All in a day's look
Today’s newsletter tackles the ever-relevant question of what to wear on those days that start at 9am and don’t wind down until 9 pm—or even later.🤓🕚😎
I’ve always found the idea of day-to-night dressing kind of fascinating. Maybe it’s that innate Cinderella quality—the thought that with a quick change of a shoe or a bag, and maybe a little shimmer, you can suddenly become someone new. Even though the idea has been recycled, repackaged, and rolled out more times than an old pickup line, it still manages to stick around. We may have wrung it dry, but somehow there’s always a new angle to approach this tried and true concept.
When I started thinking about how I’d approach the idea of day-to night dressing, I wasn’t so much interested in styling out looks that required changing a shoe, switching out a bag, or altering the outfit in any way. I was more focused on putting something together that works from the start. The kind of outfit you can walk out the door in at 9am and still feel good about at 9pm (and on some nights well past that). Sure 9-to-9 dressing is a bit more specific, but alas, it’s my life. There are days when I jam-pack my schedule with market appointments, coffee meetings, lunches, and events, and on those days, I have to think ten paces ahead to make sure whatever look i’ve concocted that morning can move seamlessly through all of it.
The 9-to-9 bag
Before we get into the specific looks, I thought it would be nice to start with the pieces that often do the most work in any outfit: the bags and the shoes. In traditional day-to-night dressing, these are usually the first things to get swapped (flats for heels, totes for clutches). But with these kinds of outfits that I styled out, the goal is not to change a thing. That said, we still have to be thoughtful about the right bag and the right shoe. The ones that can carry you through a full day without feeling like a compromise.
When it comes to the idea of a 9-to-9 bag, the obvious first thought is the tote. In recent years, the tote has not only become fashion fodder but also a practical essential. The amount of space is unmatched. You can quite literally fit your entire life in one. But the more I thought about it, and remembered all the times I spent hauling a tote from morning to night, checking it in at every event, it started to feel a little unglamorous and honestly kind of exhausting. There had to be other options that offered the feel of a tote without actually being one. (Yes, the Parker Thatch bag is technically a tote, but I included it because it can morph into a few different styles, which makes it feel more flexible than your standard version.)
When I think about what makes a bag work for a 9-to-9 day, I don’t believe it needs to fall into a specific category. It just has to hold the essentials without losing its shape. (Ideally, though not a requirement, it should be able to fit a Kindle or an actual book.) One of the easiest options might be a hobo bag. It offers the same kind of space as a tote but functions as a shoulder bag, which gives it a bit more polish.
Then there’s the classic crossbody, like a flap bag. Depending on the size, it can hold a surprising amount while still looking refined. But the wildcard here, and the one I’ve personally been leaning into more and more, is the clutch.
The clutch has long been seen as strictly evening territory. And while it does shine in those settings, it feels unnecessarily limiting to only consider it after dark. I think I love clutches because they carry a certain built-in glamour. Showing up to lunch and placing a clutch on the table just feels different. It’s more cinematic than wrestling with a giant purse. And these days, there are plenty of clutches that hold way more than you’d expect. The Bottega Veneta pouch, for instance, may have been everywhere during the Daniel Lee years, but it’s genuinely a great bag. I’ve managed to pack a full change of shoes with room to spare in one more than once.
The 9-to-9 shoe
When it comes to shoes, I think there’s a bit more flexibility compared to what I outlined for bags. The most important thing is comfort, in whatever form that looks like for you. That might mean a flat, but don’t rule out heels or strappy sandals. They still have a place, especially if your day includes a moment where you want to feel a little more dressed up.
The 9-to-9 look
Just like with shoes, personal comfort should lead the way. I think the same goes for the clothes you choose to wear throughout the day. What comfort looks like is different for everyone. When I think about the pieces I tend to reach for, I definitely have a roster of go-tos that shift with the season. (Right now, it’s this coat.) But when I’m putting together a 9-to-9 look, I have to make sure that every piece I put on serves a purpose. First, is it necessary? And second, can it handle the demands and curveballs the day might throw my way?
Will the temperature suddenly drop or spike?
Will I need to deal with rain at some point?
And since we’re supposedly heading into summer (even though the recent cold streak in New York says otherwise), I put these looks together with warmer days in mind. Still, just because the temperatures are climbing doesn’t mean I’ve put away my suede or cashmere completely. It’s more about knowing how to layer with intention—and how to keep texture in play, even in the heat (something we’ll discuss another time😏).
Now when it comes to novelty items—sequins, feathers, mirrored or bedazzled pieces—it’s easy to write them off as evening-only, similar to how we often treat the clutch. But there’s definitely a place for these pieces during the day. It all comes down to how you style them.
One of the easiest ways to tone down the extravagance of a statement piece is to pair it with denim, which often acts as the great neutralizer. Denim can have its own novelty, whether through fit, wash, or embellishment, but because it’s such a ubiquitous staple, its basic nature tends to balance out whatever quirks it carries.
Take the denim jacket I’m using here. It’s more sculptural than your typical one, with full sleeves and the option to cinch at the waist, which adds a layer of luxe. And yet, even with those elevated details, it still manages to balance out the mirrored tube top. It tones down the high-shine effect and softens the intensity of the reddish-orange color so it doesn’t feel jarring next to the crisp white tank and off-white linen skirt.
Aside from denim, I also find a simple t-shirt to be a great way to tone down more dressed-up pieces. In this case, I used it to ground a sheer cape.
These are the kinds of styling choices that make an outfit feel considered without being overthought. The goal after all, is a look that works from morning to night—and then some.
Have a great Memorial Day! See you all on Wednesday!
XX
JJ
Shot by Martin Romero
I always took the strap off my Day-to-Night Barbie's purse to turn it into a clutch for that extra night-ness!
So good! As always