THE MIDSUMMER WARDROBE BUILDING BLOCKS
We are talking about summer whites, a new take on boho, and The Graduate
This week, instead of the usual "Consider Yourself a Shopper" letter, I have decided to release a continuum of my Building Blocks letter. This letter will focus on three "looks" that I have been gravitating towards or the looks I want to channel more during the season. Amidst the midsummer haze, the time has come to delve into our wardrobes, to evaluate what is working and can be revamped.
*Quick aside, my deepest apologies that I didn't have time to send out my letter about the current sexy agenda. To hold you over until its release, here is part 2 of George Michael's "I Want Your Sex" (who knew this song had a part 2?!).
SUMMER WHITES
For me, all-white ensembles were solely reserved for weekend errand runs. As of recently, I have noticed my affinity for wearing all white throughout the week. This certain affinity was caused by the purchase of two things: this Von Sono white skirt and white jeans. I featured the Von Sono skirt in my Building Blocks letter and am happy to report that Mrs. Solomon is the proud owner of the yellow version. As soon as I saw the skirt, it reminded me of something that Miuccia Prada would wear; I just cannot get her out of my head! The white jeans, on the other hand, may sound rather odd, but here is the story...
Probably a month or so ago, a coworker of mine came into the office with a white tee, a white crisp slightly altered shirt, and white jeans. I don't remember much else about the outfit besides a very sleek black belt that really broke up all the white. I remember telling them that their outfit looked like something from The Row. I think the following day or so, I went out and bought white jeans for myself. Though I do not regularly wear jeans, I really do love them because I think jeans are quite integral to American style.Having them in white sets them apart from the day-to-day blue jeans, and if styled correctly, it can almost give the illusion of slacks!
Yes, there is something quite magnificent about an all-white ensemble. You look clean, and it is kind of rebellious because you are saying to the world, "Haha, I dare you to try and ruin my outfit!" Of course, you want to break up your all-white looks with a little texture. That's why I simply adore really stacking on the jewelry; it really makes the outfit pop!
GREG LAUREN MILITARY SHIRT- I believe this is the shirt that my coworker was wearing.
SONO WILLOW ORGANIC COTTON WAISTCOAT-For all those summer flings!
WHITE LINEN SKIRT- This would look great with the waist coat, and sidenote this Etsy shop only sells white pieces!
DOEN TIERED COTTON MAXI SKIRT- There is something absolutely romantic about tiered skirts, it makes me think of running through fresh cut grass.
LEMAIRE WHITE BELTED MIDI DRESS-EASY, EASY, EASY!
1950S STRAW BONNET- When you wear all white, you need a great hat!
THE COSMOPOLITAN BOHEMIAN
For the longest time, I've been trying to find a word, a phrase, a title to describe this look that I alluded to in my Building Blocks letter. Then one day, while I was riding the subway in my Dries Van Noten tube skirt (I have linked it before, and it is so good I have to link it again!), a shirt and sandals from The Row, and my usual stack of jewelry, in that subway summer haze, it hit me: Cosmopolitan Bohemian!
This look is a blend of various elements. It's part dust bowl wench and part YSL in Marrakech. It carries a touch of mysticism and evokes the image of Marie Antoinette gallivanting in her hamlet. Additionally, there's a dash of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen and a hint of early 20th-century expedition wear. It's a mishmash of all these influences, combined with the mindset of someone who enjoys all the hippie-dippie, crunchy-munchie things but never without a martini in hand.
However, dear reader, please do not confuse this look with the 2010s fascination with Boho Chic. Whereas Boho chic was epitomized by certain things such as Vanessa Hudgens at Coachella and questionable choices in accessories, the cosmo boho is more concerned about which beaded necklace and bedazzled shoe will pair nicely with their antique silk sleeping gown.
ELENA VELEZ CHEMISE MID-LENGTH DRESS- For the dust bowl wench or Marie Antoinette off duty.
SALTER HOUSE CORNFLOWER PATCHWORK QUILT- With images of the prairie rolling in my head, my mind naturally went to quilts.
EMILIO PUCCI PRINTED WIDE LEG PANTS- You cannot mention boho without a little Pucci.
MARE GOLD SAYULITA DANGLING NECKLACE- If you are going to wear Pucci, you have to have eclectic jewelry.
LA COLLECTION LINEN TUNIC DRESS- The perfect dress for day..
GIORGIO ARMANI SATIN SLINGBACK FLATS- ..and the shoes to wear during the day!
WHEN A RED HOT MAMA MEETS A LADY
Perhaps Madonna's Erotica album has been on repeat too much (but honestly, can one ever listen to too much Madonna?), or perhaps my recent rewatch of The Graduate (1967) has implanted itself firmly in my noggin. Either way, when it comes to dressing up, I keep going back to the idea of sexiness. I am not necessarily concerned with appearing seductive; I am more interested in capturing the essence of sensuality. For me, that does not mean investing in clothing that is rather ostentatiously provocative, for as we will discuss in my letter on sex, I think we are living in a time where the sexiest thing one can wear is well-fitting clothes rather than barely there attire.
Moreover, when I think of capturing this feeling, it naturally leads me to movies. The Graduate, as mentioned earlier, is on my mind. Not only because of that excellent line George Michael repurposed in "Too Funky" – "Would you like me to seduce you?" – but also due to the scene where Anne Bancroft wears a leopard coat over her day clothes. She rushes to a hotel to find a befuddled Dustin Hoffman, who has agreed to rendezvous with her, but his youthful awkwardness somewhat paralyzes him. She appears a bit thrown together, and it's simply fantastic. This is where the lady meets the red hot mama. She exudes elegance in her coat, but underneath, you can tell she grabbed the first thing she could find because she has more pressing matters at hand!
To fully embrace this aesthetic, one must wholeheartedly embrace the taboo or the perhaps the notion of such. It means disregarding the rules of "daywear" and "evening wear," while still refusing to wear denim to the theater. It's about wearing stockings instead of tights, painting your nails in jungle red, and investing in Mugler skirt suits rather than stocks!
LAWERENCE OF LONDON LEOPARD PRINT COAT- If you want to live out your Anne Bancroft fantasies.
CELINE TIGER PRINT DRESS- A tiger stripe dress to wear under the leopard print coat! (And this is Michael Kors era Celine folks!)
KHAITE RIVER PUMP-I think this will become THE pump.
THE ROW MAUD HEELED SANDALS- Amazing shoe that Neelam has convinced me I need.
PRADA LAMBSKIN GLOVES-ARE YOU TRYING TO SEDUCE ME-THE ANSWER IS YES!!!
PIERRE MANTOUX X CARINE ROITFLED STAY UPS-I would say the living embodiment of red hot mama meets lady is Carine!
-Jalil
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P.S.: If you are looking for vintage Gucci and Prada check out my Basic Space page.
That you mentioned me -- and also wrote on the film that inspired the name "hey mrs. solomon" -- I mean! I also had ramen, so ideal Saturday night achieved. What a read, as always. XOXO