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As we continue to navigate these ever-changing times, in season two of What I Wore This Week, one Vogue editor shares their outfits—both on Zoom and IRL—from the previous week.
Before the pandemic, my dry cleaner played a vital, often antagonistic role in my life. Due to the nature of my day-to-day, my clothes were always in and out of the cleaners. It was due to working at Vogue, among some of the most stylish and creative people in the world, and the fact that in this environment, one always feels inspired to dress up. Off the clock, pre-pandemic, I had dinners, dates, fêtes, and fashion events that consumed my weeknights. And on weekends, my activities consisted of much of the same along, with museum visits and park strolls. Many, many ensembles were needed.
During those hectic and happy days however, I learned that tailoring, including a blazer, a suit, and a pair of pleated trousers, always pulled any of my outfits together. With just a black t-shirt or a white turtleneck, I could easily look ready for business—or a party—with minimum effort.
After nearly a year of quarantine and a month of living with my parents in Boston, the ritual of getting dressed, even if it s just to sit in front of a laptop at home, still adds purpose to my day, perhaps now more than ever. Most importantly, I’ve come to fall back in love with tailoring, albeit the kind that is more effortless, easier, and just right for the at-home moment we’re all living in. Here is a week of casual tailoring:
Monday
For most of the afternoon, I worked on my parent’s roof. In colder months, a cashmere coat elevates any outfit. Two years ago for Christmas, my mother gave me this coat from The Row’s first menswear collection. Worn with leather pants (a vintage find from Miu Miu’s 2005 fall menswear collection) and a tan blazer, the look was a balance between comfort and sophistication.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, I felt more relaxed. Whether worn in summer or winter, Ralph Lauren’s classic American flag sweater never fails. To add some structure, I threw on an oversized Valentino double-breasted blazer, and, despite a temperature drop, I stayed up on the roof. I kept cozy under a leather and shearling jacket that I bought in Copenhagen for less than the price of a bottle of wine. In between Zooms, I did some last minute Christmas shopping on Newbury Street. I’m giving all the fashion lovers on my list a witty print by artist Sam Panarese titled “Gucci Goat”.
Wednesday
Let’s face it: quarantine is painfully dull. After nine months, all banana bread recipes and craft ideas have been exhausted. I’ve resorted to jigsaw puzzles, a pastime I loathed for as long as I can remember. So, in order to restore some of the intrigue that my life currently lacks, I’ve been gravitating towards more cinematic garments. Many people begrudge trench coats for their inefficiency, like a hoodless rain jacket, or dismiss them as “creepy” (flashers love them!). To me, they evoke cross-continental love affairs from classic films like Casablanca and Torn Curtain, or elegant call girls from Belle De Jour and Breakfast at Tiffanys, as well as handsome hitmen like those that star in Le Samouraï and Oceans 12. Unfortunately, I only wore mine to the grocery store but not before pausing in my mom’s closet for a selfie.
Thursday
When I woke up, Boston brownstones shimmered under a layer of snow. To shovel, I donned my Markarian sweater (the softest I’ve ever worn!) and an old Burberry peacoat that I’ve had since high school. To warm up before a day of Zoom calls, I made a cup of tea and curled up for a few minutes with a good book.
Friday
Casual Fridays didn’t end just because we now work from home. Last year, I found these vintage Armani trousers at Ina Vintage on Prince Street in New York. I proceeded to wear them so often—to a gala in a blizzard, to unpack trunks on my knees, to a store opening in summer swelter—that they now look like a historical artifact. I prefer pleated pants to be roughed up a bit more. Warm in my leather overshirt, I spent most of the day by the fire with my dog.
