I’m so excited to be back in New York for a few days of fashion week and meetings! My parents recently retired and moved near a state park where we took our family vacations when I was growing up each year. I went there last week for Labor Day and my older sister came from Ohio with her kids too. We went to a state fair and I ate my first deep-fried Oreo! (Which seemed like an important American rite of passage). Afterward, my dad dropped me at the train station and I was telling him about my day and that I hoped I had enough energy. He said that whenever he goes to New York, the city has so much spirit that he is instantly full of adrenaline. He was right. The moment I came out of Penn Station I was so excited by the buzz of everything that I walked my big suitcase the 10+ blocks to my hotel!
Sometimes I wonder why I didn’t spend more time while I lived in New York just going to the park, taking whole days to aimlessly walk through museums. Then when I’m actually in the city I remember how much you constantly feel the need to go, go, go! Now when I come, I try to allow some time to just experience the wonder of the city. I went to the Armory show yesterday and that was nice to see all of the art too. Color is so inspiring.
I ordered some vintage and second-hand finds that were too complicated to ship to Europe over the past few months, so that’s been exciting. I ordered some vintage Ferragamo flats which seem perfect for this moment. The AAA’s I ordered were sadly too narrow (I should have known) but a great croc pair with a bow fit me like Cinderella (wearing them in the photos below). I also ordered a cream Prada Spring 2006 dress which I can’t wait to wear…I think it’s the perfect palette for my short blonde bob.
Being in New York and seeing that J. Crew relaunched their catalog made me excited to go and try on some things in the store. I really like the above shrunken brushed cashmere sweater (also comes in a great vintage red that reminds me of the film Paris, Texas).
However, the piece that made me actually go to the store was the above long barn jacket which I saw in the catalog and instantly fell in love with (reminds me of an old Hermès coat that was ultimately too destroyed, no matter how much I scrubbed it with marseille soap). They didn’t have this in store so I ordered it and tried on the below checked version instead.
So chic! I love these long barn jackets. (PS please take note of my cute little vintage Ferragamo flats!)
I also tried the little brushed sweater with these pants. With a slim black belt I think it could be a really nice look (I’ve been eyeing this second-hand Toteme belt).
I also tried on a great headband that reminded me of Carolyn Bessette. It’s funny because I love color and print, and will still wear those things and all my playful vintage clothing, but for some reason I’m always craving a slightly more classic Carolyn Bessette-esq style in the Fall. She didn’t wear jewelry or visible labels and her makeup was minimal too. She dressed in a limited palette of mainly black and shades of neutrals. She was essentially a chic cup of coffee.
Anyway, I’ve noticed myself taking off one or two things before I leave the house lately. The little antique Pennisi earrings I’m wearing here are the only jewelry I packed for New York.
But then of course, just when I think I’m a minimalist for Fall, I see this very pretty Prada-esq sequined yellow bra top and I’m back to my colorful ways!! Style is so funny because as long as you’re trying on new things and experimenting, it’s always evolving.
I do think it makes sense that your style slightly refines over time if you keep playing at it though. It’s the same as constantly exposing yourself to new concepts, places, etc., you’re bound to grow if you keep experimenting and exploring - but at the same time you discover what you like and that becomes more refined. That’s why it’s so fun to go try some things on and even more fun to fall down a Pinterest rabbit hole, as I did with old J.Crew catalogs.
Of course everything goes through waves too. Perhaps I’m feeling more minimal at the moment and it will change again in six months. When I was putting together last month’s Vogue vintage column on old Prada, I found myself for the first time drawn towards 1990s collections just as much as the ones I typically gravitate towards from the later 2000s.
Can you spot me in the catalog above? :)
I brought some great vintage with me and am excited to mix and match that with my new vintage and the J.Crew jacket I ordered. Will post pic’s next week of all the looks!
xx
Jenny