What I wore all week: Seeking Richard, finding sorrow

Let's bear with each other, ok?

I’ve got to speak my truth. To the subscriber-friend who said (I paraphrase) “can’t we just get to the clothes?” — I get it, and I’m not there yet, but I will be. I just can’t round up the week without also authentically sharing how I felt during it. It doesn’t mean you’re not welcome here, or that this won’t change, but it just happened. One of my best friends of over a decade texted me fearing that his marriage could be annulled. You’d have to be a robot to get a text like that and not feel heartbroken. And you don’t just snap out of it. I can have empathy for you; please hold it for me. (And I don’t mind if you choose to scroll through the photos and not read a word of this one. We all have to do what we have to do.)

So here I go with the week.

It started out so f*cking cute, didn’t it? Literally. Like Richard Gere cute. Although that word isn’t right. I think

Laurel Pantin

puts it better as “horny.” But regardless, it started full of life, pulsing with promise. We were doing some dressing.

Angharad Jones

had a recent post, this one, that spurred me to usher in a week of Richard Gere inspired dressing. As many of you know, I do outfit planning based on a theme on Sunday nights, and this newsletter inspired me to make Richard our theme. Watch the planning session here.

Outfit planning to a theme is such an effective way to wear what you already own. It innately discourages the practice of buying something because you want to wear it right now — because you’re not wearing “right now” you’re creating around a theme!

MONDAY

OMG Ramona Runway eyes. You know, this photographer who shot me for the law school directory told my mom I and “sleepy eyes” and I think I’ve been overcompensating ever since.

What: Preloved men’s Lacoste shirt. (There are so many great ones on eBay but I am partial to the irony of this). Secondhand Brunello Cucinelli short sleeved cotton jacket. (I so wish I could find this again!) Secondhand Hermes Kelly 40. Another here. The hotel slippers I’m wearing so much. MM6 light cotton jeans. Oliver Peoples glasses.

Why: Inspired by that first Gere image up there + adapted for weather! I have NEVER thought to wear a polo shirt under a blazer (duh!) I had meetings but also long stretches of work solo, so I wanted to be comfy.

Outcome: I loved this. Physically comfy, the heritage vibes I like. Felt understated and low key but me.

Rest of the week plus outfitting themes, this week + next, for paid subscribers. Thank you. This is time consuming and kind of nerve wracking, so I appreciate the support!

TUESDAY

What: Prada vest. (ICYMI, all my vest tips here.) Skims gray tank. Sold Out New York white tank. Preloved Balenciaga velvety “jeans.” (The “rips” are trompe l’oeil.) Super comfy Saint Laurent loafers.

Why: Voting. Wanted to be comfy in case of long lines (hence the shoes and what are like velvety sweatpants). I love the way Richard Gere uses so many white T-shirts as an element, like in that middle airport look. So I wanted to play with that.

Outcome: Lofted Settledness. I felt amazing. And then we celebrated voting and what we envisioned as a historic first with this amazing lunch together here (OMG).

(And then I cried myself to sleep. Literally.)

WEDNESDAY