You bought it on the side of the road/at a fair/at a flea market/from a maker in Mexico, etc... here's how to wear it.
Plus: I am getting into the swing of New England dressing. What I wore all week.
Summer! It’s risky. Ok maybe not REALLY risky. (Gratefully have bypassed Hamptons shares ala Summer House - toe sucking! - and SATC - crabs!) But if your enemy is owning things you don’t use, it’s risky. I am constantly in some state of paring down/selling off. And summer’s rife with emotional, once-in-a-lifetime (!) shopping moments. Honestly, the word “marketplace” makes me have to take a few yoga breaths. It can end with some weird thing on your bedside table that feels as regrettable as some weirdo in your bed might.
As with most things, growing up and knowing myself has made me better at knowing what I want and don’t want, even with the magical salty Greek air (or a musty roadside bargain) in my nostrils.
But like the room service waiter summer boyfriend who got jealous when I needed to study in the fall, the most exciting summer pickup can be hard to incorporate into real life.
So I challenged you (and me) to try making these summer loves our own, at least for a week. (See the challenge/planning on ig here.) And learned a lot in the process.
First, the takeaways.
When picking up a piece on your travels, try not to get too swept up. Limit the quantity (I bought two tops in Mexico City made from vintage table cloths, but didn’t need both!). Also, limit pickups to what you unabashedly love and have an emotional response to. That will ensure more pleasure working with them later.
As always, and maybe more so, avoid pickups that raise rather than answer questions. I bought sunglasses intending to have them made into prescription; I never did. Keep it light. Don’t give yourself a project or a headache.
Inject modernity. Many of these pieces harken to craft and sometimes a bygone craft - using Tibi’s antonym approach, you get friction and feel more yourself when bringing overt modernity to the mix. Another word to consider is “sharpness.”
My Security Blanket formula rides again — The key with these pieces that feel less immediately like you is mixing them with things that are very deeply like you. Try one part market vibe, one part Security Blanket, one part something firmly right now. (often Tibi enters the calculus for me as the right now).
Bring the thing back to what it IS. An
theory. If it looks like a T-shirt, even if it’s beaded or whatever, treat it like a tee shirt. If strange beads look like a string of pearls, try them as you would pearls, etc.Summer buys often incorporate print and flourishes - try going FURTHER with those. Woven pieces, tasseled bags, etc. Instead of putting the one piece against, say, a modern navy dress where it pops, try making the flourishes more soothing and incorporated by adding — create a full on print mix or a Tibi “ton” of color.
Don’t shoot, but some overt luxury helps. This is where I like a logo! The battered $100 LV cosmetic case from eBay, the Gucci tote I trot out year after year. Somehow they are playful and an interesting counterpoint to something handmade, filmy, etc. And another print in a print mix.
Consider easy DIY moves to make something you bought yours. One of the pieces I wore this week was a necklace our Market Editor
made for me using wood beads strung on a vintage Ralph Lauren scarf. She also gives an easy how-to here if you pick up a necklace and want to pick out the single bead you love, for example. I could see swapping out the buttons on something, etc.
MONDAY
What:
Tibi Charlie shirt (this one is older) and more striped options ALSO: one small left in this and I love it … the ties can just hang down
Necklace handmade by
and …
you can DIY one with her guidance! (Here is the cord.)
Why: Having a normal workday. Most “work-y” of the week. I love Wendy’s handcrafted necklace — but if I wore it with a denim shirt and floral skirt and 2 strap sandals, it would not feel like me. This shirt is a security blanket. And the shoes give such modernity and sharpness with the textured leather, weird color, point toe. They’re also all-day comfy.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness. HOWEVER, the skirt is tight at the waist. I wore it unbuttoned! And sold it. I have enough suitable items to use.
after work
I felt so comfy and good hanging around in this! It was all the neutrals, and the silver shoe, I think. (Those are half price here.) My sweats are old Lulu but try these. Worn with this + this.
TUESDAY
Blue Riand 28 Stevie shirt (THIS would also work really well here. Volume + irony.)
Comme Si silk bermudas — quickly becoming a HERO of summer
cute little crochet piece from a Chicago flea market and here are similar styles
Why: This little crochet thing is SO NOT ME. Yet it made me smile. I love the colors. It packed into my handbag and was low commitment. I played with lots of ways to use it. This felt unfussy and easy. And I loved what felt like a randomness in the color combo - this was a little of what I call “poison.” I had worked in my workout clothes (“marinated” as
says) and put this on for a casual dinner with my Gubbie and a couple 30 min walks in each direction.Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
WEDNESDAY
What:
Past season Anderson’s vegetable leather O-Ring belt and more styles here
Gucci bag — and more good print bags for all your print mix desires!
Earrings from the post below, made by an artist named Holly Nolan from the Mowa band of Choctaw; her brand is Lillie Nell.
Hey, M. Park
A note - I am not using a paywall here because this post references important issues that I believe are good to share as widely as possible. I ask that you please help me by doing just that! Warmly, Rachel.
Why:
This dress was a sleeper hit. I thought it was a mistake at one point, and now I use it all the time. With the beaded earring, I wanted to create a print mix situation. The dress and earring alone were not enough. The pant added both color and another graphic element. And I love toning things down/adding friction with a vegetable leather belt. It referenced the casualness of the earring, too. I worked all day in this; it was super comfy, and a cool young woman stopped me to compliment me as I left a cafe.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
I had lunch with mom and dad in it too! Obsessed! You know that already.
THURSDAY
What:
Little vintage negligee top from Gushi Studio — drop 4 coming! Follow here. I trust Nicole’s curation! But if you’re craving it right now … options from new to vintage for you here.
Old Margiela cropped pants and other good alts here. OFC these Tibi’s are it. I prefer this to the ones you can adjust because I always want them like this, uncuffed.
Past season Tibi muscle shirt with more versions for you
Monkey (priceless and unavailable, but please adopt your own! Baby!)
Why: Marinated in workout clothes all day. And my new
sweatshirt, which is heaven. I’m in an XL.
At night, went to dinner w/my hub and son at a cute Korean restaurant. Wanted to be festive and low key. Lingerie pieces are something I always look for at summer flea markets, but I never have found the perfect one until now! ADORING my Gushi Studio treasures. Mixed it with a lot of masc stuff; it was the perfect 3rd piece. Generally don’t do light over dark, but I liked the way it popped the top and felt graphic.
Side note- this old Tibi tee is xxs. Size to the fit you want. Tibi usually has lots of flexibility, too. Don’t live in fear of numbers or letters!
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
FRIDAY
What:
Shirt crafted from vintage tablecloth by a designer I discovered one summer in Mexico City
Stewart Weitzman jelly shoes — and more fun interesting jellies
Black Lululemon sweatpants (old) — more good sweatpants here
Old, secondhand Lemaire Fold crossbody (current love + great quality)
Oversized navy blazer around waist is old + secondhand Nomia — this current Tibi would do it well too (summer, waist-wearable, good navy)
Why:
Started the day with a couple long calls that I took while walking. Then did some writing and we drove to Marion for the weekend. With my top from Mexico made of vintage table cloths, I wanted something modern, reliable, and un-dainty. I intended to use my beloved Winslows, but of course they were dirty! It was cool in the morning and freezing in the car, so the black sweats worked well. The shiny bracelet gave them some friction and was chunky and modern enough to help the top out.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
SATURDAY
day — My FIL is so cute and my hub looks JUST like him!
What:
Mulxiply dress - on sale! With a mission!
Jelly shoes + Gucci tote as above
Why: I wish I had a good picture because this is actually a great formula. Strappy dress, graphic tee, large shirt tightly tied at the waist + open shoe. Easy, casual, feel like myself, layerable + de-layerable. Every summer we go to Portland and I stop at my friend Tanja’s incredible shop. This is striped (me) and easy (me) but the hempy fabric is a little more boho than what I typically wear. Adding the jelly sandal, the Gucci tote and a graphic tee, removing the self belt and belting with a shirt — these things make it totally me.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
Sat night
What:
old R13 polo shirt / tunic /dress (sold out); good options here — I like wearing my “monogram” — more on this coming …
old Tibi check shirt - here is the more recent one
old Jil Sander slim sandal and other slim options
Why: Went to a casual dinner at a restaurant in New Bedford and an ice cream after. This is another formula I like in summer — a big wide shirt dress (size up to get a little more length and relaxation, especially with shorter styles) with a button up around the waist for coverage/AC and a super slim shoe for contrast. You could also do the slim Havaianas flip flops, but the leather gives even more contrast.
Outcome:
Lofted Settledness. Just what a formula is for — works every time.
SUNDAY
What:
Tibi Calder sweatpants (am I getting the pink ones? you know I want to … sigh.)
secondhand Greg Lauren shirt and other patched styles
John Elliott tank and more sheer cropped tanks/muscle tanks with boxiness
old M.Gemi sandals (I haven’t tried these, but it’s the right shape and more refined than a Birk. These Miu Mius are yummy and comfy — currently on my wishlist — for a different spin on sock-taking shoe that can get you through fall too.
My miracle socks from this post:
Subscriber request: What should I buy? And what should I not buy?
One of the things I really like to do for my dear paid subscribers is answer all of your questions! I know $80/year is not nothing, and I feel like this is a way to provide something of genuine value to you.
FUN FACT: did you know I have since lowered the cost to $74/year? More on the “why” of this coming.
Why: Morning in a coastal town. It’s cold and you want cozy. But with some oomph. Sweats, naturally. But this shirt is like a flannel and a jean jacket had a baby and it feels both low key and “fashion.” Shoe practicality — I wanted cozy feet and something to slip on as I go from house to house.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness. This weekend away felt like I was settling into NE style.
Sun night
What:
John Elliot sleeveless tee (as above)
Secondhand Appartment a Louer wood heart necklace
Cowrie shell choker like this
White Goldsign cropped jeans I cut off into shorts - today I would leave them longer — the ultimate!
Why: It warmed up; it was time to go, and I had no time to think. White and white and white and white. Or off white. Ofc, my black cat Louise insisted on being held most of the ride :-) A chic “fur layer” was added, along with those jelly thongs.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness. Tonal looks are often a relief.
OUTFIT PLANNING
This week: Let’s re-hit our “neverworns” ala
— I want us to weed out off summer stuff we’re holding onto - use it or lose it. Watch here.Next week: Dressing summer dresses up and down. Getting more hits from a one hit wonder. Inspired by my friend Rose here.
Let’s get dressed.
XOXO,
Rachel
Notes:
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!
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.
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
YOU ONLY NEED ONE is a thing I need to tattoo on my arm. But I’m trying bc it really is always right
This is great advice and inspiration, since we all accumulate these knick knacks. I’m going to remember “you only need one” (says she who bought three sarongs one vacation 😥)