personally, but it’s all a preference game.

I’ve worn and loved this March Hare watch for years. It’s a gem for travel, too.

Simply ADORE this $250 Gucci watch from Fashionphile.

Into this with a pile of other bracelets. (All the watches I’m pulling are under $1k!)

This Cartier watch is sooooo good.

The black and brown…I mean! And it’s under $600.

And one more Gucci watch for good measure. This is under $350 and feels very posh to me.

Long Hemlines

Chuck your mini skirts out the window! Kidding, but in the world of Nora Ephron, the knee length and midi length reign supreme. A little layered moment and you’re out the door. And if you’ve been kind of ehh on tights, maybe give them another go? I like these, but really I just think they look so darling with black shoes.

I mean, this whole look, but specifically, the skirt!

This outfit is amazing—top and wrap skirt straight from the 90s for $18.

Vintage Max Mara for $75.

Summer in a skirt. This is vintage Gap and 100% linen and $20.

This with a huge sweater and boots. I love it! The skirt’s also $20.

Speechless over this COS skirt! I love the styling here, too.

Sort of got lost in the sauce on the COS website…so many cool skirts for under $200, including this one which comes with a very chic matching top.

You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, shop my Notion template, and as always, respond to this dispatch for my direct line x