I have been starting to write many times over the past week but have felt paralyzed by the constant barrage of the media cycle…Gaza, Sudan, Mike Johnson (and his wife!), always Trump…this collective grief we all share. Then this morning, I was reading the latest Passerby substack by writer Danya Issawi, a writer at New York Magazine and The Cut and her words really struck a chord, “ I am in New York, folding my laundry in the quiet, and people are scrounging for bread and digging through rubble with their bare hands looking for a brother, a mother, a father, a pet, looking for a sign of love somewhere in the gray. It could have been me, under a building, behind that wall, catching glimpses of the sea, sleeping in a tent, or never sleeping again. Maybe it should have been me.” She then discusses going about her day to day to-do’s and contemplates, does any of it matter? I think this is such a common feeling for all of us now with so much to digest and it’s hard to know what to say when so much is incomprehensible. If you know me well, you know I LOVE bread, the “food of life,” and so many aid workers are working hard to get flour and grains to people in need. I wanted to share a link to The World Central Kitchen, an impartial organization whose mission is just to feed people in need.
In search of some great news, it was enlightening to hear that Venus, the planet of love, beauty, values, and desires—is transiting into Libra for the next four weeks (from November 8 through December 4). It seems as though Venus is finally happy again and we just might have the opportunity to experience radical breakthroughs in both love and abundance.
And because this place is meant to be where I write and share about style, I want to talk about the color often associated with love (lust) and abundance, Red.
Red isn’t just “red hot” or “the color of the season,” it’s empowering. I know this, not just from my own sartorial choices, but also the significant impact it makes on those I often dress when costume designing a project. Wearing a red suit or red leather jacket really does boost confidence and courage, it stimulates excitement and energy. And then there is the question, how will we choose to be perceived? Everything we wear implies something and that can make dressing complicated as well. Does red also signify danger, anger and the other darker side of power?
Dressing and style is an art and also can be used to start a dialogue. There isn’t just one meaning, there are many layers to unravel, but most importantly, fashion should be something we use for a bit of magic and our own storytelling. I could continue on about the medium of fashion and the role it plays on expression and identity, but instead I want to share some red pieces I’ve been wanting or wearing. I hope you can feel excited to get dressed and convey your own style, to find some whimsy in every look, some levity.
The Row Summer 24, Tory Burch, FW 2023
Whether wearing a fiery tomato red, a cherry, a deep bordeaux - styling with a camely beige or other fall/winter neutrals like chocolate browns or denim blues/navy is always a good idea and a nice change from your usual black and whites. I’ve been wanting this COS red knit pullover sweater below and these brown wide leg pants from their new COS Atelier line.
The cardigan by &Daughter, named for the idea of lovingly passing clothes down through generations, locally produces knitwear using 100% natural yarns, and I love the idea of wearing it over a tank or tee with jeans and loafers. They also make a beautiful vest (or tank if you prefer) that is also so great for layering.
Zoe Kravitz can do no wrong in my book and I love how she replaced a classic white button down with a red one layered over a white tank, worn with a brown silk pant and matching red pouf purse.
Another great alternative is to wear a red turtleneck layered under your classic white shirting or boxy, oversized blazer. I am always searching the Real Real for specifics like this by great brands.
More layered looks - the Jesse Kamm handy pants paired with an oversized vintage leather and a cardigan with some tweedy suiting now that the temperatures have dipped.
I am always a fan of a bright pant with a neutral outfit and there is a great Acne pair on sale at Net-A-Porter as well as so many others when searching Real Real (like these leather Adam Lippes or Prabal Gurung’s with interesting pockets). These Proenza Schouler ones are also a great classic cropped fit for wearing during the day with sneakers or loafers or at night with an ankle boot or heel.
When not in the mood for an all red look, it’s fun to carry a playful lil red bag like the one above by Maryam Nassir Zadeh. I wear this one often by a local LA brand I adore, LOQ. It is perfect for carrying just a few items and cross body for hands free. Lindquist is another favorite brand I’ve been working with and wearing the last few months. This Persimmon color is the perfect tomato-red and they have all sorts of cute small sizes.
Red jewelry is another way I wear the color often, wearing a vintage coral necklace given to me by my mother. There are so many beautiful red stone necklaces around these days from this Jasper one above by Sophie Buhai (definitely a splurge) to this LIÉ STUDIO's one.
Red shoes are really my personal favorite way to wear the color. I would wear this Celine pair above from the Real Real with wide leg jeans and a tee and blazer or the classic Adidas Gazelles and Sambas.
Just a few other red pieces I have my eye on…
The cotton jersey tee above by Proenza Schouler. Love the wide boxy sleeves + nipped in waist.
A ribbed turtleneck by Alex Mill
Recreating this The Row look
or this Red leather trench look by Gabriela Hearst.
A perfect red v neck sweater, like this one by Maryam Nassir Zadeh at Brooklyn favorite, Tangerine.
More red knits by James Street Co., a brand that uses natural fibers / no synthetics.
Red socks in cashmere or cotton with loafers by a favorite brand.
This ribbed knit cardigan with jeans or the matching skirt.
A shrunken knit sweater or oversized turtleneck (The Row on sale but still pricey!) to layer with a camel pant.
A red scarf for upcoming cooler months. This one + hat.
Everything in The Real Real MINIMAL EDIT.
Thanks for reading and spending time with me here. Let me know what else you would love to see and read in the comments below. Speak soon.
x
Claire