Loved playing her. Wouldn't want to be her.

My week as Mother Mermaid. She may not be "me" but she taught me A LOT.

I can describe my style DNA in 2 words: Miami King. But I spent a week role playing

Allison Bornstein

‘s Mother Mermaid archetype. Here’s what happened. And the 7 things I learned.

First, the takeaways.

1. Outfit prompts are a way to get you rotating through everything in your closet versus wearing only your most used or more recently bought pieces. But it can also be a way to push on your boundaries. Don’t be afraid!

2. Remember outfit planning and themes are FOR YOU - you’re not being graded for being “most on theme.” Make it your own; no need to be literal. (Good reminder for the type As.)

3. Soft fabrics need edge. Unless your DNA is soft. It could be a rough fabric, a sharp jacket, a geometric earring or ring.

4. And on the flip side, if you wear a lot of strong lines, dense fabrics, heritage shapes, tough pieces, a little softness is good in your tool kit to bring unexpectedness.

5. A boho detail can add a lot of interest to a modern/minimalist outfit. A little goes a long way. Like one and done.

6. Mermaid got me thinking so much more about shapes. Normally I think about color and texture; shapes aren’t always on my radar. But they’re another tool for harmony - or friction. Do you want a curved bag with other curved shapes in an outfit? Or do you want to add a harder edge?

7. Playing a different “character” helped me sharpen my sense of why things work and make future outfits better. I will do this again!

And away we go:

MONDAY

What:

• Old secondhand Jil Sander bubble dress. And here are some on-vibe options for you.

• Black suede sandals from the Row (past season) … some good comps this way.

• Secondhand Tory Burch clip on earrings — found 3 pairs! We also curated options with a similar impact.

• Secondhand Hermes mini Bolide, in croc. This is a killer comp + we’ve checked Cuyana’s quality IRL recently…. it’s gooood.

Why:

Work day, including hanging with

Wendy Duffy

for The Package Room (every Monday at lunch on IG!), solo writing, research, and a visit to Valeria Krasavina’s atelier. This dress is dark and synthetic but I love the shape, and honestly maybe we overreact … the airiness of it and my pulled back (wet) hair seemed to keep things cool. I loved the way this earring lightened things up and felt unexpected. Yay Mermaid!

Outcome:

Lofted Settledness.

Hanging around the house later

TUESDAY

What:

• All Three dress

• Talentless mock neck tee and here are alternatives because I’m still not sure about the ethics of that brand

• Secondhand silver bangle - Robert Lee Morris and more high impact silver cuffs (remember our code for the At Present ones is HEYMRSSOLOMON15)

• Tory Burch mesh shoes

• Loewe Paseo bag

Why:

Here’s why Iove this challenge. Mermaid got me thinking so much more about shapes. And creating a sense of calm. This dress in a way has a little mermaid in its shape (and the shredded ends add to that). There was calm in piulling a tee in the same low key color family. And then the silver bracelet which feels very organic (and which I don’t wear enough, but LOVE with the gray) directed me to the bag, also in a sort of undulating shape. The form on the shoe is organic too. (And they’re comfortable! I did a HUGE amount of walking in this. Over an hour straight on a phone call.) I don’t think wearing the tee was very Mother Mermaid, but it was so me and made me feel like myself.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

Later

For Happy Hour with the girls, swapped the tee for my (also undulating!) past season Acne blazer (oversized and here’s an XS). Brought this blue/gray Bottega clutch. (Old.) The glasses are secondhand Pucci sunglasses with the lenses made prescription. BTW, they are Eterne boyshorts under there. And this bra. See what I mean about a Pliable Dress?

Outcome: Lofted Settledness. I had a day of tears, and it was nice to feel good in my clothes.

WEDNESDAY

What:

• Tibi slip dress (here with other options too)

• Valeria Krasavina sheer sleeveless dress (can get any color or length - DM Valeria to discuss; I had mine made in a Ring 3 - credit Tibi - color)

• Silver pin from my friend Susanne that I made into a necklace herem by pinning it on a leather cord and here are fun options

• Tory Burch Patos mesh flat - I can’t stop wearing these. They’re SO comfy. Also packable! Very slim.

• Marni jacket - if you’re an XS, you’re in luck here are other cropped finds for you

• Warby Parker glasses

• Margiela painted raffia bag

Why: Busiest workday and wanted to have a blazer involved. This felt very on brand for the challenge, the filmy textures, seaglass color, organic shapes. I used the raffia/painted bag for contrast. But I missed the way I USUALLY wear Valeria’s dress, super casually with an oversized tee. BUT doing this exercise made me realize I can really dress this up— for even black tie. I would drop the slip dress lower that’s under there and use a long tuxedo jacket.

Outcome: Lovely, not lofted.

THURSDAY

pre-workout walk

What:

• Debuting another Valeria creation - these lightweight oversized “jeans” — the Apollo Bloomer Pants. When I saw them on my friend Valeria, I just had to have my own!

• Left on Friday navy sports bra and uni-suit (take 10% off with code HMS10)

• Secondhand Hermes So Kelly

• Navy “Dumplings” sweatshirt from a great restaurant in Boston, Mei Mii

• The Row Dune flip flops

Why:

Rip off the Band-Aid. When you get something new, wear it immediately. It knits it right into your wardrobe. Put this on pre-workout to walk and work in the morning. OMG these pants! So comfyyyyyy. One size fits all. Packs so much joy. The pockets are lined in silk! These do all the heavy lifting. The top could be anything. But it felt so easyyy with all the navy.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

post-walk

What:

• Valeria Krasavina Viola flower — a tie on netting flower

• Old Tibi partial skirt/belt — here are fun pieces to layer over a long dress for similar effect

• James Perse tee dress and more options here.

• Temple St. Clair amulet necklace and other pendant necklaces we’re loving rn

• pearl on cord necklace

• Margiela white flip flops (but what flip flop are you in the mood for? These are all fancy + interesting. These are so cute and $60.)

• Jil Sander bag + more raffia (just updated)

Why:

I love a black dress in summer. This is easy, cotton, has slits. The pearl and glass necklaces echoed each other and brought light. I picked the white flip flop and a raffia bag for the same reason. Valeria’s flower was on theme, but more than that made me realize what a great tool it is for contrast in my arsenal, which includes lots of mens wear, density, sharpness. This added softness, and I liked that contrast. This was my favorite outfit of the week.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

FRIDAY

OOPS, didn’t get a still.

What:

• Left on Friday shirt dress

• Old Celine pants. Similar vibe (if trying Reformation, size up at least 1 size; they’re returnable).

• Tory Burch Patos mesh flat (again)

• Secondhand mini Bolide (see above)

(later, threw a Bottega skirt over + added “those” flip flops to run for a manicure)

Why: I loved the idea of playing with all the whites and all the textures.

Outcome: Felt very good, but not magical! I think in all it felt cool and but not so quintessentially me. But I LOVED the movement and ease of the dress. Doing it again, I’d use my Margiela loafers.

SATURDAY

What:

• Past season Margiela shorts (here’s a version in navy + ivory)

• Secondhand Rick Owens tee (not identical but same high neck and details I like)

• Tibi sweater with cutout (this would be the current equivalent, on sale)

• Loewe mini puzzle (use code STYLE for 10% off)

• Tibi’s Harry boot

Why: Went to a very casual breakfast here w/my hub, spur of the moment. I wanted to wear the new shoes, so I thought what does a kind of desert boot go with — cargo shorts. Voila. When I put the burgundy that was very calm and matching. So I took the lavender sweater for AC instead of a neutral and then the orange bag which is small and poisons everything.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness. I love this “shootie.” Like walking on a cloud.

Saturday Night

foodgasm, not yet rated

What

• Old Prada cropped tux jacket (I’m guessing 10 years old — here are options I like)

• sleeveless ribbed turtleneck body suit (olddddd Free People) — options

• Loewe cotton pants (what could make these better? If I put kittens in the pockets)

• Tibi Weber sandals (TTS. I can’t wear them without the bungees that accompany them. What I love is how uber slim/naked they are, which is great if you like to wear BIG pants and need contrast)

• Karl Lagerfeld earrings from a thrift store (mine + more here)

• Old Celine bag from TRR (similar)

Why: These pants are a re-relaease/update of JWA for Loewe’s previous Kite pants, which I’ve been hunting since forever. It was an easy decision! I lost track of time and had to get ready in 10 minutes. Working on the theory that statement pieces are more useful than “useful pieces” — started with the pants and kept the rest simple.

I really do like the cropped jacket with it — a cropped jacket in general is a good piece in the closet for that reason. Not an everyday item, and I don’t think they even go “out of style” - at least not a classic tuxedo version. Just: when you need one, you need one. A normal length jacket interfered with the pants.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

SUNDAY

What:

• Miu Miu pajamas — found great new comps!

• The Row Dune flip flops — but also, you know what new pair I really want right now? These. So luxe. They do what the bag is doing here.

• Secondhand Hermes Bolide (above)

• JW Anderson rhinestone harness (a few years ago, a gift from my friend Susanne), worn unattached so it looks like a necklace … It is very much like this… And now I am going down a RABBIT HOLE. Because, for example…(!)

  Wendy Duffy
  and I will curate this whole site and check out IRL - it needs to be curated.

Why: We walked to my “usual spot” for breakfast. I wanted to be comfortable and not have to think. PAJAMAS. I predict will be doing a lot of this over the summer, too. An answer, not a question.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

Later I was closet cleaning/walking in + out of sweats etc. That’s why you saw me on live in a flannel and Calders.

OUTFIT PLANNING

This week: Wearing pareos, beach pants, bathing suits as “real clothes.” (Outfit planning live.)

Next week: Summer layering from Boston/Marion, where I’ll be for a couple of months. Don’t rob me; we have house sitters.

Let’s get dressed.

XOXO,

Rachel

Notes:

1. I am using affiliate links, and I do not use them lightly. In fact here’s a whole post on it. Thank you for using these links to shop. Every little bit helps!

2. My Market editor Wendy and I are in limited, special, and really particular ways working with a select group of partners and accepting gifts in order to inform you better, especially around attainably priced brands and pieces. Here’s something on that.

3. We are also starting to get promo codes from brands, and here’s an updated list; be sure and check weekly before purchasing. I grew up shopping Filenes Basement. Your girl loves a discount:

CLOTHES

Callas Milano : Take 15% off with code HMS15

Heidi Merrick: Take 10% off with code HEYMRSSOLOMON10

Left on Friday: Take 10% off with code HMS10

Sanctuary: Take 15% off with code RS15

LUISAVIAROMA: Take 30% off full price items with this link and code LOVEX30 (excluding Adidas & Salomon)

Asher: Take 15% off with code RACHEL15

SHOES

Nomasei: Take 15% off with code HMS15

JEWELRY

AtPresent: Take 15% off with code HEYMRSSOLOMON15

BEAUTY

Lake & Skye: Take 15% off with code HMS15

Ursa Major: Take 20% off with code HEYMRSSOLOMON20

FRE Skincare: Take 25% off with code MRSSOLOMON