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style notes #21

I really do beat to the drum of every day being an opportunity to take the stage, decide who you want to be that day, and then get dressed. So here are a few characters that have been making their way into the world lately…

“Blooming in Beverly Hills”

I thrifted this Armani pinstripe blazer at Savers, and the second I put it on, I feel like I have somewhere very important to be… perhaps a day spent wandering Beverly Hills.

I paired it with vintage DKNY trousers from Numbered Market and a pair of two tone Cole Haan mules I recently thrifted at Savers. The foundation felt classic, but the styling magic really came from the details: an exaggerated strand of pearls, a bold chrysanthemum brooch I found on Etsy, and my burgundy Elleme bag, which felt like the perfect finishing touch.

Equal parts socialite, vintage collector, and woman who never misses an opportunity to play dress up!

“Prints, Pretty Please”

This look became a joyful pile-up of colors, prints, and personalities. I layered a striped Maravic Collection trench over a vintage floral apron top and a pair of tropical print pants I found on eBay years ago. None of it should make sense together, which is exactly why it does.

The finishing touches were my Maison Ola hat, dalmatian print Mary Janes, and a vintage Miu Miu bag I found at Crossroads.

Part sunshine manifestation and part full on dress up party!

“The Uptown Eccentric”

Lately, I’ve been craving a return to the kind of fabulous, over-the-top eighties dressing. Taking a few lessons from Pat Field, I built this look around a painted skeleton dolman jacket and cinched it with a gaudy gold + purple waist belt that I thrifted years ago.

Then came even more eighties goodness: oversized purple + gold button earrings, T-strap Miu Miu heels I found on eBay, and a leather pencil skirt that grounded all the over-the-topness. The final touch was my New Yorker tote, because every eccentric city woman needs something practical to carry all the things.

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Dianne and I pour so much time, creativity, and love into creating these weekly little worlds of outfit ideas, shopping finds, styling inspiration, and all the magic that happens inside the Dress Up Closet. Supporting the newsletter helps us keep creating, dreaming up new ideas, and making this space even better each week.

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WATCH THE LATEST…

I had an epic thrift day that resulted in finds from Christian Lacroix, Jil Sander, and Alexander Wang… just to name a few of the juicy treasures that came home with me.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera that day, so instead I’m bringing you into the dress up closet for a little show-and-tell. Because when a thrift day is this magical, I have to share the finds. ✨

watch the episode

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FINDING MY FAVES: the uniform pants + chrysanthemum brooch

I’ve been wearing my “Quarterdeck Collection” uniform pants so often that it felt necessary to source a few more pairs. The striped versions (below) had me at hello.

And then there’s the chrysanthemum brooch. Pin it to anything and everything and I can promise your outfit will feel a little extra magical.

1. DSCP Navy Blue Uniform Dress Pants Trousers - Size 33R $24.75

2. DSCP Dress Blue Pants Gold Stripe Uniform Wool Blend Mens 34Lx30 $33.94

3. DSCP Pants 32x30 Blue Stripe Uniform Pants $29.99

4. DSCP Blue Dress Pants‎ Men’s 30R $25

shop the Large Chrysanthemum floral brooch