What I wore all week: hello darkness my old friend

MIA -> BOS

(First, here is the outfit planning video from the week I’m writing about. And I’ll share the next themes at the end of this post.)

My dad to this day makes fun of the fact that I never knew when my exams were in law school. I was like “ok, but I’ll be there.” I thought of this as I created this theme without looking at a calendar and realizing that halfway through the week I’d be going to Boston for Thanksgiving.

Can I just talk about Boston for a sec? When I was growing up there I took SO MUCH PRIDE. Like Boston is a real city. As Big Papi said after the Boston Marathon: “This is our f*cking city.” It’s also walkable! Full of character! Rich in history! Brainy! Gritty! And democratic! I have written about the Red Sox! Many times! And all of that PALES in comparison to the biggest draw of all — my. family. is. in. Boston. My son, my heart.

And then also there is this dark thing, which is the way my mental health declines, like clockwork, upon arrival. As I write this, I’m at the airport, wishing choosing happiness didn’t have to be such — a choice.

Also, I’m still pissed at Ben Affleck.

Also, her brain matter is not fully developed yet.

But I digress. The week was about Rothko inspiration, a wonderful idea from my friend Jenny. And here’s how that went …

Speed takeaways:

• use art for color ideas; it can take you to unexpected places

• duping up some colors in an outfit adds a sense of cohesion

• don’t forget to explore a “wrong” color

• all one color/multiple textures is a no fail, but one trick is adding a shot of a very different shade of that color

• if you live in a cold place, consider having something you might think of as “outerwear” function as indoor wear

• also — it’s nice to add color/interest by having a bracelet that can go over even a bulky sleeve

MONDAY

What: Secondhand Margiela pants. In white, size 38. Jil Sander version. Prada version, more sizes. Secondhand Old Celine dress (very similar, and long sleeve version, NWT!). A bracelet I think I got at a museum gift shop. (This is not cheap but it’s cool + reversible!) Comfy Jil Sander sandals (38.5) (very similar, 7). Here’s a new suggestion if you want size range. Secondhand Issey Miyake bag (good sale option). Why: Work day with Zooms. I was excited to take these pants out for a spin; the tunic gave coverage and the pants added interest. The peachy shoe and metallic bag made sense to me. And the biggest win was the bracelet, adding the weirdness of that color. That’s something I would never have come to without the Rothko inspiration, and I thought it was so sophisticated.

Outcome: I felt amazing in this. Lofted Settledness.

TUESDAY

What: Loewe dress. (good sale on the top version) Saint Laurent sunglasses (discounted here) made into glasses. Saint Laurent loafers. Tabio socks. Secondhand Loro Piana men’s sweater (you want crewneck and bright, like this or this or this or this in cotton).

Why: Several Zooms and lots of errands/appointments on a hot day where I’d also encounter blasting AC. I love this dress — the color, ease feel so me. This felt like a new way to wear it. And these shoes are so comfortable. I loved being able to zip around without thinking about it.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

Above — ABMO!

At the very end of my day, I had a hair appointment and decided to walk to and from (about an hour total). So I wanted real walking clothes. But it can still be an “outfit.” This is my uniform. Here’s what I liked

• keeping my socks on and duping the color in the Blu Scarpa sneaker (try BLACK FRIDAY-30; not sure if it ended)

• same with the sweater/shorts

• the “wrong” color bag — a neutral but wrong — gave me a feeling of interest/sophistication

WEDNESDAY

What: Obvs THE BAG. Few years old Prada coat. Miu Miu pajamas (maybe just get this secondhand Prada PJ top and call it a day?). Loewe x on sneakers. I had an ivory sweater I added too; it’s in my bag. Secondhand Marni cuff and secondhand Raf Simons yellow hooded tee (you could get the BV, which I now have as well!).

Why: Traveling. I wanted to bring the pajamas because I thought I would wear them in Boston with an outfit I had planned. I wanted the sneakers to go for a walk.

Outcome: Um. HATED this. Didn’t even use the pajamas — too cold (hello! earth to Rachel). Or the sneakers (forgot I have running sneakers there). And I felt like I had just run to the airport in my scrubs. Oh well! Zut alors!

THURSDAY

What: Secondhand Old Celine runway dress I found at Castanet Boston! Past season Prada boots (insanely comfy. size 9. 38.5. And 38. Wolford tights from 2012 -0- That has to be some sort of record (love this comp but haven’t tried the brand’s tights yet). Seasons past Stella McCartney jacket (here 55% off size small oh wow, 80% off here in more sizes). Lizzie Fortunado bracelet (use code: LFHOLIDAY) my sister in law gave to meeee. HEART!

Why: On Thanksgiving, which is always at my husband’s brother and SIL’s, I like to dress up to honor them but not look too fussy when others may be more casual. Every year they include my parents too, which is beyond moving and generous. Unfortunately this year my parents were just wrapping COVID :-( I had planned another outfit, actually, and it didn’t work in the climate, so I moved on to this dress. It’s pretty much a built in Rothko outfit. Since these were the only tights I had, that dictated the shoes. But I liked how they made things casual/unfussy. I was very proud of this idea to put the jacket on. I just hadn’t thought of that before, and I liked how it added interest and made it casual and also how functional it was — to be able to wear a cozy layer indoors. Adding the bracelet gave a shot of color, made the outside jacket feel indoors-intentional, and I liked my sister seeing how much I use and love it.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness.

FRIDAY

In order to be authentic, I need to first show you this:

My hub and I were sitting around. I had gone on a run. And we were going to dinner with our son. He had said something about getting some sneakers, but I figured he was over that, and then suddenly he was like “ok you said you’d help me pick sneakers, we better go” when I was still unshowered and counting on the time right before dinner. I threw on … THIS. And felt gross and miserable and cranky. Such is life. But then because I am a speed shopper, I was like “you want these and these and these, honey — meet you at the restaurant!” And raced home to shower.

At this point, I was out of planned options (remember I skipped one) and I was out of color, too (I keep a lot of neutrals in Boston), so in Uber I started looking at darks and neutrals in the Rothkos.

What: Still Here jeans. Tibi Pedro loafers. Ivory Tibi sweater (check Tibi.fans on IG) and under it a Talentless white white mock neck tee (I take a men’s small. (I liked the ivory/white together). Secondhand Nomia blazer (this one, only mine has no pinstripe… size 6). Pearls from mom. My large Pool Evie Marques necklace (BTW, these are an awesome gift — so many bead sizes, neutrals, colors and they just go over your head so even people who are older love. And an independent female owned biz. Use code HOLIDAZE for 30% off)

Why: Going to a casual dinner and I wanted to wear jeans. So I putzed around until I felt good. I wanted to play with this idea of multiple blues.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness. I LOVED this outfit. Comfortable, functional, the necklace gave it a shot in the arm. Also this leads well into cocooning week — I could burrow into these extra long woolen sleeves, the slouchiness of the jacket.

SATURDAY

What: Very old Prada leather jacket from Yoox (love this one). Secondhand Patou skirt from Castanet (this is the vibe), mesh turtleneck under. Old-ish Prada boots. Balenciaga bag.

Why: I was bored of my Boston closet. But I do love this skirt. It can go boho fast; I thought pairing with the leather jacket instead of sweater and using the modern white boot would help de-boho/freshen. Functionally, I was walking a lot (meeting Boston friends, seeing my parents) and this worked as a layer under my coat.

Outcome: I loved this, actually but it looked way better with the zip down a little and the leather jacket sleeves shoved up to reveal the mesh under.

SUNDAY

What: Secondhand and old The Row Garcia silk pants (here’s a newer wool version and here too). Secondhand eBay LV fanny pack, worn as clutch. Navy tee, navy cashmere Saks brand sweater (the quality on these is SO SO GOOD — I am in this one from many years ago and it’s still pretty pristine), and the Nomia blazer. My Evie Marques necklace.

Why: I have a lot of neutrals in Boston. And tonal, monochrome is a way I like to go to feel good in a pinch. You don’t have to think much. Just grab all the navy. (I have a lot of gray there too … I want to remind myself to transfer some gray pants to Boston!) I was walking to my parents’ to spend the day writing and hanging out. And then had a dinner with hub’s dad + stepmom.

Outcome: ALMOST Lofted Settledness. But these pants are too tight! OMGGGGG. All I wanted to do was unzip for hours. Packed them up to visit the tailor this week.

The week ahead: Get in a cocoon. What is your version of a cocoon? Soft fabrics? Things that wrap? Sweaters that create a billowy shape? Sleeves that end at mid finger? Is a cocoon something that simply makes you feel protected? We will explore. Here’s some quick inspo for you!

And after that: Live like it’s a sport. Bringing unexpected sporty elements into your every day. Drawstrings, hoods, athletic stripes and fabrics, sneakers and warm up jackets. Let’s goooo.

Thanks so much for reading and commenting, for sharing and being here with me.

XOXO,

Rachel

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