Famously, I equate my style to something I like to refer to as “toddler chic.” Now, if you’re new here, or don't know me personally, you probably think this is the most ridiculous phrase you’ve ever heard. To that, I have two responses. First, it is absolutely absurd (I recognize this) but it fully encompasses what is a child-like sense of accessorizing and dressing in a way to make yourself look oh so very cool yet juvenile (aka the best combination and an excuse to wear bows and frilly things even in adulthood). And, second, toddler chic is small fish to what I’m planning on unleashing this summer.
If you know me, you also know that I do not wear a lot of colors. This has been a pivotal aspect of my personality for the longest time and an ongoing commentary from everyone around me. To be fair, I don’t ever do anything to discourage these conversations given that I show up to pools fully dressed in black and not planning on ever actually getting in the water NOR wearing a swimsuit 9 times out of ten. I was (and still partially am) always in neutrals, always black and grey with the occasional white, and “elevated basics.” Well, that style evolved into toddler chic as I began buying more color and now it is evolving into something even better: Cowboy-Ballerina-Adam-Sandler-Core (there is really no acronym for this… It’s not too catchy but it gets the point across - I feel you need the whole thing).
So, to define Cowboy-Ballerina-Adam-Sandler-Core, I’m doing to break it down piece by piece.
Cowboy: This is probably the most obvious of all parts of this “style.” Western clothing, cowboys, etc. are having SUCH a moment right now - think peak 1970s cowboy or like deeeep woods country with lots of camo accents and maybe a sprinkle of neon orange. Cowboy boots have taken the streets of Manhattan and the TikTok girlies by storm. I am personally a big ol’ fan of my cowboy boots and they make such a cute accessory. Western wear is also ever present in the pop-culture in general (the canadian tuxedo making a comeback a la Julia Fox and Kanye) and everyones seems to need to wear a cowgirl hat at every bachelorette party in existance ever (no shade but like please try and be a bit original?). Cowboys are also just super badass and I think at the end of the day it just comes down to the fact we all want to be as cool as a cowboy/cowgirl (and then morph into Kacey Musgraves somehow).
Ballerina: BALLET CORE IS HUGE AND IT’S NOT GOING ANYWHERE. Orion Carloto. Ourseund Iris. Los Angeles Apparel. Devon Lee Carlson. The coolest of cool girls and the brands they shop are all going down this rabbit hole of ballet core. That means wearing a frilly skirt with a slicked back bun. Wearing bloomers and lacy tops. It’s almost like a modern, sluttier Marie Antoinette meets a childrens ballet class (probably not okay to say this). But, the idea is there and needless to say so are the ballet flats (like, seriously, get a pair). It’s very frilly, ruffly items that play with motion and incorporate sheer fabrics and bows. It’s the girliest of girly but also classic and clean (but not in the olaplex bun green juice “clean” way).
Adam Sandler: It all starts and goes back to the ICONIC pictures of Adam Sandler and his “street style” (and lack thereof). Please see below as a reference point. The base of the outfit is pretty much the same - oversized pants (typically in the form of basketball shorts) with a loose-fitting top and a statement shoe. I don’t think Adam is trying to be a style icon here, but he really truly is and these images have been STUCK in my head since 2021 (one of the many internet pictures I frequently refer to). I also love how every item is something you can find at a thrift store in some absurdly large size for you and instead of that whole “thrift flip” thing you just leave as-if and wallow in the poorly fit glory that is!
Last week, while I was thrifting in San Diego, I had this epiphany whilst shopping that I need to dress without caring what other people think (seems obvious but I am naturally very impacted by my perception of others’ perceptions of me). This realization resulted in me buying men’s XXXL basketball shorts that I have to tie so tight around my waist they have a nice little bow and an oversized blazer to wear with my ribbon-bowed braids, a Brandy Melville baby tee, and cowboy boots (and MAYBE this camo baseball hat that says “basketball” on it and I’m OBSESSED). (This is only the first of many outfits I will be making with these pieces but it fits sooo perfectly). The next top of mind outfit I can think of is my unitard with a silky mesh long sleeve over it with ruffle socks and loafers and a crochet cowboy hat (Lydia is making me one - get READY).
SO NOW that you all understand the vibe and you put the pieces together - it makes such a beautiful mash-up of sorts in my mind. All of these “aesthetics” are very different and I completely recognize that BUT that is also why it works. This juxtaposition is the mood that I am going for this summer (and honestly beyond). Why in the world would Adam Sandler be a style icon for a Ballerina? Or, why would cowboy trade their boots for ballet flats? NONE of it makes sense, but those types of outfits and style aesthetics are the ones that actually do make the most sense because they’re personal and unique to you (I, of course, am sharing this as a guide of sorts but it’s more metaphoric than anything else and I don’t expect anyone to hop on this train with me).
Tasty Morsels:
OK so somehow I have never read this poem before and Joan sent it to me and I was so touched and felt so seen and heard in a way I haven’t been in a while. As somehow who is emotional (to a fault) I love reading about other people’s experiences navigating strong emotions in a space where emotions often feel like a weakness.
One of my fave twitter accounts is “Sylvia Plath’s Food Diary.” Most of the time they are ridiculous meals but this is a “meal for the mind” and I really appreciated it.
Ice cream at Van Leeuwen is a better way to end a meal than 90 percent of restaurant desserts.
No bar — not even the very cool Eavesdrop in Greenpoint — is good enough to warrant putting your name on a wait list. Just go get a drink somewhere else.
To anyone that lives in LA - go to School Night! I went this last week with one of my fave people (Tek <3) on a whim while I had a brief 36-hour LA hiatus (you bet your ass I got Erewhon, Philz, and Alfred - Emma Chamberlain has a DEEP impact on me). It was such a great time to see live music and support smaller bands. Cool vibes, cool people, cool music - OH and did I mention it was $5??
I’M SEEING PHOEBE BRIDGERS NEXT WEEK AND I AM QUITE LITERALLY GOING TO CRY SO HARD AND IT WIL BE A *RELIGIOUS* EXPERIENCE.
If you’re in NYC on June 18th there’s this film festival, Adult Film, hosted in a Bushwick brownstone that I’ll be going to. Tickets are only $10 and it’s supposedly a night full of films and plays throughout the space (including a play by the infamous Dimes Square “celeb” Matthew Gasda). There’s also a cute boy whose film is premiering which is 85% of the reason I’m going.
Letters of Note is a very fun Newsletter that I LOVE reading every week. They have a really funny post on how to “sign off” on emails. The highlight for me?? “Thank you, and I hope you choke. Very untruly yours.” OR “Love and red hot kisses from top to derrière”
Glossier is relaunching the eyeliners. If you know you know (all hot girls do).
No comment here.
And with that I hope you enjoy your (hopefully) sunny Sunday and do nothing (in the best way) just for me <3
