Would you try "runway" IRL?
Prada 2019, but make it me in 2026. Everything I wore last week.
I think sometimes taking ideas from the runway to reality can get people all mixed up and overwhelmed. Runways have all that drama, and it tends make them seem more entertaining and artful than useful.
But runway shows (even just the looks!) are a gift that keeps on giving when it comes to real life ideas. You can pretty much watch them all for free. And if you’re using them for inspiration, it doesn’t even matter if they’re new or old, iconic or just interesting.
The key is reminding yourself that no one has to see the resemblance between runway and realway. There’s no reward for who re-create the perfect Prada look. It’s just about sparking your own creativity. Taking as much or as little as you want.
Last week, this 55 y/o working person took on decidedly gamine, 2019 Prada. Not every moment “worked” - but every single one gave me an inspiring creative shakeup. And I have takeaways.
Write it down. Watch the show or review the images, then scribble some takeaways. This is the key. What do you see? It might be the use of color. Or texture. Or a vibe like ladylike. Or the presence of layering. Or a persona like surfer boy. Or a mashup of two persona like surfer meets lady. Tennis whites? Prep with a twist? School girl chic? Write all the ideas down. Then circle what appeals to you.
Then go one step further. Look again. What details and styling elements support your takeaway? Is it the use of Peter Pan collars that gives a school girl vibe? The layering of whites that feels tennis related?
And then … look away. These circled ideas are your reference. Don’t keep going back to the images and trying to recreate them. Doing it this way will keep you from getting too literal. Anna Newton put it this way when talking about using inspiration in a recent post: “One thing I found helpful was to take notes on these photos. For example, ‘try with a necktie’ or ‘layer grey, denim, red and khaki’. When I was making the outfits …, I relied on these notes rather than the images, which gave me more flexibility and avoided a rigid, piece-by-piece re-creation. It allows your creativity to flow while providing a helpful starting point.”
Do you. Always diverge from the runway inspo when it doesn’t make you look or feel your best. Once you start putting outfits together, make all sorts of tweaks with the idea of making it as YOU as possible. There is no prize for replication.
And tweak even after leaving the house. A general rec I sometimes forget. I have a look here that’s nice enough, but it didn’t feel like my mood. I could have … untucked my shirt, put my sweater around my neck, taken my socks off, rolled my sleeves up, removed my belt. Instead I cried. (I mean, that’s ok too. Just saying tho.)
If looking at runways makes you feel bad about your body, definitely don’t. These bodies generally aren’t realistic, the same way a ballerina’s isn’t. If it’s too hard to separate yourself, there are plenty of other ways to be inspired. Not worth it.
MONDAY
What:
Lonoco skirt (heaven, for those asking — and comes with a black silky tap pant)
secondhand Y-3 long blazer (I like these Nomia blazers) and more good ones here
Callas Milano sleeveless turtleneck; also like the short sleeve style and this similar, in navy
secondhand Alberta Ferretti bracelet via eBay a collection of bakelite and resins we’re liking
secondhand Prada oxfords (2-tone version) more good ones here and these made me gasp! so delicate + chic (this pair is a must see even though it’s mens)
Why: I wanted to play with the sheer black textural looks and the white underpinnings. Up and out for a walk/talk with a long distance friend and to the cafe to work.Then to our HCC holiday outing with Wendy Duffy. More work. Dictating some writing while walking my catwalk. Stayed dressed for early dinner w/hub at a fun bar where Monday nights are a special limited number hamburger made from drippings from their parent steak restaurant. You can see I jumped right in on the dietary resolutions. LOLZ.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
TUESDAY
Morning - pre workout
What:
Left on Friday jumpsuit (I cut it shorter) + bra
Tibi pleated skirt (love the dress also!) linking all pleats for the sale and good selection (secondhand and more brands here too)
Celine flat tote (secondhand in black) and more good shoppers
Why: My usual desire to work and walk around pre workout without feeling so “out there.”
Outcome: Lofted Settledness and that is about how I feel … but NGL when Fana of Tibi called it out on IG I felt a certain wayyyyyy.
Afternoon
What:
Miu Miu poplin skirt (past season) I think these are fun and similar feel and more brands here I like, different colors but a similar silhouette
Canali men’s navy tee (would also rec my friend Sheila’s LONOCO Bree silk tee - same hand)
Secondhand LV black belt, this is embossed and a rare find - call us if you ever see one, Wendy says! (secondhand tonal options) and more good ones
Loub flats from our flats road test, the winnnnner + - finally have a great comp!
LONOCO brown sweater (and sharing this great value sweater, a donegal, of course found in the mens dept :)
Miu Miu distressed bag (more options) and here’s a good alt
Why: A day of writing, etc. Walking for research. I thought of taking the school girl shape and clean lines from the Prada show and letting the skirt do its thing.
Outcome: Ugh. I love the photo, artfully taken. But I was sad, I did not feel cute, my bra was not supportive, one sock was a quitter, I realized I am short waisted (it felt like my boobs were IN my waistband,) and I should have worn a tee with shoulder pads to hold up to that skirt. Oh well. Some days are like that. Keeping it real.
WEDNESDAY
morning
What:
Miu Miu sweater — you could also get the same effect with a pointelle tank as a layer
Made Revival Topanga tee rec via Jane Herman
Janessa Leone belt, which has holes all the way around; genius
Tibi Rudy flat (sold out) cousin Rudolph is similar — and we tried this brand and like the comfort and quality
Loewe large Paseo bag (note that you can make a lower offer) - and this sale Coperni is the vibe but smaller
Why: Workday for Honor Code - I think about something I won’t have to fuss with. Same idea as the look above, but this worked so much better. The elastic on this skirt, made by a Miami independent designer (who became a friend!), is much better, much more comfortable. Putting the same color belt a little below the top of the waist is a short waist hack. So is the light color layering on top - gives more heft to my upper section.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness
THURSDAY
morning
What:
The Upside tank - solid black here
Comme des Garçons pant, (sold out in white but avail in black) I also love this wool track pant and more here in a range of fabrics
Zadig & Voltaire suede shirt as scarf
secondhand Kelly (selection here) I like this brand and style (great sale!) and also Bolide as an alt and more top-handle bags
Vetements Bar Code socks, old but look at these!
Why: Cold (for MIA) morning - walking and working before hitting the gym.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
Day
What:
secondhand Loewe silk shirt — and look what Wendy found to add to a shirt you already own!
Miu Miu shorts (past season; a few around) — my color, navy … note I got a 44 and had them taken in so I got length. These are very cute. But how about these, from a brand I learned about from Leandra Medine Cohen ?
Secondhand Marni tote with pockets (a few pocket totes here) and an old friend from Barneys New York
Secondhand Prada oxfords (2-tone version) more good ones here
Why: Normal work-in-cafe day. I liked the idea of bringing out these shorts in a new way, recalling the runway using board shorts and a refined top and sheer socks,
Outcome: I liked it ok - but not lofted. Honestly I think I felt bad about myself because I was so pale.
night
What:
Secondhand Prada runway 2019 skirt more pleats as above in a range of fabrics
Sold Out NY tank 9see above)
Amazon knee highs (sigh)
Louboutin flats (above)
Marni sequin faille coat (veryyyy old) this coat is really unique in shape and fabric, again, call us if you find one!! This is a selection of somewhat ‘in the family’ and a different color, but I like this silhouette
Why: Headed out to an Arepas party with the girls. Wanted to be a little festive and wear my new (to me) skirt. It’s hard to tell but the top is truly sheer and you saw the tank under.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness (ish). I would like a narrow oxford better and a slightly lower sock. But this felt different and creative for me.
FRIDAY
What:
Rick Owens x Champion men’s shorts; I am in a large - current version and these Nikes ones look great
Sold Out NY black tank seems to be gone but this is a great comp/ /secondhand men’s Balenciaga long sleeve; try this alt; Wendy has been happy with their quality - size up — but in SLIGHTLY unrelated news, I reallllly want this. Mom got one already.
Margiela mules — you know I am obsessed w/these — // Louboutin flats (above)
Secondhand white Hermes JPG (including a good light blue) — (a boutique of others we like)
Grandmother’s pearls (so many cute ones around)
Why: I self tanned in the AM and so I then put on all black — then adjusted for the heat to go for a walk/work, not using the outfit I’d planned until the next evening.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness. Just - me.
SATURDAY
day
What
Secondhand men’s Burberry shirt (similar and this would work - great new option) and Balenciaga gray denim shorts; both from Veblen (these shorts look great + are on sale, haven’t bought the brand)
Secondhand Chanel shoes - Alt Chanel, 39. Miu Miu option, 9. A Chanel thong, 38. Tory, 37.5.
Miu Miu distressed bag — options
Emme Parsons belt comp
Why: Running around the Design District doing research. I am loving what a red plaid shirt gives me. And it’s light cotton so it’s “fall” but not hot. I thought the pearl gave good refinement as contrast.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
Night
What
Custom “bucket dress” made in navy for me by Valeria Krasavina
James Street tee - which really stands up to the dress
Old secondhand navy Prada socks (yes I buy secondhand socks, new with tags! I also look on sale. and wash them in a lingerie bag so they don’t go astray)
Old secondhand Tibi shoes (here, 41) - they are brown; it’s hard to see - here is a sale Victoria Beckham that we love.
Past season Miu Miu gray sweater — am I going to preorder this Tibi one? Yes, yes I fear I am.
Past season Men’s Prada triangle bag - here I replaced the strap it came with, using a chain that’s meant to go on jeans.
My very treasured LL, LLC Acte Mistere bracelet, I have 2 and they make me feel like me. This is not a financial deal or anything — just fell in love with this incredible artist, Lia. She has done an exclusive for HMS with vintage silver bands. They are magical. Might be one left! Be sure and look.
Why: Headed out to dinner at a low key but cute place in bustling Coconut Grove. This was another outfit I’d planned for the week then not worn, and it was great to have it in my back pocket ready to go.
This is also an example of my Kitchen Sink Neutrals theory at work. Navy sock/dress, white tee/bag, brown shoe, and then adding the gray sweater.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
SUNDAY
Day
Night
What:
Secondhand Gucci mens shirt, here’s one … More graphic “word” tees.
CDC plaid shorts from Dover Street Market last summer - small on sale on Cettire, medium on sale in the alt color … otherwise I would take a preppy plaid short, buy it very and mess around with it. (Ok I’d ask Wendy to mess around with it!)
Tods Yorky mocs, white on sale. Brown too. And a nice alt from Scarosso.
F is Fendi belt bag - remember you can make an offer here. (alt color for less.) - and the Me + Em option we got excited about. For $160, this would also have worked. We opened 3 bags from the independently owned brand today and were REALLY IMPRESSED.
Old Celine R: To search, “Old Celine bamboo letter necklace.” Many more alphabet options here.
Gushi Studio key necklace (sold out - but follow them on IG for upcoming releases) and these would be cool to add to a leather cord
Why: The Go Big theory. We went to Jupiter + Palm Beach or the day to be with family. Palm Beach is preppy, and what I do when encountering a situation that’s not exactly me (preppy, Mainer, garden party) is to go even bigger on those ideas. Then it feels like a wink, and THAT feels like me. So the Gucci on the tee and the plaid short and the gold letter and the moccasin — that ALL made it playful. Adding the key, in which you feel the evidence of hand makes it so personal.
At night, we went out to a cool and scene-y restaurant, so I added
Old Prada cropped blazer
Miu Miu cut socks (or, adorable and much less $$) and Miu Miu sandals (6.5 on sale. More sizes. Black on sale w/sizes.)
I took the belt bag apart and used it as a belt and a clutch.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
OUTFIT PLANNING
INCYMI watch the most recent here!
This week: Rip off the band aid. Wearing all your new pieces.
Next week: What haven’t you done with denim? Have you … Borrowed someone else’s? Paper bagged the waist? Added an apron? Unzipped the zip? Left it alone with a white shirt? Made a 3 piece suit? Used it as a third piece? Trying things you haven’t tried before with everyone’s favorite item. And if that’s work-prohibitive, swap denim for another arsenal classic like a navy blazer or grey trousers.
XOXO,
Rachel + Wendy
Notes:
I am using affiliate links. In fact here’s a whole post on it. And another. Thank you for using these links to shop. Every little bit helps!
Our 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.
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:
TREATS
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CLOTHES
ASHER: 15% off with code RACHEL15
CALLAS MILANO : 15% off with code HMS15
FRAME: 15% off with code HMS15
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LEFT ON FRIDAY: 10% off with code HMS10
LUISAVIAROMA: 30% off full price items with this link and code LOVEX30 (excluding Adidas & Salomon)
RE/DONE: 10% off with code HMS10
SANCTUARY: 15% off with code RS15
SANI: 20% off with code HMS20
SHOES
BEEK: 10% off with code HMS10
MARION PARKE: 15% off with code HMS15
NOMASEI: 15% off with code HMS15
SCAROSSO: 20% off with code HMS20
JEWELRY
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ACCESSORIES
JANESSA LEONE (and sweaters) 15% off with code HMS15
SARDINE: (sunglasses) 15% off with code HMS15
BEAUTY + WELLNESS
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WELLECO: 15% off with code HMS15
The way I gobble up every single one of these outfit diary posts!!! This one was outstanding.
Gosh how are you so creative?! Just in awe.
And we’re always our own worst critic. I didn’t see anything bad or wrong at all with your Tuesday outfit! But I appreciate you normalizing off days and keeping it real ❤️