The Vibe Check is a recurring franchise on AND I’VE BEEN SAYING THAT which leans into what seasonal trends (new and old!) are out and about — but mostly it’s a curation of things I’ve been really digging. You can read the previous issue from back in June here.
It’s August and everyone and their mother on this app is giving you Pre-Fall and end of summer sale sends. I can’t say I blame them! While I am always wary of an extra season in the fashion calendar and wholeheartedly hold the belief that sales can be a warning sign, there is something to be said about the difficulty that is September dressing. It refuses to be pinned down no matter where you’re located on this planet, and I respect her for that.
Though September can’t make up its mind, I’ve been set in stone on all the style notes that have captured my attention, begging to breathe fresh air into my closet. Here’s everything that I’m throwing into the ring for this transition…
GOING ANALOG
None of the watches I currently own have all the cogs functioning properly, but one white gold ladies’ wristwatch in particular makes me feel particularly smart and edumacated. I don’t know much about ladies wristwatches, but I know thanks to GIRLSOCLOCK & The Kismet Reserve I am really into rectangle faces like with Cartier Tanks. I’m dying to be asked for the time someday.
SLIM FLARE TROUSERS
There are tons of ways, I have discovered, that I can ‘make me feel like a natural woman’, so to speak. A pair of sleek, fitted slim flare trousers tops the charts, right next to: slipping on a pair of heels when you get to the office, or finish a commute; using a compact mirror; and dinner by candlelight. And boy do they look cute with a kitten heel!
BUTTONING UP?
Buttoning up a trench coat completely, and keeping every other garment open save for one button. Dig it?
MID-LENGTH PENCIL SKIRTS
Now that denim maxis have really bust down the door, I’m open to discovering what a pencil skirt can do for ME rather than what it can do for my CAREER. I am not the intern in an ill-fitting blazer and cheap d’Orsay pumps running around Congress that I once was! I think the length equally bodes well for a heeled boot and a flat (without looking too stumpy, I might add).
RED, GREEN, KHAKI
Sabato de Sarno’s Gucci has been growing on me, though his greatest feat of yet has perhaps been his harmonious marriage between red and green. Burgundy and chartreuse/lime/what-have-you has survived the seasons so far, and it may be at its richest in the following months. An unassuming shade of khaki can neutralize this highly saturated duo — think about how butter has popped onto the scene and explore from there.
CHOCOLATE, BLUE, BLACK
This color combo has prevailed since AW23 and I couldn’t be happier. Whether it’s suede, crushed velvet, mohair or twill, these three bring such a depth to cool weather dressing. Whoever spread the lie that these shades can’t look good together is missing out.
LEATHER AND/OR BLAZERS WITH SILK SLIPS
Toughen up your slinkiest, girliest dresses for an autumn-proof combination. If you haven’t yet exhausted your Khaite studded belt, this is the time to let it shine.
RUPAUL IS MOTHER FATHER
Are you on the corner of the internet where RuPaul is teaching us to parallel park and change a tire? It can’t be just me. Drag Race is truly burning rubber now.
ANNY CHOI X TORY BURCH
Tory Burch’s What Should I Wear? featured stylist Anny Choi recently, and I had two sartorial takeaways from it that really stuck out for future everyday life planning. Two phrases, three words each: REAL LIFE, ELEVATED + SPECIAL, YET RELAXED. The former, an effortless take on the nail-biting dilemma of the modern woman which is the day-to-night/office-to-drinks formula. The latter, a foolproof silhouette that reeks of comfort and class: a “leisure-oriented category of summer dressing.”
DO YOUR RESEARCH
I’ve been in a real funk, creatively speaking, to the point where I have loads of topics floating on the surface of my brain and not enough research to pierce into the depths of expertise. For some reason, I convinced myself that my saving grace was to head to the library, armed with a list and hopeful that I would find some answers to my quest for traditional Korean gardens/CDMX architecture/history of Scandi fashion/hip hop x fashion culture/archived beauty magazines.
This was an extremely large ask for my hometown public library, as I was disappointed to discover, and so I have since moved online. I’ve considered hosting my own book drive amidst a rise in the ‘reading is sexy’ movement to further support my town’s lib, and this only fuelled the fire further. My lesson here, I would argue, is to continue to engage with/keep alive our public third spaces and offline sources of learning; ESPECIALLY for creatives!
CRAFT TIME
When the sun starts to set too early, and the weather too gloomy or cold to be outside for very long, you’ll want to find hobbies to keep you company. I say do it now so that when the time comes, it’s already a stronghold in your habit toolbox! Last year I taught myself how to crochet, and have set a higher reading goal for myself; now, I’m looking to make good use of a hand-me-down sewing machine.
TUNES
For when it’s not quite sad girl sweater weather, but definitely high time for melancholic summer mourning. Is there a Clairo Charm support group I can join?
See you next week & enjoy your Labor Day gallivants!
xx Ryann
FYI
Next week’s post will have a paywall. I would love to see you on the other side of it! I have added a few options that will hopefully make it a more accessible experience, and would appreciate your support. This will only be for 1x/month for the time being.
ICYMI
Did this post feel too trendy to you? Not your style? You can sit out on the mood board and read this instead:
I’m doing my best to unplug this week while I stay in a log cabin in northern Michigan — and my previous post on Summer Camp made it easy for packing inspo.
Loved all the recs as usual! Regarding the Cartier-like watch, I recently bought this https://heavenmayhem.com/collections/watches by Heaven Mayhem and I absolutely love it <3