Long Live Sofia Coppola
On idols, more book recs, and stripes.
When I moved into my own apartment, a brick-walled studio in Park Slope, I felt no shame in naming my wifi network Sofiacoppolafanclub. I didn’t feel shame when I shared it with the stranger who Venmo-ed me $30 every month until she became one of my closest friends. It didn’t even bother me when Christian and I shared the much-anticipated wifi exchange on one of our first few times meeting. It was true and remains true. I love Sofia Coppola.
Yes, Virgin Suicides and yes to The Bling Ring, the first R-rated movie I ever saw in theaters. Yes to her aura and her female characters. But really, for the sake of this newsletter, a big fat yes to her signature style of dressing. I think holding a few people (you’ll meet all my style icons, just wait) in high regard can be a very easy way to vett certain looks. It’s like WWJD, but insert the name of a style idol here.
Here are three pieces/styles SC has made her signature over years of fabulous outfits worth copying. Plus, we’re breaking the rules and curating picks based on her categories. It’s summer! Loosen up.
Blue Button Up
Her preferred brand, Charvet, will set you back about $600 per shirt, but relax. There are so many great button ups to be found. What makes Sofia’s so fab is that they’re oversized without overwhelming her petite frame. I, on the other hand, do not have this problem. What else can we learn from Sofia Coppola’s styling? Black bottoms look great with a pale blue. I mean, a black Birkin doesn’t hurt, either. I’m including links to some secondhand options for those curious about what a pale blue button up could do for their wardrobe.
Here’s the exact brand in the same shade of blue for $35 on eBay.
An easy Brooks Brothers button up for under $20.
Black + Navy
In high school, I swore off this color combination for reasons I’ll never understand. As an adult, it’s one of my all-time favorites. I love how elevated it feels, especially for more formal events. In mor casual settings, I love to see a navy sweater with black denim. Notice how SC is in an almost identical shoe style for each of these looks. She’s the patron saint of a signature silhouette.
This navy sheath is begging to be paired with black tights and ballet flats.
Yes to a long, funky skirt with endless evening wear options, for under $40.
Stripes
Ok, at this point it’s just embarrassing how many of my own sartorial cues I’ve taken from Sofia Coppola. When I was a teenager in Iowa, I studied women whose styles of dress felt like a dream version of what I could be. And then I hit the local Goodwill. I still love to wear a striped shirt, especially with denim.
The OG of striped shirts, secondhand for less than $40.
Two striped faux fur jackets! One less expensive and one that’s Shrimps.
Honorable Mentions
Books! I’ve been reading more with this newsletter as a sort of accountability buddy. Please respond with any recent favorites of your own.
Four Thousand Weeks—It’s a book on time management, but so much more than that. If you’re a Krista Tippett fanatic like me, this is for you.
Post-Traumatic—This book is for the kind of people who can stomach a lot on behalf of their characters. It’s not an easy read, but really interesting, and full of insightful commentary on life after trauma. Oh, it’s a novel, too.
Real Estate—Deborah Levy’s such a genius. I mean, she’s brilliant enough to write an entire book on the prospect of owning real estate.
Other things I’ve been loving: hosting dinner parties, experimenting with mocktails, and trying to get to bed earlier.
Thank you so much for reading. These week, I wrote about wedding guest dresses! See you next Thursday! x