Five Journalistic Questions #2 (Hehe)
What are we wearing during this weird weather?
Hi! It’s been approximately 113 days since we last spoke. I’m (kind of) sorry. My perfectionism held me hostage, and it did not want to let me go. This has inspired me to release these dispatches a bit differently. Instead of one long newsletter with five sections, I’m going to drop one section on a biweekly basis. Fewer sections, fewer opportunities for imposter syndrome to get its debilitating hands on me, and an increased frequency of posts. This week, I’m writing about what’s been helping me get dressed in this weird (see: miserably sweltering) New York weather. Enjoy!
What (do I wear in this weather?): The atmosphere is currently more unstable than New York’s dating landscape. One day, I’m skipping through the breezy streets like Nicole Kidman in her post-divorce euphoria; the next, I kick myself for not living in a drier climate. It’s currently sweltering, and the humidity is out…of…control. Not only is the weather machine on the fritz, but my closet is, too. This is the time of year when my closet, room, and apartment become explosive because I can’t discern what items will take me through muggy days in the eighties to airy nights that hover around the low seventies. Thankfully, I have a few workhorse items that haven’t let me down when the steaminess gets oppressive and the weather refuses to regulate.
Breezy Trousers: I can’t say that these pants are exclusive to spring, but I have noticed an uptick in what I’m reaching for when I get dressed to run an errand, evade subway fare, or touch grass in Central Park. The first is my tried and true Ganni wool trousers that I snagged on TRR for $50, and I’ve worn pretty much everywhere. I know you’re thinking, “Summer? Wool?! WTF?!” I know it sounds absurd, but summer wool is a thing, and on breezy summer nights, they’re a dream! They’re currently out of commission and at the dry cleaners getting a much-needed refresh, but when they return, it’s over for the other pants in my closet. The next pair is an easily washable BDG gingham cargo-esque pant from Urban Outfitters. I was apprehensive about admitting I still shop at UO because, let social media tell it, it’s “declasse” to shop anywhere but in the luxury sector nowadays. TheRealReal, Farfetch, or SSENSE (all of which I indulge in occasionally) are not the end-all-be-all to finding a quality pair of pants. The trousers were $75 (I know, I should’ve waited for the sale), but the 100% cotton trews will be in heavy rotation for the foreseeable future. Cost-per-wear will not be an issue.
Tank Tops and…Sweater Vests: I know. You looked at the weather report after reading the latter topic of this graph and thought, “This girl is out of her fucking mind again. First, wool trousers, and now sweater vest.” Hear me out, though. Fabrication and PR are the only differences between a tank top and a sweater vest. One is heralded as a staple for spring/summer, and the other is a hallmark of academia and autumn. However, when I was flummoxed by the weather and pressed for time, I threw on the vest, jutting the rules of convention. I’m here to testify that no one threw tomatoes, and no one called for my imprisonment because I dared to don a knit vest in 70º+ weather. I’ve grown quite fond of knit and textured tanks in the last year, one of my favorites being a lavender number from Arthur Apparel (you’ll hear a lot about them in this newsletter). It’s mohair and a bit translucent but can easily be layered, perfect for those who like to tinker with their state of undress. I wore it recently to Korean BBQ with friends, and after transiting a rainstorm, it survived pickled onions, kimchi stew, and acid rain. It’s a keeper
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Short sets: I have a fascination with cotton pajama sets. I may be projecting what I want to see, but they exude an efficiency within the home and self that cannot be understated. I guess I’ve applied that same logic to short sets, which, if we’re being honest with ourselves, are just socially acceptable forms of pajamas to wear alfresco while being perceived by others. I’ve recently invested in a green-striped situation that I’m excited to mix and match with another set AYR gifted me a couple of years ago. It’s a perfect, commonsensical ensemble that fools others into believing my life isn’t currently disintegrating. Short sets are also great for a park hang, dissociating on the subway, brunch, or hopping on a call that could have been an email.
(The next best thing is poplin shorts, which will be featured in a future dispatch because I just got a pair on sale.)
Buttery flats: It’s the summer of the flat. Turn a corner in New York City, and flats of various styles and textiles have virtually replaced the presence of sandals. They’re all the rage, especially the Alaïa mesh mary jane that I may or may not have compared to a lingerie wash bag when communicating my confusion about the trend to a friend. However, it’s merely an observation because this mesh footwear has proven powerful in its ability to commandeer Miu Miu’s “balletcore” domination and create a buzz of such proportion that placed the luxury design house and Amazon in the same sentence. I’m not too good for a trend, though. I love a mary jane and will always have a pair within arm’s reach. Be that as it may, my current fantasy flat is the Proenza Schouler Studded Glove Slippers. I don’t own these (yet), but I would if I could. They’d fold so seamlessly into my life. I’ve already romanticized them in various ways, e.g., sauntering the sidewalk after a fresh rainstorm or running to catch up with a friend over a midweek cocktail– or, in my case, a ginger beer. Perfect for sitting on the stoop into the evening with friends or walking around the block to clear one’s head. It’s a shoe for the everyday. It’s a shoe I hope to get my hands on soon! *fingers crossed*
That wraps up the second dispatch of Five Journalistic Questions. I hope this helped make your weird weather wardrobe a bit more practical or pointed you toward pieces that pique your curiosity. If you have any suggestions of your own, drop them in the comments or share them with me via Instagram. Let’s talk! I’ll be back with another dispatch in two weeks to tell you about some other fashion person/place/thing that’s on my mind. Ciao!
thank you for your service! getting dressed has in fact been miserable