So You Want To Dress Like Parker Posey in Party Girl (1995)
Falafel with Hot Sauce, a side order of Baba Ganoush, and a Seltzer
Last Sunday, I found myself in a studio/loft of a sound bath practitioner named Gary perpendicular, and supine, across from an assortment of gongs and two of my closest friends. Why spend almost two hours under a weighted eye mask opening each chakra one at a time? Well, because of Parker Posey.
Gary is her guy, according to this article, and according to aforementioned close friend with a penance for making something like a transformational sound bath sound like a fun weekend morning activity. While the outfits in the class, none worn by Posey, to be clear, maybe she takes the 4p offering, were worth reporting on, somewhere between chimes and bells, I found myself dreaming of her most iconic role, and the iconic outfits that accompanied it.
If you’re unfamiliar, Party Girl, a true cult classic, stars Parker Posey as Mary, a fashion-obsessed New York club enthusiast whose arrest forces her into working at her godmother's library, where she unexpectedly discovers her passion for the Dewey Decimal System while navigating romance with a falafel vendor and ultimately transforming her chaotic lifestyle. Relatable, no?
My pal
beautifully outlined every outfit from the movie, so start there if you’re new. Today’s letter is all about embracing the joie de vivre of our hapless hero Mary and her fearless outfit choices that inspire, decades later. We won’t be going beat by beat, but instead, pulling some pieces both old and new to inspire you to bring a little devil may care attitude to your everyday outfits.
Red lip
The red lipstick Parker Posey wears throughout the film brings a theatrical air to even everyday moments. Well, almost everyday moments.
I have three lipsticks I wear regularly. I used to wear red a lot more, and this is making me want to bring some out of retirement.
Westman Atelier makes a very beginner friendly lipstick that is $50, but excellent.
Realizing I have expensive taste in lipstick, but this is very buildable and for an all day kind of gal from Chanel.
I’ll always love a Glossier Gen G moment and it’s only $20.
Big hoops and long pendant necklaces
Pick an accessory and wear it to death! It can be both or something entirely different. The layered long necklaces are incredible. And the simple gold hoops are a good reminder not to complicate what works.
Modern + bold from Jenny Bird.
Little something from Liz Claiborne for $35 on a 35 inch chain.
Get into it with this vintage 90s pair for $27.
Statement stockings
Bold! Not for the faint of heart! But also, very low risk. I think people get nervous and pair these with plain black looks, which actually ends up making the tights stand out more than if you paired them monochromatically. And I do suggest going new for this purchase :)
And a very good red. Long Live colors!
Matching set
You can forget GP’s green set in Great Expectations. THIS is canon. And this is what makes shopping secondhand so much fun. I’m always on the lookout for funky sets when I’m thrifting. And it’s amazing what a tailor can do—shorten the skirt, let the sleeves out, etc—making the outfit feel completely custom.
Very Parker Posey and $150 on Poshmark.
Or maybe your idea of a set is a three piece corduroy suit.
This $40 is also just in the Party Girl universe in my mind.
Not a set, just a great skirt. I’d wear it with this.
I didn’t know where to put this very cute $30 vintage shirt, so it’s going here.
Same story with these $125 Miu Mius.
Heeled skinny boots
There’s something about the way a heeled skinny boot punctuates an outfit I’ll never get over. It’s so elegant.
Simple and straight to the point.
Or go full send on these vintage Gianvito Rossi beauties from TRR.
Sequin shorts
Trading a skirt for shorts = instant elevation in my book. Sequin hot shorts aren’t for everyone! Know yourself! The key here is thinking about what kind of short shape you’re drawn to. Maybe you like a wider leg? These silk Donni shorts might be perfect for you.
About as low key as sequin shorts are going to get.
These are kind of expensive, but try searching “vintage hot pants” for similar vibes.
Maybe you’re in on the novelty short idea but not sequins. Try these!
I also think these are a very grown up interpretation, if that’s your thing.
If you’re not into shorts at all, there are millions of sequin dresses from the 80s like this one begging to be shortened.
Wearable corset
Taking advice from me on wearing a corset is hilarious. But what I like about the corset in the film is that it feels like an actual shirt, not lingerie doing double duty. I actually love the look of a corset, so this is me mostly living vicariously through you all in my second trimester.
We see a very chic pussy bow tank in another scene, so maybe this silk BR option for $13 is a good corset alt for you.
SO into this vintage Saks take on a corset top.
Turquoise crewneck sweatshirt
It’s so simple. But it’s so profound. The styling! The worn-in nature! I think we could all benefit from a busted crewneck sweatshirt with zero writing on it. Paired with trousers and a tangle of necklaces, it’s cool girl 101. I like turquoise, but adding a few more color options if it’s a little bold for you. I think this look works if there’s a punch to it, so leave your muted greys and tans at home.
This with white denim—cute.
It’s very 90s and it is VERY Party Girl.
I love Athleta because everything (including this) comes in tall!
Gloves, of course
You’re either a gloves person or you’re not. But you never know until you try! I’d start with a bright red leather pair for the winter and branch into more ornamental, operatic styles once you’re feeling groovy.
Perhaps something a little more maroon?
Leopard coat
Perhaps most commonly associated with Posey’s wardrobe in this film is her cropped leopard coat. Delicious. Perfection. My advice here is to go vintage and be patient. You can always get a coat relined, but you can’t really alter outerwear that much with your neighborhood tailor, so make sure the fit is for you.
Not as practical, but just as cute and $50.
God, I love a statement clutch.
Chic chic little cropped number from Maje.
$70 for this medium option from TRR!
There are SO many affordable options on ThredUp This Ann Taylor coat is $50.
Also very charming and under $50!
Honorable Mentions
I read Great Big Beautiful Life last weekend and loved it. The very smart
was on The Materialist. Celebrated Alex Mill’s new summer collection and wore the first perfect linen slip I’ve ever tried in my life…I like to keep my grooming routine simple, especially with summer around the corner. Enter: The Fur Trim System. Shower friendly, cordless charging, and zero razor burn—it's kind of a miracle worker. The high speed motor plus the ceramic blade makes nicks and cuts obsolete. Use code ERIKA15 for 15% off sitewide.
Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can preorder my romance novel, Exit Lane, on Bookshop or Amazon. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, and shop my Notion template. You can book my Office Hours to talk shop here. Get matched at EV Salon. And if you want to partner on a future Long Live, email evan@communite.co x
Contractually obligated to love this post
You're telling me that if your name was syphilis and you had to push a rock up a hill you wouldn't be mizzable?
I'm not into fashion, but I have adored this movie for more than 20 years