Easy glamour
Cultivating your personal style—for when you want to pull on more than your usual leggings and oversized t-shirts.
This newsletter was written while riding high on a compliment I got on the jacket I wore to the dentist. Read on to find out: how my friends describe my vibe, the Supreme Court case I worked into this newsletter, and how you can “cheat” at style.
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A few months ago, I asked some friends and subscribers what they’d want me to talk about in this newsletter. One of them said: “I would love to read about how you’ve cultivated your personal style over the years.”
Flattering! Intimidating! Let’s do it.
How my friends describe my style
First, I thought I’d get a few (mostly) objective opinions from the people in my life who have seen me in some of my more “Claire” outfits.
I asked them how they’d describe my personal style in a few words or short sentences.
Here’s what they said:
“chic, bold, femme…bangs”
“daring and bold…sexy and tastefully revealing. catered to the satisfaction of the model as opposed to those around her”
“might be on my way to a balcony in Paris, might be headed to a Lorde concert. You’ll never know”
“‘I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream’ or a Tumblr mood board for the Reputation era”
“Reputation but make it French”
“easy glamour”
Bonus: For my birthday, one of my best friends called a local florist and asked to put together an arrangement for me. Instead of asking what flowers I liked, the woman asked my friend to describe me.
She said: “My best friend is a minimalist. She’s lived in Europe. Capsule wardrobe but also fun. She asked if you were girly, and I said, “No, she is classic, fierce, and doesn’t take shit and would hate girly girl flowers. After she asked if you were a girly girl, I paused for a long time. Then I said she’s been to parks in Paris so you can go pastel.’”
This is hilarious to me. Also, the flowers were perfect.
How I describe my personal style
On my best dressed days, I think the above descriptions are accurate.
Clearly my friends know my flare for the dramatic (my Biden victory speech outfit was a pink faux fur coat from The Gap over a sparkly low-cut jumpsuit with sequins from Anthropologie), my love of French and British fashion, and my tendency to wear whatever I want even if it means dressing like the weird one in the room or like I’m stumbled into a room on my way to somewhere with a much different vibe than my current surroundings.
On the average (non-pandemic day), I’d say I have a classic, femme, slightly edgy aesthetic. No matter what else is going on in the world, I’m always chasing easy glamour.
Some of my most-worn/loved items in my closet include:
black suede pointed-toe flats
black suede over-the-knee boots
Adidas sneakers
a faux leather jacket
the bomber jacket my dental hygienist complimented
too many coats to count
dark wash jeans
slightly oversized sweaters
plain t-shirts or shirts with cheeky slogans on them
a few short dresses and skirts
How I approach my fashion choices
In my Media Ethics case, we learned about Jacobellis v. Ohio, a Supreme Court case that considered if obscene material is protected under the First Amendment.
In his concurring statement, Justice Potter Stewart said that the Constitution protected all obscenity except “hard-core pornography.” He wrote:
"I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it, and the motion picture involved in this case is not that."
I won’t get into Miller v. California, but check that out if you want to learn more.
Anyway, that’s how I approach my choices: I know it when I see it. “It” being what brings me joy, what makes me laugh, and what I have to have.
If I see it and can afford it, I try it on, but—and this is a relatively new practice, as basic as it sounds—I only buy it if I absolutely love it. I won’t hang anything in my closet (let alone spend money on it) if it’s just something I feel just OK about.
How to cheat style
Also known as how to make it look like you’ve got style, put in effort, and/or are glamorous without really trying.
Lipstick
At some point in 2011, I decided I wanted to be the kind of person who wore lipstick just for the hell of it. I was working in New York at the time, and one lunch break I ducked into the Sephora by our office and bought a lipgloss/stain combo from Bite Beauty.
I put it on, went back to the office, and felt like a fraud. And a clown. A clown and a fraud!
And this is key: No one cared. I got used to it. Now, as my friends and coworkers can confirm, I’m the kind of person who you’ll find wearing a red lip “for no reason” at 9AM.
“For no reason” for most people means no occasion or place to go to that would require that level of glam. For me, the reason is I felt like it.
That’s how you should approach your fashion choices. Other people may not understand what you’re wearing, but they don’t have to!
Cheat: Throw on some lipstick. One benefit to wearing it is that you immediately look like you put some kind of effort into your look or appearance. It’s an easy way to dress up an outfit and, when you get used to it, it can give you a confidence boost.
Perfume
I always wanted to be the kind of person who had a signature scent. That was GLAMOUR to me. Every time I put it on, I feel connected to the fancy, aloof, and privileged heiresses who came before me.
Unfortunately, most strong scents (candles and perfume included) give me a headache. I thought I would never achieve that goal…That is, until I found the perfect scent for me: Le Labo’s Rose 31. I wear it every day, even if I know I’m not going to leave my apartment.
Cheat: Find a scent (hairspray, shampoo or conditioner, perfume, deodorant, you get my point) that you love and wear it until it becomes your signature scent. To me it says “I’m here to take up space.” And what’s more glamorous than that?
Makeup
This is only for those of you who enjoy wearing makeup. Don’t waste your time on things you don’t enjoy unless you have to—a life tip from me to you!
My white whale is currently mastering a winged eyeliner look. There was a time in my life when I couldn’t even draw a thin black line across my lid. Now that I’ve mastered that, I’ve been practicing the next level up: that elusive wing.
Why? I looked around and always thought, “I want to be that kind of person” when I saw someone who could pull it off. The easiest way to be them? To tap into that glamour or power? Practice.
Cheat: Figure out one makeup look you want to master and practice that until you get good at it.
Statement jewelry
First: Statement jewelry doesn’t have to be expensive! I just bought the most ridiculous pair of rhinestone heart earrings I’ve ever seen, and they only set me back $20.
A few years ago, when I was traveling a lot, I decided I wanted to bring back something from each country I visited (besides a magnet, my other souvenir of choice). I wanted it to be small but meaningful. Enter: jewelry.
Some examples: I bought a necklace in Rome at a market near the Spanish steps. It’s a gold-plated token they used to use to make telephone calls. In Paris, I bought a pair of earrings and a necklace while out walking in the Marais one afternoon. I bought a pair of triangle-shaped earrings from the gift shop at the Tate. I negotiated for a ring in a small shop in the shadow of the Acropolis.
The best part? I spent less than $75 on each of those (from $15 for the Tate earrings to $75 for the ring). They’re not worth much in terms of monetary value, but they’re some of the most valuable things I own in terms of sentiment. I feel dressed up and more put together when I wear one of them, and I wear that ring I bought in Athens almost every single day.
Cheat: Redefine what you consider “everyday jewelry” and find a few pieces that make you feel like the most stylish version of yourself. Also, if you do indulge in more expensive jewelry, try wearing it with a really inexpensive outfit. I feel so powerful when I wear the one expensive piece of jewelry I own (a necklace from Antipearle that I wanted for years; it was my Tin House acceptance gift to myself).
An interesting piece of clothing or accessory
Another easy way to look like you’ve got a sense of style? Find an interesting piece of clothing that can really “make” a look. For me, the easiest way to do that is with a pair of shoes or a coat.
Again, these don’t have to be super expensive. The shoes I’m thinking of in my closet set me back $25 at Marshalls, and my go-to coat right now was on sale at Anthropologie for…$75?
I can be in a t-shirt and jeans and throw on either of those and look like I tried. And because I love them and am comfortable in them, it looks like, as my friend said above, a bit of easy glamour.
So, what’s interesting? That’s up to you! For me, I love a good detail (studs on the heel of a boot, an unexpected pattern or silhouette, etc.).
Cheat: Find something you can throw on when you want to feel a bit more dressed up or most like yourself.
How to cultivate your style
That’s how *I* cheat my style. But that’s based on what I like and what stands out to me when I’m looking at people I’d like to emulate.
So, how can you cultivate your style?
Decide where you’re going to focus your energy.
You don’t have to do everything at once (or at all). If, like me, you can’t be bothered to do more than brush your hair, let it be and try not to stress too much about having “perfect” hair. But if you do you love how a certain hairstyle looks on people? Practice that and start wearing it whenever you want an instant mood boost.
On the other hand, if you want to be someone who wears a vintage men’s wristwatch, save up for that.
Just figure out what YOU want and go for that.
Pay attention to what you like.
I own a pair of boots (with studs on the heel!) because I stopped a girl in the Nashville airport and said, “I’m sorry to bother you, but I need those shoes. Where did you get them?” I found them online, ordered them, and wear them all the time.
When I was shopping for pandemic supplies last year, a girl stopped me in Target to ask about the boots, and I was able to do the same for her.
Takeaway: If you see someone wearing something you’d love to have, ask!
How can you do this if you’re not around other people? Say there’s a global pandemic and you’re only seeing the four walls of your apartment. Then what?
Yes, social media. I’m sorry. I know. Just trust me.
I follow some of my personal style icons on Instagram, (Alexa Chung being one because I am basic but unashamed to admit it), and I get inspiration from what they wear. I also save outfits that I see on Tumblr. Then I figure out how I can recreate them based on what’s in my closet. If I need to buy something else to make it happen, I budget for that.
Sometimes it’s helpful to go by seasons. For example, this spring/summer, I would love to live in miniskirts and boots. However, instead I am just promoting the Aerie bodysuit and leggings I’m wearing like the brand is paying my bills. In the fall, I want to do high-waisted pants, long coats, and heels. I’ll look for those soon.
Start listening to and taking note of your gut reactions. If you see something and get excited or curious, ask why, and then file that away for future looks.
Be realistic.
I might love someone’s style, but I have to be realistic about how a certain outfit or style would look on my frame. Going shopping to match someone who is 5’0” with tiny shoulders and short legs isn’t going to do me any favors so I pay attention to people who are around my height and who have a similar build as me.
Also, keep in mind that celebrities or influencers might be altering their clothes so if you’re wondering why you don’t look like that in your off-the-rack choices…it’s likely photo editing, genetics, or alterations.
Have fun!
Not to pull a Miranda Priestly on you, but may I remind you that the fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar industry? People will dismiss it as frivolous, but it can improve the way you feel about yourself if you do it right and don’t take it seriously.
Also, please don’t trust ANY messaging that makes you feel bad about yourself or your style choices. If you hate skinny jeans and everyone is saying skinny jeans are in style and you just want to wear flared jeans, JUST WEAR THE FLARED JEANS. I’m never going back to low-rise jeans no matter what. NEVER.
Every morning, I wake up, look at my options, and consider it an act of creativity to choose what I put on my body. And because I’m a person who feels my best when I’m being creative, it helps take some of the monotony out of that routine.
So, have fun. Fill your wardrobe with clothes and accessories you love and try out those makeup looks just for the hell of it.
The most important thing
People aren’t always going to understand where you’re coming from with your outfit or accessory choices. That’s OK! Live your life!
On that note, you have no idea where people are coming from with their fashion choices. Maybe they’re doing what they’re doing and that’s their personal style. Maybe they’re wearing the only clothes they can afford.
In my opinion, the least generous (and glamorous) thing you can do in this situation is judge someone else’s presentation—their hair, clothing, outfit, etc.
In conclusion: Have fun and don’t be an asshole!
Claire
p.s. - I encourage you to do what I’m doing now, which is interrogating if an outfit needs to be flattering or if that’s just something society has pushed on us. Sometimes an outfit can just be fun! Who cares if it makes you look bigger/shorter/etc.? If you love it, go for it.
Deep Pockets: There’s more down here
I recently fell down two YouTube rabbit holes: HauteLeMode and stylist Kate Young’s Hello Fashion channels. I’d say they’re more for those of you who want to learn about the business and history of fashion and styling, but if you like clothes in the least, I think you’ll find it interesting.
I also love the @watchingnewyork and @thesartorialist Instagram accounts.