Good afternoon, everyone. What a day it's been. Phew.
So it's been busy as you may have noticed and the last thing I can think about in the morning is what to wear. It's true I think about it more often than I should, but I like to go on autopilot in the morning and the best way to do that is to take cues from advertising and stay on brief.
For the non indoctrinated, a brief is what ad people go by to come up with a new campaign- and sticking to it is usually a great idea, although going off brief can often lead to nice surprises. But since my mornings are hectic, I prefer to stay very much on brief and on target and get out of the house with very little fuss. That's why I've zeroed in on a style icon who has become my muse, whether she wants to or not- and that icon is Emanuelle Alt of French Vogue fame. This all came about thanks to a fabulously dialed in friend, who showed up for drinks at the Oyster Bar channeling Ms. Alt, and with great result. We both agreed this is a look that is everything, yet looks like nothing at all (in the best of ways).
Emanuelle embodies everything about the French way of chic that many of us yearn to emulate- a tomboyish toughness that is somehow super sexy and feminine, and a straightforward approach to dress that could go from the office to that vendor lunch to a chic dinner date somewhere trendy, and then drinks after if one is so inclined. I love to be prepared, and I like clothes that go from office to out of office in a snap.
It's a fairly straightforward formula, ps- there's tee shirts, great jackets, and jeans, with a pointed heel of some kind. There's not a ton of color, there may be a leopard print, but there is always an undone element to keep things out of corporate territory. Today I'm wearing a blazer with gold buttons, my husband's button down, and leathery leggings. It's on brief and I'm happy about it. I almost wore a questionable dress and while I stood in my closet (yes I can stand in mine, don't ask), I asked myself the simple questions of WWED or what would Emanuelle do? And I landed on the jacket and leather combo and feel good and ready for whatevs. Way better than that dress. Sure she's thin as a rail and flat as a board- I am neither of those things but find my own way to make it work within the parameter of the oft mentioned brief. It's totally acceptable to adapt to your own body type and style needs, but keep it simple and don't stray too far, or you'll have a closet full of weirdness that will have you late to that status meeting on Tuesday morning. Her style is all about simple, well cut basics and a good shoe. C'est tout.
So that's my brief as the winter drags on- I'm channeling Emanuelle and you may want to do the same, or come up with your own version of said brief that works for you. If you stay on brief, it's hard to mess up or have buyer's remorse because you will wear the crap out of any iteration you come up with, as long as you stick to the brief, and until another brief comes along that makes you want to rethink your brand efforts, when that brand effort is brand "you".
Some photos of the lovely Emanuelle for you to scan and gather dossiers against. Cause that's what's up this well briefed Wednesday in the 212. Yours, in well targeted style and keeping it brief. XO