What I do know is that the chat began roughly a year after graduating college. We were newly in corporate America. Fresh faced to the working world and the realities that came with it… for example, not having a cocktail party to dress up for weekly.

As we launched ourselves into the life that is having an 8 to 5 (sometimes +) we were eagerly looking for outlets to chase our so called frivolous pursuits. So, we started taking joy in the monotonous routine of getting dressed in the morning and planning, buying, and styling outfits for occasions that solicited the opportunity to wear makeup.

At 22/23/24, our days consisted of congested nodes (imagine this being your first job placement as a consultant), taxes, law school, and wholesale appointments. Out of the four of us, I would say people only cared what one of us wore. Our outfits were for us. And we knew the only people that would probably appreciate them that day were the other three fashion consultants who were scattered across the country.

The name “Fashion Consultants” came to us because we realized this was in fact a real position for someone somewhere who was not us - but we felt we would be incredible at the job. Getting paid to consult on all things style? Sign us up! Nonetheless, we persevered in our day jobs and took up the unpaid side gig of doing this for each other.

It’s not just about the clothes

The chat started with Piper, Ally, and I. Ally lives in Denver, and Piper in New York meaning we’re separated by cities, states, and time zones.

I once read on Substack someone describing their daily mirror selfies as their visual journal. That’s exactly how I feel about this text thread - it’s our communal journal.

Preparing to write this article, I scrolled back through as much of the thread as I was able (I notoriously do not back up my phone so I lose all my texts when I have to get a new one). Scattered throughout the pages and pages of commentary are first date outfits that ended up being final first dates, sneak peaks of Ally and Piper’s clothing brand, first day of work ensembles for new jobs, what we wore to quit our jobs, the first outfit selfies in new apartments and homes.

Unintentionally, we’ve created a digital time capsule, journal, treasure chest filled with documentation of both the mundane moments and big life events.

These photos then naturally lead into:

• Where are you going?

• How did the date go?

• I am sure you did great on the test

• So excited for you!

• Wow you amaze me

• Keep us updated

Over the years, the outfit has always been the entry point to hearing about each other’s days. Not that I needed an excuse to check in on my friends, but this text became something extremely natural for us to text in almost daily. If we go too long without communicating, someone will text “so, is no one up to anything?”.

I imagine it is somewhat similar to my husband texting his friends about The University of Texas athletics.

It would be easy enough to pick out my outfit by myself and move on with the rest of my day. But after experiencing Fashion Consultants, where is the fun in that?

All of us are just chasing avenues to connect with others. Don’t diminish whatever that is for you and your friends.

I regularly tell Simms, Piper, and Ally that they’re my influencers. I’d be perfectly content if they were the only ones speaking into my purchases for the rest of my life.

Social media and AI have given us a lot of excuses not to connect with people in our immediate orbit.

We could easily post a photo of our outfits on Substack/ Instagram/ etc. and get more reactions than we would in a small group chat with close friends. Or turn to ChatGPT to give us recommendations on where to look for a wedding guest dress.

It has been so life giving to have this group chat as an anchor to seeking human connection when it is not right in front of me. I have found this spill over into other aspects of my life as well: texting friends for recipes or restaurant recommendations.

Fashion (like other things) is most fun when it is a shared experience. Which leads me to my next point…

Championing vs. comparing

The Fashion Consultants group chat has formed a practice in me of never coveting what someone else has.

Of course I would like to steal Piper, Simms, and Ally’s closets and create a mega closet of everything I could ever want or need but this far off dream isn’t the same as being jealous.

I find I don’t get the feelings of jealousy you would think girls would have when chasing such a “frivolous” pursuit. Instead, I get excited when someone sends an outfit or piece that feels inherently them.

Nothing outmatches the feeling of getting to give or receive the statement “that’s SO looks like you”. Of being along the journey of a friend putting together an incredible outfit or being on the accepting end of that praise.

Over the years I have seen the four of us hone our own personal styles. There’s a lot of overlap between us, but our styles are also distinct. What this means is we’re often loving the same Zara link (this atm), or sending a vintage piece we found when it’s in someone else's size. It also means we each love pieces whose love doesn’t necessarily translate to the rest of the group.

This collective sharing has taught me not to not compare myself to other people. That we can be different from one another, loving something for someone else, but not needing it ourselves.

It has also taught me the gift it is to champion others. To encourage and hearten my friends.

It’s not that serious

I mentioned earlier that the chat started with Piper, Ally, and I. Simms joined the group a few years later after putting herself through a rigorous application process.

As the older sister of Piper and also one of my best friends, she knew of the existence of Fashion Consultants. We’ve never considered ourselves as anything official - the chat was originally just the three of us because we thought everyone else would get annoyed by our constant stream of OOTDs.

So when Simms sent some of her favorite outfits to be admitted to what she (jokingly) deemed as a really highly esteemed group chat; P, A, and I were cracking up behind our phones.

Of course she was admitted because just look at this.

Years ago, my first boss reminded our group of new hires that we weren’t working in the medical field, so we shouldn’t put too much pressure on ourselves.

I need someone to grab me by the shoulders and shake me just about every other day to remind me not to put too much pressure on myself - to remind me that the point isn’t to get it right all the time.

Not every outfit we wear is a winner.

Not everything we order is a winner.

Piper once purchased a Dries Van Noten “clutch” off of Poshmark that turned out to be a laptop case. Sending us a photo of herself holding it as a clutch, she looked like an American Doll holding a human sized purse. We still reference the infamous Dries “clutch”.

We’re so accustomed to seeing only when people get it “right”, that we oftentimes assume that’s everyone’s first try.

There’s so much learning, fun, and levity in the process that we miss by only seeing finished product. Through sharing daily outfits/ purchases/ various other pieces of inspiration (or distastes) with each other, we’re collectively a part of the process.

Reminding each other not to take things too seriously: laughing at both ourselves and each other. This group is QUICK to send the aggressive all caps HAHAHAH accidentally when apple autocorrects hahahahah.

People create beautiful clothing and we are going to wear it

We could all just as easily not care about what we wore: solely going for ease over really loving what we put on. We could negatively label getting dressed and caring about style as frivolous and trivial.

Or we could use style as a means to seek out beauty in the world and foster connection amongst each other.

Style, clothing, fashion — it isn’t everything. There are certainly more important things in the world than what you put on your body. But it is something. Find people who make it a really fun and special something.

Cheers to what may be perceived as frivolous. Love you my fashion consultants.

Piper and Ally created an incredible clothing brand: Key. Simms and I love having a front row seat. Team Drop 1 red plaid forever.

They recently made their debut on Substack. Say hi!

Here are a few things the Fashion Consultants chat is collectively loving.

• Key bandana top

• Key bandana skirt

• TRR coat

• Roxanne earrings

• Baseball tee

• Beaded bag

• Sheer black

• Denim skirt

• Patterned skirt

• Sunnies

• Posse top

• Posse skirt

• Jacquard pants

*all photos directly from the group chat. heavy on sends from my friends because y’all see enough of me.

Want more of Piper, Ally, and Simms? It’s your lucky day.

Love my friends. Loved writing this.

Subscribe for more fun stories on personal style! And would mean so much if you shared this with one of your “frivolous” friends :)

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VH

Now, here I sit, with my phone propped up on the window sill of my bathroom (I now see why people have octobuddies) trying to film a video for Instagram talking about why I wanted to start Vintage & Vetted.

Clothing, styling, and secondhand finds are arguably what I know the most about on this earth. However, I found it way easier to speak on and on in front of a crowd as opposed sitting alone and speaking into my camera.

Despite the amount I posted on Facebook in college (yikes), social media does not come naturally to me. For both the reasons of producing and falling into the trap of scrolling and comparison. However, I know Instagram has so many benefits as it comes to growing your business.

But here I was, starting to run late for my dinner reservation because I was so tongue tied.

After many a false start I started to finally catch my stride when I began speaking on the why. Why I have always gravitated towards the unique pieces and the one of ones. And why I feel so passionately about helping make these pieces accessible for others.

As much time as I spend combing through Etsy or other obscure resale sites, I also spend a lot of time on larger retailers: Revolve, Shopbop, Net-A-Porter, etc. because I know these sites can easily and quickly put great pieces into the hands of my clients.

What I have seen is this: a constant promotion and pushing of “Best-Sellers”, “Trending”, “In Demand”, and the worst “X sold”. Granted, most of this comes from Revolve - but other sites are not immune.

Seeing that a product was bought 56 times in the last 48hrs does not make me want to hit buy. In fact, I am more encouraged to not pull the piece for a client because I don’t want them to see themselves in everyone else, nor do I want this for myself.

Recently, I have paid more notice to people posting “What you loved last week” and listing their best sellers from Instagram. Or casually mentioning “20,000 of you clicked this link”. Which is another example of how as consumers we react positively to what’s shared as a “best seller” and the desire to buy what everyone else has.

I crowdsourced a list for when a best sellers list comes in handy:

• Utilitarian pieces (ie underwear or a good pair of running shoes/ things that are function over fashion)

• Skincare products

• If something is labeled as “comfortable”

• Shampoo

• Work pants

• Towels

• Cashmere sweaters

• Quality cooking tools

• A beach read

• Sheets

There was a certain cream fringe Zara jacket that circulated earlier this month that, initially, I really liked. Then I kept seeing it over and over again and got the feeling that I was tired of wearing it before I even bought it.

Practically speaking, we cannot avoid all viral pieces and some of them are really great and blow up for a reason. My method here? Wait a few weeks to see if I still love it and am not “tired of wearing it before I even add to cart”.

Hesitation related to wearability is often misplaced onto more unique pieces. When people see a funky clothing article their first thought is often: won’t I get tired of wearing this? Think the rogue Etsy or TRR pieces that are one-of-a-kind on the resale market, or at least one of a few.

However, when I am not constantly seeing what I own on everyone else, I am looking at the actual piece a lot less, and really only seeing it in the context of my own closet.

For instance, this vest from Etsy I bought last spring. I have pulled it out for several special occasions, and I never didn’t get those butterflies that come from wearing a new piece that I just bought. Even on wear 4 or 5 in just as many weeks, it still felt really special to me because I wasn’t pulling up social media just to see it on someone else.

This way of thinking is fundamental to how I was raised. My mom never let us buy something just because everyone else at school had it… I remember being quite delayed on the Uggs fad.

So, inherently, I never formed the pressure to wear what everyone else had.

I am not saying I am a gatekeeper by any means - if I find something great I WILL share it. I also love shopping with my friends and walking out of the store with the same pieces. However, I don’t have this feeling of oh I have to have this because she does.

Consequently, I am not always “on trend” with the newest and coolest and have made peace with that.

If shopping second hand or vintage is not your thing, a creative way to wear unique pieces is to pull items from your closet you wore years ago.

Many people do not realize the untapped potential that their wardrobes have. The sentimental pieces you love and have held onto are itching to be styled for the here and now. I love helping people rethink how to wear the shirt they saved because they wore it on their first date with their now husband, a pair of shoes they bought on an anniversary trip to Paris, or the outfit they wore to a bridal shower.

These shorts are from freshman year of college (I am now 27). I bought them from the store where I used to work. They first saw the light of day on the SAE lawn in Athens, GA and most recently in a shoot I styled for Eleven Eleven.

Have I worn them every year for the past 9 years? No. But I kept them in my closet because initially I really did love them. Brand is Flannel.

Fringe has been having a moment recently. And because I held onto these shorts, I can take my own unique spin on it.

I once read on here someone write that they use trends to look at their closet in a new light… I wanted to frame that sentence.

This is what I encourage you to do with the special pieces you love. Hold on to them. You will wear that vintage red pleated skirt with the metallic detail again.

Through this Substack, I hope you see me wear and write about styling interesting pieces I have owned for years. It may not always be new and exciting, but my desire is to break the stigma that anything has to be a one wear wonder.

I’ll link exacts when I can, and share similars when able. More importantly, I hope you read something I write, then feel inspired to pull out something you once perceived as dated - styling it in a new light.

I never want to yuck someone else’s yum. Don’t feel guilty if you love the viral piece, but never feel the pressure that you have to have it.

On the flip side, love your weird things and take pride in the fact that you don’t always see them on everyone else. What’s sitting in the back of your closet or in your Etsy cart waiting to be loved?

Here are a few people I think do a phenomenal job not making cool pieces one wear wonders:

VH

If you also love the one-of-ones, check out Vintage & Vetted. My weekly passion project.

I truly felt I had stumbled upon magic when I met Jennings on the steps of our dorm freshman year. It was a sunny day in December, just before we left school for Christmas break.

This past December, I went to visit Jennings in New York and spent the night in her apartment crafting paper stars out of marbled paper, eating Thai takeout, and decorating her mini Christmas tree while sipping champagne.

Note that when I texted Jennings from the airport that morning saying I was about to take off, she thought I was coming the next day.

Mid-migraine, with an unexpected early guest… you'd never know it, though, as she's ever the hostess and a creative, always surprising her friends with an unexpected touch of charm. From a drool-worthy pavlova or caviar dip to her collected gallery wall in her studio apartment, she puts it all together effortlessly because charm is inherent to who she is.

This past spring, a few weeks before my own wedding, Jennings was talking with my mom during cocktail hour at the wedding of our close friend. My mom noticed a tiny paper umbrella tucked into Jennings’s drink, obviously out of place in her cocktail glass and for the occasion. Naturally, she commented on it.

Jennings’s response: “I brought it from home!! I just think they make everything more fun.” My mom thought it was so amazing and casually mentioned that she wanted to order some for my wedding.

The next week, my mom received a package from Jennings with 200 paper umbrellas for the wedding - and they were one of my favorite elements from the day.

Can you give some context behind it before we get into why this outfit? Where were you going? What were you doing?

I was off to meet my two friends Caroline and Cameron for dinner in the city at a restaurant we had all been waiting to try, Fedora. It was March, and I had spent the whole day packing up my life to move to London for work for the next few months so just wanted to be comfortable, and honestly didn’t have a lot to work with. It was one of those nights in the city that reminds you why you choose to live there: Sade is playing on the record player, we’re drinking Amaro and an (actually good?) dessert wine with the bartender, and our bar seats are so close together yet it somehow feels like a treat to be hitting elbows with your friends over the multiple entrées you order just so you can try them all.

My mom had recently dug out this cashmere henley with rhinestone buttons that she bought from Barney’s in the ‘90s, which I immediately stole from her (I’m never not jealous that my mom got to live through ‘90s NYC). I threw it on with my favorite Levi’s, a vintage leopard coat I found on eBay, and my mom’s Gucci loafers that she bought in Rome in the 80s.

Why was this your Height of Fashion?

Even in high school, when I’d clean out my closet, my mom would gasp – “But you could wear that to your work holiday party one day!” I was 16, but that mentality has absolutely stuck with me. While some could say hoarder (I prefer historian), I’ve inherited, collected, and held onto pieces over the years that I genuinely love, and that’s still the mentality I have whenever I’m looking for something new. That’s why I picked this outfit. It wasn’t really about one look or one moment in time. It represented how I think about getting dressed and why certain pieces become forever pieces.

I love collecting pieces that have a story, whether they’re inherited, vintage finds, or things I’ve picked up over the years, and then finding new ways to blend them together to reflect whatever version of myself I want to bring out that day. When I was little, I dreamed of living by myself in a shoebox apartment in New York with a lime green futon and living out The Devil Wears Prada montage where Andy Sachs commutes to work in an endless array of outfits. You know the one: one day she’s dressed all Chanel, the next she’s more bohemian, and the next she’s 60’s mod. I have always loved that scene and the way it captures the fun, transformative nature of fashion – that the same person can show up as completely different versions of themselves depending on what they put on that day.

I love how pieces can take on a completely different personality depending on how you style them. I’ve always viewed getting dressed as a fun way to pull on the different parts of myself and find combinations that can embody and shift with those every day. Unfortunately for my coworkers, the office is truly my testing ground. They will laugh because one day I’ll come in simply in all black, the next I’ll look like a British schoolboy (trouser shorts for the office are my summertime obsession), the next like your former funky art teacher with bangles and beads galore, and the next – exact quote – “like a Revolutionary War soldier” (but who’s laughing now that military jackets are having a resurgence?????). On this day, I decided leopard was a neutral for the cozy energy of the night, but you could probably find me styling that same coat a hundred different ways. It’s easily become one of the hardest-working pieces in my closet.

New York, and this phase of my life, has been the first time I’ve truly been able to lean into all of that. Getting dressed has become less of a fight with my closet and more of an adventure because the pieces I’ve chosen to fill it with can adapt and transform with every whim. I’d call this my Height of Fashion because it’s the first time I’ve really embraced dressing for the different parts of myself every day: to have fun, to experiment, and to honor different pieces of who you are so outwardly through what you choose to put on that day.

And my mom was absolutely right. Hold onto it – everything really does come back around.

Who, if anyone, has been the biggest influence in the way you dress?

Quite literally, so many people. Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O, Iris Apfel, Olivia Palermo, Alexa Chung, Julia Berolzheimer, CBK, my incredibly fashionable friends…genuinely anyone I pass on the street. But my mom and my aunt have both been huge influences on how my style has evolved.

My mom has always leaned very classic, following Coco Chanel’s mantra of taking one thing off before you leave the house, while my aunt has always been the complete opposite. At family dinners growing up, my mom would be chic as ever in all black and pearls while my aunt would be wearing faux leather pants with metallic green stilettos (trust me it works). I think growing up between those two gave me the ability to appreciate both, and to have fun somewhere in the middle.

Lastly, what is something in your closet that you’re excited to wear next?!

While living in London, I found the most perfect vintage Burberry trench. It’s grey with almost a silver sheen to it, which makes it feel so different while still being classic. I’m excited to style it a hundred different ways, and it’s another one of those forever pieces that I know I’ll have for years.

New to my At the Height series? Check out a few more of my profiles below.

Truly thank you so much for reading. I LOVE doing these profiles and it means so much when I hear other people enjoy them as well.

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VH

Welcome to my own personal treasure chest!

Author’s Notes:

• I only post these finds here

• Updated weekly

• All sizes

• Range of styles and budgets

• 3 categories: clothing, accessories, bridal

• 5 pieces per category

If you buy anything from this article, DM me with the piece you purchased, and I'll send you a full outfit of how I would wear it.

Without further adieuuuu…..

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Wells is the owner and artist behind Swells - a silk scarf brand featuring her original illustrations. She founded Swells six years ago (wow time flies) while we were students at UGA. I was an early collector of Swells, purchasing from one of her first pop-ups, a charming mug with a sketch of Anna Wintour back when Wells was doing additional pieces with her illustrations.

Wells is an expert at taking a classic piece and putting her own twist on it. She frequently pays homage to places and spaces she admires, and this love and care is evident in each of her designs. Personally biased to what she was able to capture in her Athens scarf. Glory glory!

I have re-fallen in love with Wells’ work through her Substack: All is Wells! Here, she captures her thoughts on the loveliness of the world around us without shying away from what is broken.

I saved the below quote last week from a book I am currently reading. I love it for the same reason I love what Wells writes. It is so impressive when someone can speak on both the wonderful and the terrible things in life, not dimming the realities of either.

Beauty doesn’t take away the pain of suffering or vulnerability. It’s not like cicada song or good coffee make it hurt any less to lose a spouse or a friendship, or even just to have a hard day. But in the times when we think anguish and dimness are all there is in the world, that nothing is lovely or solid, beauty is a reminder that there is more to our stories than sin, pain, and death. There is eternal brilliance. It’s not quite enough to resolve our questions or tie anything up in a nice metaphysical bow, but sometimes it is enough to get us through the next hour. And in enduring a mystery, we need just enough light to take one more step.1

Constantly seeking out beauty can be considered trivial or materialistic. But I believe recognizing beauty is one way the Lord leads us beside still waters. Beauty naturally invites you to rest, and when you bring others into what you consider to be beautiful, they can do the same.

I love that Wells brings us into all her beautiful things as she embarks on a new season of life, without diminishing what it is like to hold the hard.

Can you give some context behind the outfit before we get into the why? Where were you going? What were you doing?

I wore this outfit while on my 5 week sabbatical in Paris! I snapped this selfie before walking to pick up a sandwich from a nearby boulangerie (Mamiche, so good!!), then spent the rest of the afternoon shopping around the city with friends that live in Paris!

Specifically, it’s: a black sweater from Tuckernuck, thrifted cream denim, black loafers from Pêche in NYC, a vintage belt, a vintage trench from the 80s (not sure who makes it, the only tag reads “made in Poland”), this gorgeous Chanel courtesy of Vivrelle, and a newly acquired French hair pin from Maison Caillau.

Why was this your Height of Fashion?

This was my height of fashion because it felt extremely effortless, aspirational, and unfamiliar all at once. I dropped myself in France with really no notice, hoping that the unplanned environment change would bring lots of inspiration. While that wish was granted, the trip brought a lot of confusion too… literally because I am not fluent in French, but figuratively as well. I’d catch reflections of myself in windows on the street and think “Who is that? Oh wait, me!”

This particular day still felt unfamiliar… Waking up with no plans for your day in a place that is not your home (as much as I wish it was!), will have that effect! But, when I got dressed with no thought at all, then saw myself in the mirror, I felt confident.

When I spent the day out in Paris, first by myself and then with some local friends, I didn’t feel like I was playing a role… Proof being that when I was at the boulangerie, I spoke exclusively in French with the clerk! It just flew out of me! And she never responded in English, so I guess I passed the test? It felt like the biggest win.

This was a simple outfit, and I think it’s why I chose it to talk about… it reflects how my baseline, the outfit autopilot if you will, grew to a new height while in Paris.

Who has been the biggest influence in the way you dress?

Midcentury fashion has always been my biggest style inspiration. The clean lines, the unique silhouettes, the perfect blend of whimsical and sophisticated… it’s perfect to me!

Right now, I’m starting a lot of new life-chapters at once. I’ve begun to purge my closet as a result, because I feel like clothing holds so much meaning… memories, messaging to/from your inner self, etc. It’s a fun challenge to clean out + revamp my wardrobe, but it’s also daunting… my closet has never looked so bare!

The ladies I was surrounded by in Paris became huge style influences, and my long-term inspirations still hold true… Audrey Hepburn being a major one, she’s just so timeless. I love Catherine Deneuve’s cool but sophisticated looks in the 60s and 70s, and any woman in a Slim Aarons photograph gets a gold star too.

Lastly, what is something in your closet that you’re excited to wear next?!

I purchased a leather olive jacket on maaaaajor sale in Paris. Its tie belt and boxy silhouette gave vintage YSL safari jacket mixed with chore coat.The collar has a shiny finish, which is a fun contrast to the rest of the coat’s matte leather… To me, the piece is a great blend of trendy and classic. I also think outerwear is something that stands the test of time, so I know I’ll enjoy wearing this, and reflecting on my trip to Paris, for years to come!

New to my At the Height series? Check out a few more of my profiles below.

At the Height

Ally Sutton

Ally is one of my coolest friends (which is saying a lot because I have many cool friends) and I knew she would be an incredible feature. And I was right! You are in for a treat. She’s the ultimate cool girl, not because she tries to be, but because it is just who she is. One can only hope that the essence of her coolness wears off on me by approximatio…

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a month ago · 7 likes · 8 comments · At the Height

At the Height

My Aunt Milou

My Aunt Milou (short for Mildred Louise) was an icon to me when I was growing up…

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5 months ago · 14 likes · 5 comments · At the Height

At the Height

Simms Westerhouse

Simms and I have been close friends for almost 9 years. Her friendship has been so influential to my life, that it feels crazy I went 18 years without her! I did a feature on her younger sister Piper (which you should definitely read!). I’m sandwiched in between them school year wise, and love being an unofficial middle sister…

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5 months ago · 14 likes · 4 comments · At the Height

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VH

We lived on perpendicular streets in college (hiiiii Springdale and Bloomfield) where we could most often be found eating some sort of fried food and drinking teeky sodas in heavy eyeliner and a sequined garb.

Post college took Ally west to Colorado to work on a dude ranch and she stayed after that. Now, she lives out my dreams for having a reason to frequently wear western inspired clothing.

Ally is 1/2 of the brand Key and 1/4 of my lifeline the Fashion Consultants. More to come on this subject, but the FC group chat is the most shown pop up on my car play. Needless to say we are in constant communication and I see a lot of her outfits - so I was on pins and needles to see what she would choose for this!

Key was founded this year by Ally and our mutual best friend Piper. I feel so spoiled that 2 of my close friends started a clothing brand. Since I love everything they love, it feels a little like having access to custom clothing.

Besides being irrevocably good at pattern play, Ally is also the kindest most genuine and fun friend. Someone who is so easy to pick up with after a year without IRL time, and who I love to laugh with for a looooong time.

Ally here’s to an IRL teeky soda and chats soon.

Can you give some context behind the outfit before we get into the why? Where were you going? What were you doing?

Date night! I’ve come to find that people in Denver aren’t all that concerned with fashion and/or style. I can’t tell if it’s caused my style to contract or if it’s done quite the opposite and made me want to be even bolder any chance I get.

It’s funny—recently, Mac has really questioned some of my outfits. To me, that’s when I know I’m doing it right. On this specific night, though, he didn’t just refrain from raising an eyebrow as per usual—he went so far as to say he liked it?! Maybe I finally cracked the code.

Why was this your Height of Fashion?

Both the top and pants I’m wearing were found secondhand, and I think anytime an outfit comes from a thrilling Poshmark/TRR/eBay/Depop/Etsy find, is a little unconventional, and is questionable on if it actually goes together, that’s my Height of Fashion.

Sure, the hype and allure of something new are unavoidable, but worn-in pieces can be just as powerful.

These pants are part of a Ciao Lucia set I bought on Poshmark for $120!!!! I think it retailed for $495. My advice? Two words: low ball. You might get blocked or publicly and ruthlessly shamed in a Poshmark comment, or you might end up with a brand-new silk Nili Lotan gown for $100. Just saying.

The yellow top was an Etsy find—$40! Virginia has completely opened my eyes to Etsy. She’s always finding the most wonderful things, and I’ve had no choice but to try (my very hardest) to follow in her footsteps.

In a more practical world, I’d wear this top with jeans (jeans photo). But in Barbie world (where I reside), I’m wearing this. (Yellow top photo)

Who has been the biggest influence in the way you dress?

First, my mom.

I remember seeing this picture of her when I was little and immediately falling in love with the polka dots. I was off to the races from there. Any pattern—especially polka dots—always catches my eye. When a friend sends me a link and says, “This is so you,” there’s a 90% chance it contains polka dots or some other unconventional print.

I’d like to think it all stemmed from this photo of my mom (from 1990!!!!). She wears what she wants, doesn’t think twice about what other people think, and believes you should find things you love and then wear the heck out of them.

Second (duh), the Fashion Consultants group chat.

If you glance at my phone at any hour of the day, there’s likely a text popping up from the FCs. I’m continuously inspired by everything each of them is doing and have an insatiable appetite for more photos, outfit videos, links, screenshots, and ideas from them.

If you’ve seen any of us at a wedding, dinner, or on vacation, just know that every outfit has been sent to and vetted by the FCs.

Lastly, what is something in your closet that you’re excited to wear next?!

In an effort not to be totally and completely vain by saying the rest of the Key pieces that Piper and I are launching this year (that’s my real answer), I’d have to say this vintage Saks Fifth Avenue jacket.

I found it on Etsy, and it came with a matching slip dress!

New to my At the Height series? Check out a few more of my interviews below.

At the Height

Georgia

The core of this account is the At the Height interviews I share highlighting the ‘Heights of Fashion’ of people I admire. This began with my family and close friends, and I am excited to expand it to other creatives I admire…

Read more

2 months ago · 11 likes · 15 comments · At the Height

At the Height

Eliza Price

Hi hello. I have been MIA in here as I have been connecting with many of my At The Heights IRL - PTL!!! But I’ve missed writing about why I admire these people and showcasing the best of their bests…

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3 months ago · 4 likes · 3 comments · At the Height

At the Height

Piper

I met Piper’s older sister Simms (feature incoming) before I met her. I am sandwiched between them by a year, dubbing myself as the middle O’Quinn sister. Our friendship was instant. Partly because I loved her older sister, but also because it’s hard not to love Piper. She is the BEST celebrator of the good moments, so intentional and so fun, but also w…

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7 months ago · 7 likes · 3 comments · At the Height

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VH

As a personal stylist, I spend a lot of time sourcing unique pieces for my clients. I want every client (no matter their budget) to have the opportunity to own really unique, special pieces.

So I often turn to vintage.

What’s amazing about vintage is that nothing feels too precious. For me, this means I pull these pieces out much more often as they already look and feel a little lived in, so I am not scared to live in them myself.

Currently, I have been loving sifting through pieces from the 60s and 70s.

My mom is the youngest sibling - born in 1973. I have to think my admiration for clothing from this era grew from sifting through her family pictures as a child, creating a loving familiarity with plaids, florals, and paisley.

My grandmother evidently took a lot of pride in the way she dressed, and tried to pass this along to her children. We get a good laugh now, because in most of these pictures my mom and her siblings look a little ridiculous completely done up and matching. But this is what I love about the 60s and 70s, it was a little ridiculous.

Recently, our feed became oversaturated in recent years by Aritizia and Zara basics costumed as minimalistic capsule wardrobes at an obtainable price.

But at what cost?

Everyone started to look the same with no original feeling or story tied to what we were wearing. Dressing became a formula and not a feeling.

The feeling of the minimalistic quiet luxury era being done is not a novel thought, but we’ve started to swing towards the other end of the spectrum, reaching for what everyone says feels sparkly and fun (aka the Zara bag someone says you NEED) without thinking about what makes us actually feel sparkly and fun (a little cheesy I know but stay with me).

What I love about finding these old pieces on an Etsy, Ebay, etc. is that a lot of them are handmade or repurposed. True thought and feeling went into the makeup. Someone was not thinking about how they would sell on a showroom floor but, rather, thinking about how the person would feel wearing them.

My grandmother was a sewer and created a lot of my mom and aunt’s clothing. Yes, they sometimes felt ridiculous, but I know a lot of times they felt special and unique in what they had on: read my mom’s At the Height here. She chose a dress my grandmother made for her in college!

Figure out what this is for you and wear it. For me right now that is unique clothing from past eras. So here I go, sharing it with you, because 1) I do hope some them find homes with you and 2) I am proud and want them on display.

Most of these pieces are perfect for the hottest part of summer along with a few that could take you into fall.

Below are 4 special pieces styled as complete outfits with quite a random list of other little treasures.

As always, I save the best things for my clients, so, if you are interested in becoming one email virginia@haylesstyling.com.

Starting off strong with this towel wrap. The La Veste Terry cover-ups have taken over this summer, and this is their OG inspiration. I love the colors, covered buttons, and cuffed sleeves. It is evident a great attention to detail went into this piece! Another great vintage terry here.

Would look great unwrapped with a bikini underneath, or tied at the waist with a pair of shorts. I am positively obsessssssed.

Styled with a few favorite summer pieces. Trigger warning these shoes are Amazon, but they look just like the Christopher Esber ones at a mere fraction of the price. These Krewe sunglasses are at the top of my wishlist, and this towel wrap would look splendid over any swimsuit you own.

Next up is this dreamy paisley mini. Wear now with a platform for a summer rehearsal dinner, or dressed down with a sandal. Would be a great one to pull out if you have a warm weather trip planned this winter.

Paired with this fabulous Dries clutch from Poshmark. Looks fabulous here but would equally level up a white tee and jeans.

This olive duster is perhaps my favorite piece from this article and the one I am so extremely tempted to purchase myself (or make a family member purchase so I can borrow @mom).

I love the idea of a simple tank underneath (most colors will do) and a jean or jean short. Relaxed but interesting.

Paired with the Underwater Weaving crescent clutch because that is what I am currently hyper fixated on. These Manolo’s are also pretty wonderful.

If you have been around long enough you know I love a maxi skirt. This one especially strikes my fancy as it sent bound to a specific season. Lovely now with a tank, but how incredibly perfect would it be for fall?

This clutch is a TRR treasure that has been living in my hearts. Would have such staying power in the summer.

And without rhyme or reason or season… some really wonderful pieces.

1. cocktail clutch

2. 60s duster

3. mod floral short dress

4. 60s floral maxi

5. chartreuse 4ever

6. very much a fan of this belt

7. best dressed fall wedding guest

8. makes me sweat to look at but save for later

9. partial to the words handmade and fringe

10. brides!

Thank you for reading! If you liked this, subscribe for more reflections on personal style as well as my At the Height series highlighting the heights of fashion of people I admire…

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VH

As with most everywhere else in the USA it was 1000 degrees, but this did not stop us from ringing in America’s 250th. We just subbed our usual morning coffee on the screen porch for sipping inside in the AC and wore shoes on the dock to keep the soles of our feet from burning.

My grandparents built this house right after I was born almost 27 years ago and we have been coming every summer since; less frequently now than we did as kids due to life taking myself and my two siblings out of Alabama.

My grandmother passed away almost 2 years ago, but it’s wonderful to see many of the things she instituted when we were children remain the same. Especially meals: one being grilled chicken, field peas and a caprese salad from the farmers market, bread, and a salad. Our lake dinner that is unspokenly expected (especially by my brother).

When my family gets together, we fall into our same patterns and habits at 27, 25, and 22 that we had at 15, 13, and 10 (much to my parents dismay). The significant others we’ve added in have kept us on slightly better behavior.

All that to say, the weekend I am sharing below has not changed much in 27 years. We’ve lost and gained members of the family, maybe done away with and added a couple habits, but how our time together at the lake feels very much remains the same.

We rarely dress up at the lake, choosing to stay in our swimsuits until 6pm instead of showering to head out to dinner.

On this rare occurrence of having everyone in one place, we did go to Springhouse on one evening with my brother and his girlfriend, grandfather, and parents (sorry Louise).

I pulled this slip dress from Victoria Beckham via The Real Real to wear because it feels barely there which was essential due to the forecast. I’ve worn it several times before and also lent it to my sister for her college graduation party.

What feels significant to mention from our lazy dock day on Friday is this pasta salad from that we made for our lunch spread. Can attest that it does indeed rock and was so nice I made it twice (in one week). Here is the recipe.

I want to cook my way through her Substack!!!

The 4th of July falls into second place for my favorite holiday behind Christmas. I love the food, I love patriotic colors, and I love being near a body of water.

This year, my parents hosted friends for early afternoon Conecuh dogs and cocktails. For the occasion, I woke up and made an American flag cake which, honestly, looked way prettier than I expected.

I wore my favorite plaid button down from Polo Ralph Lauren over a swimsuit and jean shorts.

The red pieces in my wardrobe really had their moment this weekend.

My mom wore my red plaid Key skirt and looked very cute in it.

I got to meet Jenny of at the party and loved hearing about her Substack. If Mexico City is also on your bucket list, I recommend her recap on their recent trip. Thoroughly enjoyed!

Our afternoon plans of drinks with friends on their dock (hiiii ) called for an outfit change after sweating in the sun all day. I threw on a white cotton tank with the tomato skirt I love pulling out every summer. Really embodying you are what you eat.

Came home to my mom in a favorite Etsy sarong of our family’s. My sister and I both accidentally left ours in Tuscaloosa, and she shared that they have become regulars in her outfit rotation. They make a great shape as a skirt, and are the easiest coverups to pack in your suitcase. Also can’t beat the price.

Kudos to her for adding a chambray shirt.

Last but not least, a couple of my (not pictured) summer staples I wore this weekend (and every weekend thus far).

1. This Ann Mashburn nightgown I wear as a dress when it’s above 80 degrees

   1. Wearing as I type this…

2. Going on year 3 with these

VH

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I write features on the Heights of Fashion of people I admire…

At the Height

Georgia

The core of this account is the At the Height interviews I share highlighting the ‘Heights of Fashion’ of people I admire. This began with my family and close friends, and I am excited to expand it to other creatives I admire…

Read more

2 months ago · 10 likes · 15 comments · At the Height

At the Height

Simms Westerhouse

Simms and I have been close friends for almost 9 years. Her friendship has been so influential to my life, that it feels crazy I went 18 years without her! I did a feature on her younger sister Piper (which you should definitely read!). I’m sandwiched in between them school year wise, and love being an unofficial middle sister…

Read more

5 months ago · 14 likes · 4 comments · At the Height

As well as my own musings on personal style…

At the Height

Lace love affair

Coincidentally, I started conducting research for this piece the morning of the Met Ball. My favorite look by a long shot? Harry’s fiancé Zoë Kravitz in Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent styled by Danielle Goldberg…

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4 months ago · 7 likes · At the Height

At the Height

Not a Mannequin Person

As someone who is 5’2 I am obviously not a mannequin person. Something that looks great on a 5’10 model, will almost certainly not translate to my petite frame. RIP my efforts to wear ultra high waisted pants…

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7 months ago · 9 likes · 4 comments · At the Height

As always, my goal is for readers to not feel like they have to purchase something else, but to think more about the pieces they love and how to wear them. To inspire but not push the need to duplicate.

This dress is quickly becoming a summer favorite of mine. I bought it in January before our February trip to Cabo. It came from Poshmark and is a Marni dress circa 2012.

For both trips, I paired the dress with these shorts from Reformation. Sold as a set that I wore to my February bridal shower. They are easily the most worn piece in my closet, and I love wearing the jacket separately as well. Linked a similar down below.

The orange earrings in the above photo came from a vintage costume jewelry store in Rome. Business card below if you find yourself in Rome!

I’ve been working on adding richer colors to my closet with a focus on pieces I really love and not purchasing something to fill a quick need if I only feel lukewarm about it. I immediately was excited about this Marni dress find, which says a lot because the Poshmark photo was a little blurry.

The dress fit an immediate need (trip to Cabo), but I knew it would have staying power in my closet. I live in the south and will wear this dress for many summers and vacations to come. It’s thin and breezy, the easiest elevated throw on, and could easily work as a coverup.

I loved (and still love) the geometric pattern in hot pink and metallic. A 60s/70s vibe that had a resurgence in the 2010s when you were apt to find bold geometric jacquards in richer tones.

One reason I was inclined to order is because this dress fell into one of my favorite outfit formulas: an a-line or straight cut mini dress with mini shorts underneath. I am quite petite standing at 5’2, but this is a formula that also works on my 5’7 sister. It looks great if the dress fully covers the shorts, or if they just barely peak out.

While visually I do love it, I would be remiss if I did not touch on the practical nature of wearing shorts under a mini dress.

This past weekend I was in Harbour Island. We were walking home from dinner one night and a local whipped past in a golf cart exclaiming something about my dress. I couldn’t make out what they said, but my friend leaned over and goes “I think they said they loved your dress and but you need to pull it down”.

While I greatly appreciate this kind woman looking out for me, little did she know I was all covered by my mini shorts!

The tunic top (or mini dress) + shorts is showing up a lot in brands right now, and they’re doing it well. See a few of my favorites below…

• Sheridan Set

• The Celine Top from La Maregold

  • They style it with their pant or skirt

• Vrg Girl Top & Shorts

However, you don't need to order the dress or shorts that were envisioned to be paired together to achieve this.

My favorite vintage mini moments:

• Etsy Italian Dress

• A 1960s Mini

• Mod Crochet

• Similar Brocade

  • the button slits on the sides!!

• Lovely Lace

• Perhaps My Favorite

And some non vintage minis:

• Good for summer into fall

• I love everything olive but olives

When in doubt, get it hemmed to make it even mini-er.

These are the shorts I would pull for any of the above. Mix and match and pattern play!

• In the chartreuse or pink mhhhmmm

• A little linen

• With the white lace

• Most similar to the ones I have

I love all of the pieces above, but bet you already have pieces in your closet where you could make this work.

Think about the dress where last time you put it on you thought it was a tad too short or the top that was a little awkwardly long… and add shorts!

And because we are often in sync… here is my friend Piper in a tunic mini short combo that she texted me yesterday.

***My hack when ordering off of Poshmark, Etsy, TRR, Ebay, etc. is to plug the listed measurements into ChatGPT alongside my measurements and ask it to share the fit. Resale items can oftentimes have been altered even if the size tag is listed (I believe this Marni dress was taken up in the straps). If the measurements are not listed, always message the seller!

Would love it if you said hi on Instagram (but tbh I am more fun on Substack).

VH

Starting off with Georgia of I Look You Buy, whose Substack is a fabulous curation of interiors and fashion: each reflecting a clearly articulated sense of style that can only come from someone who truly knows their taste.

Thank you for answering a rogue Substack DM Georgia!!

I exited Instagram in August of 2025, overburdened by the amount of disingenuous content I was consuming, especially as someone newly married and fresh off the targeted bridal algorithm. So, I turned to Substack for a breath of fresh social media air.

Georgia’s account I Look You Buy was one of the first I stumbled across. I don’t remember exactly, but I was probably drawn in by one of her eclectic newsletters filled with wonderfully articulated sentiments around a niche subject such as wearing pajamas in public. I thoroughly enjoy clicking through the items she shares, but the main reason I love her account is because it always leaves me more motivated to love what I love.

I would say her content is slightly counter-cultural. Georgia is not pushing something the rest of your algorithm is trying to get you to buy, and her intention does not even seem for readers to buy the exact thing she links. Georgia shares fundamentals when building an outfit or room that push you to think a little differently: adding the old or unexpected somewhere you hadn’t thought before. This is expertly paired with unique finds that can quickly take you down an Etsy rabbit hole.

I have not personally asked her this, but I feel she is pretty unbothered by trends. Georgia showcases a rich sense of self that rubs off on her readers and is a constant thread through everything she writes.

In life, who you choose to surround yourself with is important. Online, it is as well. Whose content are you choosing to consume that will inevitably impact how you feel about what you own, and dictate what you purchase in the future?

Georgia is a wonderful follow to leave you feeling inspired and creative!!

Can you give some context behind the outfit before we get into the why?

I wore this look out to dinner in NYC with my husband on our one year anniversary! It’s the getting ready robe I wore on the morning of our wedding repurposed as a duster-esque top over dark wash vintage Levi jeans.

Where were you going? What were you doing?

One year anniversary dinner at the Fouquet’s hotel in Tribeca!

My husband surprised me with a staycation for our first wedding anniversary. I had about 30 minutes notice to pack a bag, and I’m quiteeeeeee glad I thought to throw this in– the tie-in of getting ready in this same look made all the emotions feel amplified and even more nostalgic 12 months later.

Why was this your Height of Fashion?

I chose this as my ‘height of fashion’ because it feels like the ultimate display of my ethos around getting dressed.

When choosing an outfit, my #1 goal is to feel personally connected to it. I want, for better or for worse, a feeling of ownership over the look. I don’t want it to be copy and pasted from an instagram ad. There needs to be memories tied to picking the pieces out, ideally a touch that comes from my mom or grandmother or cousins, and maybe a color or shape that makes someone say “that’s so you.”

This outfit in particular has all of the above for me. I wore this look to dinner with my husband on our one year anniversary. It’s the pucci getting ready robe I wore on the morning of our wedding repurposed as a duster top. I paired it with my favorite vintage jeans and a green Souer Paris bag that I have worn minimum once a week every week for the past 4 years.

For jewelry, I wore my everyday pieces plus my beloved charm bracelet that I’ve been building since I was born, tied onto a chain to make it a necklace for extra pizazz and (you guessed it..) sentimentality.

Who has been the biggest influence in the way you dress?

In addition to the very obvious but very true “my mom”, my two cousins, Helen & Olivia, have had the biggest influence on the way I dress. They’re 6 & 8 years older than me respectively, and we spent every big (and little) moment together since forever. They’re both incredibly stylish and creative. They don’t overthink or over plan any look. They buy vintage pieces that speak to them, they search our grandmother and great-grandmothers’ basements for overlooked hand-me-downs, they aren’t fussy about brands and don’t look closely at trends.

Shopping is a verified hobby in my family. We spend vacation days strolling stores and work days texting links back and forth, and they’re always focused on practical use (something I’m still learning…..), whether or not it sparks joy, and the quality. As a family, the purchase formula they’ve shaped for us is: Do you love it? Are the materials good quality? And finally.. Is there some sort of story there? Then buy it. They don’t wait for consensus, it doesn’t matter if other people like it - it’s all about how you yourself feel, and following that intuition.

If I’ve worn something cool, there’s a 99.99% chance it was a direct copy of something I’ve seen on them.

Georgia’s cousins:

Lastly, what is something in your closet that you’re excited to wear next?!

WOWW okkkkk let me think. I don’t know if this is a cheat because I’ve worn it once, but I really love my brand new Antik Batik top. I’m obsessed with the color and I love a cropped frilly top with casual jeans for summer.

If you love Georgia’s style here are a few of my favorite articles she has written!

I Look, You Buy

So You Think You Can Wedding Guest

Spring is here and I can already smell the specialty spicy margs and deodorant-y sweat of wedding season. So, let’s talk what to wear as you watch your loved ones say “I do…

Read more

5 months ago · 168 likes · 17 comments

I Look, You Buy

The Art of Wearing Pajamas in Public

I’m not talking how to conceal your Eberjeys just enough to appropriately sport them around the bodega hungover — I’m talking how to wear your lingerie as a dress to a birthday party…

Read more

7 months ago · 32 likes · 11 comments · I Look, You Buy

I Look, You Buy

Material girls

Since starting this Substack, I’ve become increasingly aware of the fervor with which I describe material goods. On any given day, I take to the internet to declare that I “need,” am “obsessed with,” or “would sell multiple feet pics and then kill someone with my bare hands for”—okay that last one was too far—a vintage clutch or a burl wood picture frame…

Read more

6 months ago · 65 likes · 24 comments · I Look, You Buy

New to my At the Height series? Check out a few more of my interviews below.

Thank you for reading! If you liked this, subscribe for more At the Heights along with other reflections on personal style…

Subscribe now

VH

Most everyone desires to look presentable under fluorescent lighting and stay comfortable whilst sitting for 8+ hours, but it isn’t easy. On top of that, how do you not absolutely hate your clothes after wearing them so frequently, and solely for the purpose of being in an office?

My previous job was working in manufacturing consulting where I most often wore a company issued polo that felt flame retardant. It was hard, but I did my best to zuzh that up.

ICYMI, I wrote a little about my intro into corporate America here.

All my life I have had better days and felt more confident when I liked my outfits. This didn’t change when I was presenting in front of a crowd who could not have cared less about what I was wearing.

I understand the importance of choosing what to wear for work. It can a monotonous and repetitive task, but when you get creative and work outside the box, the opportunities become a lot more fun.

Behind the paywall, I am going to tackle how to love your work clothes. Sharing pieces and styling them for the office and out of the office. As always, I am here to help you get that cost per wear dowwwwn.

***Lots of unique pieces below… including vintage for the workplace! And unique pieces not for the workplace because I couldn’t help myself.

Read more

Yes, I occasionally post links to items I am loving, but I felt there was already a lot of people doing that very well. Granted, I love a good hunt (especially for a great vintage piece) and sharing what I find, but my main skillset is creating unique pairings with items already in someone’s closet and using new pieces in unexpected ways.

My goal is never to make someone feel like they have to buy more, but rather to help individuals learn to appreciate and work with what they already have.

Personal style is inherently unique, hence the word personal. We should not all be dressing the same, as we all have different tastes. This is one of the reasons I love my At the Height series, highlighting the heights of fashion of people I admire. It captures the essence of personal style: What are people wearing when they feel their best, and why? Our tastes and preferences are shaped by our life experiences and backgrounds. It’s fascinating to learn about the makeup of an ensemble through someone else’s eyes.

So, with this series, I will be diving into my own outfits: why I chose to wear what I did, where I found the pieces, how I plan to rewear them, any good stories behind the outfit, etc. I may link pieces if I find similar ones, but my main goal is to inspire, not to make readers feel the need to duplicate.

Without further ado, the first outfit I am diving into is what I wore to a rehearsal dinner this May in Oklahoma City.

First off, Oklahoma rocks. We had the best time. The wedding was for two of our dear friends and it was such an amazing weekend celebrating them.

I told myself I was not going to purchase anything for the rehearsal dinner as I purchased this amazing Diane Von Furstenberg dress for the actual wedding. However, my plans to practice frugality were dashed when one of my best friends came to Nashville and we popped in UAL. For those who are not familiar, UAL stands for United Apparel Liquidators and has locations in Nashville, TN -- New Orleans, LA -- Metairie, LA -- Austin, TX -- Houston, TX -- Hattiesburg, MS. They also have a small selection online.

I first pulled the Cynthia Rowley feather cropped tube top off the rack. At my age and stage of life, a cropped tube top didn’t seem super practical but I thought it was worth the try on. Second came the Paris Georgia low waisted sheer black maxi skirt.

In our shared dressing room, my friend and I were flying through pieces. This was post pilates and pre-lunch so we were in a low blood sugar induced frenzy. As I put on the Cynthia Rowley feather top and the black Paris Georgia skirt, my friend, in a stroke of brilliance, suggested I pull up the skirt and see if I could tie the back tight enough to stay. We were giddy with ourselves in the UAL dressing room when the vision was executed!

I paired the look with a vintage teal satin clutch from Poshmark and old Jimmy Choo heels via TRR.

** Lucky size medium here is the exact black skirt

This was such a great example of how fun fashion can be when it is a shared experience. I love to be someone people turn to when they are trying to think outside the box as it comes to getting dressed: helping them see pieces in a new light or finding the one gap in their closet that will make four outfits out of the one they previously thought. Or styling the perfect outfit for an event where they feel so unique and utterly themselves. I don’t take for granted the gift it is that I get to do this for others!

I ultimately bought this outfit because of its originality and personally love black for a summer wedding event (it accentuates a tan). I also knew I would wear both pieces again separately and together.

Never have I ever bought an event ensemble for a one-time wear.

I’ll leave you with the gorgeous band stage from this weekend.

More to come!

VH

Nevertheless, I am picking back up with the most wonderful edition: my friend Eliza. I was just with her this past weekend, and no one makes me laugh harder or leaves me more inspired. You are in for a TREAT.

I’ve wanted to interview Eliza for my At the Height series since I started it! A close friend, an artist, and an associate designer for Barrie Benson. She is, in every sense, a connoisseur of beauty and color.

I first met Eliza at a spring party at our alma mater, The University of Georgia. We bonded when I shared my glitter pink heart glasses with her which feels very indicative of the friendship that came afterwards. Full of all the fun and sparkly things.

Her unique eye for detail and color is unmatched. She’s very perceptive of the world around her, incorporating inspiration from travel, nature, and everyday life into her art and outfits.

This unique eye is evident in what she chooses to wear. Always an incredible mix of texture and rich hues. She’s my color influencer. Eliza wears chartreuse? I want to wear chartreuse. She goes for the bold halter dress on Poshmark? I have the confidence to do the same. Eliza is always doing incredible things with the unexpected.

Eliza launched her iconic game bird series her senior year at UGA. My husband gifted me a pair this year, and I love seeing them everyday! Also have my eye on her fresh cut series…

My first piece of EP Art was a watercolor she did of the word “Vibrant”. It was my word of the year when I turned 20. The piece has made it across 3 cities, many moves, survived a spilled up of coffee, and now hangs on a board in my kitchen.

Vibrant sums up Eliza pretty well as she and everything she touches is so full of life!!

Can you give some context behind the outfit before we get into the why? Where were you going? What were you doing?

I first wore this dress to a family friend’s wedding in 2021. It had been rescheduled after COVID, and I was extra excited to dress up, declaring I was no longer “saving outfits” for the perfect occasion. I recently pulled it out again for my dear friend Madden’s rehearsal dinner in her backyard in St. Simons. It’s a bright, confidence-boosting dress that felt perfect for giving a speech.

Why was this your Height of Fashion?

I’m so thrilled to be featured on At The Height, but Virginia would agree this answer took some persistence. Haha. I couldn’t think of one exact moment at first, until I started recalling times when I got really excited about clothes.

For some context, I’m from St. Simons Island, a place where, for the longest time, I could get away with a swimsuit, a cover-up, and the occasional Lilly Pulitzer dress I begged my mom for so I could go to ~bingo~. Fun fact related to the story, I swear: Amy Smilovic, the founder of Tibi, is from St. Simons. (PS: she’s a fun follow on Instagram — very cool.) She opened an outlet on SSI because her warehouse was nearby.

Flash forward to my high school years. My mom and I heard they were having a sample sale on the first Sunday of every month: no try-ons allowed, five items for $100 total. This made me very excited. Basically, 15-year-old Eliza was doing 25-year-old Eliza such a service. I would go every month and grab five random items: a floral raincoat I wore to an embarrassing amount of ’80s-themed frat basement parties, a long-sleeve orange sparkly shirt I vividly remember wearing to death in college, my favorite pink pleated going-out top, and this snazzy yellow dress, to name a few.

The yellow dress sticks out to me because I felt so great in it. Since then, I’ve learned yellow is my color, but I also loved how funky I felt and how fun it was to wear. (great dancing dress!) I grabbed it because the color and ruffle spoke to me. I had no place to wear it, but who cared?! It was $20. It was awkwardly long, so I cut the neck tie off and made it into a belt. Sorry Amy!

Long story short, collecting these beautiful, sometimes slightly funky Tibi pieces pushed me out of my comfort zone. I accidentally created this little capsule of chic pieces that I’ve probably styled in 100 cringey ways throughout high school and college, but it pushed me to wear fun things, learn what silhouettes work for me, and realize the beauty in a well-made piece of clothing.

Who has been the biggest influence in the way you dress?

OoOOoOOo, good question. I think my career has really affected my style: interior designer by day and artist by night/weekend, haha. So many of the principles in art and design apply to fashion. Vintage is better, animal print always works, you need a little red or black to funk it up, layers, layers, layers, and a good color story can cure all.

Lastly, what is something in your closet that you’re excited to wear next?!

It’s not in my closet yet… BUT I am geeking out about wearing my new wrap skirts from Key. I like to claim I’m their largest collector in the Southeast because I bought not one, but two. (Red plaid + pixel floral girls unite.) I am so proud of my friends Ally and Piper! Every day this week while getting dressed for work, I’ve wished I had them to throw on. They’re shipping June 8th, so go snag one!!

P.S. “Tibi” is still one of my favorite key words when doom scrolling The Real Real and Poshmark. People forget about it and you can snag such great pieces for a DEAL. Their fabrics are sooo good.

Author’s Note:

Amy Smilovic spoke at UGA my freshman year. As I was a freshman and in a haze of minimal sleep, malnutrition, and general disorientation as to what I was doing; I have very little memory of our conversation. But I did sit at a conference room table with her and probably 10 other students. She was very beautiful and well spoken. I wish I would have taken more advantage of that exposure!

Because Eliza is a woman of the people, she shared some of her incredible Tibi finds with us.

1. Orange Pleated Top

2. Pink Pleated Tank

3. Yellow Pleated Top

4. Taffeta Tank

5. Taffeta Tank

6. Khaki Midi

7. Silk Midi

8. Similar to Eliza’s

9. Purple Pleats

10. Blue + Green Pleats

11. Pink Pleats

12. Floral Bomber

To me, there is nothing better than finding something for someone that you think they are really going to love, and watching them open it. That feeling of really nailing it keeps me going for a while after opening gifts Christmas morning.

Anywho, I love to give my friends little happies throughout the year for their birthdays, as hostess gifts, just because, etc. I am not always consistent as to when I give gifts: I may not send every birthday or they may be a month late, but, regardless, the sentiment is there.

I curated the below list of little happies any stylish individual would be pleased to receive. Some are $, some are $$,but none are $$$+. The best happies in life are cheap and cheerful. If something is out of your budget but you think a certain stylish friend would love it, go in with a few people together!

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1. Fresh Cut Flowers

One of my favorite things to gift is fresh cut flowers in a bud vase. I adore a pretty bud vase. Sit them on a bedside table, window sill in your kitchen, or on a book on your coffee table. You can also never have too many of them.

I try to several of them at once, so I have a “go-to” gift for having dinner at a friend’s house or a last minute birthday happy. Usually accompanied with flowers from my yard or a trip to Trader Joe’s flower section. Some favorite vintage finds below.

1. Blue Glass

2. Art Deco

3. Crystal

4. Brass

5. Multi Colored Set

6. Red and Gold Favorites

7. Sweet Silver

Another floral adjacent option. I had a flower arranging friend gift me a bottle of wine with flowers tied to it one time and thought it was so beautiful and clever. Copied for an engagement gift last year.

2. A Tiny Impractical Fabulous Bag

A tiny fabulous impractical bag needs no introduction. Its impracticality and flair make it a no-brainer gift. Hard to justify buying it myself but would love to own one. Like, does it even fit your phone? Morrrrreeee vintage below!

1. White Art Deco

2. Beaded Bliss

3. 20s Cobalt Blue

4. 60s pink and white - engagement gift for your bestie bride??

5. Debating gifting myself

3. A Sweet Picture in a Fabulous Frame

Picture frames fall into the category of you don’t want to buy yourself but like to own. As I am certain we are all in the midst of wedding, graduation, baby season; capture a photo and gift it. What a simple way to celebrate a special moment and say I love you! And again, vintage below!

1. Vintage Art Deco

2. Metal Enamel

3. Round Brass

4. Another Enamel

4. A Little Dish

I can think of 100 uses for a tiny dish. Top 5: ring dish in your bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, etc., keys, salt cellar, bedside essentials, tea light holder. So many lovely options out there!

1. Vintage Ginori

2. Major Southern Vibes

3. Small Metal

4. Your Friend Having a Beach Wedding

5. Swans Are Having a Moment

6. Silver Pedestal

That’s all. Wasn’t planning to write this but found so many treasures while sipping my morning coffee on this lovely Friday.

Have a great weekend!

VH

There was pushback online that her look wasn’t strictly on theme. While others leaned into more literal interpretations (brushstrokes, painted bodices, direct interpretations of a work of art) I think she captured this year’s dress code “Fashion Is Art” in a more conceptual way.

Kravitz's look (above) was a full-length black lace gown with sleeves and a scalloped sweetheart neckline. The statuesque silhouette billowed at the waist before draping down and hitting elegantly at the floor. A flattering cut for petite women everywhere.

The icing on the cake was her jewelry by Jessica McCormack inspired by Surrealist artists like Man Ray and Salvador Dalí. 1 My AP Spanish class coming in handy here with the Dalí reference, but that is not the focal point of this piece.

Lace is created by twisting, looping, or knotting threads, evolving from a 16th-century European status symbol into a refined art form and, eventually, a machine-made industrial product. The Met actually categorizes its lace holdings under its Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts.

In its earliest form, only the wealthy could afford it due to the painstaking labor required to make it by hand. Certain styles of lace ruffs and collars exuded a sense of masculinity, while others were perceived as feminine. Regardless, lace represented power, sophistication and exclusivity. 2 Thankfully, Britain’s Industrial Revolution made the mass creation of lace possible due to the efforts of a John Heathcoat circa 1809. 3 Thank you, John, for giving me the ability to wear lace.

Perhaps the most widespread fabric is cotton whose slogan is cotton: the fabric of our lives. However, I believe lace gives it a run for its money.

Lace quite literally takes us from the cradle to the grave. This especially rings true if you, like me, were raised in Alabama. My great-grandmother Dootchie spent years making the girls in my family french hand sewn dresses. We wore them for baptisms, as flower girls, to every Easter and father-daughter dance. They are so beautiful and intricate. If my parents didn’t stop me I would have worn them well into middle school.

Universally, lace is most iconically used for wedding gowns: most notably Kate Middleton’s which we have seen versions of on our Instagram feeds since 2011.

When I look at notable life events of women, it most certainly is the fabric of our lives.

And I adore it.

Lace has especially caught my eye as of late with the changing of the seasons - its fluidity and romantic nature perfectly suited for spring and summer.

Part of this is (as previously explained) due to its ability to be absolutely timeless. I don’t typically follow trends and am more so drawn to elements I discover looking at art, reading, browsing old photos, etc.; and have been doing more of this as of recent.

I also attribute my love of lace to practical nature and desire to never purchase something I will only wear for one season. I have a lace shirt of my grandmothers from over 50 years ago that my mom wore, and it has now been passed to my sister and I. My sister recently lent it to a friend for a fraternity party… a real testament to lace’s staying power. To quote L’Officiel: lace is a material with more than five centuries of history that knows how to stay current beyond trends. 4

Lace can absolutely take you through all seasons, but for the purpose of this article I am here to focus on the next few months….

Lace does the heavy lifting - immediately creating visual interest without loud colors or patterns. It’s elegant while being alluring, current while being timeless. Its use in a garment always feels intentional: making a stiff poplin more fluid, or fitting in just right amongst silks and chiffons. Making me ponder, is lace simply a less ostentatious rhinestone?

Many of my favorite outfits I save have lace. Again, it’s the immediate visual interest that makes me save to come back to. And it always seems to be styled so creatively. Yes, it’s beautiful on its own (ex: slip dress in photo 1) but it also provides ample room for creative juxtapositions in one ensemble.

Lace is one of my favorite things to pack on a summer vacation - and is a summer trip not the best time to play around with something new? Wear a lace dress night 1 with a slip or bra underneath and the following days to the beach as a coverup. I do not recommend the reverse order as you run the risk of smelling like sunscreen at the dinner table.

Lace is beautiful in a monochromatic moment but can be funked up with bright colored accompaniments for previously mentioned juxtaposition. Something airy like lace is made more interesting by pairing it with a heavier fabric: think denim, velvet, leather. Or take white lace and pair it with a rich or primary color. Get funky with it. Wear the bright bikini underneath your lace shirt with denim cutoffs or the vintage lace blue maxi with a metallic shoe. Try out a few combinations you think may not make sense until you try it on and then they really do.

Going out west? One of my favorite combinations is a lace top, great jeans, and some turquoise accessories.

While I am not bold enough to wear the below outfit in public, I love the starkness of a bright white slip underneath or a a bikini on vacation. I aim to be this woman with a candy cigarette and big a** hat my next trip.

Summer brides, this is your time to shine.

Lace isn’t just reserved for the ceremony dress, I adore when it finds its way into other bridal events as well. I wore a Kamperett lace tunic to my April rehearsal dinner last year and re-wore it on our honeymoon with a pair of satin mini shorts. It’s peak romanticism while being practical as it won’t leave you pouring sweat after you work the room and barely get to make it through your first cocktail.

I purchase a lot of vintage and my searches usually end up somewhere deep in lace. However, there are current pieces out there that I like just as much as something that was created years and years ago. Not all lace is created equal, but good lace is good lace no matter where it comes from. Besides stretchy lace, not really into that unless it’s a Hanky Panky.

Some of my favorite finds below…

For the brides!

For the rest of us!

*With some pieces that could go bridal

Any of these pieces would have serious staying power in your closet. To this day, I have yet to exit a piece of lace clothing from my closet. And I purge quite often!

In closing, I’ll leave you with this that I came across and loved: lace has always existed in that space between craft and art, utility and beauty, past and present.5

xx,

VH

She reshared this story to my dad, concerned she’d have to break the news to him that he may not play football at the collegiate level. My dad’s response: “Don’t worry, life will take care of that.”

My version of that is thinking for years about what I would say if someone asked me to describe my style in one word. I don’t think anyone will be interviewing me for Vogue, and I have never lived in New York so avoided the risk of someone rogue interviewing me on the sidewalk and posting it on Tik Tok. But still, the pressure to have this word plagued me.

I’ve always been drawn to what I’ve been drawn to. Usually prettily easily able to make up my mind on what I like or what I don’t like. But distilling it into a single word has always felt impossible. Like squeezing all of the toothpaste out of the tube and putting it back in - it just doesn’t fit.

I love old pieces: kitschy vintage from Etsy and discounted classic designer on The Real Real. New items: Zara pareos and the whole new arrivals page on Moda Operandi. I’m not a self proclaimed minimalist, and maximalist feels like a little too much for me. I’m not always chic; love most of Doen but don’t resonate with cottage core. I pick out items on a trip and don’t think about how they fit into what I currently own: choosing to prioritize having a piece attached to a memory and sacrificing a cohesive wardrobe.

When I look in my closet, I love seeing all of these different pieces. I love the challenge of pairing them together. I love unexpected combinations in a singular outfit: pairings that don’t make sense but compel you to look twice.

So hence my crisis of whittling all of this down to a singular word.

I hate to admit it, but Pinterest did it for me. One day, when pulling up my home page, I got an algorithm driven notification “Your style based on Home interior: Eclectic”. I froze on Eclectic. I’ve known this word my entire life. My grandparents have a lake house there. It’s a tiny one stoplight, two Mexican restaurant town in Central Alabama. I had never once thought about it being an adjective.

Upon Googling, I discovered eclectic describes something, such as tastes, style, or a collection, that is made up of a wide variety of sources, styles, or ideas rather than a single, uniform source. It often implies selecting the best or most interesting elements from diverse places to create something new.

This word is something I would have never equated to style. When we packed for the lake growing up, my bag was filled with cheap swimsuits (because the lake turns them brown), workout clothes, and pajamas. We almost never went out to dinner, there’s no reason to put on make-up, and the majority of the people we’d see I was either related to or had known since I was a baby.

I brought friends there in college and sent the town name to them so they could look up the weather for packing. One friend responded, “oh - I thought you were kidding about the name.” I get it, it totally sounds a little redneck.

But in Eclectic, I’m at home. I know the sounds of the cicadas at night, the smell of our house when I wake up in the morning, the way the screen door by the kitchen slams shut if you’re not gentle with it when you walk out to the porch. Eclectic knows me, and I am comfortable there.

That’s how I feel sitting in the word Eclectic. My style feels at home there. It fits - like miraculously fitting the toothpaste back in the tube.

Give me all of what I perceive to be the best ofs and most interestings. Pairing a Louis Vuitton shirt I got off TRR years ago with a pair of white satin shorts I bought from Reformation last year, wearing a 2012 Marni dress with blue beads I bought from a vintage costume jewelry store in Rome on our honeymoon, my Juju Vera collar necklace with a Zara tank top and Still Here Jeans. Why should I not wear all the best things at once?!

Sixteen year old me would be perplexed as to why twenty-six year old me was describing my style as eclectic on the internet. But, to quote Hannah Montana, you always find your way back home.

So what does this mean for what I am loving right now???

I guess this whole article could just be summed up by saying, love what you love - it’s not that deep.

VH

Thank you for reading my work! I post bi-weekly articles on the Heights of Fashion of people I admire. Also share tidbits and musings on personal style. If you love what you read please like, comment, share! Would love to hear from you.

I first met Mary Caroline (my now sister-in-law) at the Texas v Alabama game in Tuscaloosa shortly after our first date, and then spent more time with her over Thanksgiving. The first few months I knew Mary Caroline, I was totally intimidated by her. She’s beautiful, strong, and loyal: doesn’t care much for what other people think and unapologetically speaks her mind - a far cry from myself who can care a little too much about the opinions of others.

Thankfully, over the years of our dating and engagement, my intimidation wore off and we became great friends. Her boldness and confidence is something I admire and I love turning to her for advice because I know she processes things differently than I do. Luckily, she’s just a voice memo away!

MC is the most fun friend to have on a family trip, usually down to go ahead and open the bottle of wine or order the extra sushi roll. She’s also passionate about health and wellness (check out her Instagram page) so is essentially my dream vacation partner... traditional Chinese medicine became a central topic during our latest time in Mexico.

Growing up, you think about your husband: who he would be, what he would be like; but you don’t really think about your in-laws. I’m so thankful the Lord gave me more than I could’ve known to ask for when he put Mary Caroline in my life. Family who is also a friend. A great friend.

Can you give some context behind the outfit before we get into the why? Where were you going? What were you doing?

I’m so glad you asked because before we even get into the outfit… you have to understand the setting.

This was TX OU weekend, for the third year post grad. It’s not just a football game, it’s essentially the Super Bowl of college (+ post grad) weekends. And now, it somehow feels even bigger because it turns into a full on reunion weekend.

It’s the one weekend a year you can count on seeing almost everyone from your college life. And knowing that, you have no choice but to make sure you look good!

You’re walking through tailgates seeing familiar faces, yet in completely different phases of life when you last saw them at 2 am at the frat house: some are engaged, some are exactly the same as they were at 19, and some barely hanging on trying to survive a 48 hour drinking marathon.

As if no time has passed, my retired sorority sisters and I are right back in it, back to our 2021 selves. From bed to shower to getting ready at full speed in a house packed with girls, sharing mirrors, mimosas, Advil, and gearing up for a 16+ hour day. Then onto pregames, tailgates, and the game, constantly on the move, running into people nonstop, taking pictures, losing your voice before the game even starts… you get the gist.

I will say it is important to note that this weekend also has… a very clear visual identity.

You’re either a Texas girl: coated from head to toe in tans, creams, denims, or burnt orange inspired with some western touches … or you’re in aggressively loud red and stark white. A very clear fashion distinction.

As a Texas gal, you can spot us in a sea of whites and browns, styled with eclectic vintage belts, cowboy boots, and hats, with just a hint of sass. Everyone somehow blends in while still standing out. No outfit is the same, but every single one feels so Texas and so them.

Here I was heading from an early morning pregame at my house straight into tailgates and then onto the TX OU game fully fueled by shampoo effect accompanied with anticipation that only comes with knowing it’s going to be a really long and really fun day.

Why was this your Height of Fashion?

Because nothing tests your style more than Texas OU weekend. The pressure is high, plans are made months in advance, and everyone’s asking what you’re wearing before you even know yourself.

But between being 25, work, life, and … a budget, it was the week of and I still hadn’t found anything.

Thankfully I found this cute set last minute. I must say I do love a good set. It might not be coined the most creative outfit, but to me I view it not only as effortless and cohesive, but you can additionally style each piece separately. Virginia, I will be reaching back out for styling pointers on that.

The second I tried it on, I instantly felt like my favorite version of myself. A true Texas girl ready for a fun weekend with my college best friends, football, banter, and margs. Vodka with lime for me.

The shorts felt sassy, the top had a fun and flattering A line cut, and I paired it with the perfect brown booties. And of course my sunglasses… brown. Purse…brown. If there was such thing as a brown rainbow that would be my outfit - truly every shade. The color scheme was exactly how Texas raised me to dress. My outfit just made sense to me and my best friends were on my couch hyping me up, telling me this outfit was the one!

I once heard, “You don’t want your clothes to wear you, you want to wear your clothes.” And this set was just that.

When I put it on, I felt like myself, not like I was just wearing something for the sake of it being trendy. To me, that’s what the height of fashion is all about.

Who has been the biggest influence in the way you dress?

This might be the hardest question for me because I’ve never really had a specific fashion influence. I don’t closely follow trends or keep up with many people in pop culture, so my style has always felt pretty instinctive.

When I read this question, my mind was completely blank. I was filing through my brain trying to think of anyone who may have influenced even a single outfit of mine… and no one came to mind. So I called my best friend Julia, who knows me better than i know myself, and asked her who she thinks influences the way I dress. We both sat there for a full minute and started laughing when she realized nothing and no one came to mind for her either. She finally said, “You don’t really have an influence… you just try something on, throw it together, and either love it or hate it. There’s no in-between.” And honestly, she’s exactly right.

I grew up in a home where fashion wasn’t a big focus. Not only am I sandwiched between two brothers, but also raised by my mom (the most wonderful person) but styling clothes was never really her thing. And to my dismay that trait has been passed down to my sister Millie and me. Anytime I asked her opinion on what i was wearing, she would not address the outfit on my body and would always say, “MC, you would look beautiful in a brown paper bag.” I used to roll my eyes at that, but looking back, I really understand what she meant. I love putting together an outfit and looking put together… I just wouldn’t call myself a fashionista by any means. So much of style, to me, comes down to confidence and energy. Of course what you wear matters, but I think your attitude and the way you carry yourself are what people actually notice first. I know most girls fall in love with an outfit at first sight, but I tend to be more drawn to the person and her energy wearing it than the outfit itself.

It’s pretty funny now having Virginia as part of our family: she is so fashion forward, and I remember the first words Kitsie (my mom) used to describe her future daughter in law: “very stylish.” I’m not sure that’s exactly how Virginia would describe the rest of us Hayles girls… If I’m being completely honest, I usually am a mannequin shopper - so sorry Virginia I’m working on it!

Lastly, what is something in your closet that you’re excited to wear next?!

If you’ve ever seen my closet, you know it’s a very specific color palette. Lots of pink and blue, mixed with creams, whites, and browns . (*Note* I’m getting my colors done next week, so really hoping pink and blue make the cut. If not, that’ll be a disaster!) If you’ve ever borrowed something from me, you have definitely ended with one of these signature shades.

I recently went on a family trip to Cabo last month and finally got to wear a new Hunza G swimsuit I had been so excited about. I got one good wear out of her… and then realized this week she never made it back home to Dallas with me. $300 down the drain and my once justified cost per wear? Not great.

Naturally, I resorted to retail therapy.

Warm weather is here, and I love nothing more than being near water in the Texas heat, so I was determined to find something I was just as excited about. And in perfect irony, I found a Hunza G strapless pale blue (my favorite color ever!) bikini on sale for half off. Immediate win & straight to cart.

She just came in, and I already know I’ll be living in her this summer with some cute white linens, whether that’s in Nantucket for the Fourth of July or just at my apartment pool.

Sourcing truly special pieces takes time and intention. If you are a bride (or maid of honor, mother of bride/groom, etc) I would love to help you source and style looks for the wedding weekend. Message below or reach out to virginia@haylesstyling.com.

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We are approaching our first wedding anniversary this month. I cannot believe we have been married almost a year. Do the rest of the years go by this fast?

I recently did an article on my wedding dress which you can read here, but I also wanted to spend some time diving into the other pieces I sourced for our wedding. I’ll share the details on where I purchased, why I loved, how I wore, and how I’ve reworn. Here to break the stigma that the bridal wardrobe is only for the wedding.

I am a part of a bridal resale group on Facebook (haven’t tried to remove myself) and I so often want to comment on posts “keep that!!! your daughter will want to wear that one day!!!” but it feels like an overstep and they didn’t ask for my opinion. I also understand not wanting something to just hang in your closet for 30 years. So let’s get into how to the pieces and how I rewore them…

1. Bridal Luncheon

In a desire not to get ready twice in one day, I had all my bridesmaids dress casually for my luncheon at a local Mexican restaurant. I turned 26 that day, the day before our wedding on the 26th, so my sister made these “26” t-shirts to commemorate the number of the weekend.

I paired it with a pair of Lululemon ribbed align leggings. They didn’t make them this year but I found them on Poshmark here, here, and here. Paired with a pair of Autry sneakers because we went on a walk that morning (similar).

Obvious rewear but these are my favorite leggings for yoga, pilates, or walking. They’re very thin and comfortable. Still love my Autry sneakers. I have worn them almost to death over this past year and need to replace. Lastly, love throwing on my 26 t-shirt for working out or sleep. Maybe in 20 years it will be considered a vintage tee…

I remember seeing a photo of my bridesmaids wearing the t-shirts on their flight home which made me smile. One was Piper and you can read about her love of merch here.

2. Rehearsal Dinner

This lace tunic and tulle dress were the first pieces I ordered for our wedding. They’re from a bridal atelier in San Francisco called Kamperett. I wasn’t wearing lace for our ceremony, and knew I wanted to incorporate it in somewhere. It was love at first sight when I saw the Kamperett Isabella lace tunic paired with the delicate Camille tulle dress. The brand was new to me, but I optimistically placed a pre-order in September for a February delivery date.

On an uncharacteristically warm February day, my Kamperett order came in while my roommate Carey and I were locked out of our house after going on a walk. Silver lining of us being stuck on our porch was that it ensured I was able to sign for the package. We were giddy as we unboxed it and thankfully our roommate Ellie came home shortly thereafter to let us back in.

I paired the look with my maternal grandmother’s earrings and a pair of Zara shoes. TBH, I regret the Zara shoes. I last minute bought them and looking back I should have paired them with a cream heeled sandal and kept the look monochromatic. We all have regrets…

I rewore these pieces separately on our honeymoon in Italy. Both for dinners when we were in Puglia. I don’t have a good photo of the tulle dress, but I paired it with a long slip underneath. For the lace tunic, I just did a nude bra under with a pair of cream satin mini shorts and heeled sandals! I also want to wear it belted one day. It’s a good length where it can pass as a mini dress with shorts or a slip underneath. If I was taller, I would wear it over a pair of jeans with heels and do belted or unbelted.

3. Wedding Day Brunch

Another desire not to get ready twice in one day…

Some of our longtime family friends hosted a wedding day brunch for us and our guests at the club. I wanted something easy and breezy - something that felt natural to wear with no makeup and hair I only woke up and ran a brush through. This Ciao Lucia dress checked the box. When I got it in told me it looked like what a 5yo would wear to church. She wasn’t wrong but didn't make me love it any less!

I wore the dress with the sneakers I had on the day prior and accessorized with a Bloody Mary and a pair of Chimi sunglasses from a local boutique Le Weekend. Probably the least thought out outfit I wore of the weekend, but I loved how it came together.

I wore the heck out of this dress last summer: lake weekends, with sandals out to dinner, on our honeymoon in Italy, etc. Ended up being one of my favorite pieces I bought for our wedding weekend. I plan to wear it much more this summer. Find it here. Also love it in yellow. And eyeing a similar black one for myself this summer.

4. Getting Ready

All of my bridesmaids wore the white fluffy robes from the cottages on property. I also wanted to wear a robe but a zhuzhed up version.

I started a search for a vintage kimono. The club has a room with pink silk hand painted wallpaper from China that I have been infatuated with since I was a child. Leaning into that, I found this wonderful pink silk kimono from a vintage shop in Cleveland, OH.

I now wear it regularly around the house to elevate my morning coffee.

Love this and this too. Imagine wearing them as outerwear with a simple tee and jeans.

4. Reception

The dress I wore for our ceremony was a family gown with a lot of fabric. I knew it would be hard to dance in, so I wanted to find something comfortable and FUN to change into.

This fringe collar from TWP came to me first. I had previously ordered a gold sequin gown from them that came in and was way too big. Thankfully, that fail led me to this collar. An encouragement to persevere when the first vision in your head doesn’t play out! I loved the idea of wearing sequins and TWP’s creative direction of pairing distinct pieces with simple accompaniments. Inspired by their pairing of statement pieces with simple silhouettes, I ordered the collar the same time I ordered this Nili Lotan silk gown.

Because I am petite, I have always felt confident in a simple slip dress - things with a lot of fabric look like they’re wearing me. The reason I chose this Nili Lotan one is because it was full length and 100% silk.

They were a match made in heaven. I unboxed the collar and knew immediately I wanted to dance in it and the fluid mobility of the Nili Lotan gown would allow me to do so.

I was right. It was the PERFECT ensemble for spending hours on a dance floor.

Unfortunately, I confess I have not reworn either of these. But I am only one year in! I would really love someone to get married out west so I can wear the collar over a full denim ensemble to a themed welcome party. Or lend it out to the bride. Since the slip gown is white, I obviously have not been able to rewear it to a wedding which is usually why I am dressing up. Brainstorming other options…

I wore Steve Madden platforms under the dress (similar). I truthfully do not think I had worn Steve Madden since middle school, but these were comparable to the Larroude ones for much less. My dress completely covered my shoes - didn’t want to spend much on shoes you could not even see. I found them very comfortable and have pulled them out several times since when I was wearing a dress that needed a little height.

I am known as someone who loves clothes (even before it was formally my occupation) so I felt this immense pressure for my wedding ensembles to be forever iconic and something my daughters would look back on in many years and be like “ya mom really nailed that”. I shared this self imposed pressure with one of my friends, and she said “yes I get it, but we will look back and remember you loving that in that moment”.

This is true for any occasion in any season of life. Would I wear now what I wore to my high school graduation? No. But I remember loving what I was wearing in that moment and feeling so great.

I have very few regrets about what I wore (the Zara shoes) and I look back so fondly on the memories of getting dressed that weekend. I felt amazing because I was marrying the love of my life so I could have been wearing anything… but I still feel so confident in what I chose to put on my body. Even if everything goes out of style in 5 years, I am thankful I will get to look back and remember loving it.

If you have creatively reworn something you also wore as a bride, please share it! I would absolutely love to see how you styled.

El Fin.

VH

If you liked this article, I write bi-weekly about the Heights of Fashion of people I admire. Also love to write pieces like this reflecting on why I wore what.

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All professional photos are by Rachel and Noah Ray photography. Not only are they extremely talented, but they are incredibly kind. Best addition to our day!

Her smell is one of the most memorable of my childhood. To this day, I don’t think I know exactly what it is… but my siblings and I would regularly remark that something “smelled like Milou” and it was considered the highest compliment in our books. My mom, born without a sense of smell, would ask us to describe it but we could never put our finger on it; oranges? not quite. patchouli? maybe? In middle school, I would ask to shower in her bathroom filled with products because I had not yet been allowed to graduate beyond Pantene. This makes me think it was a combination of everything, and probably influenced by her aura as well.

Her home was filled with color. Turquoise walls, printed towels, colored glass juice cups; I remember it almost as well as our own childhood home. My mom will say about herself that she leans more practical, and Milou is her more colorful half. So, as kids, we thought it pretty extraordinary that an adult would not only allow, but be the one to choose all of that color!

I spent a lot of time with Milou in Chattanooga when I was in middle school. My mom’s parents died within a year of each other when I was in the 6th grade. While terrible circumstances, it meant we got to spend a lot of time together as an extended family. I have really sweet memories sitting on the back porch of my grandparent's garden-home listening to the adults and older cousins talk amongst themselves, and us younger cousins pushing each other down the hill in a wheelchair hospice left but that doesn’t go along with the theme of this article.

I am so thankful I had Milou to shape some of my formative years. I don’t remember the context, but her saying “who cares!” in an endearing way is engrained in my brain. Most likely related to one of us girl cousins sharing we were self conscious about what someone else thought of something we said or did. And goodness knows we all could have heard that about 100 times.

Can you give some context behind the outfit before we get into the why? Where were you going? What were you doing?

I was in Greece with friends I have know. Since I was 12. We were celebrating everyone’s turning 60. I have had this caftan/dress for several years. I just loved the colors and butterfly motif. It has been a wedding party outfit, a bathing suit coverup and everything in between. It’s from Ramona LaRue - I love her art as clothing. I also have a horse head one of hers that I wear a bunch as well.

Oh, and I have on GranTrish’s earrings that your mom and I pass back and forth. As you know, we all like to take her places/include her in events.

Why was this your Height of Fashion?

The photo where I am sitting was a candid from a friend. It captured the joy of the trip. This outfit just feels like me, which is what I think true “fashion” is. Being at peace with aging but realizing that doesn’t equal getting old. Also, who doesn’t love a bunch of plastic rings and bare feet?!

Who has been the biggest influence in the way you dress?

Oh geez, constantly changing but definitely influenced by the music industry. I like to see a look and then try to figure out what I like about it and how it could work on me. I lean toward boho, flowy, almost costumey looks. Has to be comfortable. Never met an accessory I didn’t like.

Lastly, what is something in your closet that you’re excited to wear next?!

I was just telling your mom that I haven’t really been buying anything much lately. Trying not to just “consume” mindlessly, ya know. I always love wearing my turquoise jewelry - makes me happy. I do have a pair of vintage Levi’s on the way for which I have high hopes (should have kept mine from back in the day). Oh, and I do have a silver long skirt and a seersucker suit that I rented. Feel like both will be fun to style.

Milou’s final words…

Pet peeve: when people say I could never wear that or you can’t get away with that or aren’t we getting too old for that … 🤬😡😤

And her required reading (Instagram reel watching)

Simms and I met during sorority recruitment at UGA my freshman year. She was one year above me and assigned to pick me up iykyk. Afterwards, people could not stop commenting on how similar we looked; most likely due to our large eyebrows (eyebrow singular if we’re not too careful).

As I sat with her in the overwhelming experience that is sorority rush at an SEC school, Simms got me by saying I had the opportunity to be a light to my pledge class and if I went her sorority and that she would help me. Growing up, everyday when my mom dropped us off at school her parting remark was “be a light” - I was overcome with gratitude that this really cool older girl was going to help me do that with my college experience.

Our first conversation of being a light at 18 and 19, shares similar themes to the conversations we have as 26 and 28 year olds. Our stages of life have changed, but the themes have stayed the same and I am so thankful that our friendship has grown as we have.

Simms is loyal and tenacious. She loves her friends and will fight hard for those in her corner. Simms shows up hard for the celebrations - flying in for 24hrs just to come to my engagement party or mailing a cake when she can’t be there on a birthday. Simms loves her birthdays too, but more for the reason of it gives her the chance to gather her favorite people and love on them. She never lets an opportunity to tell others what they mean to her pass.

Side note - never forget the time Simms had us all run a half marathon the morning of her 25th birthday that ended with mini dirty martinis and shake shack. Most fun I never want to have again. *This was after belting the 10 minute version of All Too Well at a piano bar circa midnight the evening prior.

And, reader, she’s even a more consistent and persistent friend when you are not feeling the most celebratory: checking in, sharing wisdom, asking how she can pray, and just being there. You know this if you have been on the receiving end of a “u r so great” text.

I am so thankful I have had her to watch as she’s gone through every season of life right before me. Most importantly, her and Jesse getting married two weeks before Jack and I. I did in fact call her a few days before we were both in Alabama for my wedding, asking for her to share any wisdom she’s gleaned from just 12 days of marriage. And, now, it has been so fun to share the days of early marriage with her.

Simms - u r the greatest.

This dress has been engrained in my brain since you wore it. Can you give some context behind the outfit before we get into the why? Where were you going? What were you doing?

This was the Thursday night before my wedding and my parents were throwing us a low country boil. All of our bridal party had come into town for it, and it was the best feeling to have all of our people in one place. The excitement and anticipation of the weekend along with the perfect weather gave the night a euphoric and effortless feel. We had decided to go to the Lodge to grab cocktails before heading over to my parents. The guys could putt and the girls could talk and enjoy the beautiful ocean view with cocktails in hand. We then headed to my parents for a sunset boat cruise and then the main event - the low country boil! If you don’t know what a low country boil is - you are missing out! It’s a combination of shrimp, potatoes, corn, sausage and carrots all boiled in a pot of Cajun seasoning. My parents put a bunch of red checkered table clothes across big tables and we all ate family style overlooking the river. It was so much fun and relaxed!

Why was this your Height of Fashion?

I felt so myself in this outfit. My absolutely favorite kind of outfit is one that is easy and effortless but that I can still add fun and unique statement jewelry too.

The flowy nature of it perfectly fit the relaxed vibes of the night but I still felt like it was stylish and flattering! I also wore my favorite earrings from Juju Vera that I had purchased in New York on my bachelorette trip after one (or two) fluffy margaritas from Dante. When I saw the earrings, I knew it would add some edge to the floral dress! My style isn’t super girly but it isn’t completely edgy and I felt like this outfit balanced both of those aspects. Also let’s just be honest I hate being uncomfortable and this dress was so comfortable and easy to wear!!

Who has been the biggest influence in the way you dress?

My sister! She has such a gift with fashion and putting outfits together. I am always amazed with what she comes up with. She is able to be unique without being too trendy. I send her all my shopping links to see if they pass her approval. I wouldn’t buy anything without her approval first and to be honest I probably wouldn’t make big or small life decisions without her either! Her advice goes far beyond clothes but simply put she is fabulous!

Lastly, what is something in your closet that you’re excited to wear next?!

I have to give a shameless plug to At the Height because Virginia found me the coolest vintage Pucci robe that I am going to style with jeans and a gold vintage choker necklace. Like the above outfit it feels effortless and stylish but I can wear a fun statement piece of jewelry with it!. Not too girly and not too edgy- the perfect balance! I can’t wait for the weather to warm up and I can wear it!!