I Kept The Best

I may have given away a number of Chanel bags to my daughters and friends over the years, but I kept the ones I love the most. The belt bag is circa 1992 (no joke) and it looks modern worn crossbody. The iconic classic handbag, created by Karl Lagerfeld upon his arrival at Chanel in 1983, is coveted more than ever right now.

On My Radar

Once my ‘Middlemarch’ seminar concludes, the next book in the queue is Joan Didion’s recently released ‘Let Me Tell You What I Mean’ — can’t wait. When I spied these porcelain pieces on aRossGirl’s feed, a collaboration with ceramicist Carey Lowell, I couldn’t order fast enough. Slouchy boots and a really good dress are, also, on my radar.

Prada, Please

This look, in February Vogue Paris, was my ’90s uniform and it feels ‘right’ right now. I’ve already adopted the turtleneck under a v-neck sweater — thank you, Mrs. Prada, for the endless inspiration (and a closetful of your timeless designs).

Skirt, sweater, more.

Photograph by Alasdair McLellan  and styling by Aleksandra Woroniecka

WSJ. Magazine Profile: Author Alexandra Andrews

Illustration by Britt Berger

Author Alexandra Andrews is profiled in WSJ. Magazine‘s ’12 for’21’ series. Her much-anticipated debut novel ‘Who Is Maud Dixon?’, a thriller set in New York’s literary world, is out March 2. When she was in college, I got Alexandra to intern in the fashion features department at Harper’s Bazaar, and her mother is a very dear friend. I am so proud of and excited for Alexandra and cannot wait to read her book!

On another note, I am completely obsessed with Britt Berger’s illustrations in the ’12 for ’21’ series — they are brilliant.

Six Chapters: Growing Up in Style

In February Vogue, there are six must-read personal essays written by “writers who describe discovering fashion in their hometowns as they grew up.” Chapter four, The Wallflower by Andrea Lee, is my favorite. They are all excellent and well worth picking up or downloading the issue.

Going Long

Though I’m not tall, I bought the Gabriela Hearst skirt reasoning that it would be a cinch to shorten. However, when worn with my Hermès stacked heel sandals circa 2001 (seriously, DON’T overpurge) it looks pretty good — despite needing to be pressed — so I’m going to leave the length as is. I had the grey aRossGirl❤️Soler dress made last fall and cannot wait to have an excuse to wear it.

My Fab Four

I’ve been digging deep into my closet to avoid a uniform rut (#Don’tOverpurge), yet, there are four items that I’ve either gone back to or adopted. Flared and straight are great, but skinny jeans are my preferred cut in the winter— they are a trim foundation for oversized sweaters, parkas, and boots. I’ve been wearing Mother’s cocktail rings while I work because they bring me joy. For errands, I rarely need a handbag. With so many businesses taking Apple Pay, a small card holder is enough — the days of the massive wallet are over. And breaking in my new clogs gets me excited for warmer days ahead.

My two go-to jeans are Frame above and Toteme (they have very little stretch), ring, card holder, clogs.

Mock Up

A fine-knit mock turtleneck (bodysuit?) is in over half of the Hermès FW20 collection looks and I totally missed it. It’s one of my beloved items to layer and is styled to perfection under matching cardigans and polos. The necklace is Hermès, too — it’s divine.

Top left Vanity Fair photograph by Valentin Giacobetti and styled by Camille Bidault-Waddington, lower right Vogue Paris photograph by Nathaniel Goldberg and styled by Anastasia Barbieri

A Really Good Skirt

I’ve been thinking about Gabriela Hearst taking over the design reigns at Chloé and wondering what she will do there. While noodling around Ms. Hearst’s eponymous FW20 collection looking for clues, I spied this terrific skirt. Cotton-drill wrap on sale with every size still in stock? Yes, please!

Need to be tall, this skirt is long.

Monica Ainley de la Villardière Inspired

As I was reaching, yet again, for a pair of leggings this morning, I thought of this December-January Vogue UA story on journalist Monica Ainley de la Villardière — her style is the perfect WFH inspiration.

Photography by Maxime Frogé