That started with getting clear on how I wanted to feel along this pregnancy journey—comfortable, stylish, and considered, but always with a little edge—which, in turn, helped me clarify what I currently value most in my wardrobe.

It’s required reframing this whole moment from “dressing for” pregnancy to “dressing through” pregnancy without losing my point of view. It’s been enlightening and fun and a great way to stay connected to myself and my creativity as I transition to a new phase of life.

So, while last issue I shared the wardrobe pieces that have carried me through pregnancy, this week’s issue is more of a wardrobe edit—my collection of style philosophies through pregnancy, along with the pieces that brought those ideas to life. Some are old reliables I wore constantly, while others are things I’ve tried on, admired from afar, or are on my shortlist to try in the future.

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I’d love to hear your thoughts, reflections, and recommendations, too, if you’ve got ‘em—see you in the comments!

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Nothing like when a garment actually fits and feels good, looks good…

Cozy chic pants

Elastic waistbands are having their big moment and my expanding hips and I are freaking here for it.

• Donni baby rib scallop pant: A holy grail item for pregnancy, comes in many colors! Sized up once for this time, but think my true size would be better postpartum.

• Tibi Light Weight Sweatshirting Winslow pants: Again, waxed poetic about these last time, but they really are that good. Modern, comfy, and modular. Sizing-wise, I’m 5’4 so got them in the shorter rise (XS-S fits me perfectly in pregnancy and I know they still will postpartum). One of the best things about these is their modularity; Tibi geniously put buttons on each hem with 4 options to crop the pants to your liking.

  

• Comme Si silk or cotton pants: I’m reallllly in a camel mood (the color, lol) these days and have been wanting to try these cotton pants (with the matching button down, too). I’m also intrigued by the brand’s new drawstring silk twill pants and shorts in this pretty red.

• Gimaguas track pant: Curious about the fit, but LOVE the colorway and versatility on these.

More refined pants

For the moments that require a bit more.

• B Sides vintage reworked lassos: normally more mid-rise on me pre-pregnancy, but worked really well low-rise during! Unbutton it a few for an effortlessly-cool, low-waist fit ready to be dressed up or down

• Gil Rodriguez adjustable LOU pant: perfectly slouchy, easy, and durable—fun colors, too

• Aquarius Cocktail TUX pant: LOVE these so much, the navy is gorgeous and sleek; I’d recommend stopping by their Montecito studio to try on sizes (once I’m postpartum, it’s over for these…)

• La Ligne Colby pant: These have been recommended by SO many people, but I’ve yet to try them. They’ve been branded “the airport pants” because they’re so elevated but easy. And they come in 6 different fabrics, and a multitude of colors!

Dresses and rompers

• I said it last issue, but this striped Deiji Studios Yoke mini dress has held it down for me in the most major way my entire pregnancy. One of those items that’s so easy to throw on and immediately look and feel cute (and free). The drape over the belly is just right (though I recommend sizing up once if you wanna avoid it feeling too short further into pregnancy). I got it on sale in black, too (above).

• Cotton nightgowns: I love mine from If Only If. I feel classic and womanly in it. The texture is so light and soft. There are loads of vintage ones out there, too!

• Free People rompers: They’ve got so many, in every style and fabric. Loose-fitting options like this, this or this seem perfect for pregnancy. Even something like this Norma Kamali jumpsuit could work for a more elegant (but still edgy!) look.

Loose, breathable button-downs

• Silk: Plugging Comme Si again for their beautifully-cut, relaxed-fit silk blouses. Feels beautiful on the skin, drapes beautifully open over the bump.

• Cotton: Haven’t tried them yet, but these cotton gauze button downs by All Three look so airy and ethereal, whether wearing normally, with bottom buttons undone, around the neck like a scarf, under the bust and over the bump like a belt, etc…

• More refined: I’ve been loving a sculptural moment and it can really jazz things up in the best way (esp if you’re not feeling your best). The sleeves on this button down and this one, too, are just chef’s kiss—beautiful, subtle details that require nothing extra of you.

Because tiny moments of joy matter.

Color as a mood booster

It’s just psychology, babes.

• I loved the look above I styled from Jake & Jones. Mixing different shades of blue (&Daughter cardigan / Pleats Please shorts) and then pairing it with its complementary color in the orange shoes, and then the pop of yellow (MNZ pouch)…it was just, well, delightful! I went maximalist with the scarf and sunnies and jewelry, too, and encourage you to do the same!

• Suzie Kondi is making such fun, bright pieces of every color (LOVE this magenta) and pattern (and these bloomers). I’m dying to try! They seem to be a double whammy for comfort and color (and she’s got matching sets, if you’re into that).

• Pleats Please: The epitome of whimsy with a side of sculptural chic. These pieces stretch with you, are machine washable, and offer such fun designs and colors! Pregnancy is arguably the best time to play with their shapes and hues.

  

  • Dresses: They grow with you. I recommend a sleeveless option like the one above if you’re in a warmer climate because these are polyester and can harbor some odor that might be exacerbated during pregnancy lol

  • Pants/shorts: So many styles and options. I found that these can bunch in a weird way under the bump UNLESS you roll them once, like I did in the photos above (the blue cardigan look).

  • Tops: Again, options here run the damn gamut! I recommend finding a color that complements your undertones well (Pleats Please offers so many shades, its worth investigating!) and, depending on the style of top, I’d experiment with folding above the bump and seeing how that drapes.
    For example, in the outfit below, I found the Pleats top worked way better folded up for a cropped look rather than stretching all the way over the belly.

    

Fun shoes

A pop of whimsy on the feet has kept me feeling alive.

• Snazzy sneaks: You’re probably going on walks…do it in style. Loving my pop-of-orange Salomons, am also liking the look of these pop-of-green Asics and am so curious about Jamie Haller’s updated walking sandal sneakers…

• Embrace the jellies: Have you seen these adorned flat jellies by Heavenly Jelly (I also saw them at Clic in Montecito…)? Very fun. Lately, I’ve been wearing these affordable and sleek jelly flip flops.

Jewelry

When all else fails, let the jewels do the work.

• Local vintage finds: Over the years, I have found some of my favorite vintage necklaces—unique, beaded, and colorful—at Antique Alley downtown, The Blue Door in the Funk Zone, and Neighbor Neighbor on State.

• Heirloom pieces: Been thinking about heirlooms a lot during this time.

  • I love the idea of wearing a nameplate necklace with our baby’s name on it, or getting her one of her own that she’ll always have. Haven’t found the right style I’d like yet, but I couldn’t resist linking this one—it is a majorrrrr investment lol but looks so pretty, maybe in my dreams….

  • My mother-in-law so sweetly gifted me a beaded birthstone bracelet that has mine, my husband’s, and our baby’s stones on it and I love it so much.

  • One day I’m sure I’ll have a “mother’s ring,” too, just like my mom and grandma (I just inherited hers—so, so special). We got my mom this one for mother’s day this year and it came out beautiful.

• Dare for diamonds: My sweet husband surprised me with diamond earrings the other day (almost as beautiful as the card he wrote me along with them) and they blew me away. At the tail-end of pregnancy, this little extra sparkle put more pep in my step.

Cute bag

• Something fun and easy: Kinda goes back to the delight piece above, but I’ve enjoyed slinging my little silk floral bag over my shoulder and heading out to run errands. I got it secondhand at NeighborNeighbor on State, one of those love at first sight moments that I didn’t overthink. Valesque has some amazing little wonders in fun colors and textures, too.

• Finding your “mom bag:” Because with the right attitude and organization, anything can be a diaper bag! No offense to anyone who loves their traditional diaper bag, but I have my eyes set on something more like:

  • These fun and bold leather totes by Cahu

  • This raffia one from Sèzane (esp for my lil summer baby)

  • An LL Bean boat and tote (we already have a large one that I think will be perf — they’re also all over DePop, Poshmark, etc. in fun colors)

  • A really cool remade puffer tote by SUAY LA that seems to fit a lot

  • A pre-loved/vintage designer bag, like a Bottega Campana in a fun color (a dime a dozen marked down on TheRealReal) or Tory Burch’s quilted charlie that has a side pocket for your phone.

  • Or even an uber special (it’s pricey, people) “senior cords” option from Bode (or perhaps you tap your fave local artist to do up your own bag like this!)

There’s something about channelling the weightlessness of water when you’re feeling anything but. Plus, it is summer and we do live in a beach town…

Fun ‘n functional bathing suits

• Caro Luna is killing it right now with their swimwear. I tried on their strapless one piece (above, sized up once from true size) and think it’s so cute for pregnancy!

• I’m sure I’ll delve more into one pieces in the years to come, but I’m a true bikini girl at heart. Tropic of C makes my favorites, and I’ve been rocking this set all year (sized up once from true size).

  

Cute cover ups

• Plugging Caro Luna again: their shorts (yellow ones at the start of this section) are so stinking cute and comfy. They also make fun tops and skirts that are a refreshing take on the coverups of yore.

• Been wanting to try Chan Luu’s sarongs, but especially this wrap skirt.

• I’ve loved wearing my Etsy sarong (below), a breezy romper, or a cotton nightgown to the beach or the pool.

Hats, scarves, and sunnies

• Hats: For beach, pool, and neighborhood walks!

  • I’ve been so curious about the Bubbi hat by Rachel Comey.

  • Or one of Janessa Leoné’s hats (I love the Teagan for a classic bucket and the Waverly for a more whimsical take on a wide brim). She also recently came out with the Suni bucket hat, an option with an adjustable leather chin strap.

  • Then there’s always “The Best Hat” by YourStylistSays. I tried it and it really is beautiful, but I don’t think I’m a this-type-of-wide-brimmed-hat kind of gal. I need something a bit weirder. (But I did buy one of the colorful cords by her to fasten to my own hat once I find the right one.)

• Scarves: Anytime I see silk scarves at a vintage or consignment store, I always take a look. They add so much color and texture and sophistication, which can sometimes be all you need to feel yourself a bit more while preggers.

  • Tie it around your hair

  • Wear it above or below the belly

  • Fasten it to your bag

  • Wear as a bracelet or necklace

• Sunglasses: Where style and armor collide. Sometimes you just wanna hide behind some sunnies. Or have them do the heavy lifting when you just can’t be asked. For pregnancy and especially postpartum, I want a pair to feel sleek and elegant in, without having to do much more (esp when I just don’t know how I’ll be feeling…).

  • I’m so curious about these Khaite x Oliver Peoples 1967c glasses in black, but they’re always sold out!

  • Chimi has a similar pair—the Lilah—for much less and could scratch the itch justttttt fine.

  • For really oversized, these look so fun and come in green, too.

Like I’ve said, there’s nothing wrong with shopping maternity (it’s literally made for you at this time!), and there are some surprisingly good options out there that work for post-pregnancy, too!

• Said it last time, but Légoe Heritage found me right when I needed it.

• Bumpsuit has cute options, too, especially for events. A little less my personal style, but I did wear their Dahlia gown in powder blue (above) for my San Antonio baby shower back home. Its widely-adjustable built-in bra meant I could also wear to our friends’ wedding a month later!

• Still haven’t tried Hatch, but they just released a very cute collab with Ciao Lucia that seems perfect for summer!

• Whether maternity or not, let yourself acquire one thing you absolutely LOVE—it’s worth it to feel your best, especially if that’s been difficult lately.

That’s all for now! A special thank you to Katie Phillips for these fun film shots around town. Thanks for reading <3

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The truth is, I have always been afraid of “losing” myself. That moment of waking up one day and wondering, “What the hell happened? Where am I—who am I—and how did I get here?”

I realize now the fear was less about becoming a mother and more about losing my agency—my sense of identity, my ambitions, my curiosity, and the parts of myself that have always made me feel most alive.

Having a kid is no joke. But through watching friends and peers raise beautiful families over recent years, I’ve learned it doesn’t have to mean totally sacrificing all that you are and all that you love in order to do it. Priorities change and everything always ebbs and flows, but motherhood doesn't have to mean disappearing. In fact, I’m looking forward to it expanding me in ways I don’t yet understand.

Along with motherhood, pregnancy comes with no shortage of advice—including how to “appropriately” dress for it. Thankfully we live in an era where embracing the bump is not only acceptable, but chic. This shift feels right in my soul.

Being a fashion girl, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to see how pregnancy might influence my style. Of course there are amazing references—Rhianna, Sienna Miller, Chloë Sevigny—but, given the inherently creative nature of pregnancy itself, I’ve been curious to see where my own instincts would lead me as my body (and whole world, really) began to change.

Report from 9 months in: Silhouettes have evolved. Seasons have changed. And my needs have definitely shifted. But underneath it all, I am still getting dressed like me, just in a more grounded way.

Keep reading for a look at how my wardrobe evolved through each stage of pregnancy, and the hero pieces I clung to.

And in our next issue, I'll share more of the pieces I loved, recommendations for next time, and styling philosophies that carried me through it all. Be sure to subscribe.

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Dressing through limbo

Instinct: To just get through

The “positive” lines on the pregnancy tests thrilled me. The fatigue, bloating, and puffiness did not. I was pregnant, but no one knew yet. I was changing, but my clothes weren’t catching up. Early pregnancy…a humbling adjustment no doubt!

I wasn’t exactly ~feeling myself~ at this time. My pants still kinda fit, but slightly less so. My boobs grew overnight and needed more support. Everything felt just a little off…and being uncomfortable in my own clothes hit harder than I’d expected.

At first, I wore lots of loose button downs, along with my silk slip dresses—couldn’t be bothered with anything constricting my abdomen, even in the slightest. My Araks cadel slip and Simone Rocha slip dresses with lace trim (all are good finds on TheRealReal!) were in heavy rotation.

But still, my motivation for getting dressed these days was at the lowest it’s been in a very long time. I missed the excitement and creativity I used to feel upon opening my closet each day.

That’s when I knew it was time: maternity clothes.

I'm not sure why I initially resisted maternity clothes. Maybe I was trying to “optimize” my wardrobe or convince myself I didn't need pieces I'd only wear for a few months.

But honestly, investing in a couple maternity pieces REALLY made a difference in how I felt about myself. Putting on clothes that actually fit made this time much more tolerable. Enjoyable, even.

Légoe Heritage, an Australian brand, makes clothes for pregnancy and beyond. They’re genuinely cute, luxe, and modern in design. Simple enough to fit into your rotation without feeling like you’ve dove into the overtly frilly deep end of maternity wear (unless that’s your thing, of course! You do you <3)

I got this elegant and easy button-down romper—for dinners, events, and moments I wanted to feel more dressed up—and a more casual white cotton romper for the everyday things (here it is in black). LOVE them both, got them in my pre-pregnancy size and will def reach for them postpartum, too.

In the podcast below, stylist Allison Bornstein talks about embracing maternity clothes that genuinely speak to your style, instead of treating pregnancy dressing like a temporary inconvenience.

She also made the case for buying the piece you can’t stop thinking about—even if it’s a bit of a splurge—because feeling good in your clothes has real value, especially during a season of so much change. Amen, Allison!

I miraculously found my splurge item—a gorgeous, striped Jamie Haller button-down—half off (and also found it discounted here for you, if you’re curious).

Here comes the bump

Instinct: Embrace it

For most of my life, my belly has been the area I’ve been most insecure about on my whole body. But my pregnant belly has unlocked a newfound sense of confidence, pride, and love for my physical form. I am a woman growing a girl and that’s simply wonderful! My innate power literally protrudes from my abdomen for all the world to see. Something has quietly healed.

Once I finally started to pop, getting dressed became a fun creative challenge again. There was finally something to show for my new state of being—something to show off.

I immediately went to fitted tanks and tees in my drawers to wear cropped or fully over my bump, based on the look. Every walk, hike, or gym visit felt novel with this new, growing accessory of mine.

As the weather heated up, I reached for breezy dresses almost every day. This striped Deiji Studios Yoke mini dress has been a MAJOR pregnancy closet staple of mine—easy, breezy, beautiful, cotton girl. I ended up getting it on sale in black, too.

They’re light, airy, and the kind of effortless pieces that drape beautifully over a growing bump, without feeling precious. I’d throw one on with a cardigan or button down in the cooler mornings, and sandals or black leather mules.

More than anything, I was reaching for clothes that made me feel cute and comfortable at the same time. The pieces I loved most required almost no thought—they were the kind of outfits you could throw on in 30 seconds without sacrificing intentionality. This type of ease became a luxury.

Another easy-but-considered fave were my low-rise B Sides Lasso jeans; wearing them under the bump with a fitted tank and cardigan or a cropped button down felt even cooler than before.

Moving into summer, I happily returned to shorts, simple tanks, vintage tees, and sandals. More often than not, the bump was fully out, which thankfully felt completely natural.

Through every turn

Instinct: Simplify

If there was one silhouette that carried me through every stage of pregnancy, it was the elastic waistband.

They’re an obvious pregnancy win, but not all are created equal. Some bunch awkwardly under the bump, others stretch exactly where you need them to. Finding a pair that fits jussssst right (esp as you grow) is important.

I needed comfort, ease, and versatility—with at least one or two pairs that could be dressed up or down and take me anywhere.

Pants

I’ve come to appreciate my old faithfuls more than ever—especially my Cordera cotton pointelle track pants. They’ve lived in my closet for years. (They’re sadly sold out now, but these and these give a similar feel).

My first new pants purchase was Donni’s baby rib scallop pant in grey. These have been long recommended to me and ohhhhh my—if you’re in need of some buttery, ultra comfy and breezy pants to sling on (whether pregnant or not), these are the ones!

I sized up once, and they've become the pair I reach for when I don't want to think. The waistband never digs in, the fabric drapes beautifully, and they make me feel put together.

And they come in so many colors…major pregnancy wardrobe unlock. I think I’ll snag a navy pair in my true size small for postpartum.

Then, there are the Tibi Light Weight Sweatshirting Winslow pants (another splurge I do not regret!). Just gorgeous, and so effortlessly chic. I first got them in the most perfect poppy-red that reads more unique than your typical reds. I later got the black ones, too, and am wearing them so much.

I’ll get more into the sizing on these and what truly makes them unique in the next issue, so stay tuned!

Shorts

I’m thankfully able to wear 2 pairs already in my closet—the Deiji Studios white cotton boxers and my butter yellow Baserange cuties (remember my ode to them?).

I had already chosen to size up once in both of these styles, which no doubt increased their longevity for this moment.

The Deiji shorts worked beautifully rolled up once, a great walking short (they have pockets!) or pair for a casual outing or even dinner with the right top.

To be real, I was very surprised the Baserange shorts still fit.

Yes, there was a bit of bunching under the belly, but as I’ve worn them late into my 3rd trimester I…just don’t care? Their butter yellow brought so much joy to getting dressed that the tiny imperfections no longer matter. I’m wearing them everywhere (even. right. now.)

Looking back, I think one of the most poignant lessons pregnancy has taught me about getting dressed is that creativity tends to flourish under constraints.

This time has asked me to work with an ever-changing body (one I'd never known before). It encouraged experimentation amid routine, which helped me clarify what mattered most every day. Is it comfort? Creativity? Function? For me, the last 9 months have required all of that and more.

Next issue, I’ll share more of the pieces I loved, recommendations on what I’d try in the future, and the styling philosophies behind them all. Catch you then!

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For Justin Holiwell—a local physician assistant, DJ, and community event organizer—inheriting his dad’s vintage tweed blazers and well-worn fisherman sandals inspired a fascination with fashion, heritage, and identity.

It was the first step in building his personal style philosophy, which has seamlessly fed into his growing online following as one of Santa Barbara's most thoughtful voices on menswear and personal style (@justin.lammar).

We recently chatted about it all, from the ways Santa Barbara has shaped him to his belief that clothes carry more meaning than you think, and the process of learning how to dress like yourself.

What really stuck with me? How Justin approaches clothing with the same curiosity he brings to medicine: by asking where things came from, why they matter, and what stories they tell.

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The making of a creative life

I’m California born and raised, mostly LA and Bakersfield. In college, I came to Santa Barbara to visit a friend and reconnected with someone from high school. I graduated and moved here for her, and we eventually got married. Then we left for grad school and came back in 2020. So I’ve been in town on and off for over 10 years.

Santa Barbara is where I became an adult, essentially. It’s where I first found fashion, music, and inspiration. Even when we left for grad school in the Bay Area, my wife and I felt this pull back here. It’s that feeling of going to Trader Joe’s and bumping into people every time…you don’t get that in a big city. That’s one of the things I love about Santa Barbara. You go to your local coffee shop and run into people you know.

I’m currently a physician assistant working in cardiology and emergency medicine. I started my medical career in the middle of one of the worst times in history: November 2020. My first two years in healthcare felt like I worked 10. It allowed me to grow a lot in a short amount of time.

Growing up in a traditional household, success looked like certain types of jobs, and healthcare was always my main career drive. But through all that, I kind of realized it wasn’t my passion. I’m definitely interested in it and I love connecting with patients, but I’ve always had creative passions that, for better or worse, I pushed aside through my 20s.

When I finally got the PA role, I looked up and thought: This is great. But what truly brings me joy day to day? That’s when I picked up all the side projects I now consider a deep part of my identity—music, fashion, and community building—and I’m trying to figure out how they all intermingle and create one whole person.

My life is full and it takes a lot of reassessing and vigorous time blocking of my days to keep up. Aside from being a PA, I’m also a DJ and a community event organizer. I used to be a yoga teacher, which actually led into DJing. More than the yoga itself, I really loved that feeling of losing yourself in the music.

There were always pieces of me reaching out, trying to grab onto something creative. It just took a while to find the things I could really hold onto and really value. Yoga was one of those things. Then I started organizing events, and eventually posting about fashion and style.

Dad’s closet

Fashion had always kind of been in the background for me. I always cared about how people presented themselves publicly and wanted to take part in that. In the beginning it was more superficial—following trends or seeing celebrities wear something and trying to mimic it.

That changed around 2021. A friend gave me Black Ivy, which goes through the history of Ivy style and how it became ingrained with Black culture through the Civil Rights movement and figures like Miles Davis.

Around that same time, I was going through my dad’s closet and found a bunch of older vintage tweed blazers. I remember thinking: these are amazing. 100% wool, really interesting patterns, multiple colors. I asked if I could have them, and suddenly I had this tangible thing in my hand to go alongside the learning and history of everything. My dad is smaller than me, but somehow the jackets fit just enough to usher me into this new chapter.

Another thing I got from my dad was his old fisherman’s sandals. They were half falling apart and they had this patina to them, you could tell they had been worn. I’m obsessed with them, so they popped into my head recently and then i was like what pants go with them and then build form there.

Around that time, I started posting on Instagram about fashion, and people would ask where I got the blazer. I’d jokingly say, “Oh, this vintage spot called ‘Dad’s Closet.’”

The stories behind what we wear

For me, fashion isn’t just the clothes we put on day to day. A lot of times it’s me looking at a piece or brand holistically, getting the whole story behind it. I take the same approach with my [medical] patients. I have to see the whole picture—family history, what got them sitting in my office, and how I’m going to get them to a better place. Those details are vital.

So, I look at fashion brands the same way. Why did this person create this? What does it mean to the people wearing it? It usually means different things to different people, the same way disease or health means different things to different people.

Oftentimes your favorite pieces have an emotional tie. I started researching brands and understanding why I liked things. I became interested in vintage and sustainability and started asking: where do these brands start? I found myself looking into Abercrombie and discovering it wasn’t just shirtless models at the mall.

I did the same thing with workwear pieces and brands, like OshKosh. I found this workwear striped jacket online by them and learned they used to make denim coats and pants for mechanics. Both brands had this whole history I never knew about.

To me, researching brand origins really tie back to medicine. When you see a patient, you investigate what brought them there and why. Fashion, for me, became pulling on these little threads: what’s the story behind this piece, why was it created, and what does it mean to somebody?

While I do have big box brands in my closet, I’m getting into this rhythm of getting to know smaller brands. I recently learned of this guy who made a brand based off his fisherman dad and he wanted to create that traditional fair isle vest his dad used to wear. I’d much rather bring a piece like that into my wardrobe knowing his reasoning and the story behind it.

“Style is self knowledge with a good tailor.”

Having a tailor is great, but not everybody has access to one. It’s more about self knowledge. Knowing how things fit you. Knowing your environment. Knowing your intention.

I think the moment things clicked for me in terms of my own personal style was when I hit that sweet spot of being totally comfortable and not really caring whether somebody else liked something.

For example, I like oversized Oxfords with jeans and loafers. Once I found that comfort and uniform, that’s when people responded. People can tell when you’re putting on a costume versus something that actually reflects your style.

There’s this Italian word I like, sprezzatura. It’s that graceful effortlessness, this laissez faire way of dressing that’s still totally intentional. I try to embody that. I don’t want to look like I just got out of bed, but I also don’t want to look like I spent hours on an outfit.

What you wear is the language you speak the minute you walk into a room. It’s deeper than the clothes. It’s how you feel in those clothes. That nonverbal conversation starts immediately.

It’s also about being present with what phase of life you’re in. Maybe you have a bunch of kids and they're a little messy and you don’t have time to be spot treating all your nice shirts or pants. In that case, you're probably going to go for materials that are darker and more hearty, that can withstand a lot.

Or maybe you're the guy who is very busy with your job and running around town, but you don’t necessarily want to throw on athleisure every day. So you figure out a uniform or something that works well for you, like chino pants and a button up.

It’s about building out a wardrobe that fits that purpose in your life. You’re understanding the particular circumstance you're in and adapting to that.

The daily practice of style

When deciding what to wear, the first thing I consider is if I’m going to work or not, but beyond that I tend to always start with a piece I’m gravitating toward, something that has me like, ‘I wanna wear this today.’ Recently its been a lot of stripes.

Then I start building around that. I put something on, stand back and observe and think about what I wanna do next. Maybe I really want a pop of red or another texture. I’m a firm believe in a single juxtaposition type of piece, wearing things that might not necessarily go together or match, but still work. Maybe its a tie or workman boots with a certain type of trouser. It’s fun to wear an outfit where someone might go, ‘Wait a minute—does that work?’ when they see it.

I tried a capsule wardrobe before and it wasn’t for me. I realized I don’t want outfits that are all monotone and or they all match perfectly. I prefer mixing fabrics and textures, like wool with linen or denim with linen or seersucker. I like getting inspo from other guys on social media, but I mostly like to keep myself guessing every single day, not trying to stick to one single niche or genre of clothing.

What I’m reaching for right now

I’m really into layering right now, whether that layer is a tweed blazer or as it gets warmer it might be a herringbone chore coat or a lightweight jacket. I like a good mid-layer jacket situation. And trousers! I think trousers can be worn in 90% of situations. They are so much flowier and more comfortable than jeans. And I love my selvedge denim, but trousers with a t-shirt or button up or mid-layer jacket has been my bread and butter lately.

One of my favorite brands right now, especially as we head into summer, is Uncle Purl out of LA. Their knit tops and polos are so well constructed. For pants, I’d say Vito’s NY. I love their High ‘n Wide trousers, they’re these chinos that have a 14-inch rise for the front so they sit perfectly at your belly button and they come with a 34-inch inseam, so I get that flowy effect without having to adjust everything.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my vintage pair of OG 107 trousers—which are these vintage military surplus pants—as some of my favorite things to wear right now. I wear them at least 2-3x a week so they are nicely broken in, soft, and that green color that goes with everything you put on. If I’m ever struggling with what to wear, I usually start with those and go from there.

Finding your own style

I think men have historically felt intimidated by fashion. I’ve realized that if you’re a guy who cares about how he looks, you’re often put into a box. It’s easy to overthink it all.

What’s helped me most in my own style journey is looking beyond the famous person media pushes on all of us at any given time. My advice would be to find people who actually resemble your life and body type. Find someone you can actually see yourself in—someone whose style reflects not only how you look, but how you live. And don’t be afraid to copy an outfit. A pair of jeans, a white T-shirt, and a tweed blazer—pull together what you already have in your closet and go from there.

I also don’t think we should ever be too closed off to different trends or ideas. As trends come and go, think about ways to incorporate them into your current style if they fit, but don’t feel like you need to completely reinvent your wardrobe every season.

Getting dressed is like a muscle. It’s something that needs to be flexed and continuously worked on.

Eventually you look up and realize: oh wait — I don’t need the inspiration anymore. I can do this on my own.

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I’ve been thinking about the guiding force behind my own philosophy for occasion dressing, and I realize it’s about embracing possibility: deciding who I want to be, what I want to emanate, and how I want to feel at a special event. Celebrations can provide a welcome disruption to how we dress every day, inviting us to embody a slightly different, expanded version of ourselves. Why not give ourselves the permission to step into possibility in this way?

So, how do you approach getting dressed for festivities? Is there a style philosophy you like to follow? A piece you like to wear? A character you like to embody? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

In the meantime, we asked some of our community the same questions to get a feel on what styling can look like when it’s time to party.

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Jen

I just went to a formal wedding in DC and wore this black Giorgio Armani dress. I love it. I was inspired to embrace the formality of the event (including with my makeup!) and this definitely did the trick.

Cami

I wore this to our friends’ wedding last weekend and it was the perfect blend of comfy and chic. For such a special celebration, I knew I wanted to lean into the accessories (the edges!) to make an otherwise simple dress feel BOLD (but still understated).

Along with my beloved antique cuff I recently got in Moro Bay and my fave Nina Gordon necklace, I wore an oversized Mansur Gavriel clutch to bring it all together and my yellow-lensed Akila sunnies for an easy pop of color.

Justin

For celebrations like graduations and weddings, I try not to go traditional. Obviously I stay within the dress code, but I think it’s all about not feeling like you have to stay within certain parameters. Like, not being afraid to swap out the button-up shirt with a knit button-up, or instead of wearing a matching suit set maybe doing a tweed set.

I went to a wedding last September and instead of doing a traditional tie, I got a scarf and tied it around my neck. Doing something a little unexpected like that makes an outfit fun and different.

Coral

We had my baby shower recently and I wanted to embody the whimsy and fun of being a woman growing a girl.

Alex

I got this SC103 short-and-top combo and have worn it to graduations, Mother’s Day, date nights, and to work. Dresses are not my thing, so this is about as close as I come. I love that the top can be layered over a tee and paired with denim to dress it down, or worn as a set with a collared shirt—like the Sandy Liang top below—to dress it up.

Zoë

One of the best parts about moving back to San Francisco is feeling like there are a lot more opportunities to dress up. I went to my friend’s book launch party last weekend and wore this pearl snap top from Donni that felt so great—it’s sexy without being girly, which I love. I paired it with with Lemaire Anatomic boots, which I got from J&J last year.

I think the shoes and bag are also really critical for a celebration—a high heel and a small bag differentiate the look from my day to day, which is generally a flat shoe + an enormous tote that can fit a million toddler snacks.

Mike

I thought about what has mattered to me the most when I want to FEEL good for an event, not just look good. Lately it’s been about what fragrance I wear and what jewelry fits the occasion.

It’s sensory for me. The scent helps me bank memories and also allows me to recall those moments when I smell them again. Jewelry is the finishing touch to an outfit.

Lily

I love, love, LOVE bold colors, especially when celebrating. It’s just always the best pop and makes an outfit feel lively. This was my look for dinner with my family to celebrate my birthday a few weeks ago.

Kate

My philosophy is simple: every day is a chance to celebrate. Why save the favorite dress, the special shoes, or the statement jewelry for “someday?” Life is happening right now! And getting dressed with intention is one small way to honor the occasion. Whether it’s a milestone, a coffee date, or simply a Tuesday, I believe there’s always a reason to wear something that brings you joy.

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This feels inevitable in 2026. As the world continues to dizzy us with heaviness, noise, and uncertainty, perhaps we’re looking for ways to ground back into who we really are—what we stand for, what we’re drawn to, and what uniquely feels like us. Or maybe it’s simpler than that. Maybe we’re just trying to find ways to play again.

In coastal-casual Santa Barbara, this sentiment lives in the details: an unexpected color or texture, an unnecessary-but-delightful scarf, a jewelry stack steeped in heritage and personality. It’s not necessarily about making your outfit louder, so much as more intentional.

Here are a few moments I recently noticed around town.

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I’ve found myself playing with the edges of my outfits lately, 1) because the feeling I described above has engulfed me and 2) because, as I previously mentioned, I am pregnant for the first time, which has challenged me to get more creative with my looks. I wasn’t feeling my best this recent Sunday, so I opted for a slightly unexpected color and jewelry to jazz up my walk-in-the-park look.

But it’s the sunglasses that I think bring the biggest element of whimsy—seeing the world through tinted glasses is the ultimate way to bring play into an otherwise ordinary look.

Deborah caught my eye at Field and Fort the other day. I admired the quiet, poetic (though still whimsical!) nature of her outfit. The straw hat, oversized sunnies, and patterned shirt create a bit of character; her flowy pink scarf, though not strictly functional, is expressive and even a little romantic (and slightly theatrical? in the best way).

Overall I appreciated the different colors and textures she mixed, which felt elegant but still lived in.

Tallulah and her fiancé Kaitlyn (also featured below) were visiting town from LA for some wedding planning—congrats to them! There’s nothing chicer than a couple in love who also love to have fun getting dressed.

Tallulah’s green Marc Jacobs bag and striped Coach sweater caught my eye first, a fun combo. But her Frye boots add a more grounded sense of play, one rooted in softness and nostalgia.

It was Kaitlyn’s lavender-pink button down that turned my head after ordering my smash burger at Third Window. It’s vintage, and was hemmed by her future mother-in-law <3 The color and her jellies made it all feel fresh and fun, and her jewelry and bag brought in more personality.

My dad visited town recently and so we headed to the harbor to soak up some sea breeze and ocean views. My sister has famously always loved getting dressed. I loved the way her leopard flats rounded out her brown palette with a fun pop of pattern.

Took this from the Jake and Jones IG stories recently because the colors and textures Jen pulled together were just too fun not to save! I love the range of blues and cool tones. I especially love the macramé belt—again, no particular necessity other than to instinctively shift the tone slightly to match her mood.

Have you been to Neighbor Neighbor yet? It’s Taiana Giefer’s new consignment shop (women’s, men’s, and kids) right on State and De La Guerra and it’s full of secondhand designer and other goodies. I grabbed this sweet little silk bag when I stopped in last week—it effortlessly fits the off-hand, light-hearted vibe I’ve been drawn to recently to a T. Naturally, it was one of those spontaneous, gotta-have-it purchases.

Happy birthday, Nandy! We celebrated with bites and drinks in her backyard, and what better place and occasion to wear this amazing (whimsical!) dress? What tied it all together for me was her necklace stack—a gold chain with a “B” for her son (made by an Indian jeweler in the Bay) and a long gold chain with charms she handpicked for herself. (She also had an eclectic and deeply personal ring stack, but I forgot to grab a photo :( )

And there’s simply nothing like a DIY element to bring a true sense of “you” to your outfit. This J&J customer below has such an artist’s spirit. She always adorns herself in fun layers and colors, in this case tucking a small collection of flowers into her front pocket because why not. (And, not sure her intention, but I lowkey love the magazines as a prop?!)

It’s a reminder of the big punch of personality that little touches can pack into a look. How something small and seemingly unnecessary can truly shift the feeling of everything.

Even something as simple and ready-to-go as these bag chains and charms I saw at the Montecito Country Mart a few days ago could be a great start.

Happy spring!!!

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Turns out most perfumes on the market contain synthetic chemicals that aren’t ideal for our health (and aren’t made transparent to consumers either). As a more casual perfume wearer (I only spritz it on a couple times a week at most), I’ve wondered how much is totally necessary for me to worry about this. But at the same time, why not seek out fragrance that’s at once beautiful, lasting, and better for my body? Especially since modern innovations in natural perfumery are making that possible.

Thankfully I found Abel, a 100% natural fragrance brand founded by Frances Shoemack. Shoemack started the brand because she wanted a perfume that was made entirely from natural ingredients, but still felt modern and elevated.

“Everything I found was either overtly synthetic or ‘natural’ in a way that felt well-meaning but unsophisticated,” she said.

We’ve carried Abel at Jake and Jones for the past few months, and both our team and our customers have quickly fallen for it. The scents are thoughtful, chic, and yes, actually smell divine (come by the shop and smell for yourself!). I’ve been hooked since first smelling their Cyan Nori perfume, and I had to learn more.

In our interview below, Frances talks about building Abel, the creative process behind the fragrances, and why natural perfumery might just be the future. Enjoy~

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You started Abel as a response to the lack of sophisticated natural perfumes when you were searching for one yourself. What was the moment that made you think: “this needs to exist, and I’m the one to build it?”

It was less a lightning bolt and more a growing frustration. I had moved from winemaking into a new chapter of life in Amsterdam and was searching for a fragrance that felt aligned with my values. I wanted something modern and elevated, but made from natural ingredients. Everything I found was either overtly synthetic or “natural” in a way that felt well-meaning but unsophisticated.

At some point the absence became very loud. I remember thinking, if this doesn’t exist and I want it this badly, surely others do, too. That was when it shifted from a search to a responsibility. I didn’t have a background in fragrance, but I had a strong point of view and the conviction that it needed to be built.

In your creative process, where do you most often find inspiration: a memory, a place, a feeling, something else? Can you share a story behind a specific scent that came from somewhere unexpected?

Inspiration usually begins with a feeling. Place and memory are often woven in, but it is the emotional atmosphere that guides us.

With The Apartment, for example, we weren’t trying to create a new fragrance at all. We were finalizing something entirely different when, slightly jetlagged, I turned to Isaac and asked, “If someone lived in this apartment, what would they smell like?”

That playful question opened up a new world. Suddenly we were imagining early morning light, a half-finished cocktail, velvet curtains, something intimate and a little decadent. The up-cycled cherry note brought it to life in a way that felt juicy and real rather than confectionary. It came from curiosity rather than a formal brief, which I love.

You work closely with Isaac Sinclair and Dr. Fanny Grau. How do you balance your own creative impulses with the technical expertise of master perfumers? What makes that collaboration uniquely powerful?

The balance works because we trust each other deeply and have honed that trust and working relationship over more than a decade now. I bring the emotional direction, the feeling we are chasing, and the cultural and aesthetic lens. Isaac and Fanny bring extraordinary technical fluency and a discipline that keeps the formula honest. Fanny’s background in biochemistry is especially powerful as we work with biotech ingredients.

Abel’s commitment to being 100% natural challenges the industry norm. Beyond ingredient safety and sustainability, why does this approach matter to you?

Creatively, working with 100% natural ingredients forces originality. You cannot lean on the same synthetic shortcuts the industry has relied on for decades.

Philosophically, it is about responsibility. An estimated 95% of fragrance molecules are derived from petrochemicals. From the beginning, I felt uncomfortable participating in that supply chain. Biotechnology has allowed us to prove that high performance and fossil fuel independence can coexist. For me, that is about redefining luxury. True luxury should feel aligned with your values, not disconnected from them.

Your experiences with pregnancy and perimenopause have influenced your fragrances Nurture and Pause. How did those life transitions shape not only those perfumes, but your broader thinking about scent and self care?

Pregnancy and perimenopause were both periods of profound physical and emotional change. Nurture was created at a time when I was acutely aware of how heightened the senses become in pregnancy. It needed to be gentle, grounding, and supportive.

Pause came later, during perimenopause, when I was thinking more about mood, sleep, and hormone flux. Ingredients like mimosa for mood support, narcissus for sleep, and verbena for stress reduction were chosen intentionally.

Beyond the individual perfumes, those experiences shifted my understanding of scent as a daily support system. Fragrance can be adornment, yes, but it can also be a tool for regulation and self connection.

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You clearly have a keen fashion sensibility! How does fragrance work alongside clothing and personal style? What does wearing scent add to someone’s self presentation, and what does it allow us to express that clothing alone cannot?

Fragrance is invisible, which makes it incredibly intimate. Clothing communicates visually to the outside world. Scent communicates in a more subconscious way.

I see it as an extension of personal energy, a scent can change the way you stand, wear your clothes, and show up. It can soften a look, sharpen it, add tension or warmth. You might be dressed very minimally, but wear something briny and electric like Cyan Nori and suddenly there is a wildness to your vibe. Or you might pair sharp tailoring with something plush and resinous for contrast. Scent adds depth and nuance in a way clothing alone cannot.

Scent is famously tied to memory and emotion. How does that sensory power influence the way you compose a fragrance? Do you ever start with a feeling you want someone to inhabit?

Always. Because scent travels directly to the limbic system, it bypasses rational thought. When we compose, we often start by asking how we want someone to feel. Alert and expansive. Grounded and safe. Magnetic and slightly undone.

From there we build the structure to support that emotional state. The technical construction matters enormously, but it is always in service of a feeling.

You’ve spoken about limitations in natural perfumery and how biotechnology has expanded your creations. What’s one creative challenge you still haven’t solved and are excited to tackle next?

Longevity remains the great creative puzzle in natural perfumery. We made huge leaps forward with our recent relaunch, but I am still fascinated by the idea of creating a truly diffusive, radiant natural top note that lasts far longer than people expect. Biotech is opening doors every year. It feels like we are only at the beginning of what is possible.

When you imagine Abel 10 or 20 years from now, what impact do you hope it has had on the fragrance industry and on the way people think about beauty more broadly?

In 10 or 20 years, I hope Abel will have helped normalize the idea that high performance fragrance does not need to rely on fossil fuels. I hope we will have contributed to shifting luxury away from excess and towards intention.

More broadly, I would love for beauty to be measured not just by how something looks or smells, but by how intelligently and responsibly it was made, and importantly, how it makes you feel.

If you were curating an outfit to wear with one of your fragrances, how would you describe the look, and which fragrance would you pair with it?

I would pair Laundry Day with a crisp white shirt and a beautifully cut blazer. Clean lines, an interesting cut, but nothing fussy. Perhaps worn with tailored trousers or relaxed denim, hair pulled back, a single piece of sculptural jewelry.

Laundry Day has that just-washed, sunlit clarity, but with depth beneath the brightness. It feels polished yet effortless, like stepping out into a clear morning feeling composed and ready.

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After eight years of owning this small shop, I still can’t believe that I get to go to Paris for work. And not only that, but I get to meet incredible designers and see gorgeous clothing. Dreams.

For a long time in my 20’s, I had this nagging uncertainty that I would never be able to stand on my own two feet. Opening Jake and Jones felt like such a risk. So many people told me retail was a dying business, and that it couldn’t make money anymore.

But I had this sort of chip on my shoulder. I needed to prove that it could work. And sometimes when I am romping around the streets in Paris or New York, or helping a customer in the shop, I feel this huge sense of pride and accomplishment because here we are 8 years later. Retail is so hard and hard work feels freaking good. So, to all the nay sayers…lfg.

It might be obvious to you, but being able to come to these cities and do this as part of the business still blows my mind. Season after season I show up in Paris or New York, and yes—sometimes the travel and work are exhausting. But underneath that is this deep sense of awe that what we are doing keeps working.

How cool it is to get to do this. These cities, these designers, the energy of it all—it keeps you going.

This trip to Paris was so much about trusting my gut—that voice that so easily tells you yes or no. It’s funny how obvious that voice can be, isn’t it? Wear this, not that. This color, not that. This relationship, not that. Divorce, stay. This voice is so inherent and has been there as long as we have, but sometimes we can’t hear it. Or worse—we doubt it.

That voice to me is everything. It guides 90% of my decisions. And when I ignore it, I usually end up somewhere weird, not feeling like myself. In fashion, that feeling can translate into clothes feeling flat, uninspiring….off. Keeping it simple and playful feels more important than ever as we keep building this business.

I brought Dani along with me. She is our customer service and e-commerce manager, my eating partner, and the shop’s grounding force. In true small business fashion, Dani wears all the hats. She is often the person greeting you in the shop, the person counting inventory or restocking toilet paper—she is also my main collaborator in buying.

She is the person I turn to when making decisions about what comes in the shop and what doesn’t. She has great taste and a lovely, humble excitement about fashion. She understands it because she doesn’t judge it; instead she embraces it. This is what makes her so great. And we laugh—a lot. About everything. I love funny.

We are both moms and leaving our kids is never easy. But five days hitting the streets of Paris, drinking spritzes and Carette hot chocolates, and seeing these collections feeds us in a way that ultimately makes us better moms and people. It just does.

I come home energized—able to give my kids the parts of myself I love the most. I come home wanting to bring back the parts of Paris I love, and to encourage them to see the world and find work they love and can commit to.

The reward is beyond.

So, here is what we have summarized as the themes we are seeing for FW26. Are we in on them or not? Let’s seeeeeeee…

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Ojai-based florist Jack Crow Buckley (of Crow Floral) moves easily between worlds—restaurants and weddings, friends and high-profile clients, Vogue editorials and music videos—leading floral workshops in between, with clients across LA, Montecito, Ojai, and the Santa Ynez Valley. Raised in a creative family—film, interiors, music—and growing up between New Zealand and Malibu, Jack approaches flowers with a cinematic eye, constructing arrangements like he’s building worlds or sets.

In February, we gave him full trust and no references for an installation at Jake & Jones. He built a towering piece that felt as though it had grown straight out of the California mountainside—moss at the base, twisting branches reaching upward. Sculptural, romantic, and a little wild.

Watching Jack work is mesmerizing—he’s efficient and precise, entirely at ease, and unfazed by the world around him. He makes it look easy, which I know it’s anything but. Jack is also a character—smart and unmistakably himself in his presence, his opinions, and his personal style.

I recently sat down with him in his backyard in Ojai, which doubles as his floral studio, on a warm Sunday afternoon. There, we talked Ikebana, personal style, local favorites, and even pulled a few of his favorite pieces from his closet. Enjoy!

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From stop-motion to stems

Katie: Did you always know you wanted to be a florist? How did you get into it?

Jack: No. My dad worked in stop-motion film and TV, so I ended up in film. I worked on Robot Chicken, an Adult Swim show, doing miniatures and stop-motion design. I was pretty unhappy working in film. It was 18-hour days—really hectic and stressful. I kind of wanted to slow down again.

Then my sister’s friend Yasmin, who’s a big florist in LA, had me come do a job with her. We were on a commercial, an UGG shoot in Malibu, and I immediately was like, is this something people do for work? I couldn’t really believe it. It was so much fun.

Eventually, I just got infatuated with it. I went to France one summer, came back, and worked in a bucket shop, which is an old-school flower shop. Everything in buckets, sold by the stem. I processed roses for eight hours a day, taking all the thorns off the stems. Flowers are really physically demanding—I didn’t know that when I first started. I still love processing, it’s meditative.

I began working for my buddy Spencer (@theunlikelyflorist) and then, at some point, while I was still in LA, I started branching out on my own and met Ravi Gunewardena, an architect who worked on the Lautner Sheats-Goldstein houses and runs an incredible design firm. He’s certified in Ikebana and became a mentor to me.

That’s when I got really inspired and excited about flowers becoming my life.

The art of heaven, man, and earth

What is Ikebana, and how does it shape your work?

Ikebana started in the 15th century as Buddhist altar offerings. It’s structured around three lines: heaven, man, and earth. Everything has those three angles—one to the sky, one balanced, one grounding toward the earth. Over time it became more contemporary. More avant-garde. Less altar, more art.

I studied under Ravi for two years and got certified. A lot of people claim Ikebana in the floral community, but don’t understand the history. I wanted to honor it.

Building worlds beyond the bouquet

Your floral work has been featured in Vogue Italy. What’s next for you creatively?

I’d like to do more large-scale production art with flowers. Building bigger environments. I just did something for World of Interiors, which was really cool.

I love editorial. I love weddings. But it would be exciting to do more immersive set design. Huge mossy builds. Making something feel like a swamp. Something like, Givenchy needing grasses down each side of the runway. Or big concerts. I have so many friends in music. Doing something big for them would be really fun.

Colors of Wes Anderson

Where are you finding inspiration right now?

To this day, my biggest inspiration color palette-wise—and honestly a huge reason I got into flowers—is Wes Anderson. Still, if I watch a Wes Anderson movie, I immediately want to make flowers. The way he puts together colors…it feels so satisfying.

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The florist’s uniform

How would you describe your personal style?

I’m really inspired by Robert Redford and Paul Newman. I like the idea of uniforms, something easy you can wear every day. Doing a bottom that’s kind of rugged and worn in, and then putting something super nice on top.

I could buy a $3,000 pair of Visvim boots, but instead I’ll find old Mexican cowboy rodeo boots for $60 with the soles gone, spend $100 to get them resoled, find beat-up Wranglers, and then pair that with a Bode shirt.

What are you wearing on repeat right now?

I mean, when I’m doing flowers everything gets so destroyed. I can’t always put on a Bode shirt, you know? So I think if I’m in the States, it’s cowboy-Robert Redford-adjacent: white t-shirt, good jeans, and boots. It still feels like I can be a hot boy, but get it fucking dirty. If I’m in Europe, it’s loose linen, loafers, and dress pants.

What are some of your all-time favorite pieces you own?

It’s honestly all Bode. I have a light blue and white striped Bode shirt that’s almost Sergeant Pepper-style. I love that shirt. I found these beautiful pinstripe trousers—kind of 1940s, kind of NASCAR-inspired—with a big pocket and button detail. I wear those a lot. If I’m going out, I’ll put on a dress pant and a loafer.

I have needlepoint loafers with chickens and hammerhead sharks on them. I like Olderbrother, Dehen in Portland for knits, and mostly vintage besides that.

What’s your most “out-there” piece?

One of my close friends, George Cortina, is a well-known stylist. I was doing flowers at his house one day and these cheetah print loafers were just sitting on the countertop. I was like, “What size are those?”

He goes, “I don’t know… if the shoe fits, babe.”

They did, and I took them home that day thinking, I don’t know if I could ever actually wear these. Then I thought, you know what? I’m just going to do it. So I popped out in them one night, and everyone was like, damn, these are cool.

There’s not really a casual occasion to wear cheetah slippers. But I love them.

Ojai & Santa Barbara

You’ve been living in Ojai for three years. What are your favorite spots? Where can we find Jack Crow Buckley?

Rory’s Place is my friend’s restaurant, and I think it is the best restaurant in California. For me, it’s perfect. Ojai Noodle House if I want to have a cute, cozy night, like post-movie, I’ll go there and just have a bowl of ramen.

I think what’s cool about Ojai—there’s really fancy-schmancy spots that I love to go to, but there’s also Jim & Rob’s Mexican cantina, where I go probably two times a week just to get a chicken burrito and come home and be casual.

The best part of moving to Ojai, for me, was being able to actually be in nature. And with what I do, my clientele, it just makes sense. It’s my favorite place on earth.

In Santa Barbara, Elsie’s is my go-to bar spot. Merci in Montecito—that café is so fucking good. They have a chicken paillard that’s amazing.

I go to The Eddy to get a Ghia, or any kind of little snacky thing. The vibe is so good. They have a really good natty wine selection, too.

The El Encanto, and The Riviera Theater is probably my favorite theater on earth. Coming outside after a movie, smoking a cigarette, looking at that sunset…And for vintage, Thrifty Beaches on State Street. Insane coats and pieces for nothing. Hot tip.

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A big thank you to Jack for inviting us into his home and letting me poke through his closet. We are missing his florals in the shop already!

Right now, that freedom feels especially vulnerable, and it isn’t right. People and immigrants in our community are being profiled and denied basic safety and visibility simply because of who they are. We believe everyone deserves these rights; they’re what make creativity, contribution, and connection possible. It would be incomplete to celebrate self-expression here without acknowledging this truth.

The conversation below with local chef and artist Nick Bodden reflects what’s possible when people in the community are free to express themselves without fear.

Creative identity, evolving

I’ve dedicated most of my professional career to being a chef and, now, a restaurant owner [of Revolver]. I’ve put a lot of time into growing into a good enough chef that I can confidently back up all the concepts that I create, but lately I look at myself more as a producer.

For me, it’s not only about the cooking; it’s about the concept and the performance of it all. My passion would be to open up and conceptualize restaurants, from designing the posters to the menus to the playlist. I’m working toward having a bigger résumé where I can get away with saying something more like that in the future.

I have 100% emotional connection to what I do. Trixy, for example, is a conceptual art piece in itself—from the posters I make for it, to the food, to the music, everything. It’s all involved. It’s not only about cooking; it’s also about the concept and the performance. I give it my all, almost to a fault.

My interests continue to stretch beyond just being a chef. It’s fun embracing each evolution through life, especially when it allows me to be creative. My interests can be fleeting, so I’ve learned I just need to tame the excitement more in my discipline.

That’s something I appreciate about myself, though: being able to take risks. I think that’s one of my strongest attributes. I’m confident in myself. I look at people who find that one thing for themselves and they focus only on that and become masters of it—I just don’t have that. I’m mediocre at so many things. I go to writing, then photos, then painting, then cooking, and I don’t know if I spend enough time on each of those disciplines. The thing I’ve locked in on most is cooking. But, you know, maybe that’s okay.

I’m probably unreasonably hard on myself. It’s weird that you can exist in both places, where you have enough confidence to know that a project will work and people will like it, but then also being very hard on yourself through it all. Every pop-up or party I do, I usually am not really enjoying myself until it’s done, and then afterward I’m like, “Oh thank god, that was great.”

East Coast origins

I identify as an East Coaster and New Yorker, and I have a deep, deep love for the region. I was very fortunate to have parents who allowed me to travel and take bigger trips when I had the time in high school. Like, me and my two friends went to Amsterdam, another friend and I went to Puerto Escondido a couple times. Being exposed to new places and people and cultures is something that’s always kind of stuck with me.

I didn’t relate more to being a New Yorker until I left, because I realized how special of an upbringing I actually had and being very fortunate having that exposure to everything New York offers, seeing shows and eating at restaurants.

Me and my friends would skip school and see the Blue Man Group and Broadway things. It was fun—just being able to actively go to concerts really young and see different kinds of people with that New York exposure.

I first came out to Santa Barbara in 2009. I’ve kind of been back and forth ever since. I’ve left about five different times, and each time I’m like, “Alright, well that was fun,” and then a year or two later I find myself back.

I remember the first time I laid eyes on this town—it was a very magical, unreal feeling at the time. Now it’s crazy. It’s been 17 years off and on, and I still get that feeling driving around sometimes when I just look at the mountains or go to the ocean. It still amazes me, and I think I like Santa Barbara now more than I ever have in the entire time I’ve been out here. I think it’s just perspective and having carved out a little community, especially in the restaurant scene. I think we’ve come a long way.

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Chasing inspiration

I go at least twice a year to New York to eat and check out new restaurants and get inspired. And from Santa Barbara, it’s like traveling to the future and coming back, because you’re not gonna see what’s there for another six months anywhere else.

As a chef, I’d say one of the most important things is to eat—to go out and get inspired. I don’t think people are actively eating good, inspired meals. To me, that should be a weekly routine. I know now it’s very expensive and I can’t even do it all the time, but it’s very important to go out and travel and see what’s going on and to try new food.

There’s nothing I love more than sitting in a perfect bar or a perfect restaurant. In a perfect world, you’d get 1:1 ambiance and food. On my weekends or my days off, I love to go romp around hotel bars and other cool spots. It’s kind of my love language.

I love when you walk into a place and you’re like, “Holy shit, this might be the coolest place I’ve ever been in my whole life—How did this happen? How is this this cool?” It’s like seeing a movie or hearing a song or a band for the first time and you’re like, “How have I never heard this before?” You relate to it so much and you never even knew you were missing it.

There’s this one restaurant in Venice, a really famous restaurant called Harry’s Bar, but I had no idea about it. I was there and, from the outside, it looked so appealing that it naturally brought me inside. It’s where they invented the carpaccio and the Bellini, apparently, and it was an old Hemingway drinking spot, a very old-school spot. I’d say it might be one of the most perfect restaurants I’ve ever been to, the most ideal restaurant I’ve ever experienced. The food, the layout, the ambiance—everything just connected with me so much.

Another time around Christmas, I found myself with my buddy in Tarzana in LA. It was pouring outside and everywhere was closed. We said, “Alright, before we head back to SB, let’s find a place to go grab a drink.” Went to one place, it was closed. Went to another, and it was closed.

We were just about to call it before we decided to go to this place called Canby. It probably might be the best dive bar I’ve ever been to in my entire life: the lady behind the bar was chain-smoking, there was a weird fish tank, this shitty little dive bar was randomly the perfect spot to experience Christmas.

It was one of those places that’s just original. Like, even if you were making a sitcom taking place there, I don’t know if you’d even be able to recreate that, with any amount of money. It’s more than just furniture and ambiance. For this place, it was the people and even the amount of literal grit that has collected on the surfaces over time. It’s something that gets truer over time.

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On getting dressed

I’ve always enjoyed fashion, and dressing up has always been a part of my life. My older brother is also an artist, and growing up it was always part of our household—making costumes and doing plays and stuff like that. I still enjoy dressing up to an extent. Recently me and my buddy did a pop-up in LA at this art gallery and we went in dresses.

With the artistic side of me, a lot of my style inspiration comes from the people that I look up to, like artists and painters and musicians. Especially movies. I’m obsessed with cinema, and was obsessed with James Bond when I was younger. It’s a very fashion-forward movie collection. It’s all about what they’re wearing and what he’s driving. To me, all of that goes hand in hand with fashion.

I’ve learned it takes a lot of time to define your style and grow into it, and I’ve been through a lot of different phases. I think everybody has been through the ’60s phase at some point—wearing very loud lapel shirts and stuff like that with a sweater vest and multicolored stuff. There’s a bit of punk in there, too, since I grew up going to a lot of punk shows. And then the Burroughs or the Beatniks, the ’40s, ’50s New York style. I still get inspiration from the movies I watch all the time.

Today, my style is very much inspired by my influences—people, places, things—and it’s a collection of all of that into one kind of vibe. It’s a little bit of everything. I’m still trying to find words to describe it. Getting dressed, for me, is very emotionally charged, but maybe not the way you think. When I feel good and comfortable about myself, I will probably dress worse. But when I feel like shit and not great, I will dress better—just “nicer” or more put together. Like, if you see me hanging out with shorts and a t-shirt on and a hat, I’d say I’m doing pretty well.

Honestly I’m not wearing anything too great these days since I’m working a lot. But I have some Sergio Tacchini tracksuits I like. I also love houndstooth, so I have a pair of Burberry pants I really love. There’s this brand out of New York called Rowing Blazers that I get a lot of stuff from. I also like a lot of tennis or tennis-inspired outfits, and I think Wilson is doing some really cool stuff right now.

I’m constantly looking and collecting ideas and inspiration. Most of the stuff I can’t afford, but I’ll save an idea and start piecing together outfits based on it. Sunglasses are definitely my old faithful item. Retro Versaces are some of my favorites, I’ve had a couple pairs for a really long time. I also like classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers, and hats, too.

As an artist, I 100% see fashion as a form of art. Something I’d love to get more into is actual fashion design. I’ve tried to get some exposure by designing shirts and stuff like that, but it’s hard to translate. It’s so out of my wheelhouse.

Raising creative humans

As a dad, it’s been cool to see how my kids’ style develops by seeing what I wear sometimes. I let them explore and express themselves. My daughter Luna is 8, and she’s been dressing herself for years now. I love seeing what she puts together.

Sometimes she’ll borrow some of my stuff, or she’ll wear a dress with pants underneath, and she has a bunch of hats she’ll wear. Even how she does her hair is creative. Her style is very unique and inspires me all the time.

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Before my husband and I got married, we each wrote down goals for the near and distant future—both as individuals and as a couple. One of my personal goals was simple and unapologetic: a quality wardrobe I’m proud of.

It might sound frivolous, but I wrote it with my whole chest! Fashion has intrigued me for as long as I can remember. I didn’t have language for it as a kid, but I felt it deeply. I want to move through the world in clothes I love—clothes that feel like me. Over the past few years of intentionally building my closet, I’ve learned a lot about what actually serves me.

My biggest takeaway of 2025? Intention beats impulse. Trite, maybe—but true.

Personal style is a muscle. It takes time to understand your point of view: what silhouettes and fabrics you prefer, what you actually wear, and what holds up long-term. Early on, I struggled to reach for what truly worked for my life instead of simply what had that “wow!” factor (which is often so fleeting). Just because you can wear something doesn’t mean you should buy it (especially if it ultimately just collects dust in your closet).

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So, what did other Santa Barbarans learn from their closets in 2025?

Jen

“At 45, I learned to get my ass dressed in the clothes that feel like me without worrying about how my contemporaries are dressing. I love color and texture and sometimes it can feel uncomfortable showing up wearing something that feels so different, but it also feels weird showing up dressed in something that is not me. So, this year is all about wearing the things that I feel most drawn to and connected to. I got rid of and sold a lot of items that other people wanted and loved, but that didn’t feel like me. Accepting your own personal style is really what makes someone stylish :)”

Kate

“This Instagram reel about thinking before buying sums up EVERYTHING in my head re: what I’ve learned from my closet.”

Sophie

“Honestly, fashion risks are not common for me. It feels like a kind of peace to have a uniform, to know what works for me and have so much that I am constantly switching up the same thing. I will say: the caveat of a uniform is it can feel like you are in perpetual search of a personality piece. In 2025, though, my solution came through playful accessorization. I bought these green Simone Rocha bow earrings in the spring (similar). They are special, bold, happy. When I wear them, whatever neutral navy combination I wear feels cheerful. Those earrings taught me to balance very predictable clothing with just a touch of unpredictability, and that feels good.”

Trip

“The intention over impulse thing is a constant learning and relearning process! Over the past few years, I try to think more consciously about how much I will wear something vs. how cool I think it is. How many outfits it works with, will it withstand trends, etc.”

Alex

“I just sold some neutral linen and raw silk pieces I’ve had for years at the Neighbor Neighbor sale, and I have to say, I feel so much lighter. Maybe I was holding on to an aspirational version of myself? Those pieces made me feel chic and put together, but if I’m being honest, I feel far more myself in something colorful or a little irreverent. Something that makes me laugh, like the bikini tee from Nikki Chasin, a vintage Simpson's tee from Favorites, or the blueberry Meals pants. I’m sure I’ll look back at the latter and curse myself for not sticking to “chic and put together,” but, for now, it feels right.

Olivia Joffrey

“I started wearing my pajamas as clothes—and I promise you the effect does not come off sloppy. The key is to iron them. I have a pair of pale blue Tekla PJs that I bought in 2025. I love the buttery cotton. I button them all the way to the top button & sometimes wear a necklace over it. I roll the sleeves up and wear mismatched gold and silver jewelry. It feels like it represents my POV right now. I am not preppy, but I like to feel tidy. Sometimes I wear the PJs with my vintage black velvet jacket over my shoulders and feel very downtown a la Julian Schnabel.”

Denise Restauri

“Live in reality vs. fantasy. Tulle, satin, and glitter—I love luxurious textiles and I actually say to myself, “I’ll wear this long red taffeta skirt with sneakers with my vintage baby blue Cèline tote and walk to meet a friend for lunch.” Never happened, because that’s not my day-to-day style! I see it on other people and love it, but it’s not me. Definitely a lesson: be me, not someone else.”

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For years, I wasn’t sure, never knowing where to turn when dressing for the season while keeping my personality in tact. Too often I’d get lost under bulky (and boring) outerwear, costume-y colors, or last-minute additions that just didn’t feel like me at all.

Even during the season that calls for velvets, plaids, sparkles, and reds—all things I love wearing!—I’ve struggled nailing a look that truly feels like me. I want to look festive, but not fussy; appropriate, but still aligned with my personal style.

Working in fashion over the past two years has (thankfully) opened my eyes to the plethora of possibilities for personalized holiday dressing. There are many more options than I thought!

A few of my favorite tricks:

• Spruce things up with red—like tights, a vintage tie, or a fun hair piece

• Wear an antique brooch for some festive, old-world flair

• Add a touch of sparkle that feels intentional—be it a bag, tights or ✨diamond jewelry✨

• Play with one oversized detail for extra drama—try this stunning bow blouse, removable sleeves, or an exotic pair of gloves

I’ve learned the key is not overthinking it—just lean into the season in a way that feels most you.

I saw this play out beautifully at the Jake and Jones + The Eddy holiday party last week, hosted at studio BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. We are indeed fashion lovers, each telling our own stories by way of our clothing. And the holidays are certainly no exception.

Below, see each of our individual takes on dressing for the season—maybe they’ll give you some ideas for your next holiday gathering!

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The world seems to speed up this time of year. As many of us wrap up end-of-year projects, the typical holiday rush of party planning and gift shopping whirls.

But, maybe this season—when so much focus is placed on buying—can actually be about gratitude—for craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and longevity. Gratitude for the beauty of things made consciously, for the makers themselves, and for our loved ones on either side of our gifts.

This sentiment of appreciation is at the heart of slow fashion, and slow fashion is at the heart of what we do at Jake and Jones. Every piece in our shop is sourced with intention and thoughtful consideration of how, why, and by whom it was made. It’s about embracing quality over quantity, discernment over excess, and intention over impulse. And, it’s about celebrating the ingenuity, passion, and creativity of each designer we carry.

For us, this is the perfect time of year to honor that philosophy, and to recognize that—without you—none of this would be possible. It’s what our Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday/Thank You Sale is all about. It’s not about clearing inventory or overconsumption, but instead about giving thanks to you—our community—for supporting our shop. It’s about creating space to invest in high-quality, long-lasting pieces you’ll cherish forever, and honoring the talented, global makers behind each one.

Maybe you have a past sale purchase that has stuck with you: the jacket that gets better with each wear, the necklace you’ll pass down as an heirloom, the pair of shoes that just make you feel like yourself. Holiday sales can be a time where something special is finally within reach, whether for you or someone you love.

A couple holidays back, Picnic editor Cami bought herself an oatmeal-colored babaà sweater—a forever piece for sure (and one that still carries the faint, earthy scent of sustainably-harvested sheep wool, knitted by artisans in Northern Spain—yum❤︎)

Kate, one of our longtime sales associates you know and love, took advantage of a sale to purchase her beloved Lee bag by Lindquist—an heirloom piece she will hand down.

“She’s beautiful and functional,” she said. “I know this bag will be with me for a very long time—all the things I look for when I invest in a new piece. And when it’s on sale…done deal!”

The story behind the bag made the purchase all the more worth it for Kate: “I love that Lindquist is a small, woman-owned American company, and that every bag is stamped with the makers who thoughtfully crafted each piece you’re investing in,” she said. “Plus, did you know that Lindquist actually orders their thread from the same factory as Hermès? How cool is that?!”

At Jake and Jones, being a small local shop means every connection—every conversation, visit, and order—is meaningful. At times, it can feel hard to swim with the big fish of larger fashion retailers with bigger platforms, but what keeps us going is you. Your support shapes our entire year, and we don’t take that for granted.

Jen, our shop owner, said it best:

Our sale is now live! From now (11/26) until Monday (12/1), enjoy 30% off almost everything (*exclusions apply; all sales final; no retroactive discounts*) — Use code: BF30

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A few months ago, I was at a Santa Barbara Historic Land Commission meeting for an upcoming project we’re working on. Just ahead of us on the agenda was the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. I was completely taken by surprise as I listened to the two women present with such charisma, energy, style, and professionalism while unveiling what is now the bright pink vinyl entrance on the stairs of the museum for the exhibition “The Impressionist Revolution: From Monet to Matisse.”

I was specifically drawn to Amada Cruz, director and CEO of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. She commanded the room—not through force, but through a genuine excitement for art, for the museum, and for our city. I turned to Alex, my business partner, and said, “I want to know that woman.” What I would soon discover—and what I’ve come to admire most about Amada—is that her entire leadership approach is rooted in accessibility, including making herself accessible to others. Within a few emails, we coordinated lunch and this interview.

While eagerly awaiting our lunch at The University Club, I wondered how she planned to bring her background and passion in contemporary art to a town that, for me, can feel traditional and slow to change at times. To be honest, I had kind of forgotten about the museum. Didn’t they once throw great parties with DJs, drinks, and an energetic young scene? In fact, it used to be the go-to party, along with the Canary Hotel’s rooftop parties. Before pop-ups became the norm, the museum was one of the main gathering spots for young adults in Santa Barbara. But 15 years later, I can’t remember the last time the museum felt relevant. Until now.

“One of the things that surprised me about moving here was how game people are for change,” said Amada, sharing her enthusiasm about her new role. “I was definitely brought in to bring a different vision to the institution.”

When Amada first saw the job description, she was surprised by what the board was seeking. In 2017, while she was running the Phoenix Art Museum, she had worked with Julie Joyce, then senior curator at the Santa Barbara museum. The two had collaborated on an exhibition of Valeska Soarez that previously had brought Amada out to Santa Barbara. So, in 2023, when she learned the museum wanted someone to diversify its offerings and create more community and partnerships, it felt like kismet.

Reimagining museums as a third space

In her first few months here, Amada immersed herself in the community— meeting with board members, donors, and the larger community. She asked what changes people hoped to see. When she heard that Santa Barbara was ready to embrace change, she acted. Partnering with chief curator James Glisson, she brought in the artist, Elliott Hundley. By juxtaposing Hundley’s contemporary work with the museum’s more traditional Hermes statue at the entrance, Amada immediately began addressing the challenge of blending fresh perspectives and contemporary art with longstanding roots. The result is colorful, evocative, and contemporary.

Her relationship with Hundley is not new. Amada brings with her relationships she has cultivated for years, in various cities and jobs, and I can tell how important these relationships are to her. It really is the “why” of what she does.

“I think the best part of my job is the relationships that you can build,” she said. “I love that. To me, it’s the most fun. It’s not work.”

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In the many cities that Amada has lived in, Los Angeles was a place that taught her a lot about creativity and community. Working for a nonprofit that gave grants to artists across the country, she became immersed in the visual arts, working not only with visual artists but also musicians, architects, designers, and more.

I am always curious to hear about the challenges other institutions are facing. We often work so quietly in our own silos. Even though our work is not the same, I wanted to hear what challenges Amada is working on at the museum. For her, a major challenge is addressing “static spaces.” This is something we think about at the shop as well—how can a space truly engage someone? Amada is tackling this head-on at the museum.

Amada’s passion to make art more accessible has led to offering free admission to the museum every other Sunday to the tri-county area—”which has doubled attendance!” she noted. She has also launched free family programming in the Art Learning Lab, where kids and adults can take classes.

“All of it is about making this space more accessible and FUN!” she said. “The kids can go upstairs to see the art and then go down and make art. And a lot of it is free.”

Amada knows that early exposure matters; children who visit museums are more likely to continue visiting as adults—nurturing the next generation of museumgoers.

This also addresses one of the museum’s biggest challenges, Amada said.

“We are always worried about attendance, getting people off the couch and out of their sweats,” she said. “How do you maintain relevance? What causes someone to come into the museum rather than doing something else?”

I flipped the question to her—what makes her get off the couch, or off her phone to go and do something?

“I am a big proponent of having an authentic experience,” Amada said. “The thing that we can actually provide for people is an experience with an authentic work of art—not a simulation, not something on your phone that is mediated. We have the real thing.”

And it’s true. On those walls right now for the Impressionist exhibition, there are real Monet’s, a real Matisse, real Van Goghs, real Paul Gaugins…As someone who studied Art History, it feels important that we have access to these works of art at this caliber in Santa Barbara. But I think Amada is onto something bigger: In the post-Covid world, how do we get people out of their pajamas?

I agree that most people want an authentic experience. You can see this at the bustling farmers market, where Amada and her husband frequent every Saturday, as well as at The Eddy where she marvels over the tuna fish selections. And you can see it out on the surf breaks or hiking trails where people are immersed in the real thing. People want to touch, smell, and taste the fruit they’re buying, and they want to be in the ocean rather than on a simulation of being in the ocean. Our town has a lot of this genuine experience to offer, but how do we do it in these more static spaces, like a museum or a retail store?

“I think it’s an emotional connection to something,” Amada said. “Whether it’s hand crafted, or planned in a certain way with intentionality and integrity.”

We see this in fashion and retail as well, where people are increasingly drawn to smaller, more intentional wardrobes rather than mass-produced pieces. But is that enough to get them off the couch? Amada reminded me how lucky we are in Santa Barbara, surrounded by so many great organizations offering rich cultural experiences—ones that remain relevant, engaging, and stimulate our community.

The art museum’s current exhibition, “The Impressionist Revolution: From Monet to Matisse,” is not only an extraordinary exhibition of these classics, it is also a tribute to the museum’s own collection. Amada wanted to honor the legacy of the institution, the different collections there, and also the legacy of the donors who have been so generous to the museum (and, in turn, to Santa Barbara).

In “Encore,” a sort of bonus of the Impressionist exhibition, Amada highlights the many French 19th-century works of our own museum’s collection, which she comments is extensive. Again, I think this really highlights Amada’s commitment to blending the appetite for change with the respect for what already exists, a balance that can often be hard to strike. Next year, Amada will focus on the museum’s own collections, saying there is “an opportunity to recontextualize them into various exhibitions.”

The making of a curator

Amada was a contemporary art curator for 20 years. Her background is doing special projects and exhibitions with living artists—like the show she did with artist Felix González-Torres, who was very important to her and later died of AIDS. As she spoke of her love of being in dialogue with artists, it reminded me of my own grandmother who once lined up to get Dalí’s signature, and who, too, was very interested in knowing the artists she collected.

Having been an intern at the Guggenheim and studying at New York University, Amada spent a lot of time in museums and galleries in New York City. Her first job was to help curate a show called “New American Talent,” where she helped identify emerging talent. She knew immediately she wanted to work directly with artists.

“Without knowing how to curate, I just loved it,” she said. Dialogue was most important to her, and she would never do a show without having spent time with the artist first.

While talking with Amada, my own curiosity about discovering art and artists continued to bubble up. Amada spoke about the importance of looking, what the industry calls “training your eye.” She encourages people to go out and see as much art as they can.

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“Look as much as possible, read as much as possible, and then buy what you really love,” she said. “There are people who buy because they want art on the walls, and then there are people who want museum quality.”

She then offered a piece of guidance I often give our customers at Jake and Jones: if you want to build a collection, buy one piece of art a year—after 10 years, you’ll have a collection. That approach, she said, requires discipline. It made me reflect—doesn’t this apply to everything? Becoming a true connoisseur, even in my own industry, takes both discernment and consistency.

Amada is infusing this philosophy into the museum’s offerings.

“We do studio visits in LA which is a great opportunity for young collectors and for people to have experiences with artists,” she said. “People forget that artists make the art. So, when you are looking at a Monet, there’s a whole story behind that. It used to be that you were supposed to ignore the story of the artist. I don’t think people feel that way anymore.”

It reminds me of the time I worked at The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy and how Peggy herself was rather revolutionary for having relationships with the artists she collected. I agree that people today—like myself—want to know the artist behind the work.

The art of dressing

There is such an overlap between art and fashion, and Amada undoubtedly has great style. Recently, she visited the shop and bought a great pair of Jacques Solovière loafers, made in France by a woman who used to work for Oscar De la Renta. At our lunch, she wore a Cordera vest layered over a shirt with Brochu Walker denim. Before our interview, I came across a photo from 10 years ago (seen above) and I asked her about how her style has evolved.

“In terms of evolving, I have to be professional-looking. That’s really important in my role because I’m a woman and I’m small,” Amada said. “But I also really like to be comfortable. I would rather not look very generic, but sometimes I do and I don’t worry about it. So in terms of style, that’s what I try to balance—-can I be really comfortable but look professional at the same time.”

She then brought up Issey Miyake: “That I buy in your store,” she said. “I love it in the evening because it feels like I am wearing pajamas. It’s so insanely comfortable, and if I throw it on, I am done!”

Born in Cuba, Amada describes Miami—where her parents live and where she considers a capital of Latin America—a second home.

We share this love of Miami. I grew up visiting my grandparents and my aunt in these rather large Orthodox communities, much like Amada’s experience in Miami’s Latinx communities. Her mother, unusually for the time, was raised in a nonreligious family and attended a private, nonreligious girls’ school where many Jewish families also sent their daughters.

“Miami is all about color,” she said. “People dress in a certain way. It’s a lot sexier, it’s a lot of color, and women wear high heels. I mean my mother is in her 80s and she finally stopped wearing high heels.”

When it comes to Amada getting dressed, she observed that Santa Barbara’s weather and lifestyle shape local dress.

“I think the weather and the ambience, in my opinion, affect how people dress. People here are so casual because they’re outdoors, they’re hanging out, they are going hiking,” she said.

Amada gravitates toward menswear, a more tailored way of dressing. “As you get older, there’s no pressure to wear things that aren’t me.” She laughed recounting how at one point she tried working with a stylist, but when they tried to get her to wear a sequined dress, she had to call it a day. Her laugh makes me laugh. Getting dressed is such a personal experience, we really do have to be comfortable in what we are wearing.

I’m always curious about women in leadership, and Amada offers a compelling perspective. She notes how much the art industry has evolved—women now make up 50% of the field. Diversity is important to her, and she appreciates being part of this positive shift.

As a child, Amada was shy, something she realized she would need to overcome. Today, she is an excellent speaker who has embraced her own style: working in the moment, staying present, and relying less on scripted delivery.

After our lunch interview, I took the Jake and Jones team on a docent-lead tour of the Impressionist exhibition. It reignited my commitment to sharing my excitement for art with my team and participating in our city’s cultural life. Supporting our institutions matters. I have learned how important it is to support our city’s institutions.

While walking the exhibition, I kept hearing what Amada had to say about art: “I think (art) is really powerful because it makes you see the world differently or makes you think about things in a different way,” she said. “I really want to be challenged intellectually.”

The Impressionist show is that. What people might not know is that the entire Impressionist movement was, in fact, revolutionary. Monet, Matisse, Van Gogh…these were artists who were anti-establishment, so much so that their art literally was not permitted to be presented in museums or exhibitions. They had to create their own community.

This brings me back to the question of what gets us out of our pajamas and off our couches. For me, I think it is this sense of community or belonging. I think it’s as simple as the small chit-chat you have with the person making your coffee, to the larger roles we can play in the cities we live in. It’s a connection to something outside yourself.

What about the museum’s community?

“There is definitely a community around this museum which is so nice,” she said. “And so what I want to do is broaden that community. That’s one of my goals. The thing is, you don’t want to have just one group in leadership, of the board for example. You want to have lots of different groups. So not just one circle of influence, but a lot of different circles of influence. You don’t want the PLU (people like us). We are really broadening that.” I think she is right.

When our lunch ended, I snapped this quick photo outside. I left feeling refreshed, excited, engaged—and also like I just left lunch with a friend, knowing I will see them soon. Engaging with leadership can sometimes feel unattainable in a city, like we have such a distance from the people who run our town. But meeting Amada—and seeing her openness and her leadership take course—grounded me.

This theme of accessibility makes me think of all the ways we can be open to one another. It’s not just in large institutions, but at smaller levels, too. Real learning and relationships happen when we are open to being in spaces with one another where we can learn, inspire, and ask questions. It’s supportive, not competitive.

Amada has so much to offer our city—not only through her role as the museum’s director, but also through the way she understands art’s place in the community. Her leadership reflects well on Santa Barbara and on the museum’s board and executives, who have embraced change and invited a fresh vision while blending our city’s rich past with its evolving future.

Thank you to Amada Cruz, James Glisson, and Lindsey Garrison who helped make this interview possible. We are big fans. See you at the museum.

X,

Jen

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These transitional seasons are when things get interesting wardrobe-wise. The shifts in temperature make getting dressed a small puzzle—Do I need a jacket? Am I too pale for shorts yet?—and open up room to play with layers, textures, and proportions (and to welcome back some bulk once the chill sticks around).

This is the mindset I started this piece with, before the mid-week heat wave threw things off! Still, I set out to observe and document how Santa Barbarans are adapting to the season—and to share a few ideas for recreating the looks that caught my eye.

Take a look at what (and who) I saw. (And happy halloween!)

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There are always ~looks~ at the Saturday farmer’s market and this one caught my eye immediately. Something about a sand color that brings an element of cool, while still being laid back.

Back when it was briefly beanie season. The opposite colors—blue and orange—caught my eye and really do make an outfit as simple as this feel that much more considered. The slinky tote and wired headphones are a nice touch, too.

Kyle was wearing the tried-and-true fall palette of orange and brown—with texture to boot! It’s always a good feeling (for me, at least) to break out the corduroy for the first time as things cool down.

Sophia, an SB local who now lives in New Orleans, was visiting town and bringing a certain elegance to spooky season. Her amazing lace-up boots (apparently only $0.13 at a flea market) were giving fashion witch (and I mean that in the best way!)

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John and his family just moved to town from The Hamptons. (Welcome to town, y’all!) His monochromatic look was easy breezy and perfect for the warmer days this week. Again, with the right textures and colors, even the simplest outfits look and feel refined.

The picture simply doesn’t do it justice. This pink and turquoise look just POPPED in the heat wave sun. Alexis, a visual merchandiser at The Blue Door, said she found it at a vintage shop in Cayucos (apparently there’s a great vintage scene there, maybe a future Picnic deep dive?!)

Here she is again—my bestie, Victoria! Pulling off a 60s-inspired look for our weekly writer’s group. LOVE that pop of blue on the jacket sleeves (and I’ve always loved that cardigan).

It’s me! This is how I started the week (peep the chunky sweater), feeling like a Copenhagen fashion girly with my bright socks and tennis shoes…

…and this is how I ended the week (honestly pushing it with the cardigan—it was pretty warm this day!)

What have you been wearing lately? Anything you’re excited to break out for the fall?!

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With the cloudy weather we’ve had recently (which, as if on cue, arrived on the autumn equinox), I knew something was shifting. But it didn’t fully crystallize until I picked up my best friend Victoria for Ecstatic Dance last Wednesday.

She had clearly gotten the fall memo and wasted no time to lean allllll the way in. Unlike me in white cotton shorts, a pastel-colored tee (similar), and sandals, she got into the car wearing a chunky, burgundy sweater (similar) over a sheer black midi dress and black Mary Janes (I’m personally eyeing these for spooky szn).

I was proud of my summer-loving, Gemini bestie; she was embracing a new season, with grace and conviction. It turns out she and her therapist had talked earlier that day about accepting change, instead of resisting it.

Inevitably, grief often bubbles up in the process.

“Things are always changing, so we’re kind of always grieving,” Victoria said as we turned onto Milpas, headed to ecstatic dance at East Beach.

Totally. We are always grieving something, from the morbid to the trivial. Sometimes it’s a season, a breakup, a death, or maybe even a past self. I realized a few years back that I even had to grieve the idea of who I wished certain people in my life could be, or become (and simply accept them for who they are right now.)

But just like summer turns into fall, bringing a welcome chill in the air and an instinctual move toward coziness, I’ve learned that grieving makes way for newness. We grieve so we can move on, and move forward.

Fashion-wise, I’m starting to grieve my summer wardrobe.

I LIVED in my stark white Deiji Studios cotton boxers. On the warmest days, I’d roll over the waistband and style them with a comfy and sassy leopard bodysuit (similar - the texture here is gorgeous), chunky sandals (like these on sale), black cat-eye sunglasses (similar), and my favorite pieces of silver jewelry (like this bracelet).

To me, the outfit was the epitome of summer dressing: fun and colorful, light and breezy, comfy and sexy. As we move into fall, I lovingly lay this outfit to rest </3

But I look ahead, too—curious what pieces and styles will define my autumn looks.

In the shop, we’ve received a deluge of fall/winter wear from as far as Japan and as near as Mission Canyon in Santa Barbara. We’re practically bursting with amazing sweaters, scarves, beanies, and coats—all ready to help you tell your own sartorial fall story.

One of my favorite things about fall garments is their richness in texture and color. There’s a certain depth in these pieces that makes each one feel effortless, but still elegant and interesting.

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This year’s collections have made a strong case for thoughtful combinations of blues, browns, and burgundies—I was compelled to style one of our mannequins this way, with a few touches of black to round it out and make it feel a little less expected.

As for me, I’m thinking less about sweaters and knits and more about revitalizing what I already have with thoughtful accessories; leather belts, colorful hats, silver necklaces, and thick-framed optical and sunglasses are top of mind.

(And, okay, maybe dark wash denim, too. I’m still thinking about this lil number I tried on during a recent trip to Daughters in Austin. Their menswear counterpart, Stag, is also worth a trip!)

If summer invites me to celebrate and bask in my liberation, fall nudges me to turn inward—to lock in, slow down, and reflect. This feels especially true in a time where we’re constantly reminded of how hostile and heavy the world can be.

These days, I want to stay grounded, do my part, and remember what’s truly important—a sacred balance that requires holding grief and gratitude in either hand.

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Let’s chat, Picnic-style. What should we serve next? Comment below and let us know what stories, trends, or reflections you’re hungry for.

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When you slip one of Marie’s handknit scarves or throw one of her cashmere bandanas over your shoulders, you are not just putting on a piece of clothing, you are wearing a part of her story.

That story begins in 1937, when Marie’s family first opened a store called Needlecraft on Dawson street in Dublin, Ireland. Although her family’s shop closed in 2001 when her uncle retired, Marie never stopped knitting. In 2024 she reimagined her family's crafting legacy with her brand Dawson Street Knits, a continuation of something that has always been part of her life. The yarn, the knitting, the craft, and the history is all woven into who she is.

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Marie’s materials are as storied as her practice. She sources remnants of skeins from mills in Scotland and Italy. The same factories that produce the materials for brands like Brunello cucinelli, Loro Piana, and Chanel. Mostly cashmere, baby alpaca, and wool, each skein of yarn carries a whole story. She also works with Sus Ann of “Inspire a Mind,” find her on instagram @inspireamind who hand spins alpaca sourced from Peru, and silk, which she sells online from her wonderful website and from her home here in Santa Barbara. She even carries and stocks lots of imported Danish yarn, which is often hard to find here in the US. Marie will always add a yarn to hold alongside Sus’s hand dyed lace weight yarn, making each piece unique. Every piece begins with these thoughtful choices and color stories, giving her knits a texture and weight that feel truly special.

One scarf takes her over ten hours to make, sometimes double that if the pattern is ribbed or more involved and complicated. She often listens to podcasts or recently, she has had Wimbledon or the Tour de France playing in the background while her hands work. Some pieces require little attention and she lets herself enter a meditative flow state while others take a bit more concentration. When she is not in the house, she will bring her knitting project along to coffee shops or even in line at the store. She says that her Mother is proud that she has continued the practice of knitting. The rhythm has become second nature, a form of meditation as much as craft.

Stylistically, Marie loves the classics. From traditional Irish cable knits, to shawls and sweaters, she loves to make them all, but she has a way of giving each of them a modern feel. The same is true of Marie’s personal style, a beautiful mix of bold classics styled with a modern twist. I’ve always admired Marie’s outfits when I see her at work. She sources a lot of designer vintage and consignment which I can only imagine has left her with an exquisitely curated closet.

While we were chatting, I showed Marie my current work in progress, the Sophie scarf by Petit Knit, and we bonded over the pattern and our love for the craft. I left my sit down with her inspired to continue on my knitting journey. Especially as fall is rolling around, which is prime knitting months. This season, Marie’s pieces come with a little extra scrap yarn for mending and tags that feel like keepsakes.

Marie is a chemist by trade and came to Santa Barbara for work from upstate New York. After retiring in 2021 she joined Jake and Jones in 2023, and it was Jen and Darcy who truly encouraged her to start selling her knits.

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Marie admits she has made too many pieces for herself and finds joy in letting others wear her pieces, and sharing the passion and love she has for creating. The first time she saw a customer walk out of the store with one of her scarves was unforgettable.

For Marie, knitting is not about the business. It is about pleasure, about community, about sharing something she has always loved with the world. Her grandson, who is 10 years old, recently asked her to teach him how to knit and she lit up at the chance to pass on her knowledge. When she’s not knitting or at Jake and Jones, you can find Marie hiking, biking, or traveling. Every city she visits she seeks out two things: The farmers market and the knitting store, her husband playfully points out on every trip, “I bet there’s a yarn shop here.” Liv and I just thought that was the most adorable thing.

Right now she is reading Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend, fascinated by the mystery of the author’s hidden identity. On her own “to-knit list” is a heathery purple Brooklyn Tweed yarn, one of the last of its kind before the company closed, sourced from Sus. She hopes to make it into a gilet or a sweater.

It is refreshing to see something made by hand, especially in Santa Barbara where so much is imported or fleeting. Whether you are local or just visiting, there is something grounding about taking home a piece of Marie’s work. Her scarves and knit bandana shawls are all handmade with love and made to last.

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For those inspired by Marie’s story and passion for her craft, stop by Santa Barbara’s very own knitting store—The Knit Shop. Brooke offers the best beginner workshops, community knit hours, and intermediate and advanced workshops, along with an incredible selection of fine yarns and skeins to inspire any textile project you have in mind. This is where I personally learned to knit and I’ve been hooked ever since!

If Marie’s story stirs something in you, follow her lead: Put on an audiobook or a good show, turn on the kettle and make a cup of tea, and spend some time crafting. You never know what path your hobby might lead, or who you’ll get to share it with.

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Fall is the ultimate reset. While Spring carries the usual Spring cleaning and cleansing mentality, Fall carries hope: hope for a new year, a new season, and a new closet. The days still are sunny and warm, the humidity stays low, and you can mix shorts with sweaters and skirts with jackets, and it all feels oh so promising. Nostalgia fills the air, with back to school bringing up memories of sitting in Stride Rite picking out shoes, or making the yearly pilgrimage to the Mall.

Recently, after reading the latest Cereal Aisle, from perhaps the only influencer I truly follow, Leandra Cohen, I swiftly purchased these suede Marc Jacobs trainers and I would have bought them in the yellow colorway, but they were sold out. And while I have loved, and been eyeing the Miu Miu x New Balance ones, I just can’t cough up the $1200 price tag (but don’t judge me if I do, because I might). Nothing says Autumn like a brown suede anything….or a brown leather…

For example: this gorgeous Simone Rocha deep brown leather jacket, which I loved from the moment I met it at FW25 market last year in Paris. It is not up online yet (we will be shooting it next week.) Also I am waiting for this Simone Rocha sculpted Belt Detail Biker Jacket to come like I am waiting for Friday at the end of a loooong week. It is soooooo good. If I am not wearing this, I’ll either be wearing this Auralee or stepping out in one of these Cawley jackets. I love the longer Auralee if you tend to skew more classic with the addition of Cashmere. It just screams luxury, and I love Cawley if you tend to skew the other way and want people to know you’re cool. Both are gorgeous and beautifully made, and pieces you will keep 4-ever!

Speaking of Blue…here I am channeling my inner Dutch vibes with the Cawley felted long vest and the Simone Rocha neckerchief over my head. I need to be on a bike striding over a canal to make this come to life :) Wearing this with the Marsell Derby.

And in the same category of blues, I am also loving the ever so controversial navy and black together. For me, it’s a YES! This Fabiana Pigna set is gorgeous, and will be coming with me for Fall Fashion Week in Paris. I especially like pairing the skirt with this Sofie D’Hoore sweater.

In keeping with dressing like I did in High School, I also recently purchased this Simone Rocha Rugby that is part of the men’s collection. I am still loving and wearing all the school girl looks which have been done especially well this season by Simone Rocha, and Sandy Liang. Again, this rugby is from the men’s collection, so it runs BIG. I think I would wear this with tights and call it a dress but it does the job here over my Orslow jeans.

Speaking of Sandy again… This season is a 10 out of 10 for me. The colors, the playfulness - she is hitting the nail on the head for what I want to be wearing without worried that I really am dressing like an 8 year old. It’s sophisticated and modern, funny yet serious. She is really winning for me.

There is room for play this Fall. From all the mini bags to now the minis on clothing. I am here for this.

Browns and burgundies are here for the season. It seems obvious that these colors would have their moments during the Fall, but it really has to be done well for people to actually wear it and not just ooh and ahhh over it. There is a difference between liking something and actually buying it. I am wearing both together this Fall, clashing them so all the tones can be there - kind of like a good hair highlight. I want to see the ombre of it all. Here I am wearing the classic Camiel Fortgens sweater. He does this cut often and we all are really liking it in this color. These B Sides are great, a really cute way to wear denim differently. And I can’t say enough good things about a good boot for Fall.

In the same color wheel, I am loving all of the Eckhaus Latta jeans and really their whole collection. If you want to up your jean game and are more urban in how you dress, I recommend them. They run tight and hug in all the right places. The washes are deep and gorgeous and I get stopped every time I wear mine. I paired the Ekhaus Latta jeans back to this MM6 top in the most beautiful and feminine burgundy/black and khaki. In the pic above I am wearing the Marsell Coltellacio ballerinas. And, in most of these looks, I am wearing Comme Si socks to layer.

I always throw some edge into my Fall looks because it feels like I am back in NYC pounding the pavement. Anyone who comes in the store looking for denim, I always urge them to try on Margiela denim. It’s excellent. All of it. It’s sophisticated and mature and cut beautifully. I would have paired this back to this Tabi. I am also looooooving this Maison Margiela gilet vest - it’s just too small for my chest, but someone needs to snag this last one.

We made a pilgrimage to Snack, a new boutique in the funk zone, to see our friend Noa Wilde. I am loving the crossover of surf and fashion. I think for us California people, there is a way to do it that feels elevated and on purpose.

In another universe, I am buying and wearing these Celine boots and riding horses. I have my eyes on a lot of Celine from the SS26 show as I am elated that Michael Rider is the new Creative Director and cannot wait to shop and watch the entire story unfold. I think the show is worth watching as well. Speaking of fashion shows, this was one of my favorites from Gucci from a few years back. It’s also worth a watch, make sure to get to the end to have your mind blown.

Anyhow, we are now way off topic, but hope this helps give some direction and ideas to what you are wearing this Fall. We are always here to help you pick out some goodies!

Happy Fall,

Jen

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Alex’s Summer:

We’ve been keeping it hyper-local this summer, aside from a few weekend trips to Encinitas, Santa Ynez, Palm Springs, and Ojai, and it turns out the water is warm, both metaphorically and literally. And although we never physically left the pearly gates of California, I will count the facial I got from Ari at Taylor Paige as a trip to Saint-Tropez for my face, a first, and certainly not a last.

It really has been a quintessential CA summer of camps, sunscreen, and tacos. I’m admittedly (and guiltily) not a beach gal, a sinker if you will, so while I do rally for my team every once in a while, we did not spend the summer at the beach. Our summer has been spent with simple splendors like Go Fish games, county fairs, movie nights, picnics, and lots of walks outside of work hours.

My summer wardrobe has been a single rotation of B Sides plein jeans, vintage shorts I picked up at November 19 Shop, a vintage workwear jacket in the perfect blue from ECDYSIS (my husband has since adopted this into his rotation too), the Flore Flore Timmi tank, Nikki Chasin bikini tee, Flowze sandals, and Onitsuka Tigers. Rinse, repeat

As it comes to a close, I’m feeling particularly nostalgic about the warm in-between moments we’ve captured along the way. Building core memories with my daughter is the type of magic shit we were promised when they said, “They grow up so fast… enjoy it while you can.”

Sophie’s Summer:
This summer I went to Deer Isle, Maine for a couple weeks and it was a dream! From the sweetest friendships to incredible savory meals, and living and working in an art studio on the Haystack Mountain campus, designed by Edward Larabee Barnes. It reminded me so much of Sea Ranch and Northern California. It was so rejuvenating to watercolor, woodwork, sit at the beach, eat amazing food, and drink tea by the fire with friends every day. Absolute magic!

Darcy’s Summer:

My partner John and I adopted a puppy (Penny!) at the end of April and I have to say that has been one of the biggest and best highlights of my summer.It is tons of fun to have a new, energetic puppy to explore with and introduce new things to. She really has added so much to our lives in such a short amount of time.

I would say I'm naturally more-of-an-inside-girl. Don't get me wrong - I do love nature (I'm not a monster) but for me there is a certain comfort from a corner booth in a dimly lit bar or restaurant.

This little lady gets me outside breathing the fresh air much more often. Morning beach runs, walking to work every day, exploring new neighborhoods, earlier nights and earlier mornings spent outside. She is the perfect road warrior and is always down for whatever we introduce her to.

Some of our favorite dog-loving places to take Penny to are Butterfly Beach, the OG Municipal Winemakers in the Funk Zone, Satellite, Aperitivo, and good ole Third Window.

Also a special shout out to Lama Dog Uptown where we found this little peanut at an adoption event and Jen from Le Woof Rescue (@lewoofrescue) who does such incredible work helping dogs find good homes.

Penny's Wishlist:

Fable Pets Crate

Dusen Dusen Oak Embroidered Dog Bed (available here and in-store only at J&J)

Travertine Food + Water Bowls

Little Beast Co Sweater

Little Beast Co Shirt

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Marie’s Summer

Summer highlights from Marie: hiking in Colorado, in and out of the snow…… Ruth Asawa retrospective at SFMOMA…… birthday celebrations in paradise….

Liv’s Summer

A peek at my summer! Lots of BBQs, ocean swims, and river days!

Bella’s summer:

This summer was a blur, in the best way. A mix of long drives up the coast and even longer flights across the Atlantic. Beachy road trips and glacier views made it somehow feel both laid-back and totally out of the ordinary.

I got to visit my parents in Switzerland with my partner in July, which basically meant drinking lots of crisp local whites, many Aperol spritzes, eating more cheese than is probably legal, and, plot twist, becoming one with nature. (My chakras? So aligned. My digestive system? Hanging on by a thread lol.)

In a very new me moment, I tagged along on a fly-fishing trip with my partner… on a glacier. In the Alps. At 2,500 feet. Who is she?? We also roadtripped to a wave pool called Alaïa Bay in the Rhône Valley. It was cool, but if I’m keeping it real, I’m more of a glassy 3ft, point break kinda gal.

Back in California, we somehow caught sunshine on the tail end of our NorCal road trip in San Francisco during what's supposedly been a record-breakingly cold summer. It was my birthday weekend, so I was feeling extra lucky we got blue skies, warm weather, and some truly life-changing dim sum. I’m not saying I’m moving, but… I’m not not saying it.

Now that I’m back in Santa Barbara, I’m fully leaning into “local summer.” Beach days, long mornings, and lots of picnic snacks from The Eddy are on deck—Deux Bakery turkey and white cheddar sammies, Tutu’s Tortilla chips, a bag of Kolsvart sour fish, and maybe a Balo kombucha (or two… or three if we’re keeping it real).

My uniform lately has been a mxiture of Doen dresses, crisp linens, boxer shorts, and a cashmere cardigan or shawl from J.Crew that lives permanently in the back of my car. Because I am, without fail, the coldest person in any room ever, even in August.

This summer’s theme? Try the thing. Even if it’s new or intimidating. Whether it’s wearing a bold color (just picked up a mustard yellow cardi from Doen’s pre-fall collection and spoiler: it works), checking out a new restaurant (Seoul Mate Kitchen at the Public Market—obsessed), or signing up for a phenomenal pottery class on a whim (hi, The Studio Mendocino).

I’ve been loving starting classes at Pilates & Or and next up: Homebody Studios at The Post!

For August? More waves. More swims. More slow mornings. Because, let’s be honest, the best part of a SoCal summer starts right now.

For me, this summer is all about nature — exploring, playing, and regrounding. I’ve been camping, hiking, and river floating while wearing this vintage silk bandana, these sporty Oakleys, my Brooke Callahan mismatched earrings, and this vintage tee (usually paired with my husband’s soccer shorts). It’s kept me comfy, cute, and in a playful let’s-get-dirty mood!!!

From glacier fly-fishing and Maine artist residencies to puppy playdates, Pilates classes, and perfect beach snacks, the Jake & Jones team really ran the gamut this summer. Some of us traveled far, some stayed close to home, and some did both. But we all found time for the things that make summer feel like summer: a little adventure, a lot of rest, and the joy of slowing down or speeding up exactly when we needed to. Now we’re back, recharged, and ready for whatever this next season brings.

I grew up in Washington, DC and spent most of my childhood summers in Maine at a sleepaway camp. It was the thing to do. Scattered across the great states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts are these incredible camps where a kid’s summer can still feel like a kid’s summer. It’s where archery is alive and well, roasting marshmallows over a campfire isn’t about organic chocolate, and the nights are filled with sing-alongs and thunderstorms.

For me, a mom of three with my two oldest now twelve and ten, this was the make-or-break summer. It was now or never, so I packed them up and sent them across the country to this magical state with its gorgeous coastlines, endless swimming lakes, and mosquito-infested woods.

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Santa Barbara enters its version of local summer the moment the June Gloom lifts and “No Sky July” finally gives way to actual sun. Suddenly, the marine layer is gone, the water feels just warm enough to pretend it's not freezing, and your sandal rotation starts doing some heavy lifting. But what you slip on says more than just “I’m heading to get a matcha at Handlebar.” Around here, footwear becomes a language—a subtle hint at your current state of mind and how seriously you're taking summer. So whether you're headed poolside, navigating the Saturday farmers market crowd on State, or just trying to keep it together by the beach, we’re here to decode what your sandals are really saying this season.

1. The Sport Mode Sandals
(Tevas, Chacos, FLOWZEs, Velcro Warriors)
You’ve been on one hike. Once. And now you carry a Nalgene like it’s a personality trait. You own a headlamp “just in case” and you make your own granola on the weekends. Locally sourced ingredients, of course. Whether you’re scaling Cold Spring Trail or just trying to parallel park at Dart, you are prepared.
Emotionally? Not so much.
Sandal Vulnerability Score: 3/5
Emotional Tread: Surprisingly grippy

2. The Platform Doc Martens Girl
Your footsteps echo like distant thunder through every Funk Zone wine tasting room. You may have a tiny tattoo you pretend you regret. You romanticize angst and own at least one thrifted band tee you “found in Berlin.”
You give off the vibe of someone who’s either starting a revolution or heading to brunch—unclear which.
Sandal Vulnerability Score: 1/5
Emotional Tread: Steel-toed and sealed shut

3. Havaianas & Rainbow Sandals
(Thong Bikini for Your Feet)
You’re emotionally sunburnt, spiritually on island time, and perpetually five minutes late—with wet hair and zero regrets.
Your flip-flop slap announces your entrance before you do.
Sandal Vulnerability Score: 5/5
Emotional Tread: Slippery, sandy, and probably lost in the back of someone's Tesla

4. Designer Leather Slides
You treat a stop at Juice Ranch like a religious experience. You believe in “elevated basics” and emotionally-unavailable situationships. You pack six skincare serums for a two-day staycation in Ojai.
You say “quiet luxury” out loud in conversation.
Sandal Vulnerability Score: 4/5
Emotional Tread: Smooth as your oat matcha. Avoid gravel and confrontation

5. The Birkenstock Loyalist
You drive a hybrid, compost your coffee grounds, and once cried during a community sound bath. You only wear linen. You’re the one holding the group chat together—and you know it.
Socks with sandals? That’s emotional fluency.
Sandal Vulnerability Score: 2/5
Emotional Tread: Steady. Cork-core stable. Smells faintly of patchouli

6. Crocs
You have absolutely no shame. You are either a Dad at Handlebar, a UCSB bio major, or someone who wore them “as a joke” and is now spiritually one with the foam.
You bring snacks, bad advice, and Band-Aids to every social event. You are chaos. You are comfort. You are Crocs.
Sandal Vulnerability Score: 2.7/5
Emotional Tread: Squeaky. Surprising. Always down for a last-minute drive to Summerland

7. Athletic Rubber slides
(Nike, Adidas, or Designer-Labeled Delusion)
You’re three iced coffees deep and still not totally sure what the day holds. Errands? A nap? Emotional avoidance in the form of retail therapy? Slides say: “I could leave at any moment—and probably will.”
Extra points if you wear them with socks like you’re in recovery from both heartbreak and CrossFit.
Sandal Vulnerability Score: 3.3/5
Emotional Tread: Minimal. Max avoidance

8. The Toe-Denier
For those who won’t show a single toe this summer, we didn’t forget about you. You are emotionally unavailable and built for terrain. You prefer structure—literal and otherwise. You might not be scaling any actual mountains, but you like to be prepared for the possibility. Your ideal summer day includes not speaking to anyone and walking very briskly to nowhere in particular.
Sandal Vulnerability Score: 0/5
Emotional Tread: Maximum grip. Minimal disclosure. Practically GPS-enabled.

So the next time someone side-eyes your orthopedic foam platforms or asks why you’re wearing flip-flops to a wedding (again), just remember:
It’s not just footwear.
It’s foot therapy.
It’s sandal season, Santa Barbara.
And we’re all just trying to toe the line between comfort and crisis.