It started, like a lot of good things do, with a text from my best friend. I had moved back to Iowa for a bit during undergrad. I was feeling blue in a lot of senses, sartorially, included. My daily errands consisted of running to Target or maybe stopping by the library. Pinterest could only go so far. I missed the rush of seeing a fabulous outfit in the wild.
She sent me a picture of a woman walking in Greenwich village, a scarf tied around her low ponytail, a plastic, woven basket at her side, and a bright pink puffy-sleeved dress that went to her ankles. I can’t find the image, now, but for months, I referenced it when I was getting dressed for a retail job in Downtown Des Moines. When I moved back to New York, besides my beloved friends, the outfits were what I was most relieved to be back to.
This weekend, I attended the Prospect Park Soiree with one of my closest friends. She’s the best, and always game for a little exaggeration for the sake of the narrative, so when she told me it was going to exceed my expectations, I believed her—mostly. Our table was dressed in all white, but the outfits (not to mention the tablescapes and nighttime DJ?!) were so much better than I could have anticipated.
Listen, I’m not Bill Cunningham, so give me a break. This couple strolled into the park while we were waiting for our ride, looking very effortless. The whole thing with the soiree is that you have to bring all your own food, drinks, and decor. Some people opted for wagons. This couple decided on chic, all-white Boat & Totes, size large, for you at home shoppers. The woman’s breezy dress had an elevated collar that felt interesting in a sea of prairie dresses.
Look two transported me to a fantasy I’ll always have of being a cool aunt who lives in a loft in Manhattan with massive ceilings. In this fantasy, I wear a lot of bright shifts in crisp cottons, carry a utilitarian backpack, and sport an un-ironic bucket hat. Sounds like a nice life, no?
This look distracted all of us while we were seeking shade before the sun went down. I mean, what’s not to love? The platform shoes have to be Larroude. The juxtaposition of a male counterpart in cargo shorts? Only straight couples can relate. I love the idea of throwing comfort out the window and dressing for the soiree you want to have.
Archived Outfit
Copenhagen! Ah! I think I’d write off a trip as research for this newsletter if my mood was right. There’s something about the whimsy that seems to imbibe all the fashionable people there. I love a bike as an accessory, just off the bat. The chunky loafers and socks? Obvious yes. A colored baseball hat always feels like a way to pull an outfit together. Don’t care if those are shorts or a skirt. I love them!
Honorable Mentions
Body Work—A sort book on craft, I would recommend this book to any nonfiction writer. The best part was that Melissa Febos sprinkled in book recs throughout, so now I feel like I’m on assignment to read them all.
Left on Tenth—This memoir was very sad, but very charming. Thanks to Ruby for the recommendation. It also painted a very charming portrait of Greenwich Village, and the communities we make in cities.
Junior: Writing Your Way Ahead in Advertising—Niche! But if you’re looking to learn the ropes of writing in advertising, God bless you, and read this book. Skip the first chapter, though.
The call-and-response portion! Do you have any clean-ish cleaning supplies you swear by? I’m looking to revamp my collection, after I finish everything up. Please send all recs.
Thank you so much for reading. This week, I wrote about mattresses, no really. See you next Thursday! x