I no longer get to borrow clothes from designers for evening events (which honestly often was not as great as it sounds, since most of what you had to choose from usually had little to do with your personal style), nor do I believe in wear once purchases. Add to that, at night, I want something that feels somewhat fitted and feminine (not yards of fabric or tricky voluminous silhouettes) and timeless.
I plan on channeling Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, with her long, form-hugging pencil skirts, fitted evening jackets, pretty blouses and simple accessories. Sure I will never stand out like she does, I have neither the fame or the lanky frame, but if you think simple to point of almost severe, elegant black clothes don’t stand out at an evening event, have you been to one lately? Everyone wears anything but black. And it’s always the clothes you notice first, not the woman. I’m over it. I want elegance. I want form-fitting (but not uncomfortable), I want a classic heel. Very few accessories, an extreme edit if you will. Classic makeup–a smoky eye or a red lip. I want the kind of grown up clothes most style icons have always relied on. In fact, I think being able to walk out of the house to event dressed that simply takes courage. I’m ready for the challenge.
Image above, clockwise from top left: Roland Mouret top, $1120: By Malene Birger tuxedo blazer, $750; Anine Bing asymmetric skirt, $249; The Row jacket, $2290; Manolo Blahnik slingbacks, $695; Roland Mouret pencil skirt, $725; The Row wristlet, $1650;.
Top image, clockwise from top left: Oscar de la Renta blouse, $1490; Toteme blouse, $315; Cami NYC skirt, $264; Gianvito Rossi slides, $675; Tom Ford lipstick, $54; Anine Bing skirt, $300; Khaite clutch, $1260.
Jennifer, I agree completely. I wore a longish black pleated Barbara Casasola dress to wedding last weekend and felt like myself. I felt comfortable, elegant and timeless. All of the pieces you recommend above are spot on. Thank you
I’ve always said that I want people to say ” you look great” as opposed to “nice dress, outfit, etc.” There’s a big difference. I think it takes knowing what looks good on you- colors, silhouette- and adapting that to what is fashionable at the moment. It’s tricky- it’s the difference between fashionable and stylish- but when it works people will always notice and say “you look great!”
Besides simple being best, IMHO, it advances one’s goal of a sustainable wardrobe – one perhaps more interesting than easy. I’m up for the challenge.
I love your site: your topics, tour insights, the people you choose to profile.
Knowing that I can read it makes the slow death of magazines easier to bear.
*Your* insights. (Ugh.)