The Vibe Check 3.30
Light jackets that do heavy lifting, personalizing your shit & adding whimsy
The Vibe Check is a recurring franchise on AND I’VE BEEN SAYING THAT! which leans into what trends are out and about lately… I can’t bear to call it trend forecasting because it’s just a curation of things I’m digging within the last two or three months. Mostly clothes and styling, but I drop in a few media bits or cultural commentary if it’s been on my mind. I spread out my Vibe Checks over a longer time horizon to see what really marinates, trying to avoid the flow of the fashion calendar and align more with seasonal changes or cultural events.
I’m writing to you all from the home away from home away from home. AKA my favorite cafe in sunny (today, at least) Brighton, where two years ago I was curing hangovers with a chorizo breakfast burrito & writing the bulk of my MA dissertation in the very same window seat I was able to nab today. Taking the train down from London Blackfriars this morning, waves of nostalgia hit me as I remembered all the times I took this train back and forth in my first year in the UK. Despite the lack of visceral emotion and magic of the first time, I’m still in a dreamlike state of luck that I spent so much time finding myself in this eccentric, vibrant seaside town.
Brighton was where I learned to be more experimental with my style. I didn’t quite nail it down when I lived here, but between here and my corner of East London I’ve found myself surrounded by a broad spectrum that makes it really exciting to go back into your own closet and get dressed each day.
Which brings me back to today’s focus!! I try to churn out more lighthearted ‘stacks after ones that feel a bit more hashtag hard hitting journalism, and it only felt right to go into the long Easter weekend with a Vibe Check on what’s popping as my craving for a balmy wine night on Primrose Hill picks up the pace.
Here’s everything that’s been on my mind since I last told y’all.
WHIMSY!
The Réalisation Par dress on smiley Cali queen Devon Lee Carlson was the origin of this trail of thought, that whimsy truly takes fashion by storm as spring blooms. It’s simple logic that when the sun shines and flowers surround us, our dopamine and serotonin boosts give way to playful dressing. It’s form is diverse; same-color-diff-prints, embroidery on denim and twill (Damson Madder takes this seriously), maximalist color clashes, massive doily-looking scrunchies, and so on. On this side of the Atlantic, I think the Iberian girlies do spring best, focusing on airy, color-rich fabrics… their ‘wrongs that make a right’ counterpart is decidedly in NYC, and perhaps more narrowly passerby shot by Johnny Cirillo of Watching New York.
WHERE TF ARE WE GETTING GOOD SCRUNCH SOCKS??
That’s really all I have to say about this. WHERE? I think it’s time I look into Alexa Chung’s theory that men’s socks are the way to go.
THIS *IS* TEXAS
Whether it’s traditional denim or contrasting colors, Western trim shirts are SO back. We’ll see what cowboy fits Beyoncé breadcrumbs us with now that Cowboy Carter is out, but until then keep this one in mind. She gave us disco/ballroom cowboy realness in Renaissance, giving sequin tassels, chrome and cowboy boots a place to stay… time will tell what our summer festival inspo becomes now!
MINDY KALING IS MOTHER!
I just love her lil IG carousels when she’s all gussied up and posing around her house.
JACKETS THAT DO HEAVY LIFTING
Having at least two, or all three of these — chore jacket, field jacket, trench coat — sets you up for solid, fuss-free style. Trench coats do some of the heaviest lifting in this category, and while beige or neutral is the obvious choice I would also offer up a navy or charcoal variation. Field jackets seem to be as much of an English essential as a trench; I’ve seen quite a few collarless, oversized and calf-skimming, though my preference is for the ones with a corduroy collar, that fall at the hip. The one I’ve had for a few years now is from Patagonia’s resale site Worn Wear.
The chore jacket is seeing its heyday among menswear and womenswear alike. It’s not just for Dalston baristas-who-are-also-creative director-DJs, or American men in camo holding a bass in their first Hinge pic! The pockets are deep, the material is sturdy yet breathable, the frame pairs well with a baggy cargo or twill pant… it’s a great staple to add for the season. Dickies and Carhartt (the latter of which dubbed the jacket after my home state!) have this category in a chokehold, but may I suggest a French chore jacket instead? Its name is in reference to the specific shade of blue that would be donned by the French upon returning home to, as they say, do their house chores.
POD ON WORKING (OR NOT WORKING) IN FASHION
The sustainable fashion pod Wardrobe Crisis hosted by author and journalist Clare Press came out this month with an observation on the English class system and its links to making a decent life in the world of fashion. “Are You Posh & White Enough for a Career in the Creative Arts?” might be giving you the answer already in its title, but its worth joining the discourse.
PUT TRACKIES WHERE THEY SHOULDN’T BE
Falling in line with Kelly Williams of Any Given Day on this one — the high contrast of a sporty pant on an otherwise femme or refined fit is a small but mighty thrill. Try pairing your retired basketball shorts or mesh trackies from the likes of Champion or Adidas with ribbons, a square neck or puff sleeve blouse, loafers or kitten heels or even knee high boots!
ADJACENT COLORS
As seen in the cherry red-butter yellow-burgundy combo above. Adjacents as broad as yellow-green, or as subtle as two shades under the same umbrella (like navy and sky blue) can lighten up your winter colors, as well as add depth or neutrality without requiring an actual neutral tone. I like to think of it in the same way my art teacher back in the day taught us about creating shadow: you never use black, but rather a darker tone of the surrounding colors.
I’VE BEEN READING…
From BoF on brand values and Black History Month - aka, the complete drop off of acknowledging it on their calendars this year.
Designer of Cruelty-free silk on Service95 on Indian fashion and sustainability.
I love Lindsey Lohan, but Irish to never watch this movie after this hilarious Vulture review.
For more frequent Vibe Checking, I’ve made a mood board on Instagram. Give it a follow so we can thirst over Nensi Dojaka + Gigi Hadid street style together.
Hoppy Easter, if you observe!
Ryann x
ICYMI
Get to know a fellow eco-fashion advocate, Sacha Daly in my first guest ‘stack.
Our athleisure and activewear are toxic. Here’s the breakdown.
UP NEXT
Since merchandising my closet, I’ve pulled together a few fits I really enjoyed and plan to repeat, so I’ll detail these in I’ve Been Wearing…
I watched The Zone of Interest this week and have jotted down some thoughts for a conversation on apathy in dark times. And hope for better things to come!
Penciling in your schedule a post about outfit formulas… things that are the same thing different font that you don’t have to really think through when you get dressed. I’m calling it Go-Togethers.
Danielle Goldberg truly never misses…
I loved this post especially as I absolutely BLARE Levii’s Jeans 😉 there is an Etsy seller who sources the BEST French chore coats that I have considered many times over: https://www.etsy.com/shop/InheritShopVintage