Welcome to Style / Substance, a newsletter about personal style, confidence, and the psychology of fashion. Features include outfit ideas, styling & clothing care tips, reflections on how style can transform you, and product/brand recommendations to make your life easier and ensure you present your best self.
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This past week, I was in New York City servicing clients, shopping, and taking in spring style… and the bright orange tulips on Park Ave. Thanks to the dynamic people-watching and constant street strolling, I always leave there inspired. The biggest takeaway—everyone… well, almost everyone… is in sneakers. I wore my Samba’s (full size down) + Loewe’s (take normal size + size up for 1/2 sizes) most days. But I still reserve the right for heels, especially going into these warmer months.
Highlights from this trip include a salon-style round table conversation at Fashionphile with their CEO and an intimate group of luxury fashion experts from media, advertising, tech, retail, and resale. A fascinating 2.5-hour conversation about how to foster consumer connection within the second-hand market. If you’re in NYC, their showroom is a place not to be missed. You walk past the “cage,” which you can peer in to see their extended colorful inventory… mostly a rainbow of Hermès (and many more brands… Louis Vuitton, Chanel, YSL, Prada, Rolex, to name a few)… and land in an open and sunny showroom with shelves full of their latest rotation of available inventory to touch, try out, snap a photo with, and shop.
Throughout the trip, I visited a few clients’ closets for their seasonal spring clean-out, got to pet their dogs, and play cute games with their kids. Hugged old friends, did a TA workout and a long walk through Central Park, and met a new friend for bites where we sat outside (finally!).
Hosted a client at Bergdorf Goodman for a curated shopping experience (these are a new offering from LKS). She walked into her private suite on the personal styling floor and said, “This room is entirely me.” I pre-pull items before arrival; we talk about a few things she might be looking for prior to the appointment, and then I curate items from the store for her to try on with no pressure in the privacy of a styling conversation between the two of us. Champagne, high tea service, and caviar were served. It was really special. She flew home to have her box of new goodies shipped to her the next day, greeting her in the comfort of her closet. How nice to not have to “make room” in your luggage for the return flight when you’re shopping while traveling.
I stopped at a few stores on this trip, too. I stay near Madison Avenue, which is a favorite stretch to walk in NYC and shop because you can find everything from Vince to Carolina Herrera. I popped into the new Me+Em store and left with these cargo pants (size up, FYI) and a cropped shirt (take your standard size). To top off my trip, I stocked up on my favorite Orangettes from La Maison du Chocolat.
Until next time, New York 🍎
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🧶 State of Cotton Sweaters
*This is a partnership post.
While in the city, I also captured a few spring sweater looks from NY-based knitwear brand State of Cotton. I discovered them on IG earlier this season and quickly fell for their classic styles, colors, fit, and unfussy approach to what they stand for.
I love a cotton sweater for a few reasons:
Soft to the touch — cotton is often more comfortable than wool, mohair, and some cashmere. I know a lot of clients who avoid these latter materials due to skin sensitivity. Cotton tends to be itch-free.
Breathable — lighter weight, year-round materialization, and the best choice to avoid overheating.
Machine washable — though I still wash cotton knits on delicate, they’re not prone to shrinkage like other knitwear in your closets. Care tip: turn inside out + wash them in the mesh bag that’s included in your order from State of Cotton. Lay flat to air dry. Cool-low warm iron if needed.
State of Cotton delivers on all of the above. They also nail it on a purely classic aesthetic. No matter your style preferences or archetype, these knits cross the line from preppy to metropolitan to minimalist.
I’ve styled three of their sweaters for your transitional spring season.