Taking the swim trunk out of the pool and into the streets.
A travel mishap that turned into a style treasure trove
As we savor the final moments of this summer, a natural question arises: "What should we wear?" Lately, I've found myself feeling as though I've cycled through all my clothes, and I'm more than ready to start thinking about fall. Interestingly, the concept of "pre-fall" has become even more appealing. Though pre-fall has always existed, it seems more relevant now because the weather is so unpredictable that you can easily continue wearing your summer wardrobe well into October. We'll dive deeper into this topic later this month as we explore the transitional wardrobe. But I'm getting ahead of myself!
In a last-ditch effort to stay present and not rush into the next season, I decided to share some styling inspiration for these final weeks of summer, featuring none other than the versatile swim trunk.
If you're wondering why I opted for swim trunks, the idea struck me last week as I was getting dressed to drive back to the city. I was sifting through my suitcase and Nick’s closet (which, let’s face it, has practically become my closet, haha 😏), but I couldn’t find a suitable pair of bottoms for the drive. The only bottom options I had were slacks in various weights and colors, leopard-printed satin Richard Quinn shorts, stacks of skirts, and, surprisingly, several pairs of swim trunks. Out of all those choices, the swim trunks emerged as the most practical option.
Wearing swimwear as daywear is not entirely new territory—back in April, I experimented with wearing a speedo a a la Miu Miu. Plus, in recent seasons, it seems that many brands have organically integrated swimwear into their ready-to-wear collections (think again Miu Miu, The Row, Maryam Nassir Zadeh, to name a few).
What made the idea of styling swim trunks even more appealing is how seamlessly it aligns with what has arguably been the most novel clothing feature of the summer: the drawstring.
dedicated an entire post to this style, and I also touched on it after buying The Row Jubin pants. The novelty of these pieces is twofold in my opinion. First, I believe the drawstring is a holdover of our lockdown wardrobe, where comfort was key. While this style can easily drift into pajama territory (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing), this season has offered a wealth of options in various fabrics—ranging from classic linen to blends, poplin, and even the uber- luxurious silk variant. Plus, these styles are available at a wide range of price points.What also makes this style feel fresh is that it’s designed to adapt to you, rather than you having to adapt to it. Since the post-WWII era, we’ve often been conditioned to think that we must contort our bodies to fit our clothes, rather than letting our clothes work for us. In a way, we've relinquished some of our agency. And while this may sound a bit abstract, I truly believe that the drawstring gives us back some of that power.
Styling looks around a swim trunk didn't feel particularly daunting, mainly because, in a way, I've been doing this all season. However, there are a few key differences when opting for swim trunks instead of drawstring shorts—namely, the fabric, the length, and in my case, the colors (as you'll see, all of my swim trunks are on the more colorful side). I picked up these particular swim trunks last year during a trip to Palm Heights when I realized I'd forgotten to pack a swimsuit (fun fact: Usher and I ended up with matching pairs!).
Shop My August Edit for At Present
For the first look, I kept it simple with a T-shirt and boat shoes. To elevate the outfit, I added the J.Crew x MNZ top (which, by the way, seems to be back in stock—or you could opt for this 1930s bolero I found on Etsy that’s less than the J.Crew one). I think that the top looks best when paired with a t-shirt, a spaghetti strap tank or cami, or a bra/bikini top. Wearing a regular tank didn’t work as well because it didn’t align with the shoulder seams, which I found distracting. A t-shirt, on the other hand, allows the mirrored details to stand out more clearly against a solid background, and I think it just adds a level of ease. A long-sleeve shirt could work here too, but you'd need to be mindful of the sleeve lengths.
You might remember this bateau neck top from part two of my summer styling ideas, where I delve into the top recession and even make a philosophical argument where I compare The Row to Plato’s concept of the perfect chair. The top I’m wearing is from The Row, and it truly embodies perfection. But, much like the drawstring pant, many brands have introduced their own versions of this top this season, so you can easily find one that suits your budget (here are a few options from By Malene Birger $150, Leset $230, Maria McManus $480.)
I know I mentioned staying in the present, but I couldn’t resist looking ahead (expect to see a lot of this coat this fall and winter!). Eventually, we’ll have to start thinking about the cooler months, and one way to avoid completely stashing away your summer wardrobe is by pairing your summer pieces with a substantial coat.I was inspired to get this coat after seeing the Miu Miu FW24 show, where there was a parade of collarless coats. There's a natural elegance to this style that strikes a perfect balance—not too prim, yet effortlessly refined—making it versatile for almost any occasion. And the vibrant red-orange cashmere has this terribly dangerous look that I absolutely love!
The Sold Out NYC tank that I'm wearing under the coat is a medium, though I should have gone with a small. I prefer my tanks to fit close to the body, as I find it makes layering seamless and eliminates the distraction of excess fabric. I’m planning to toss this one in the dryer to see if I can shrink it a bit. (I also love the scoop neck style from Matteau—I have it in black, but I think the grey is probably the best color)
When transitioning our wardrobes, we often focus solely on clothing, but what about our jewelry? This summer, shell-inspired pieces were undeniably the accessories of the season. By now, many of us have accumulated a collection of beaded shell necklaces or jewelry with some sort of aquatic motif. As the weather cools, these pieces might start to feel a bit out of season. But don’t worry—you don’t have to stow away your Cape Cod bracelets and other summery jewels until next year. Why not bring them into the fall?
As I mentioned to Ashley while creating my necklace for our Disco Duet, the ocean and its sea life are ever-present, so I believe it's fitting to wear pieces like pearls or shells throughout the year. For this look, I wanted to channel the feeling of emerging from the ocean, draped in sea treasures. I layered three necklaces and finished the look with HONKING conch shell earrings that’s accentuated with cascading pearls. While I’m not usually a fan of asymmetry, I love the variation in the sizes of the earring posts—it adds an unexpected touch.
I was influenced by both
and , and picked up these Nike swim shorts a few weeks ago. Since getting them, I find myself reaching for these shorts every other day—they're perfect for quick errands. Although they're on the shorter side, they don’t make me feel self-conscious like other short hemlines often do. They shape the legs beautifully, offering just the right amount of coverage. And the color is simply divine—a vintage purple that brings to mind those funky Styrofoam cups that are so quintessentially '90s.They also have a distinct season three Carrie Bradshaw feel. In true Carrie fashion, I decided to take a more daring approach by juxtaposing the sporty shorts with something more formal (the heels) and a bit experimental (the Dries Van Noten top).
It would have been a missed opportunity not to pair these shorts with my Dries Van Noten top—it feels like an outfit he would have crafted himself. And to retroactively add to my thoughts on the top recession: when in doubt, go for Dries—or, if you’re feeling particularly dangerous, try Romeo Gigli.
I was recently asked to write a blurb for The Grand Tourist about which brands to explore in his retirement. Although I already had a few recommendations in mind, I revisited his old collections to see which contemporary designers I felt were channeling Dries' essence. As I delved into his past collections, I found myself thinking, “This is a designer who truly understood how to dress people in a way that was both outlandish and practical.” His designs not only embodied those qualities, but they also reflected a deep care for the people who wore them—a sentiment I often hear people attributed to Alber Elbaz’s work for Lanvin (I highly recommend reading this New Yorker profile of him).
One of the designers I highlighted in the piece was Christopher John Rogers, someone whose work I have immense respect for. While many brands are designing in the vein of The Row (something I discussed here), Christopher has boldly chosen to go against the grain, creating collections that are unique. I’ve often told him that his work feels distinctly American in the grand tradition of Isaac Mizrahi, Norman Norell, and Bill Blass, to name a few. Don’t get me wrong—I love The Row, and I do buy pieces from brands that have embraced a similar style. However, I often wonder aloud at parties and dinners, “Don’t we have enough of those brands? Have we reached the apex of that type of design?”
Brands that operate within the realm of minimalism—or as one founder described it, 'polite minimalism' (a term I wouldn’t apply to The Row, but I can see it fitting for certain brands)—play an important role. These pieces often form the backbone of our wardrobes, and hopefully they will remain timeless staples season after season.
Moreover, I understand why so many brands have embraced this aesthetic and why new brands are emerging with this design philosophy more frequently than those like CJR, Dries, or even Prada—it's safe. In a time when the world feels turned upside down, it makes sense that sticking with a tried-and-true formula, just dressed in a different color, feels more secure than reinventing the wheel. But as things begin to settle, won’t we want to see clothes that propose a different way of being and dressing?
To round up this discussion on the state of design, I would like to reference what Tasnim Ahmed (aka
) said in the same piece I was featured in, “When it comes to independent designers, Christopher John Rogers is always at the top. Too many designers shy away from bold color, but not him. When I see CJR’s work and the way he operates—off the fashion calendar, honoring clients both old and new—it reminds me so much of how Dries Van Noten has upheld his values. A very rare gem in this often superficial industry.”Returning to the topic at hand: It would almost be blasphemous not to channel the late, great Richard Simmons in this sequin tank. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available, but you can find similar options here and here.
For the final short option, I chose these from CDLP that I picked up back in April. I think the only water they’ve seen all season is the ice pool at the Turkish Bath in the East Village. I’ve been drawn to leopard print for well over a year, and I can see this print quickly becoming a “neutral” in my closet. When styling prints, I’ve found that the easiest approach is to pair them with a solid top, especially if you’re hesitant about mixing patterns.
It’s only in the last few years that I’ve begun to embrace the idea of wearing multiple prints, having previously feared looking like a chaotic mess—more akin to a sad Jackson Pollock attempt. I’ve discovered that the simplest way to mix prints is to choose patterns that share at least one common color. The shades don’t have to be identical, but as long as they’re in the same color family, the overall look tends to feel cohesive. Another idea struck me when I placed my new Alex Mill camo print field jacket next to the animal prints: if you’re going to mix prints, try pairing two that have a natural connection. In this case, my outfit plays with the concept of the hunter and the hunted. I think this is also why floral and animal prints often look so good together—they coexist in nature, so they naturally complement each other in fashion.
But if that still feels daunting and you’re looking to have some fun, why not go for gold?
Or get adventurous with your jewelry, like these calla lily earrings and bright crimson red bauble necklace!
Until next time!
XX
JJ
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Those leopard trunks! You got so many killer looks out of a "mishap" -- kudos to you. In your hands a navy bateau neck could never feel snoozy.
Same here - love the leopard print ones, but also all the looks! So good!