It’s been a very transformative summer for me. I’m in the midst of a year-long fertility journey that’s brought plenty of shifts to my physical and mental health. I’ve learned to appreciate the waves — the highs, lows, but most importantly, the mellow sets in between where I feel like I’ve grown the most as a person, wife, and woman.

And naturally, those seasons are where my style struggles the most. Sometimes your style just doesn’t always catch up to where you’re at, especially when life can change overnight. I’ve had months in the last year where I can’t fit into any of my pants anymore and wedding weekends where my trusty wedding guest dresses can’t zip up (yes, a child-like meltdown was had). To anyone reading that’s in a similar season of life, I’m sending you love and my DMs are always open 🤍

All that being said, I thought it was the perfect time to bubble up one of my favorite conversations on the pod about changing style, life shifts, and giving yourself a little grace.

This Week On The Pod

As you guys know, we’re still on our August hiatus so I wanted to revisit my conversation with stylist, author, and my close friend, . We talked about what happens when your body, life, or routine changes and suddenly it feels like you have nothing to wear. Whether you’re going through a pregnancy, postpartum, breakup, or a new job, this episode really will help you get dressed better and easier everyday.

1. Ask if your clothes are asking to much of you

   I feel like this mindset shift completely rewired how I think about editing my closet. It’s not about what you’re asking of your clothes, but rather what your clothes are asking of you. I can actually use this season of life for me as a great example. As I’ve gone through treatments, I’ve fluctuated 1-2 sizes up, sometimes within a 48 hour window. For a while, I was desperate to keep trying to fit back into my original jeans, when one day I realized, why? For who? It’s my closet and I’m in charge. I bought new jeans. I don’t want to hold on to clothes that no longer serve me and my goals. Also, I don’t plan to keep my tinier jeans as a “goal” to get back into. I don’t need that pressure staring at me every day.

2. The Three Word Method

   This is the single most tangible tool Allison taught me and what she went viral for a few years ago — The Three Word Method. Here’s how it works: your first word comes from what’s actually in your closet right now. So these are your true everyday go-to pieces that you’re wearing on repeat. Your second word come from your inspo, whether that be your Pinterest boards, screen shots on your phone, your favorite fashion influencers and celebs, etc. And your third word is how you want to feel when you get dressed.

   And btw, these words can change depending on whatever phase you’re in. It’s really a reset and somewhere to start when you feel like your closet doesn’t work for you anymore. I love this tactic because when you’re struggling to get dressed, you can always come back to them as a gut check for what you’re wearing.

   I always have a hard time with these words (I pick too many). But right now my 3 words are elevated, unexpected, and polished? I’m working on it.

3. Build a “right now” capsule wardrobe

   I love this idea and I cannot recommend it enough.Whenever you feel like you need to totally purge your closet or purchase an entire new wardrobe here is what you can do instead. Go into your closet and physically set aside the pieces that you do feel good in and the pieces you have been reaching for. Get a cute garment rack and make it your homebase. Once you have those pieces set aside, start there. You can play around with adding fun accessories or mix and matching within that capsule and you will be surprised how many outfits you can actually put together if you start there.

Everything I Wore This Week

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I absolutely loveeeee getting dressed for weddings. Sometimes it gives me a bit of anxiety — finding the right outfit, etc can feel like a research project itself — but I feel like I’ve really nailed my wedding guest dress style. I’m obsessed with what I wore and it’s all linked at the bottom of this newsletter.

This Week On The Pod

As we approach the end of August (notice how I didn’t say end of summer because I refuse to use the F word when it’s literally 100 degrees in LA for the next 2 weeks), I start to get what I like to call the adult back to school shoppies. It’s that time of year where I really take stock of what’s in my closet, assess what I’m using and what could use a new home, and get organized. A lot of what I’ve been doing in my closet I picked up from a convo I had on the pod with Julie Ann Clauss. And for those of you who are not familiar, Julie is the go-to expert when it comes to all things fashion archive and founder of THE WARDROBE, a premiere fashion archival consultancy. Julie works with everyone from Tom Ford, to Marc Jacobs to Chloë Sevigny, so if anyone knows how to make clothes last it is her.

And since we’re still on our August hiatus I thought what better time than now to bring this episode back from the archives as we’re about to enter a new season.

A few of my favorite tips from the episode:

1. All of my knits are folded now, not hung.

   Did you know that even 1 year of hanging a knit dress can double its size? So please for the love of god, go look in your closet and fold your knits!!

2. I apparently need to swap out my velvet hangers.

   This one hurts because velvet hangers are the most aesthetically pleasing, but apparently their thin wide design can cause your garments to and lose shape. Wood hangers are so much better and you can get really affordable ones on Amazon. Also hot take, I think they look way better than the velvet hangers anyways so it’s a win win.

3. I got rid of all plastic things in my closet (aka the dry-cleaning bags consuming my closet.

   Hi so yes, I’m very guilty of this but I did purge all the plastic dry cleaning bags from my closet immediately after re-listening to this ep and you should too. For best practices you should ALWAYS immediately take your dry cleaning out of the plastic bags. Otherwise the harsh chemicals from the treatment get trapped in the bag and can cause discoloration, especially if it is white. If you are someone who loves a garment bag, opt for a cotton one instead. Same thing goes for plastic shoe boxes, toss them immediately and find a fabric options like a dust bag!

4. I’m keeping things out of extreme temps.

   I feel like everyone always thinks basements and attics are the obvious closet over flow, but the temperature swings can seriously damage your clothes over time so try to avoid those areas and find another room or closet in your home. Another thing to note is moths loveeee dust, so you’re more likely to attract clothing moths in those spaces as well.

5. And for the brides of the group, I learned how to properly store my wedding dress.

   Annnd lastly for all my past and soon to be brides, the question we all ask ourselves, how do we store our wedding dresses. Well, it’s actually super simple and I did this back when Julie came on and I can confirm my dress is in perfect condition. All you have to do is get your dress dry cleaned and stuffed, then cover it in acid-free tissue paper, and put it in an archival box (I personally got this one from the container store) and that’s it. So simple and so worth these few easy steps to keep your dress looking beautiful forever. Also, same thing applies here with the temperature. Don’t throw it in an attic or basement, keep it somewhere in the house where you know the temp is controlled.

Everything I Wore This Week

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You always read about big seasonal transitions, but how do we dress for the in between’s in between? Cooler summer nights, going from blazing heat to a frigid office — there are these very specific pieces in my wardrobe that have started to come with me everywhere for those just in case moments. What I’ve realized this month is that they are some of the most important, most used pieces in my wardrobe. And since they’re layering pieces, they have to be perfect. Like the cherry on top of the sundae. So here are a few of my tried and trues over the last few weeks:

• A matching set. I just got a big haul from MATE the Label and am obsessed with this brand. I got so many pieces — like this organic green pointelle matching pant and cardigan set. I’ve been wearing the pants and a tank during the day and bringing the cardigan with me for cooler nights. Its buttery soft — they just dropped their new August capsule and the pieces are so good.

  

• 44OME Cardigan. Perfectly cropped and cinched, this cardigan has been a go-to for me over dresses and skirts. It’s great for something a bit more dressed up.

• Aritzia Cozy Sweatfleece Hoodie. This is so LA of me, but I have this in three colors, and the black one is in my car always. I love that it’s not too oversized and hits right at the waist.

• A chic shawl. For all your upcoming weddings, events, and evenings where you need a thin layer, this is the perfect one. It comes in beautiful colors too! I love the blue.

• Quince Henley Sweater. I got this at the beginning of the summer and it’s high on the rotation list. I love that you can button it 3/4 of the way down — it’s the perfect light layer.

• Ralph Lauren Cotton Silk Shirt. A classic — so easy to just throw over any outfit.

Everything I Wore This Week

In My Inbox

• The 2027 Met Gala theme has been announced. Next year’s exhibit will honor designer John Galliano and be titled “John Galliano: Horizons.” The announcement was met with both excitement and criticism, as Galliano was convicted in France over racist and antisemitic public insults in 2011, which led to his departure from Dior. There’s no doubt that he’s one of the most influential designers today and will be one of only three designers to have their own Met Gala theme. However, it will be very interesting to see how this theme plays out.

• Chanel is absolutely killing it. I mean, obviously! The brand’s sales are up 16%, US sales up by 25%, and everyone trying to get their hands on Matthieu Blazy’s designs (me included).

• The Palisades Village is re-opening on August 15th. This is such an exciting moment for LA!! If you’re local or are in town, definitely pop up for the opening. With new stores from Leset to Paige, and a new flagship for Elyse Walker, it’s definitely going to be a go-to retail destination in LA again.

• Copenhagen Fashion Week is in full swing and it’s my favorite week for outfit inspiration. No one does fashion better! I’ve been a few seasons and always have the itch to go back. I love following brands like Cecile Bahnsen, Ganni, and By Malene Birger, but the real style lessons are on the streets. If you want endless inspiration, check out Vogue’s street style coverage.

Receipt of The Week

I’ve been trying to limit my dry cleaner bill (aren’t we all) and have been using this Wool and Cashmere Shampoo from The Laundress for all of my knits and sweaters. I was very nervous, but it was actually much easier than I thought! I put my knits in mesh laundry bags to protect the buttons/etc (I like these from Amazon), put my washer to a low, cold, delicate cycle, and then laid them flat to dry. Do notttt tumble or put heat on them in any circumstances. Highly recommend!

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**Part of today’s newsletter is brought to you by MATE the Label.

As I mentioned last week, I’m taking the month of August to bring back some of my all-time favorite Let’s Get Dressed episodes from the archives while we’re on a little summer break, and this week’s episode truly couldn’t come at a better time, given the current temperatures…

I’m bubbling up my conversation with one of my oldest friends, Emma Gerber, who is the founder and creative director of Claudent. Which for those not familiar, Claudent is a UPF 50+ (Ultraviolet Protective Factor) clothing brand, which is basically SPF in your clothing. That means all of their clothes have a UPF rating of 50 or higher, and for comparison, an average white tee shirt from your favorite brand is usually UPF 3 to 5, which means most of the suns rays are going right through your clothes. Which in extreme heat like this, you can easily get sunburnt through your clothes.

And something that is crazy to me is how few people know about/shop UPF clothing, especially when we’re in like the ultimate self-care, protect-your-peace, sun-care era, especially amongst Gen Z. And maybe that is just because not enough of us know about it, but I also think it’s because UPF clothing gets a weird rep. No one wants to sacrifice their personal style and aesthetic for sun protection. But thankfully, I feel like we are at a time where you really don’t to anymore.

So in an effort to help all of us navigate this insane weather, here are Emma and I’s tips when it comes to dressing in heat

What You Should Look For When Shopping UPF Clothing

And one of the most important things that Emma taught me was when it comes to actually shopping for UPF clothing. A lot of the less expensive UPF clothing uses a chemical treatment sprayed onto the fabric rather than it being woven into the fabric or garment itself. Which means with each wash, the UPF protection is being washed out.

So when you’re shopping for UPF clothing be skeptical about the shockingly cheap $10 or $15 top and look for brands that point to third party testing. For example, Claudent tests all their clothing against AATCC standards which is the industry standard for UPF clothing and all of their pieces weave the UPF protection into the garment.

The Sunscreen Habits Most People Get Wrong

You should technically reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes. Obviously that’s easier said than done. I always recommend carrying around a spray sunscreen that is face-safe, or a tinted primer so you don’t totally ruin your makeup.

I’ve been using this one from Ultra Violette all summer — it’s compact, fits in your purse, and doesn’t leave your skin feeling oily or broken out.

The other thing to note when traveling — whether you’re sitting in car or in a window seat of the plane — you are getting direct sun exposure so make sure you’re wearing your sunscreen or UPF clothing because that can be one of the biggest culprit when it comes to getting burnt. I’ll sometimes throw on a long sleeve UPF protected shirt so I don’t have to worry about it when traveling.

You can shop more of my heat wave clothing picks on ShopMy ☀️ Enjoy the episode and see you guys Thursday!

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• A really good cobbler (not the pie). Taking my shoes to get re-soled and have the leather cared for has significantly extended the lifespan of so many of my favorite pairs. I also love doing it for shoes I get on The RealReal — you can literally give them a whole new life! My favorites in LA are Fast & Best and Arturo’s.

• Vintage jeans. Unfortunately, there’s just nothing like it. The fit, the fabric, even the color of denim was so different back then. If I find a pair that fit me, I’m 100% of the time getting them. I always find the best pairs at The Dig, With Love Lenny, or RLT in LA.

  

• The RLT Cotton Cashmere Tee. Speaking of… this is the best white tee on the market. It’s soft, fitted, and cropped to perfection. You won’t find a better one!

• A local tailor. I think a lot of people feel intimidated by the idea of using a tailor, but truly, I love my local tailor more than any expensive tailor I’ve ever been to. It doesn’t need to be a thing! I pop by my tailor at my local dry cleaner for a quick hem or waist cinch. It’s rare to find clothes that truly fit your body and proportions off the rack, and spending the money to make sure it looks good on you will always be worth it. I love Frederick’s in LA.

• Anything but a plastic hanger. I learned this from a master clothing archivist (she maintains the archive of celebs like Chloe Sevigny and Beyonce) and she told me that hangers will make all the difference with how your clothes hold up over time. Velvet hangers are fine, but the best ones are the wooden wide shoulder hangers that maintain the shape.

  

• Manolo Blahnik heels. There’s a reason why they’re the go-to wedding shoe and why Carrie Bradshaw wore them all over NYC. It’s because they’re the most comfortable! I have a pair of classic black pumps that I can wear for hours, and have had for years.

• A weekly blowout. Your hair can change an entire outfit, and your confidence. I usually get mine on Monday mornings and use it for work all week, or on Friday afternoons if I have a big weekend ahead. Plot twist… I go to Drybar. It’s so easy!

Everything I Wore This Week

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It all started after I posted this video with Gabs Gofis a couple weeks back…

Earlier this month, she came on the podcast to talk about her series “In Between Outfits,” which are basically the looks that carry you through everyday life. Not the fancy events, or special occasions, but the looks you’re wearing to run errands, go to school pick up, see a movie, etc. (p.s. I have to say, this was one of my all time favorite episodes, so go listen if you haven’t. Consider it your required summer reading).

That conversation with Gabs made me realize something: I don’t really have many in-between outfits. I’ve always called myself a serial overdresser — I love a heel, I know how to get dressed for an event or a shoot. But my every day life felt more disconnected from my true fashion self. I just didn’t know how to bring down to every day life.

So I decided to ask Gabs to come over as a second set of eyes. I wanted the serial overdresser to meet the queen of everyday style and help me see what I wasn’t seeing myself, make a list, and figure out what, if anything, I was missing, and how I could change up even some styling cues to just make getting dressed every day easier.

Turns out I was missing a ton of everyday pieces — how validating. Plus, I kept trying to mix my fancy and non fancy moments, like a clutch with my every day pant, which was leading all my outfits to skew way dressier than they need to. Apparently I have no chill.

We recorded it to share with you guys and I’ll be honest — I was nervous to post that video. It wasn’t the version of me I’ve worked so hard to become — the expert giving advice. It was the first time I showed up asking for help. Turns out I wasn’t alone in my experience and I got so many DMs after that video. One of my favorites was from a listener who told me she loved the honesty of it, that she’s an overdresser too and the episode helped. I wrote back that we’re all figuring it out together, that no one’s style is ever really complete. And I meant that more than I meant it as a cute reply.

All to say, I realized that my pursuit has been wrong all along. Here I was saying I want to be more stylish, or I don’t have this “look.” Meanwhile, I was actually just trying to spend less time thinking about what to wear every morning and still feel good in it. The first goal is about looking better. The second is about living better. Those are not the same project, and the second is something we all desperately crave. I don’t think the goal is a perfect wardrobe anymore. I think the goal is a wardrobe that gives you your mornings back.

Here are the mental shifts that have dramatically altered my mornings:

Personal style is self care.

I think we’ve been sold this idea that one day we’ll wake up, open the closet, love everything in it, never make a bad purchase again, and just know what to wear. I don’t think that’s how style actually works. I treat my personal style with the same seriousness I treat the gym, or eating well, or anything else I do to feel good day to day. Practically, that looks like a few habits: cleaning out my closet once a quarter, keeping a running list of what I actually need, keeping my closet clean at all times, and staying on top of dry cleaning and resoling instead of letting it pile up.

Fashion and prioritizing the way you look gets a bad rep. It’s like society has filed getting dressed under vanity, as if it’s optional, and it’s only for people who are “into those things.” I’m here to tell you that investing in your personal style will change your life. I know that sounds dramatic, but I truly believe it. Caring about how you show up in the world gets painted as something you do for other people, but it shouldn’t be. It should be for yourself. It’s part of the larger project of taking care of yourself.

Let bad outfits teach you something. I saw this interview where Law Roach was asked recently about his biggest red carpet misses, and I loved his answer: he said people with real personal style miss often, because they’re taking risks and won’t get it right every time.

It made me think about the days when I’m halfway out the door and realize I hate my outfit. Instead of spending the whole day stewing on it, or letting it ruin my day, I’ve started treating it as data. To the point where I will literally sometimes write down what I didn’t like about the outfit and why. Maybe it’s the way my top is falling on me, maybe it’s the mixing of textures, whatever it is, I make a note of it and let it be a learning moment instead of a spiral. Easier said than done, but it’s truly changed my life.

Invest in your Tuesdays. After Gabs came over, I swore that moving forward, I’d invest in the every day — easy pants, crew necks, tees, and cardigans that get major mileage in my closet. I’ve been the gal that always waits for the big ticket items to splurge — the dream bag, the dress for that friend’s weddings — and those get no where near as much wear.

Dress for you. Every time you get dressed, check in with yourself: is this for the eyes of the person you’re meeting, or for what actually makes you happy? The majority of my most stressful mornings trace back to dressing for someone else. This applies to shopping too. Before I buy something, I always try to look at the item and ask myself if it’s something I actually want and will wear, or if it’s something I’ve convinced myself I want because I saw someone else wear it and look amazing. If it isn’t serving me and my personal wardrobe, then it’s not right for me. And those pieces are the ones that pile up in your closet and never get worn.

Create your own archive. This can be as simple as, I keep a folder in my phone of outfits I love, and it’s genuinely changed my life. There’s no version of you remembering every outfit you’ve ever worn, especially at 7am. Let your phone do that work for you. Then when you do have one of those inevitable stressful morning getting dressed you can easily scroll through your outfit photo library and pick from there. You’re removing one more decision for tomorrow already.

Repeat outfits on purpose. Build five to ten Monday-through-Friday outfits you love and can reach for without thinking. They’ll become your secret weapon for speedy mornings.

Phone a friend. I say this all the time, but you have to practice your style. Invite a friend over, hand them your closet, spend an hour trying things on and getting a new point of view. Style is never finished, and maybe that’s because we’re never finished either. Our lives change, our bodies change, our jobs change, our taste changes, so why would our wardrobes ever be “done”? It takes ongoing attention, the same as anything else in your life you actually care about. If you want a guided version of this, Allison Bornstein, who is both a friend of mine and the show, offers styling sessions and she’s someone I LOVE for it.

Sending love to your future self in front of your closet tomorrow AM and hope this helps! <3

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But if you do plan… stay at either Farmhouse or Estelle Manor, eat dinner at The Bull, and spend a day shopping at Bicester Village for amazing designer discounts. Dream trip.

I’ll be honest, it’s incredibly hard for me to take off work as an entrepreneur. Even when you plan for OOO, I guarantee you’ll go to bed every night and wake up every day still in a toxic relationship with your inbox. But I wouldn’t change it for the world — I’m so grateful. I’ve been reflecting on my career a lot recently, especially as I’m coming up on 10 years of being on my own. 10 years in, and I only feel like I’m starting to hit my stride. Don’t let anyone tell you things can happen overnight.

This week on the podcast we had Jack Savoie, the Internet’s favorite fashion commentator, to chat about his own rise in fashion, all while working a full time job in Denver. We related on so many things, from internships that changed our lives, to ignoring perfection, and the fact that these days, fashion is no longer gatekept. The barriers to entry are different than ever before and the best creatives in the industry today often didn’t have a “big break” moment. Here are a few of my favorite takeaways:

• You have to start somewhere, and it might not be the perfect job. Neither of our careers started with big plans, but with landing somewhere solid where we could grow and learn. Jack got his start at Nordstroms where he eventually got poached to become a full-time stylist at A.Line. By the time I graduated college, I had a successful blog, but I was offered a really great role at a tech startup and knew I had much to learn before I could fully run a business on my own. Working for someone else for a few years before making the leap is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made — I learned structure, processes, leadership — all things I reflect back on today. Baby steps!

• Done is better than perfect. Jack got his “big break” when he stitched one of Bethenny Frankel’s videos saying she bought a fake Manolo Blahnik shoe. He had no idea it would go viral and get him 50K followers overnight. So, just post the video!! Scrap the strategy and 6 month plan. You never know what’s going to resonate, and you can’t get discovered for the thing you haven’t made yet.

• Niche down. Fun fact, my podcast used to be called Friend of a Friend and it was a talk show about entrepreneurship, but the only episodes that did well were the ones about fashion (lol) because it was obvious that’s what I was passionate about. Jack’s popular Shoes of the Past series also became one of his most popular because the passion was also there. Sometimes, a niche gets chosen for you naturally. Follow it!!

• Socials are the new business cards. I have a friend who lived in Colorado and wanted to move to NYC to make it in fashion. She had no experience and no connections. She created a secondary Instagram account where she posted everything her eye loved — fashion news, exciting brands, aesthetic images — and it basically became a resume for her taste. Within a year, she had moved to NYC to work for a very reputable showroom, and now works for one of the biggest brands in the world. Jack lives in Denver and grew his following to over 300K and now travels around the world for fashion shows and industry events, all because he used his platforms to showcase his expertise and POV. There’s no one way in anymore! So get creative.

All to say: stop waiting for the traditional doors to open for you, because today, you can start building the keys from anywhere.

Everything I Wore This Week

In My Inbox

• Gabbriette Bechtel wore Matières Fécales to her wedding to Matty Healy. And I will not shut up about it. This is my favorite wedding dress I’ve seen in a long time. The Victorian silhouette, silk taffeta trim, and back details truly made for a unique dress — you can tell the craftsmanship was A1. Also the brand is having a major moment, having just dressed Zendaya for the New York Odyssey premiere. Seeing it tomorrow, no spoilers plz.

• Reformation will I.P.O later this month at a targeted $1B. My ears always perk up when I hear a fashion brand hit the New York Stock Exchange. There’s a very clear trend as to what fashion brands thrive there — like Ralph Lauren, Coach, and Abercrombie, lifestyle and global brands whose offerings supersede its products — and horror stories for days. However I think a brand like Reformation has a strong chance, especially as they lean into their tech offerings in their stores. I do love using the touch screens to request items to try on.

• The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is coming to Los Angeles. I mean, it is called the City of Angels for a reason! The brand’s third show since its hiatus will be on the West Coast later this year. I’ve actually been a big fan of the most recent shows, especially with designer Adam Selman at the helm as the Chief Creative Officer.

• The NYFW calendar is better than ever. No one can say NYFW is dead now! It will be a very exciting week — from Henry Zankov’s debut as the new Creative Director of DVF, to Conner Ives coming back to NYFW after a few seasons in London, COS is showing, and Tory Burch has solidified her spot on opening night, with Thom Browne closing out the week. See you there <3

Receipt of the Week

I’m definitely one of those people who break out while traveling, but for the first time, had the best skin of my life on this trip. I attribute it to this duo I used while flying — the 4AM no-rinse wipe (no, these don’t ruin your skin barrier) and Rael’s Cryo + Soothing Hydrogel Mask. Sooo glowy.

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Hii everyone and happy Sunday! I’m home packing today for a very special, spontaneous trip this week 🥰

But in the meantime, I have a take: did we peak too soon when it comes to shopping? Think about it. Growing up, we had these incredibly customizable, magical shopping experiences— American Girl Doll, F.A.O. Schwarz, Bloomingdales — the kind of thing that felt like a true life event. So much of what’s out there now doesn’t come close.

So a few weeks ago I posted a video on Instagram airing my grievances with the retail space, and so many of you guys had similar sentiments. I woke up to hundreds of DMs from you guys: horror stories, dream stories, places I needed to check out immediately. There was such a clear through line in what you sent me that I knew I had to bring this conversation here properly.

Here’s where my head’s at on retail right now:

Luxury has gotten weirdly gatekept. Post-COVID, the walk-in-and-browse-and-maybe-impulse-buy experience is basically gone. Now it’s appointments, or standing in line. And I’m sorry, waiting in line is not a luxury experience. I get needing to manage store flow, but there has to be a better solve than making your highest-spending customers queue on the sidewalk. I get that most of us when investing in a big luxury piece, plan the buy, but there used to be magic in walking past a store and letting yourself be tempted. With queues and appointments that has totally dissappeared and is basically impossible now.

My next take is, mid-range shopping is a sold-out, pre-order, final-sale minefield. I recently shopped for an upcoming trip and 90% of what I wanted was either on final sale or on pre-order. If it’s about brands not overproducing, fine, I get it and support that. But final sale has become an epidemic. I was on The RealReal recently and realized bags in the $5,000–$6,000 range are now final sale? Literally why?? You cannot drop that kind of money on a bag without holding it, trying it against your body, making sure you actually love it. And if you do want to return something, some sites are charging $400–$500 return fees. That’s not a restocking fee — that’s just insane.

And then there is the recent Brandy Melville scandal. Brandy has removed their dressing rooms entirely and I’m sorry but this realllllyy got me. For those not familiar, after a viral moment about curtains not fully closing people were sticking gum to the walls trying to rig them shut, so their solution wasn’t to fix the curtains — it was to eliminate dressing rooms from every store in the country. For a brand that only sells one size. In 2026. Make it make sense. They have received so much backlash that employees were going on TikTok to distance themselves from the decision.

I also think, we’re all craving something personal, and nobody’s getting it. Like why can’t we have the American Girl Doll of shoes?! What struck me most reading through your DMs was how few of you mentioned a product, a discount, a deal. Almost everyone talked about a person or a feeling — a stylist at Nordstrom who used to pull your sizes and dedicate an hour to you, a sales assistant in Bordeaux who wrote a handwritten note with her favorite local spots, a store in Japan where three people worked together to style, steam, and translate for you, then hemmed your pants in 30 minutes. Nobody said “I got an amazing discount.” Everybody said some version of “I felt seen.”

And maybe that’s the actual thesis here: we peaked too soon because we were trained to expect that kind of attention, and it mostly disappeared. Forever 21 in 2009. Bloomingdale’s at 16, salespeople who remembered your name. Buying a prom dress at Intermix. Club Monaco on Fifth Avenue in that Gossip Girl-adjacent 2012 haze. Henry Bendel, ABC Home, F.A.O. Schwarz. It’s been at least a decade since most of you could point to a genuinely great retail memory. My own version of this was Juicy Couture at the Malibu Country Mart, collecting charms for a bracelet that probably weighed ten pounds by the time I was done, and feeling like walking around that mall on my own was my first taste of independence. It was never really about the tracksuit. It was about the freedom of choosing who I wanted to be that day.

So is retail broken, or are we just jaded? Probably some of both. But going through this whole exercise reminded me the answer isn’t to give up on shopping in person — it’s to find the places still doing it right, and to actually build relationships with the people who work there. If you find a salesperson or a store that gets you, get their info. Text them. Let them keep an eye out for you. That one-on-one connection I think is really where the future is at.

Let me be clear, I don’t think retail is dead. I think LA, specifically, is in the middle of a genuine shopping renaissance. So I spent the last few weeks going everywhere, taking notes, trying things on. Consider this the definitive Let’s Get Dressed guide to shopping in LA (my personal masterpiece). Enjoy!

VINTAGE & SECONDHAND STORES

LA has the best vintage in the country, full stop. Where New York and Paris tend to specialize in special-occasion, collector’s-item vintage, LA is unmatched at the everyday stuff — vintage denim, graphic tees, crewneck sweaters, the pieces you actually live in.

Scout is probably the most well-known vintage store in LA, and for good reason — it’s been around for over a decade, so the curation is expert-level. Walk in and you’ll find stacks of vintage Levi’s, white tees, Gildan hoodies, but also, hanging on the walls, genuinely special pieces. I was there recently and they’d clearly just taken in a huge Dries Van Noten consignment — I had eight or nine Dries pieces in my fitting room alone, including a floral dress I’m still thinking about. Yes, there are tourists, yes it’s a Melrose staple, but it earns the reputation.

RLT is the one you’ll hear me mention on nearly every episode. Rachel, the owner and curator, has been my Carolyn Bessette Kennedy since I was a kid — classic, pared-back, American-chic taste that shows up in every piece she picks. She got her start during COVID selling home goods from her vintage runs (she’s at the Rose Bowl flea market every month at 5 a.m.) and has since built a standalone store on Beverly plus one in Montecito. Don’t expect gowns here — expect the perfect black jacket or perfect black trouser. She’s also launched her own label under the RLT name; I live in her cotton cashmere tee, and she just dropped jeans too.

Reformation Vintage was my biggest surprise. I almost wrote it off in the first few racks (some early pieces were more Express than gems), but keep going — there’s a full wall of gowns and dressed-up pieces if you have an event and don’t want to spend a fortune, and I found a beaded, lace-topped skirt that looked like vintage Prada or Miu Miu for $218. It’s right on Melrose, well-curated, and worth the sift.

The RealReal is a given if you love the site (I do), but the Brentwood and Melrose locations are worth stopping into for the ability to actually try things on before you commit. I’m just such a Real Real girl I can’t not stop in when I pass one.

And if you’re looking for something for a special occasion, Happy Isles is a must. I got this dress I wore to the Devil Wears Prada premiere from there, the girls there are amazing. It’s appointment only so make sure you book in advance.

VINTAGE DENIM

With Love, Lenny, run by Lindsay Davidson Paley, is out in the valley, so it’s a mini trek if you’re not already on that side of town — but she personally fits you to your ideal pair, in every color, shape, and style. It’s an investment, but if you’re looking for your forever jeans, it delivers. Sooo good. She was also just on the podcast!

RLT also has a great denim selection, on top of everything else. As noted above!

The Dig in Venice has an owner with what I can only describe as a sixth sense for jeans — he’ll hand you a pair without measuring anything and it’ll fit perfectly. It’s a real sift (piles everywhere), but it’s an authentic, laid-back, very-Venice experience, and if you’re chasing a specific vintage 501, this is where you’ll find it.

And last but certainly not least, I have to mention Denim Revival, because it’s in my neighborhood and really does have a cult following. I’ve brought jeans in to get tailored there more than once and it’s never not worked out. They also carry their own denim.

MULTI-BRAND & CONCEPT STORES

Mohawk General Store, in Silver Lake, has the BEST buy in LA if you love emerging, cool-girl brands — Paloma Wolf, Dear Francis, Toteme, some Jean Paul Gaultier, a full rack of FLORE FLORE and Cou Cou Intimates. It’s a destination, not a casual walk-in unless you live on the East Side, but worth the trip, especially if you love shopping the internet’s favorite e-commerce brands but want to try them on first.

Earl IRL is the newest concept store on this list, owned by . It’s tucked into the second floor of a building in Beverly Hills. To me this experience felt like going over to your most fashion obsessed best friends house and trying on all her clothes. Small, jewel-box-sized, and stocked with brands like Kallmeyer and Comme Si, but also Laurel’s own vintage finds mixed in, including a couple of Lanvin dresses and a Prada dress I spotted on the racks. If you love bold, colorful, West Coast dressing, this is your store. She had so many fun Summery pieces and just such great shoes and bags. I also love that it’s so intimate. If you go there she will help you shop.

The LA Landmarks

Then we have what I like to call The Big Three — the OG LA concept stores you cannot skip. Maxfield and Just One Eye are museum-caliber, high-end concept stores (Just One Eye also does a lot with art, which I always love), and American Rag Cie on La Brea is the more accessible original — a little bit of everything, and where I bought my first Double RL pieces back in high school. Whitney Port told me it’s still one of her go-tos, so... yeah, you have to go.

STANDALONE BRAND STORES

Rachel Comey on Melrose Place was the biggest surprise of this whole project. I’d never really shopped the brand much before walking in — it felt like being at a stylish friend’s house in Spain, warm and lived-in, clothes draped over the couches. The sales associate pointed me straight to the 60%-off section before anything else, I pulled ten pieces to try on, and the dressing room might be the most beautiful one I’ve ever stood in. Seven of the ten pieces I tried were gowns or event dresses — there was a $300 dress I still think about not buying. said it’s one of her fav places to shop and for good reason. I will be returning every season.

The Row, also on Melrose Place is an obvious must stop. Even if it is just for window shopping. They might make you wait, but it’s a chic wait — you’re in a courtyard, not a rope line. Worth the visit even just to look. It’s just a seriously stunning store experience. The picture below says enough.

Jacques Marie Mage in Venice is appointment-only and feels like a museum: everything displayed like an artifact, glass cases, descriptions. The sunglasses are the most beautiful I’ve tried on and hold real resale value if you’re thinking of it as an investment.

A few more worth the stop: Toteme on Melrose. Guest in Residence in Beverly Hills, which often has in-store activations like custom embroidery or a coffee cart. Bode in West Hollywood, great for one-off pieces you won’t find online (also a go-to for baby gifts). Both Double RL locations, in West Hollywood and Malibu, for classic California-inspired pieces. And the new Cherry store at the Malibu Country Mart — there’s a vintage car inside, the woodwork is beautiful, and it’s the spot for West Coast Americana basics.

SHOPPING BY NEIGHBORHOOD

If you’re visiting LA or just planning an fun shopping day, here’s how I’d break it up:

West Hollywood: Park near Melrose and La Cienega and work your way up — The RealReal, the Cherry store, Scout, Reformation Vintage, and the Melrose Place stretch (The Row, Rachel Comey). Below La Cienega gets you Toteme and the new Jacquemus on Robertson. It’s all walkable. Grab an Uber up to RLT after (about five minutes), and if you’re in the mood, Community Goods and Erewhon Cafe are right in that pocket. An all around true LA experience.

Abbot Kinney / Venice: The Dig and Jacques Marie Mage anchor this one, and the food is genuinely better than West Hollywood’s — RVR for Japanese (keep in mind you need a resy unless you’re getting there right at open), Gjusta for deli/bakery vibes, Gjelina for a cute brunch or french dinner moment, and if you love candy like me, Lil Sweet Treat is a MUST. The bars in that area also get good starting around 6–7 p.m. if you want to stay through the evening for apertivos or going out.

Malibu Country Mart: More of a full day trip, but worth it — Cherry, Cross Creek Ranch (Kith, Frankies Bikinis, Mad Happy, Guest in Residence), Oliver Peoples. Then you have to do lunch or dinner at Taverna Tony’s or Lucky’s.

If you only have one day, prioritize West Hollywood and if you’ve got a second, pick Venice or Malibu depending on your mood.

I want to know where you’re shopping — especially if you’re an LA local so let me know in the comments below! We also just launched the Let’s Get Dressed broadcast channel on Instagram (look for the LGD Chat bubble in our bio), and I’ll be posting there every week so definitely look there for additional shopping recs.

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I have to say, even with everything I said up top, going through this whole exercise reminded me that the magic isn’t gone — it’s just harder to find, and it usually comes down to a person, not a store. The vintage seller who’s loved this since she was a teenager and built her own label out of it. The concept store owner mixing fashion with art. The denim guy who can eyeball your size from across the room. It’s there we just have to make a conscious effort to find it.

I hope everyone is having an amazing summer weekend and I will see you guys next week!

xo Liv

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Happy 4th weekend!! What did you do yesterday?

Favorite episode alert: I am seriously so excited for today’s post because ever since I first saw talk about the “in-between” outfit, it has lived in my head rent-free. If you haven’t read her original post on it, you should, but the gist is this: it’s not the meeting outfit and it’s not loungewear. It’s everything in between — what you’re actually wearing for errands, school pickup, coffee runs, plane rides, working from home, the days that don’t feel exciting enough to document but are most of your actual life. Gabs started sharing hers after realizing she’d repeated the same outfit a few days in a row and almost didn’t post it because it felt too ~unspecial~ for the gram. Then she realized that was exactly the point — it’s repeatable, it’s realistic, and it’s the realest thing we actually reach for when no one’s watching.

As a serial overdresser, the idea made me really take a closer look at my wardrobe. So of course I had to have Gabs came on the podcast this week to give us her best tips on how to elevate our every day wardrobes and make them feel equally as special. After all, those are the pieces that carry us through our every day life. They deserve the spotlight!

To me, Gabs is the epitome of effortless chic. I genuinely don’t know anyone who can style a track pant or a full sweatsuit the way she does. When I throw on loungewear, I feel frumpy — like I’ve given up for the day. But when Gabs wears a sweatsuit, it’s styled to perfection. That’s not an accident, and it’s not about the clothes themselves. It’s a skill I desperately needed to understand, and the tools she uses to shop these outfits, build them, and curate a closet that’s both wearable and still so clearly hers. She moved to LA from Chicago, and that shift is basically the origin story of her entire POV — LA forced her into a kind of ease and repetition that, instead of feeling like settling, became its own signature style.

She’s also behind a sister series called Gaps in the Closet, which is basically inventory-taking for your wardrobe, and the two ideas work together: you can’t dress well in the in-between until you know what’s actually missing from it.

So let’s get into everything I took from her playbook, and how I’m bringing it into my own closet.

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I've been in such a good health routine lately and there's nothing that makes me happier. As someone who travels a lot for work, I really feel how much I need routine when I'm grounded for a bit. And unfortunately, what they say on TikTok — daily walks, weekly strength training, Pilates, sauna — actually works.

Plus, I feel like sports are all over my feed these days. Whether it’s the World Cup, marathon content, Jordyn Woods’ magic bag during the Knicks championships, or something Travis Kelce related, this fashion girl’s feed is definitely getting an education in all things sports. I’m not mad! But it’s definitely made me pay very close attention to what I’m wearing to the gym.

So it felt like perfect timing that we had Brett Chody on the pod this week — marathon runner, founder of Bites Run Club, and basically the ultimate sporty girl — to talk through how she builds an entire wardrobe around how her body moves through the day.

So today we’re getting into my Sport Girl Toolkit — the athliesure pieces getting me through the season, plus some inspiration from a runner herself.

You can subscribe below to get exclusive access to all things Let’s Get Dressed, plus my full shopping guide and takeaways from the conversation 🎙

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Happy Monday and official start to summer! Hope you’ve had a great weekend <3 It’s Q&A week on the pod, so let’s dive in.

I’ve been in LA all summer, which is actually a first for me in a while. But also, LA is the best in the summer. It’s peak weather, the beach is idyllic, you can get a reservation anywhere, and there’s something in the air that gives Europe without the flight. I just started working on a house renovation, so I’m here, I’m in it, and I’m fully about to be in construction mode (ahhhh). If you’ve renovated before and survived with your sanity intact, please slide into my DMs or leave a comment below with all your tips because I need them.

I always find I’m most creatively inspired in the summer, especially when it comes to my closet. The colors, weather, and overall effortless nature of summer pushes me out of my very pulled together style and force me to embrace my more laidback, feminine side. I’ve been reaching for things I don’t usually reach for and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Pro-tip: if you have an hour free this week, pull out five pieces of clothing you haven’t worn recently and try to figure out why. It’s a good way to find a gap in your closet, like a missing shoe or jacket, could be that deciding moment to give it a new home, or could be the spark of a new outfit.

But anyways, once again, I put up an Ask Me Anything question box on my Instagram for the month. I love weeks like these where we’re all on the same page — wedding guest dress planning, heat wave dressing, and more are all on my mind too.

P.S. Everything I mention will be linked on my ShopMy — and I put question boxes up on Instagram on Sundays so that’s where to submit Q’s for next month!!! Or you can always slide into my DMs ◡̈

Listen to the full episode now 🎙️

Q: What are we loving and what are we getting rid of in terms of undergarments?

First off, I cannot believe we have never talked about this on the podcast before! I need to do a whole episode here. The industry has changed so much and I find what’s important to us has also shifted. I used to wear a lacy Cosabella thong every day and now I’m really focused on health and comfort.

PSA: I am a big believer in re-upping your undergarments every 6-12 months!

For the past couple years I’ve been wearing the Skims Fits Everybody thong. They’re genuinely comfortable, but recently I noticed feeling annoyed by how much fabric there is in the front and on the sides. If you’re someone like me who’s in leggings a lot, they’re probably not for us.

And another thing, I’ve been going deep on fabrics this summer, and once you start paying attention to what you’re actually putting against your skin, you kinda can’t stop. like we’re in this insane moment where things cost $300–$400 and they’re made entirely of polyester, which is literally plastic. I know I’m late to this awakening, but I’m here now and it really is fully impacting how I get dressed everyday. So with all that in mind, I have definitely switched up my undergarments recently.

I’ve been moving toward all cotton, especially for anything that’s going to be against sensitive skin all day.

A few brands I’ve been loving:

• Cou Cou Intimates— so cute, 100% cotton, and I’ve been recommending them to everyone.

• Intimissimi — I just got a six-pack of their cotton thongs in a variety of colors. Good fit, not too much fabric, and really wearable every day.

The one thing I have not cracked yet: the perfect everyday T-shirt bra. If you’re smaller-busted like me and have found a bra that isn’t sheer but isn’t padded to the point of absurdity, or wired and uncomfy, please come find me. I’m on the hunt.

Q: Where to shop for pieces that feel feminine but not too girly, especially for summer?

This is one of my favorite questions I’ve gotten in a while, because I actually just felt this tension while getting dressed last week.

Here’s the thing: I don’t think it’s about the brand or the piece. It really comes down to how you style it.

Perfect example. My best friend has a brand called Mimchik, and she sent me this gorgeous black-banded high-low bubble skirt to wear to a dinner she hosted here in LA. You could style that skirt a thousand different ways — with a tank top, to the beach, very carefree and fun. But it was nighttime and I wasn’t feeling that energy. So I wore my lace-up heels, threw a leather jacket over it, kept my hair loose and a little messy — and suddenly the whole thing had an edge to it that felt much more like me.

@livv.perezOne of my many talents includes being able to zip the back of a top all by myself 🤝 @MIMCHIK

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I feel like in general, my advice is to not be afraid to have those girly, feminine, flirty pieces in your closet. What really matters is having the pieces that can counteract them — a great belt, a leather jacket, a loafer — so you can style them year-round.

For summer specifically, a few brands I always come back to for dresses that straddle that line perfectly:

• Sir — the dresses right now are so good. Sexy and they hug the body in all the right ways but feel chic rather than costumey.

• Ulla Johnson — does this beautifully. Feminine without being over the top.

• Dissh, Posse, Rue Sophie, Doen — great elevated summer basics across different price points.

Q: What to wear during a heat wave?

I was in New York last summer during that truly insane heat wave — over 100 degrees, 100% humidity — and I thrived. I know that sounds insane that I love humidity but I was actually told by a Chinese medicine doctor that I’m “meant to be in heat,” so maybe I’m just a reptile?? Or move to Hawaii?? But it means I am very well versed when it comes to dressing in heat and humidity…

One rule: Linen. Always linen.

It is the lightest fabric, the best ventilation, and honestly it just looks right in the heat. Last summer I got a matching linen set from Bec + Bridge and wore it to meetings all over the city. Looked put together, felt completely comfortable.

A few other notes:

On wrinkles: Linen wrinkles and you absolutely have to embrace it. If it really bothers you, go for darker colors — navy, gray — because you see the wrinkles less. White linen will betray you every time, especially if you’re commuting to work on the subway. And if you can find a linen-twill blend (like the Enza Costa Twill Everywhere Pant I’ve mentioned on here before), that’s your best bet for something that holds up a little longer.

For shoes: I’m wearing sandals and I don’t want to hear about wearing sandals in New York… like as long as you shower when you get home I really don’t get the issue.

Don’t over-style a heat wave. You’re dressing to survive!

Q: How are we styling scarves for summer?

It is just me or did the scarf trend kinda already have it’s moment? The scarf around the waist, triangle-folded over the pants? It feels very last summer to me, but… If it’s your thing and you love it, truly, go for it, however for me it falls into the jelly sandal category of things that feel distinctly of a moment or trend.

That said, I am a huge believer in having an arsenal of scarves for the beach. I keep a basket of them in my closet. Here’s how I actually wear them:

• On the bag — so easy, so chic. Just tie it around the handle and take it for a test drive before committing to more styling. Great way to add color or print without it feeling like a costume.

• Over the shoulders — think of it the way you’d style a sweater.

• Over a bathing suit — this is my forever move. A sheer sarong is always so chic.

Q: What are your go-to brands for wedding guest dress season?

Raise your hand if you have a wedding this summer! I have one — in Idaho, one of my best friends, and I am so excited. I’ve never been to Idaho and it’s been on my list, so I’m already thinking about what to wear. I’m feeling something Western inspired (tbd) — maybe something fringe or paisley? So stay tuned for that fit.

Here’s where I always look for wedding guest dresses:

Resale and vintage first. Always. Whether it’s your local shop, Depop, or just doing a good dig on Poshmark — you are so much less likely to show up wearing the same thing as someone else when you go this route. Plus, find something way more special.

Under $500:

Meshki — I’ve styled their dresses for the Today Show and was genuinely impressed. Great fit, holds you in all the right places, and the price point is really accessible. (Just double-check the tariff situation before ordering since it’s coming from Australia, things have been a bit unpredictable there.)

ASOS — Very designer-inspired, really affordable, and I’ve found so many pieces on there that have worked for more dressed-up occasions.

Over $500:

Ulla Johnson — If you want to invest. I’ve worn their dresses to multiple events and they are truly stunning on. There’s a dress from them I’m currently eyeing for Idaho.

ALC — Classic, cool, the kind of thing you can actually re-wear. I love finding a wedding dress that can live in your rotation year-round instead of only coming out once.

Tory Burch sale section — I say this every single time and I will keep saying it. The sale section is a goldmine! Dresses, pants, jackets, tops. I literally have it saved as a tab on my browser.

One last thing before we go

Thank you so much to everyone who submitted questions this month. As always, the AMA boxes go up on the weekends on both my personal Instagram and the Let’s Get Dressed account — if you miss them, DMs are always open.

And don’t forget: my ShopMy now has a dedicated podcast tab where every episode has its own shelf with everything we’ve talked about. Follow me there so you can find everything easily.

Hope you’re all having the best summer, guys!! 🤎

x Liv

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Hi! Happy Sunday! Go Knicks <3

Today we’re talking about what I like to call the handbag industry’s greatest PR move of all time — the internet convincing us that buying a bag is actually a financial investment.

The conversation around handbags has completely shifted. It used to be what was trendy or cool, but now there’s this whole other layer now: the idea that a handbag can hold its value, appreciate over time, and be something worth genuinely investing in. We’ve gone from “it’s just a purse” to “it’s an asset class.” And the data actually backs it up.

I’ll be honest: I’ve bought many bags impulsively without really thinking about whether they were the right investment. I think most of us have. And I also want to disclaim that that’s ok. Not everything needs to be an investment, so don’t let this conversation deter you from buying what you love. But if you want to shop a bit smarter, stick around…

I brought in the best possible person to talk about this: Rachel Koffsky, Head of Handbags at Christie’s. Yes — Christie’s, the auction house. And the reason I wanted her specifically is because she sits at the most transparent intersection of fashion and finance that exists. Auction results are public. The data is real. And Rachel has spent her career understanding exactly why certain bags hold their value and others don’t. Unfortunately, I am now addicted to Christie’s…. so many tabs open on my laptop right now.

The conversation was one of my favorites we’ve done — equal parts fascinating if you love fashion and genuinely useful if you’re trying to figure out where to spend your money.

So here’s everything I learned, and the investment bags I’d buy right now (sticker shock warning, the prices will be up there, as are most good investments).

You can subscribe below to get early access to the episode, plus my full shopping guide and takeaways from the conversation 🎙

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Sneakers are one of the categories I get more questions about than almost anything else — what sneakers are in right now, what’s the best walking sneaker, which are the best pairs to style with an outfit? And I get it (I’m even asking myself), because for something we all wear basically every single day, the category has become extremely hard to navigate.

There’s this weird tension most people feel when it comes to sneakers: do I go with the cute one, or the practical one? For a long time, those felt like two completely separate paths. You were either buying performance — because your feet needed support — or you were buying fashion, something that photographed well but you’re probably uncomfortable by 3pm. Or if you’re like me with back issues, you’re calling it quits.

And I feel like it’s a non-negotiable that every woman have at least one pair of sneakers that are not only stylish, but also genuinely comfortable. Which leads me to my next most asked question — the best shoes for walking 10K+ steps when traveling. I have said this before and will always stand by it: the only appropriate answer is sneakers. If you are walking over 10K steps and don’t want to ruin your vacation with destroyed feet or back pain, you have to turn to sneakers. There’s no debate. Underline, bold, exclamation point.

And here’s the good news, I actually think we are in the best possible moment for this, because the gap between comfortable, practical sneakers and fashion sneakers has really started to close. The shoe you want to wear and the shoe your feet need are increasingly becoming the same shoe.

And when I started pulling together my favorite sneakers for this post, I thought this could actually make for an even more compelling conversation. So I brought in two people who know the sneaker space as well as anyone: Adam and Ryan Goldston, the founders of APL.

Truthfully one of the main reasons they were the first call I made was because they are the first members ever from an athletic company — not just any sneaker brand — to be inducted into the CFDA. That moment, to me, is the clearest marker of when performance sneakers officially crossed into the fashion conversation in a serious way. They weren’t just making great shoes, they were redefining what a sneaker brand could be, and what it looked like.

So I had them come on Let’s Get Dressed this week to get into all of it — how they built APL into a luxury performance brand before that category even existed, why the shift toward quieter, more design-led sneakers is happening right now, and what taste actually has to do with building something that lasts.

The conversation was so fun — equal parts fascinating for anyone who loves fashion and incredibly practical if you’re just trying to figure out what sneakers to buy.

So here's everything I learned about sneakers and the eight pairs I would buy now.

You can subscribe below to get early access to the episode, plus my full shopping guide and takeaways from the conversation 🎙

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So I did the only logical thing and called in my favorite denim expert, aka Lindsay Davidson Paley, founder of Lenny

If you haven’t been to Lenny, it’s a vintage denim store in Studio City and it is genuinely some of the best denim shopping I’ve ever experienced. Lindsay is the person behind it, and she’s not just selling jeans — she’s fitting them to perfection. Cinching them. Telling you when a pair is wrong for your body and walking you toward the pair that will change your closet. I went in about a year ago and left with a pair that truly fit me better than any other jeans.

So in this episode we break down why nothing in the dressing room ever fits, what to actually look for in a pair (and what to say to your tailor), and the denim silhouettes worth investing in right now.

Here’s everything I learned about denim, and listen to the full episode early below 🎙

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Which of course, brings me to another Ask Me Anything episode on Let’s Get Dressed. I’ve genuinely never gotten this many messages on one theme, and that is summer dressing.

In theory, summer feels like it should be the simplest season to dress for — less fabric, fewer layers, no coats to commit to — but reality (and your questions) confirmed it really is the exact opposite.

And I totally relate. I am a big jacket girl and cold weather dressing girl, and I feel like without my blazers, jackets, and sweater-over-the-shoulders moves, I lose half my styling toolkit. The pieces that read elevated to me the rest of the year are off the table.

So consider this episode the official summer kickoff, and let it be your summer dressing toolkit to help you build a wardrobe that actually feels chic and like yourself — not a panic-bought stack of crop tops and jelly flats that go untouched by August. The goal is making what you already own work harder, with a few smart additions where it’s worth it.

Here’s everything you asked, and what I’m actually telling you to wear all summer long.

P.S. Everything I mention is linked on my ShopMy, and I put question boxes up on Instagram on Sundays — that’s where to submit Q’s for next month!

🎙 Listen to the full episode now

2:26 Q: What are your tried-and-true vacation staples?

I’m very passionate about this one, so buckle in. We’re going to cover the full capsule: sandals, linen pants, swimwear, beach bag, and accessories.

The perfect summer sandal

Let me just start off by saying, when it comes to the perfect sandal, my Roman Empire is a pair of sandals that Dear Frances made years ago — I bought them in 2020, and they have been discontinued, which is the biggest shoe tragedy of my life. They’re a flat, but with about a quarter-inch of heel, so you get the tiniest little lift (I don’t love being flat to the ground — it kills my back, and flats wear out so much faster). Thick leather thong strap, durable, comfortable. I’ve walked around New York City in them. (P.S. Don’t come for me about open toe shoes in New York. Sometimes you just do it, you get home, you shower, it’s fine. That’s life.)

Since then, I’ve been on a mission to find a pair that lives up to the Dear Frances pair for you guys and the By Far Dasha Heels are the closest I have come…

• By Far Dasha Heel — They have a padded base, so it feels like walking on pillows. They also make a flat version if you prefer a flat sandal. AND they’re on sale right now, so I’d grab them while you can!

• Reformation Larsen Thong Sandal — similar shape, but flat to the ground if that’s your preference.

• Le Monde Béryl Micro Wedge — that same fourth-of-an-inch heel I love. I wore them all last summer. Pro tip: skip the croc leather (I swear it always blisters), go for the smooth leather styles, they’re much softer and more comfortable.

  

• Havaianas (black on black) — A non-negotiable for a beach vacation. No one needs to be on the beach in a nice leather sandal.I’ve also been loving them styled with jeans and an oversized tee for everyday.

The linen pant

Everyone needs a good linen pant on vacation. My splurge pick is the Enza Costa Twill Everywhere Pant, it’s $295, beautifully made, and the magic is that it looks like linen but doesn’t wrinkle like linen.

I also have a pair of drawstring linen pants from Aritzia that I love.

I love a linen pant on vacation because I get so many outfits out of them. I wear them over my swimsuit on the beach, and then at night with a cute top and a micro heel. Truly my dream vacation packing wardrobe is five pieces that all do double duty — the skirt that’s a coverup and a going-out look, the linen pant that goes beach-to-dinner.

BTW, I always get DM’s asking how to avoid wrinkles with linen pants and let’s just be real, linen wrinkles. It’s unavoidable. I’ve brought a steamer on vacation and there is just no avoiding it. You kind of just have to lean into it. It’s part of the aesthetic. If you really hate the wrinkles, go for black (you see them less). If it really really bothers you, I just got this mini travel steamer from Amazon that I love.

Swimwear

Obviously everytime summer rolls around I get a million DMs about swimwear and honestly, swimwear is really personal — it’s all about fit and body type.

My ride-or-die is Monday Swimwear. Those girls have killed it with a true range for every body type — that’s literally part of their mission. And they’ve actually been on the podcast before, definitely worth a listen!

I love their Capri swim bottoms because they have adjustable straps and I’m really not a tie bikini girl. I hate dealing with all the straps, I just want a clean band across the waist.

The beach bag

To be honest, a lot of my beach bags come from Amazon. They get sandy, dirty, and destroyed, and every time I’ve invested in a really good one, it’s gotten ruined. So for the classic raffia ones I’m doing Amazon and not feeling guilty about it.

That said — if you want one that can go beach to dinner, A.L.C. makes such beautiful raffia bags. They have a smaller version if you don’t want to carry a lot, and a shoulder origami tote that’s incredible. I just got it in black and I’m so excited to wear it all summer.

The recap on vacation staples: great sandal, great swimwear, beach bag, linen pants, accessories. Add a couple of great tanks/tees/tops and you have the quintessential capsule vacation wardrobe.

12:37 Q: What are your go-to brands for summer?

Great question, because there are absolutely brands that I’m only really shopping in the summer months and those include…

• Dôen — the mascot of summer dressing. A little pricier, but every time I’ve bought from them the quality has held up across multiple summers.

• Massimo Dutti — to me, this is a more elevated, more stylized version of the Zara/H&M category. Their summer dresses and skirts are SO good. I usually do one big seasonal buy from them and wear it all summer.

• St. Agni — I just saw a beautiful drape dress there the other day that I think I’m going to buy. Stunning pieces.

Staud, Siedrés, With Jéan, Ciao Lucia, Lioness — all great brands across different price points that are worth shopping for Summer.

13:59 Q: What’s the shoe of the summer?

Honestly? I don’t think there is one this year — and I find that interesting. Past summers have had clear winners whether it’s been Havaianas or jelly sandals.

This summer feels quieter. I think part of that is we had a really long winter and people haven’t even fully gotten into their spring closets yet. I’m thinking we might see something emerge later.

So instead I figured I would lean into what I’m gravitating towards and what I’m not.

What I’m not loving…

Jelly flats — I always get a blister in them like I don’t understand if I am just doing it wrong or what. But the bigger thing for me: you’re paying for plastic shoes. Even The Row jellies were breaking on people the summer they came out. Plastic is plastic — whether they’re $1,000 or $10, they’re going to snap. I’m just not putting my money toward plastic shoes.

Fisherman sandals — They cut into my foot, and aesthetically they remind me of the chunky Prada dad-sandal era — lots of straps, heavier leather. I want my shoes right now to be minimal, supportive, and to facilitate the outfit, not dominate it.

As always: if you love them, wear them. These are just my takes for my closet.

What I’m actually loving

Embellished sandals — I know, this sounds antithetical to the pared-back thing I said earlier…but the embellishments I’m seeing are quiet. Not feathers and bells and whistles. Think a thong heeled sandal with embellishments on the wraps. A snakeskin wrap sandal that reads neutral. I saw a pair of light pink sequin sandals the other day and immediately pictured them with jeans and a white tee.

18:00 Q: Are we still wearing jean shorts?

I personally have stopped reaching for them. They don’t look that elevated day-to-day, and I don’t know if it’s just me, but jean shorts are SOO uncomfortable? The second I get home I’m tearing them off.

But obviously shorts in summer are unavoidable, so here are a few upgrades.

Go longer. I love a Bermuda short. I’m 5’4” and yes, tall girls win at Bermudas — but you can absolutely make the proportion work. I always wear a belt (gives shape) and a tiny micro heel (gives length).

Now this might be a hot take, but if you really shorter shorts, I say skip denim. Go for a tailored cotton pair in black or beige, ideally with a front pleat. I have a pair from Aritzia that I love — I’ll wear them with a belt, a white tank, and a trench in spring and feel completely put together.

Also, if you’re doing denim shorts, go darker. A darker wash instantly elevates. And those darker tones just read more expensive.

21:04 Q: What do I wear to the office when it’s hot outside but freezing inside?

Is this not THE universal summer question?? Someone needs to tell me why offices set to 65 degrees in July?? Like I genuinely need someone to explain this to me. It’s an oven outside and an icebox inside. We need to abolish this. (Sound off in the comments — what temperature should an office actually be? 70? Let me know.)

Anyways, I’m someone who’s always cold, so I resonate deeply with this.

My answer: the perfect light cardigan. One that’s so thin you can throw it in your work tote or tie around your waist and just have it with you.

Now I’m very picky about a cardigan. I don’t love oversized boxy ones that swallow you whole and give you no shape. I like form-fitting. Ribbed at the waist. A higher neck — not a scoop. A little cinch. Nothing is worse than showing up in a really cute outfit and throwing on a shapeless cardigan, that totally ruins the whole thing, plus it reads unprofessional in a meeting.

My picks:

• Joe’s Jeans Dani Cardigan — This has a very slight boxy fit, but not too extreme. I have it in gray and black and wear it nonstop.

• J.Crew Perfect Cashmere Cardigan — literally called that for a reason. Comes in so many great colors right now — there’s a cerulean blue that would be such a great pop over a simple office outfit.

Also, if a cardigan isn’t your thing, go for a thin long-sleeve V-neck. Renggli (Morgan Stewart’s brand) makes a beautiful deep V — super thin, almost T-shirt weight but more elevated. Throw it on over anything.

24:53 Q: What’s the color of the summer?

I said this in last week’s ep with Gab Waller, and I’m sayng it again… we are in the year of blues!

The Devil Wears Prada really brought back the cerulean blue monologue this year — we’ve seen it everywhere. J.Crew did their own custom cerulean. Hailey Bieber’s Saint Laurent blue at the Met Gala was incredible. We’re seeing blue in beauty too — Charli XCX on the cover of British Vogue with crazy blue eyeshadow, Zendaya in blue eyeshadow on Brazilian Vogue.

The blue I’m personally loving is more mermaid blue — aquamarine, turquoise. I can see it as a beautiful dress, a beautiful skirt. Honestly, I felt this way last summer too. I think summer is just the season for blue, full stop. Bring all the blues out.

That said — my personal summer color, the one that flips a switch in my brain to “warm weather has arrived,” is butter yellow. I have a butter yellow sweater from Cos I’ve been wearing nonstop. The second I put it on with white jeans, blue jeans, or a little skirt, I feel like it’s officially summer.

I’m also seeing a lot of primary-color button-downs — bright reds, bright blues, bright yellows. Aimee Song is one of my favorite people in the world and has incredible style — she’s such a good example of dressing for color. Go on her profile if you want inspiration on color combinations. She’s been wearing beautiful yellow button-downs and great color pairings and I’ve been pulling so much inspo from her for summer.

So, bold colors, primaries, blues across the board. We’re slow on summer trends this year, but color is doing the heavy lifting.

This was so much fun. Summer dressing is a genuine work in progress for me, and I appreciate you guys going through it with me.

And as always, thank you to everyone who submitted questions this month. I’ll keep putting boxes up on Sundays — if you miss them, you can always DM me. And if your question didn’t get answered, see you next month for another Q&A!!

Also I would love to hear your take on summer dressing, do you guys also think it’s a bit slow this year? Let me know below!!

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xx Liv

This edition of Let’s Get Dressed is brought to you by H&M.

Happy Memorial Day weekend eve everyone! I’m off to Mexico today for the long weekend and did what I always do before a vacation: panic-hunt for a few pieces that will suddenly transform me into the best version of myself for vacation (guilty — don’t we all do this??).

My philosophy for vacation dressing has actually become pretty simple over the years. I don’t want 15 outfits and a ton of stuff. I want a few standout pieces, my usual sequin skirt and a chic sarong, mixed with staples, like a great linen pant and tons of tanks, I can wear to anything on the trip. I’m a big beach to dinner gal, and believe it or not, a carry on gal, too.

Enter: H&M Studio’s new Resort collection that was the solution to all my problems. As someone who’s on the hunt for their summer style, it really feels like the moodboard for everything I want to feel and wear this summer. Think: linen sets, sunset florals, beach stripes, cotton dresses, and little embroidered details that feel like something you’d find in a vintage market in the South of France.

The standout for me was the white embroidered dress with this stunning handkerchief hem. Summer brides, take notes. But I could also see it on the beach or perfectly styled for a summer event.

I actually got to stop by and see the collection in person this week, and what I loved most was seeing the references and moodboards. The collection felt incredibly tactile and the right amount of summer nostalgia — handwritten notes, fabric swatches pinned together, these imperfect sunflower sketches and jewelry prototypes. I love when fashion can teleport us to another place.

I also wore this short and blazer set from the new collection that someone stopped me on the street and said “That’s H&M!?!?!!” when I told them where it was from. And the earrings are just so fun.

A few things marinating in my cart:

• Orange Sheer Tie Blouse

  

• Sunflower Clip Earrings

  

• Navy Cotton Polo Shirt

  

• Pointelle-Knit Polo Shirt

  

• Red Kitten Heel Sandals

  

If you’re looking for a few summer pieces before vacation season really starts, this collection is worth a scroll.

What are your plans this weekend and what are you wearing?!?!? Let me know below.

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For anyone new here, Gab is the most in-the-know fashion sourcer. She lives inside the DMs of the women buying the most coveted pieces in fashion, and her job is to find them whatever they want — which means she sees, in real time, what’s actually selling, what’s not, and what’s about to break. There is genuinely no one with better data on what’s moving than her (if only you all could she the spreadsheet she pulled up during the recording), so once a year I get her on the show to walk us through what’s actually going to define the summer.

And I have to say, this season, the conversation took a really interesting turn. Because we are heading into summer 2026 and… there aren’t really any massive trends.

Every year there is usually one stand out product everyone is obsessing over, à la the Miu Miu cowboy hat or last year's jelly flats, but this year it feels different. We have yet to see that must-have viral piece.

And I actually think that’s the most interesting story of the summer… so with that in mind here’s everything you need to know on Summer 2026 trends.

Listen to the full episode now, and shop it here! 🎙️

1:06 The Chanel Golden Era

We’ve talked about this on the pod before, but Matthieu Blazy’s debut at Chanel has truly been a phenomenon. The demand for that first collection was unlike anything the industry has seen in recent memory — requests started rolling in before it even hit stores, and they haven’t slowed down weeks later.

What’s most interesting is who’s buying it. A whole new younger clientele is tapping into Chanel for the first time — clients who previously may have only shopped vintage Chanel are now buying new season, and they’re obsessed.

If you’re trying to get your hands on something from the collection, the most in-demand categories are:

• Shoes — by far the most requested category.

• Handbags — specifically the Maxi flap in burgundy and black

• The pony hair ballerinas — these are single-handedly driving the pony hair shoe trend across the industry. While these are sold out, Lisa Says Gah makes a fun pair.

The one Chanel category that hasn’t popped off the way you’d expect is Coco Beach. The spring/summer main collection is so strong that the specialty/themed drops aren’t getting the same heat they once did. I think this is going to be a really interesting long-term shift for Chanel — for years, the viral Chanel moments came from the supermarket-runway-type specialty collections. Now it’s the main line doing the heavy lifting, and the beach bags (at $8K for raffia, btw) aren’t as highly requested.

11:45 The Row is playing the long game

Here’s a brand strategy moment I genuinely think every fashion person should be studying. After the Margaux exploded, The Row could have easily kept dropping bag after bag in that same viral lane. Instead, they pulled way back. The Marlowe came out as a solve for the Margaux demand, but since then? They’ve been deliberately quiet.

That restraint is what’s kept The Row covetable. Compare that to brands that release trendy item after trendy item — eventually the consumer becomes indifferent, and the pieces stop feeling special.

The Row’s newest release is the Idaho bag in a shoulder style, and they’ve made one really smart decision with it: it’s available in store only. You cannot buy it online — not on their site, not on Mytheresa, nowhere. You have to walk into a Row store to get it. I haven’t seen another brand do that, and I think it’s a brilliant strategy. It makes the piece feel rarer, it protects long-term resale value, and it brings people back into the physical retail experience.

P.S. If you’re a Row girl, this is the bag to watch this summer.

6:10 The brands and pieces that are actually selling this summer

Outside of Chanel, the three brands dominating the data right now are:

Celine. This one surprised me, because Celine is not a viral brand. It doesn’t blow up on Instagram. You don’t see Celine unboxings on your feed every day the way you do with Chanel or Miu Miu. And yet it is consistently top three most requested. I have a theory on this — Celine has the most loyal, under-the-radar consumer in luxury right now. People who wear Celine are tapped in, they know they’re buying into the brand, and they don’t feel the need to broadcast it. Michael Rider has done an incredible job, and the new strap sandals with the little Celine logo wrapped around the foot are going to be everywhere.

Saint Laurent. While they haven’t had a standout bag moment in a while (please, Anthony, give us a bag), their jackets are dominating. The reversible new season jacket they just released this past week is already moving fast. There’s also a beige track jacket Gab is now calling “the Rosie Huntington-Whiteley jacket” because she’s been wearing it everywhere, and the YSL windbreakers have not stopped selling. No other brand is selling jackets the way Saint Laurent is right now.

Dior. A year ago Dior was barely getting requests. Now, thanks to Jonathan Anderson, the brand is back in a major way. The most requested piece? The bow heels. They just dropped a new color way in pink with white, red, and bright lime green floral appliqué that I am OBSESSED with and will likely be released in very limited quantity, so move fast!!

And here’s the rundown by category:

Bags: The Row Idaho (shoulder style), Celine’s new raffia tote with the small logo on the closure, Miu Miu’s new wicker basket bag

Shoes: Chanel’s new season styles (across the board), Celine’s new wrap-around style, and of course, the Dior bow heels.

Belts: The big buckle belt is having a MOMENT. Dior and Celine started it, and now we’re seeing it everywhere. The new Celine belt with multiple buckles at the front is the one to watch.

18:34 The trends I am paying attention to

While there isn’t one dominant summer trend this year, there are smaller through-lines I’m watching:

Color. This summer is going to be bright. The desire for playfulness in fashion is driving a major color moment, and you can feel it across collections. My pick for color of the summer is blue — and not just any blue. We saw the cerulean moment last year with Devil Wears Prada, Hailey wore that deep blue at the Met, Charli XCX was in blue eyeshadow on British Vogue, Zendaya on Brazilian Vogue. Blue is everywhere, and to me it’s the color of ease — it just makes you feel like summer.

Light pink isn’t going anywhere either. Baby yellow, though, feels like it’s slowing down after its big moment last summer.

Animal print (specifically pony hair) is still going strong, and it’s living mostly in footwear.

Vintage-inspired athletic wear. With the World Cup this summer, there’s a sport-enthusiast energy bleeding into fashion. Think track jackets, windbreakers, capris and a little sporty topper. We called this out at the top of the year on the pod — that great weather-wear was going to be a big category in 2026 — and I’m seeing it play out now.

35:01 The piece I am buying for summer

If I had to recommend one thing to buy for the season ahead, it would be a great colored tee. People overcomplicate trending colors — they think they need to wear it to a wedding or in a big way. The easiest way to play with color is honestly just a great colored tee. Reformation and Renggli have tees in the perfect blue (Gab was wearing the blue Renngli when she came in and it was IMMACULATE), or the Reformation one I bought a few months ago that I haven’t taken off.

Pair it with baggy vintage jeans, a great pair of Loro Piana Rebecca flats (my favorite shoe — I have them in every color), or a slide-on mule, and call it a summer uniform.

I hope this inpsired you all and I’m curious…what are you buying for summer? Let me know in the comment because I genuinely love hearing what you’re all eyeing!

xx Liv

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We were talking about why Ralph Lauren — a brand that has been around for almost sixty years, that your dad probably wore, that your mom definitely wore, and is the brand Gen Z can’t stop posting about. And Bridget said something that I haven’t been able to get out of my head:

“Ralph never really wanted to be in fashion. Because if you’re in fashion, you’re going to be out of fashion.”

We are living in a moment where every brand is literally sprinting. New drops, new aesthetics, new “cores,” a new It-bag every six weeks. The pressure to be of the moment is so intense that most brands burn out trying to keep up. And in the middle of all of that, the brand having quite literally the loudest cultural moment with the youngest consumer in fashion right now is the one that has refused, almost on principle, to chase any of it.

I’ve been wanting to do a real brand deep dive on the show for a while, and Ralph Lauren felt like the perfect place to start. There’s just so much to learn from how he’s built this legacy. So consider this the first of (hopefully) many and please let me in the comments which brand you want us to cover next. I have a list, but I want to hear yours!!

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Listen to the full episode now 🎙️

1:50 How to build a world

Bridget has covered Ralph for decades as a former WWD editor. She has interviewed him more times than almost anyone alive. And she just wrote the text for the new Ralph Lauren book Catwalk — which, by the way, is going to live on my coffee table forever — and what struck me most about our conversation is how clearly she could articulate something we all love about the brand but can’t really put a name to.

Her argument is that Ralph Lauren is probably the most well-known designer aesthetic in the world. Not because of any one piece, or any one campaign, or any one celebrity moment — but because Ralph wasn’t ever building a fashion brand. He was building a world.

And the world includes everything. The black tie. The ripped jeans. The polo shirt. The military jacket. The leather thrown over denim. The Bridgehampton sunset show with multi-generational families running through a riding ring. The intimate craft show in a downtown gallery the very next season. The hardest reservation to get in NYC. All of it is instantly and undeniably Ralph.

This is what I think makes a brand last and thrive in today’s fashion market. The brands with longevity aren’t the ones who out-trend everyone else. They’re the ones who build a universe that we all get to play dress up in and want to be a part of on a daily basis.

And this is the same conversation we’ve been having all season, just in a different costume. It’s what Larissa and I talked about with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: discernment over copying, repetition over reinvention. It’s what Zac is doing right now with Gap Inc., turning storefronts into moments for everyone to partake in. The throughline is world-building. And Ralph has been quietly running that playbook since 1967. I guess when they say stay true to yourself, they really mean it!

What brands do you think are world-building well? A few that come to mind for me are Paige Lorenze’s Dairy Boy and KITH.

7:38 Contradiction is the point

One of the things Bridget kept returning to is that Ralph’s design ethos is built on contradiction, which is something I think we could all take into our daily style. Masculine and feminine. Rugged and refined. The tuxedo jacket thrown over a pair of jeans, which Ralph started doing decades before any of our current fav celebrities ever stepped on a red carpet looking like that.

Bridget actually told this story about how Ralph never loved the full tuxedo on himself. He’s not really a going-out guy — never was, even during peak Studio 54 era. But when he had to go to black tie events, he started showing up in a tux jacket and jeans. He felt like himself. It became iconic and it became Ralph Lauren.

That detail is so small and so important. Because the thing Ralph understood, before anyone else in American fashion did, is that real life is the contradiction. We don’t wake up the same person every day. We don’t leave the house for the same kind of room. We are always, in some sense, dressing for the role we are about to play. The genius isn’t picking one of those roles to design for. The genius is designing for all of them — and making it feel like one coherent person doing it. It’s why whenever we talk about cleaning out our closets, I recommend putting together a Pinterest board of vibes you love and never copying a single person. We’re never just one thing.

30:40 We all want a Polo ID <3

When I asked Bridget about how this brand has maintained its relevancy for 60 years, and not just relevancy, adoration across multiple generations, we began to chat about making all the right moves. I told Bridget that I don’t know a single Gen Z woman who doesn’t either own or want the Polo ID bag. I swear it’s in every other “what’s in my bag” video on my TikTok feed. It’s the bag that has, somehow, in 2026, become a totem of taste for a generation that wasn’t alive when Ralph put his first polo player on a shirt. Her response — “the greatest ideas in the world don’t matter if the product isn’t there.”

Genius in my opinion. To create a bag so chic but also under $1,000. I often talk about how we’re missing amazing bags at a mid-price range, and Ralph Lauren nailed it. It’s aspirational, but not completely unattainable. It’s no surprise the brand’s stock hit an all time high this spring.

But then there are, of course, the classics. The polo shirt is one of the most democratically beautiful pieces of clothing. It’s smart, it’s utilitarian. I can wear it. You can wear it. Your mom wore it. Your daughter will wear it. Yet none of us are wearing it the same way. Same thing with the cable knit sweater. There’s 1,000 ways to wear it, and none of us will do it the same.

32:58 Your POV will outlive any trend

I’ve thought a lot, this season about what makes a wardrobe feel like yours…

So many of our conversations on the podcast have inspired me recently. The CBK conversation, Erin Walsh, and now talking to Bridget brought kind of nailed it. It’s something Ralph has been quietly modeling for sixty years: know what you actually like, dress for the life you actually live, and repeat the things that make you feel like yourself without apology. My favorite interview Ralph has ever done was when we was wearing a plaid button down from K-Mart. K Mart!!!! A point of view will always outlast a trend cycle.

What's your Ralph Lauren moment? The runway show that lives in your head rent free, the piece you've had forever, the photo you've saved to a Pinterest board ten times…let me know in the comments and we can keep diving into the world of Ralph Lauren.

x Liv

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I’m in NYC again to watch tonight with Vogue and Chase Sapphire at the Vogue Cafe in Soho. Make sure you’re following me on Instagram as I’ll be live posting all the action!

Whether you’re tuning in for the fashion, the celebrities, the chaos, or all of the above, there’s honestly no better way to prep for tonight than with today’s guest.

If there’s one person who knows how the Met actually works — like, what’s really happening behind the scenes, who gets a seat at the table (and who doesn’t), and how it all ties back to Anna Wintour — it’s Amy Odell.

Amy is the writer behind the and the author of Anna: The Biography. So when she came on the pod this week, I wanted to use the time to debunk the misconceptions, decode what we’re actually watching tonight, and pull back the curtain on one of the biggest nights of fashion. So here’s an inside look into the Met Gala!

Listen to the full episode now 🎙️

00:58 The Biggest Misconception About the Met Gala

There’s so much mystique around what really happens on fashion’s biggest night. One misconception about the Met is that Anna is approving every single outfit. She’s not. She “quote-unquote approves” around 80% of the looks, but in practice that can be as simple as a stylist sending her team a photo and getting a “great” text back. So when we’re sitting there critiquing what someone wore and saying “how did Anna let this happen?!” — the answer is, often, she just didn’t see it. However, I was so curious last year when Anna Sawai and Zendaya showed up in basically the same look from two different designers. I’d love to know how that slipped under the radar.

The Met is way more nuanced than we make it out to be. There are so many politics in the background — brands, sponsors, archival pulls, last-minute changes — that the celebrity wearing the look has way less control than we think.

01:39 Why the Met Gala Is Now Bigger Than Vogue Itself

In this conversation, Amy made it very clear that The Met is Anna’s baby and definitely her greatest feat. Magazine publishing today isn’t what it was in the 90s and 2000s when she was running Vogue at its peak — but the Met has only grown. It’s the Super Bowl of red carpets: more visibility, more intrigue, and more interest than any other red carpet event on the planet. In terms of cultural relevancy, it has officially superseded Vogue itself.

What’s wild to think about is that in 2003, when the Met was just starting to take the shape it has today, most people probably didn’t even know what it was. The Oscars were the red carpet. Now it’s flipped — people care more about the Met fashion than the Oscars. The Met could outlive Vogue itself. Wild thought.

05:23 How Anna Wintour Picks the Met Gala Guest List

The Met is essentially a giant networking event, which I thought was such a perfect way to put it. Anna is famously the type to break up couples at her dinner parties so people meet someone new, and she runs the Met the same way. The seating is incredibly intentional — placing the president of a cosmetics company next to a model who could become the face of their next campaign, that kind of thing. Business deals literally happen at these tables.

Here’s how the guest list comes together: the planner makes a massive list of hundreds (sometimes a thousand) names, sits down with Anna, and they just… cross people off.

What goes through her head when she’s striking someone out? Only Anna knows. But it’s probably some combo of relevancy, taste, and personal relationships. Famously, the Hiltons couldn’t get in during the 2000s. The Kardashians would call and try to get invites — and the answer was just no, no, no. There was no amount of money you could spend to get in. You had to be chosen.

08:31 Can You Buy Your Way Into the Met Gala?

This is where it gets really interesting, this year specifically. The narrative used to be that you couldn’t buy your way in. But many people think that’s no longer true. Especially with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos as the primary sponsors this year, when they don’t exactly have a long-standing relationship with the fashion industry. So why are they there?

It comes down to who can really pay to put this thing on in an era where fashion’s stock is how do I say it nicely… down. Enter: Big Tech. Amazon, OpenAI, Snap, and Meta have all reportedly bought tables this year. (Yes, you read that right — it has been reported that OpenAI has a table at the Met.)

Each of them has a vested interest in being aligned with the luxury fashion industry — Amazon has spent years trying to crack into selling luxury, Meta has built a massive part of its business on every luxury brand being on Instagram, and AI companies are trying to get women to adopt the technology. Fashion is the way in.

And honestly? The tech companies kind of have to pay for it now, because LVMH and Kering haven’t had a great year financially. The brands that used to sponsor can’t allocate the same money anymore. Especially when a table costs $300,000. So Anna is definitely going where the funding is.

12:04 The Real Story Behind The Devil Wears Prada

We had to talk about that Vogue cover — Anna Wintour and Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly on the May issue of Vogue. When I first saw it, I was honestly shocked. For 20 years, no one at Condé Nast was even allowed to mention The Devil Wears Prada. People thought Anna was furious about it.

The official Vogue stance was “we don’t acknowledge this movie.” For two decades. So this cover is a complete 180.

The reality is that Vogue has to stay relevant, and the hype around this movie is too big to ignore. If they didn’t embrace it, they would’ve seeded all that coverage to a competitor. It also kind of feels like Anna putting her stamp on this new era — she just stepped back from being editor-in-chief of American Vogue earlier this year, with Chloe Malle leading editorial now while Anna oversees more broadly. So this might be her version of a cultural mic-drop.

I’ve gone back and forth on it, and I’ve landed on this: it’s a sign that fashion is finally at the center of pop culture in a way it never has been. Fashiontainment, as Zac Posen would say, sells.

But I’m also extremely curious to see how this plays a role in tonight’s gala. To have a movie of this scale for fashion drop within a week of the Met Gala, and this cover to celebrate it, feels like a signal that we might see something fun tonight.

20:09 The Rules of the Met Gala

Some of my favorite trivia from this episode:

Anna is always the first to arrive. She goes to the top of the stairs and greets people as they come up. The only time she’s come back outside after going in was for Lady Gaga’s Camp performance in 2019. So if she comes out tonight to do something with Meryl Streep, that would be historic. (Probably not happening, but a girl can hope.)

There’s also a no-phones rule that everyone breaks (every viral bathroom selfie is proof). Anna has thought about taking phones at the door, but no one thinks she can actually pull that off. She wants people interacting, not scrolling — that old-school dinner party mentality.

29:24 The After-Party You Used To Be Able To Buy A Ticket To

This was my favorite fact from the whole episode. The Met used to sell tickets to the after-party. Like, you and I could have bought a ticket. In 2003, they were $250 — not nothing, but accessible. The public would come, watch a performance, dance, drink. It eventually got out of hand (people throwing up in the Met Museum, which… yeah) and Anna shut it down to make the whole event more elite and exclusive. But I love the spirit of it — the idea of inviting the public in to fashion’s biggest night (does anyone remember Fashion’s Night Out??? High school me loved it).

Now the after-party scene is fragmented across a hundred different events around the city. Rihanna’s is the big one. There’s also a story about Anna going to Bungalow 8 with the Proenza Schouler designers after the gala one year, taking one look at everyone smoking, and going home immediately. Which feels perfectly on brand.

31:53 What To Expect Tonight

This year’s exhibition is called Costume Art and the dress code is Fashion Is Art. The exhibition is largely about the body and its depictions in art, so my prediction is we’re going to see a lotttt of “naked dresses” tonight. But Fashion Is Art is also a wide-open dress code — anything can be argued as art, which means we could see some really wild theatrical interpretations too.

Camp (2019) was the most theatrical year, and my hope is that we get that same energy tonight. Anna herself has said fashion is theater — and we share that same mentality on the red carpet.

Who are you most excited to see tonight? Drop a comment and I’ll make sure to cover them on my stories!

x Liv

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Funky Shoes
There’s something happening with shoes right now where the weirder, the better. It’s the easiest way to make a simple outfit feel fun. Jeans and a tee? Add a funky shoe and suddenly we’re going out. These Tory heels are my favorite and they’re on sale too! They’re also so comfortable for how unique the shape is.

Daydream

I’ve been really intrigued by the future of fashion and AI — specifically how it can actually help us understand our personal style, shop smarter, and make getting dressed feel easier. I was recently introduced to Daydream and found myself using it during a very busy month when I didn’t have time to scroll endlessly while building look for events. The easiest way to describe it: it’s like ChatGPT, but for shopping. You can type in something like, “I’m going to the Devil Wears Prada premiere and want something fun and fabulous for a night in NYC,” and it will generate options across brands—from Bottega Veneta to Revolve to Madewell. From there, you refine. You can say “more like this,” shift the color palette, tweak the vibe—and with every prompt, it gets closer to exactly what you’re looking for.

I actually ended up finding a last minute shoe option on there because I needed a patent leather mule and loved how quickly it narrowed down my options. I ended up wearing these, but also loved these (and love that they’re under $200). I feel like I’ve been seeing patent leather heels everywhere lately.

What’s interesting is that for years, fashion has talked about “personalization”—through ads, data, customization—but this feels like a much more intuitive version of that idea. It’s less about being targeted, and more about being understood. I really think this is one of the most exciting frontiers in how we’ll shop moving forward. They have a website and app, so try it and tell me what you think.

Chanel Lip & Cheek Balm
I’ve tested a lot of blushes, and I always come back to this. The texture is the thing—it melts into your skin in a way that doesn’t sit on top, it becomes part of your face. You look alive, a little flushed, a little glowy…like you just got back from a walk in the sun. There’s a reason why it’s a cult favorite!

Sofie Pavitt Micellar Wipes
These saved me this month. Post-podcast, mid-day reset, on a flight, in the back of a car—they’re so good when you don’t want to fully wash your face but need a refresh. They actually clean your skin without stripping it, which is rare for wipes. I feel like there’s been a big “no wipes” push in the last few years so I’m hoping these are allowed (skin gods, please chime in below).

Ralph Lauren’s Catwalk
If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift for a fashionable mom (or honestly, yourself), this is it. It walks through the entire runway history of the brand from 1972 and reminds you just how expansive the Ralph universe really is. It’s one of those books you’ll flip through for hours. The images are incredible. It comes out next week so pre-order it now!

Rhode Peptide Spotwear
Obviously. These are so cute they make me want to get a pimple (please no).

Dairy Boy Sport
Paige Lorenze really can’t miss right now — I love everything she’s doing. This month she released a few pieces for Dairy Boy Sport and I’ve been wearing this lace tank nonstop. It also comes with a built in bra, so I’ve been wearing it on all my walks and workouts.

CurrentBody LED Mask
I finally caved. And yes… I get it now. I’m officially part of the red light mask cult. It’s one of those things that feels a little extra at first, but once it becomes part of your routine, you don’t want to skip it. Also Charlize Theron was just asked how her skin is so good and she said “red light 24/7,” so listen to the queen. You can use my code too LIVPEREZ for 10% off too.

Verafied

If you follow me on Instagram you’ve seen me wear these a bunch, but there’s truly no better bag under $300. I have them in a few colors and love that they can go from chic evening clutch to a crossbody for a day in the city.

Part of today’s newsletter is sponsored.

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