As we continue our social-distancing pledge, the Vogue staff is working from home for the foreseeable future. This article is part of our This Week on Zoom column, where one Vogue editor shares their WFH outfits from the previous workweek—from the waist up, of course.
Here’s what I’ve learned from a career of making trend reports: Trends don’t really matter, at least on a personal style level. There are broad fashion industry ideas that waft from season to season influencing what is produced and sold—right now: serene slow fashion, obvious expressions of craft, OTT glamour—but none of what’s in or what’s out can beat personal style. I don’t think I have great personal style, especially when I am in the company of people like Lynn Yaeger, Anna Sui, Acielle from StyleDuMonde, or every single one of my colleagues at Vogue and friends at GQ. But I am comfortable wearing whatever I want and not thinking too much about it. Wanting to dress like everyone else, wanting something everyone else has will only drive you mad, unless that thing is a Telfar bag. A Telfar bag is the only universal good: You should want it and you should buy it—from Telfar’s e-comm when you can and not a reseller.
While WFH-ing, I’ve mostly dressed the same as I would while WF-officing. Just a couple more t-shirts and couple fewer platform boots—for now, at least. At some point between now and going back to the office, I’m going to have to put on the Rick Owens Kiss boots, turn my speakers up, and have a party, even if it’s just me and my dog in our apartment dancing. (She’s a great dancer.) Apologies to my downstairs neighbors!
In documenting my outfits for a week, I’ve learned what anyone who has been to my apartment knows: I have way too many clothes. I justify my always-expanding wardrobe by trying to shop as smartly and sustainably as I can, preferring second-hand to new and when I can’t, purchasing from brands that use some measure of sustainable production or sourcing.
Here’s what I wore for a super-sweltering week in Brooklyn.
Monday
I know WFH jeans are controversial, but I’ve been wearing this pair by Zak Syroka at least once a week. He is a talented tie-dye artist who I was introduced to through my friend Sam Hine at GQ and made this pair of jeans custom for me. My dog Molly and I go for several walks a day, so I always have a small purse and pair of shoes ready. Today, I’m wearing Eckhaus Latta x Ugg clogs and a crochet cornucopia bag by Kiko Kostadinov designed by Laura and Deanna Fanning. Up top, I have a tee by Eckhaus Latta made as a part of their 2018 exhibit at The Whitney. It’s a vintage tee turned inside out and printed with a dog graphic. Not only do I cherish it because I respect Mike and Zoe’s work, but because the dog on it looks like Molly. I am a dog lover first and foremost; fashion comes second.
Tuesday
I have a weekly meeting every Tuesday at 7 a.m. with colleagues in the United Kingdom and Europe. That results in me rolling out of bed at 6:45 a.m. and trying to look put together as quickly as possible. This week, I threw on a Marc Jacobs dress I got on TheRealReal from his spring 2014 collection. Goth surfer is a tried and true vibe for anyone from New Jersey, equal parts LBI and My Chemical Romance. About 70% of my wardrobe is from TheRealReal—it’s an invaluable resource if you have a Rolodex of past runway shows in your mind and a limited budget. Because my day started so early there wasn’t a lot of time to think beyond putting on a dress. I just poured a large glass of cold brew, quickly swiped on some eyeliner, and that was that.
Wednesday
I would rarely wear a t-shirt to work when we were going to the office, but WFH has changed some of the rules. I bought myself this No Sesso tee as a birthday present last week. The brand, designed by Pierre Davis and Arin Hayes, is based in Los Angeles, but has hosted some of the most exciting fashion shows in New York. I never take off my jewelry: It’s a mish-mash of personal and family heirlooms worn with rings from Love, Adorned and small “clicker” earrings from Maria Tash. The enamel-dipped earring is from Marco Panconesi and I found the circular orbit earrings for $6 at Yesterday’s News in Carroll Gardens. From the waist down, I wore a pair of folded down vintage overalls and Birkenstocks—the shoe of the summer!
Thursday
My colleague Christian recently wrote a piece about printed mesh being the shirt of the summer—I have to agree. This Dries Van Noten top is stretchy and light enough to wear even on 90-degree days. The print is of a euonymus plant from Van Noten’s own garden which was documented in the 2017 documentary Dries. I like the idea of owning a bit of this serene garden—especially when we’ve all been cooped up inside. The skirt is by Chopova Lowena and made from a vintage Bulgarian textile, adorned with vintage keyrings and charms. I hope upcycling becomes an even larger part of the fashion business for brands large and small; so many young designers have proven that recycled materials can be a vehicle for exquisite design, from Asata Maisé to Marine Serre. For dog walks, I have been wearing a More Joy mask by Christopher Kane made with anti-viral fabric—my colleague Emily wrote a great piece about antiviral fashion recently—and I always keep some dog treats in my purse in case of a snack emergency. I recently discovered the brand Ava’s Pet Palace on Instagram. The treats are all-natural and handmade by Ava, an 13-year-old animal lover. Both Molly and I recommend it.
Friday
This is probably not something I would wear to work since it’s a little whimsical, but feels right for a summer Friday at home. I got the dress at A Current Affair in the fall with my mom, a fellow vintage fiend. Unfortunately I can’t remember the vendor, but I will shout out some faves: Nong Rak, James Veloria, Moore Vintage Archive, and Wayward Collection. The blouse underneath is from Snooper’s Paradise in Brighton, England. I got it on a work trip that was just 36-hours long. Everything was so rushed, but of course the whole team got distracted in a vintage store we were photographing. I ended up buying this top and a Katharine Hamnett denim jacket. Our last stop was Charleston House, the home of Vanessa Bell many other Bloomsbury Group writers and artists. The property was closed to visitors, but the foundation opened it up for us to photograph. Walking there alone, seeing the beautiful rooms and fields, was—and I hate this word—magical. It haunts all my daydreams. The pearl and keyring necklace is from Chopova Lowena, another brand I have good daydreams about.