I haven’t been thirstier for beautiful things.

August has been a mixed bag. Lots of fun meals out, spending time with our extended family, house viewings, and back-to-school shenanigans. I’ve also joined a book club with the moms of my daughter’s grade three class! It’s been sweet, but salty too. We move to a new Airbnb next week, our third one in the last eight weeks, so please bear with me if next week’s newsletter reaches you late. The living situation isn’t great but we are still determined to find a nice place to buy. If we remain unlucky in the house search this month, we will have to look at the possibility of a short-term rental and have our stuff finally move to us from Canada.

I was the new kid at the book club, I had butterflies! The rest of moms knew each other pretty well. Have you been in a situation where you’re joining into an already established group dynamic? I was very self aware; the group of seven felt intimidating. I was also unsure of what to wear! I honed in on my desire to feel casual and relaxed, but still myself. Though I did wonder how much of myself I should really be. It was a very kind and welcoming group, and we had great conversations.

The book we were discussing was “Into the Blue” by Emma Brodie. It’s a spicy love story, spanning decades. I wasn’t hooked instantly, but it grew on me. I don’t want to give away too much. Let me know if you’ve read it!

Last week also marked the Indian festival of rakhi (rakshabandhan) that celebrates the loving bond between brothers and sisters. We aren’t a religious family, but we love the festivities, and have a way of making them our own. My daughter tied a rakhi to her first cousin, and he tied one to her in return. It was adorable! We went out for an amazing Indian meal after and my Dries jacket felt perfectly festive.

Husband is getting better at taking photos. This one’s right before school pick-up.

Beautiful things are helping me cope.

I’m sad that I didn’t get a proper photo of this one. The black and navy gave it depth, the red pants added contrast, the gold jewelry complimented the bold colours. It was a strong outfit.

The wild thing about the Bay Area is that you can start in a quilted jacket, and by afternoon want to rip it off. I’m particularly smitten by the outfit on the left. I’ve had all of these pieces for a while, but I’ve never worn this combination before.

I’ve also loved subtle styling details. It really is the details that make an outfit feel special and personal. Like these colors right here, and all the hardware. The turquoise of the ring and of the belt, the deep forest green corduroy jacket with the supple burgundy leather, the embroidered crisp white shirt; I live for the details.

I’ve learned this month that I can feel unsettled and deeply frustrated, and at the same time find joy every single day. All of it, simultaneously. I keep telling my husband that I am waiting for the day when I can look back and reminisce about these bittersweet days.

Fall Wantings

Now let’s get into the fall of it all. I’ve been a bad content-creator this month and haven’t been online too much, so these are just a few things that have caught my eye. I’m still digesting what I like, what I could potentially want, and what isn’t for me. Speaking of which, I’m intrigued with the Sezane re-brand. The Jule jacket looks cool, as does the Theo jumper in burgundy. I like a sweater that hits mid-waist.

If I had to buy one thing right now, it would probably be this shirt.

Let’s take a minute to talk about my unquenchable desire for Dries.

Dries nails Indo-Western fusion. As a south-Asian person I feel great skepticism when it comes to fusion dressing, because I’ve seen first-hand that “modernizing” ethnic wear without a real point of view will always feel lacklustre and incomplete. Fusion is not easy to tackle. When two diluted things come together, they make something subpar, but when two strong ideas come together in uncompromising ways, it’s magical.

This particular collection feels festive, almost bridal! I love so much of it. The skirts, the bags, even these sweatshirts have so much going for themselves.

For the day-to-day, I have some things that are currently on my radar. Like the orange pants below, and those burnt orange Still Here sport jeans, that I will have to try for myself. If you have any info on sizing, write to me! I am also desperate for some new knits because I only packed three sweaters with me, what was I thinking!

I see myself styling these fancy pants with slouchy sweatshirts, cardigans or tees, to dress them down a bit. Can you see the Dries influence here?

x

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Don’t like word play? Doesn’t matter.

What if said jacket could simplify dressing up because all it needed was a solid pair of jeans to complete the outfit?

What if it was a spectacular second-hand Etro jacket, that was casually thrown over a graphic tee? An effortless queen!

If you wanted to amp up the whimsy you could swap faded black jeans for embellished ones, and add loafers that complement the hues.

And the ultimate companion to a whimsical coat? A snazzy shoe!

There’s no hiding in this coat + loafer pairing. All eyes on you!

Perhaps something subtler for you, but one that still packs a punch!

Yes, it’s an evening jacket, but why wouldn’t you take her out during the day?

In the spirit of this newsletter, I have two(!) over the top, whimsical jackets on their way to me! Beyond excited about them. I will keep you posted in the next letter. I also bought those High Sport pants, that you’ll hear about soon!

A lovely weekend to all!

xx

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Thanks so much for reading! I really appreciate you being here. If you’ve enjoyed it, show it! Like it, share it, talk to me about it! It goes a long way, and it certainly keeps me going!

I’ll whizz past July’s splurges and then get into some juicy outfit collages featuring pieces from my wishlist.

JULY SPLURGE

I’ve certainly deserved them all for putting myself through Airbnb 1 and Airbnb 2, perhaps a third is right around the corner. Won’t bore you with the gory details this time, but it’s been a lot.

Moving on!

My first purchases in California were the Liam blazer and the Neoprene baseball tee from Tibi. I chose the nylon version of the blazer because I was looking for a lighter layer that I could wear immediately, and the blazer fit the bill perfectly. Well made, great shape (even on my 5’2” frame), and drapes very well. I have to stop myself from wearing it several times a week.

As for the tee, I am usually a natural fibre stan, but I was curious. The tee is a beautiful shape, with longer short sleeves that come up to my elbows. I will report back on how it washes because I’ve already stained it with food. Here it is in action.

I blame, but also thank for this next one. I finally got my mitts on a Yaser Shaw shawl! I’ve had it on my mind for a few years and I hope to visit the showroom in New Delhi (perhaps next year?), but when Angela shared that Hero Shop had a good selection of these, I had to go check them out. Ultimately decided on this turquoise blue beauty. It’s breathtaking!

Also found myself being pulled to try the Flore Flore polo in my favorite color, and while I do already own a tank top in the same shade, I just had to have it. Not going to lie, it was an impulse purchase. I deeply desired to wear it with my fluorescent shorts. It’s quite oversized.

But, I’m following my own advice and never wearing the thing just one way.

I was also gifted a few things this month. The ones that I can’t stop wearing include the baroque pearl necklace below.

And this whole outfit from Le Bon Shoppe. You’ve seen me in the blue Owen shirt that I purchased a while back. These shirts have become a wardrobe staple!

LET’S SHOP

I’ve styled these collages around old and new pieces that have been sitting on my wishlists. I knew this would be an expensive exercise because now I want it all!

The Hook: High Sport pants

I want these pants! I really don’t want to want them, but alas I do. It’s going to happen, it’s happening. I’ll let you know.

But also - look at these colours together!

Next up, a very early fall/Bay Area approved outfit. I love the juxtaposition of the supple leather with the sheer top, and the prickly bag. It’s so exciting texturally!

The Hook: Sheer full sleeves shirt

I may be critical of a lot they do, but my feet love shoes from The Row! They fit me well and I wear them extensively. I tried these slides a year ago and they’re incredibly comfortable. I think about them often. This outfit is an easy one to recreate even without these pieces.

It’s still summer, and I’m hearing it might stay warm-ish until September.

The Hook: La Veste orange silk top

The popsicle colours are a last hurrah of summer ‘26, or, as I like to call it, the lost summer. Sigh. But perhaps an outfit like this could retrieve some semblance of it, no?

These Dries sandals are now on sale!

Now here’s a practical outfit fit for late summer -

The Hook: The shoes and the shirt (together)

At first glance this is a simple outfit. But the details are so good here. We’ve got some print on print action, and a bolt of color. It’s got shape and texture going for it too!

Finally, let’s talk faux fur coats! There are so many of these on resale right now. I have always shied away from animal-print, but I also think it could be fun to add one to my closet. There is still time to buy a nice vintage animal-print coat before the season is officially upon us and the offerings are few and far between.

The Hook: The Real Real’s faux fur

Another outfit that I 100% need. It’s dressy without feeling fussy, you know?

Do you have a favourite?

xx

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Thanks so much for reading! I really appreciate you being here. If you’ve enjoyed it, show it! Like it, share it, talk to me about it! It goes a long way, and it certainly keeps me going!

But folks, if there’s one thing that’s certain about trends, it’s that the pendulum must swing the other way. In a few weeks, a few months(?), everyone will collectively yearn for beige again (it can happen). Maybe not beige, but for a simpler colour palette. Which is why the time is now to get familiar with those colorful pieces we’ve been buying. Let’s get to know them, and learn to love them, before a new trend takes over our feeds and they sit forgotten in the back of our wardrobes.

In my own wearing of things, I often go through phases of wanting to wear all the colour and then craving the soothing simplicity of less. This IG post above from Vogue Runway, it’s not shocking. The industry is built on hyperbole. It’s all “best pants”, “only t-shirts”, and lately colour or bust! This way of thinking is simply not practical for the dwellers of real life.

The goal of this letter is to leave you with a few ideas that will make it easier to reach for your colourful pieces season after season.

1. Pre-plan that outfit/ Find time to style yourself

Perhaps at night you make a little note on how you want to feel the next day, and that sparks an idea. You might use an app like Indyx that makes your closet feel even more accessible. It can even be the morning coffee that gives you enough time to have a little play. Time is the keyword here. Find the time to plan the outfit. Chances are that if you’re in a rush, you’ll go for the easy, tried and true thing - and there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you want to create something special, you need time for a dialogue with yourself.

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I was teaching yoga on Zoom, and trying to navigate motherhood with a 2-year-old when COVID hit in 2020. It was also when the Black Lives Matter movement reached a fever pitch, and the lived experiences of racism, micro-aggressions and cultural appropriation in my industry came to light.

Brown and black teachers and students spoke openly about how they felt unsafe in yoga studios in the Global West, or were absent entirely from them. Why were these yoga studios not employing teachers of colour? Why were they not teaching yoga philosophy, or treating it as an afterthought? Why were they chanting Om and signing off with namaste without really understanding the meaning behind the words?

The questions got louder.

Teacher trainings and Yoga Alliance1 memberships are so expensive that marginalized POCs can’t afford them. Yoga has become synonymous with thin, white, able-bodied women of privilege by design. There’s no room for anyone else to be there. This goes against the very spirituality of yoga, the very philosophy of it. It’s so gooped up!

Do you see the parallels between this and that Prada kohlapuri chappal, The Row’s pashminas, or Toteme’s scarf ensemble?

It’s erasure.

Read more

It’s a great distraction from the feels that are sitting heavy on my chest right now. I’m not going to talk about it, I promise. I’m not going to tell you how I’m homesick for a home that doesn’t exist in the physical plane . The experience is all too familiar to me, as an immigrant who has willingly made several international moves over the last two decades, so it shouldn’t feel this heavy. I’m not going to talk about how we’ve put down roots and made friends, only to move on, and the distance is too much to sustain these relationships. I’m definitely not ready to talk about how hard it is to leave community, and separate oneself from a painstakingly forged sense of belonging.

We’ve made our grown-up choice, and we must adapt. The search for something better can’t possibly be a smooth and easy one? And searching for better, isn’t that what we’re all doing when we’re browsing online? That’s our segue into the shopping portion of this newsletter.

Moving to the US means I can now shop from retailers I couldn’t, or wouldn’t before, because of taxes and tarrifs. So let’s focus on new possibilities, people!

I am most excited to browse The Real Real! I’ve been squirrelling things away to my wishlist, but since I feel a little iffy about shipping things to this Airbnb, I thought it’s best to share my finds with friends.

Starting off with this Dries shirt that is under $200. You could wear it tucked, with denim shorts, or layer it unbuttoned over a tank top, like a kimono.

Then there’s this brocade jacket, that deserves a good home. It’s the kind of novelty piece that I know I’d wear everywhere, with everything.

How stunning is this Issey Miyake top?

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This exercise has brought things to light. It’s reminded me that anxiety makes my nerves tingle in an unpleasant way, and…

…it has taught me about my own must haves. It has brought to light things I’ve ignored, or not worn enough, and it has also made me question the too muchness of it all.

2.5 suitcases should be plenty in theory, but I know that 0.5 will go towards bags and shoes. I’m not even counting my carry-on because that’ll carry jewels, documents, a change of clothing, a book, etc!

Constraints show us what we truly value, and I’m thinking to myself that if filling almost 3 suitcases worth of things can happen so easily for me, do I really need anything else to add to this? Where does the grand wardrobe expansion end?

Read more

This week reinforced something huge for me - that I dress for comfort, especially when I’m active, getting shit done, feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated. And comfort isn’t a detriment to style, at least it isn’t for me. It grounds my choices, and it gives them a purpose; the clothes must comfort me first and foremost, so I can focus on other things. I want them to be pleasing to the eye, and conducive to the purpose.

Noteworthy Purchases in May+June

• Massimo Dutti Red jeans - I really thought about this purchase for months. Red jeans feel so “of the moment”, I didn’t know if they were me. But I’ve learned that they can be me! I’ve loved wearing them in so many different ways. I think the fit (as it does with all jeans) is what makes these a great pair. The pair from Rohe first caught my eye but those felt too voluminous for my frame, while these felt less risky. I sized up one size in them because I was still after some slouch, also got them hemmed so they’d puddle just a touch with flats.

• Flore Flore Grey tank top - That steely grey, I needed it! I’ve amassed quite a collection of Flore Flore tank tops, but, in my defence, I wear them all the time. They are 100% cotton, the fabric feels great on my body, and they are built to last. They also wash well, and I’m a fan of their fit.

• Maison Margiela Tabi sandals - I don’t really consider these a May purchase because I bought them in place of the Bottega shoes that I ordered in April. Those never shipped out. I’m pretty disappointed about that saga. Bottega kept pushing the delivery window, and customer service didn’t really know the reason why either! Why let us pre-order in the first place?

  They did promptly cancel the order when I told them I couldn’t wait any longer. I was still craving a fun shoe, and these had been on my mind. I love them! I’ve already worn them a bunch, they’re very comfortable on my feet.

• New balance X Auralee sneakers - This started out as a necessity. I needed a new multi-purpose sneaker; something that I could wear on walks, run errands in and even take to the gym. New balance makes my sneakers of choice, I prefer the men’s/unisex ones. My last NB pair was falling apart and I needed a replacement. By pure chance, I spotted the Auralee X New Balance collab and was enamoured by these brown suede sneaker! Fairly low profile, but still well cushioned, they also come in a soft green!

Monday

This week started out with a Monday full of big move related planning and chaos, but I still made my way to the gym. I also squeezed in some content work, and writing. I did not have the mental capacity to think about what to wear, and that became the theme of a video I filmed. I’ve now packed up about a third of my closet.

Most importantly, Monday was dedicated to planning for Tuesday.

Tuesday

Tuesday was production day! My daughter starred as Nemo in the school production of Finding Nemo Jr, the musical! Her school organizes the production at a small local theatre every year, and it really is the much sought out finale to the school year. There was an afternoon show and an evening show, and I was in full stage-mom mode helping backstage with makeup, not that I know much about makeup, but the little ones weren’t bothered by my lack of expertise, the 7th and 8th graders however so much as told me to F off.

I decided on my outfit the day before. I knew I’d be backstage and wanted the outfit to be easy to move in, and nothing precious, so I could focus on helping the kids with costumes. But I still wanted it to be nice enough for sitting in the theatre and watching the production with the rest of the parents.

I love this vintage Escada shirt, it makes the outfit! Kept the accessories pretty bare, but they did their part!

Wednesday

I was beyond exhausted! My ears were still ringing with “just keep swimming”, so I just kept swimming! I pulled out one of my oldest blouses, a white chikankari top that was bought in India years ago. I love wearing it off-shoulder, the outfit felt very fem, and made me feel nostalgic. These satin sandals have proven to be quite comfy for little jaunts around the city! It’s been hard to resist the influx of satin sandals, like these two-tone ones, and these purple ballet flats!

Guess what else I did on Wednesday, other than post a reel, notes on Substack, and organize end of year goodies for teachers? I figured out what to wear for graduation on Thursday!

Thursday

The outfit needed to work in 27C weather. We would start off indoors in air-conditioning, but after graduation we were going for an end-of-year school picnic. The shoes needed to work on grass and gravel. I wanted the outfit to feel laidback, but still me.

Friday

It doesn’t end there! We were throwing a little party for our daughter at her favourite indoor rock climbing gym, so she could have one big celebration before she has to say goodbye to her friends. Here’s what I work to the Costco run.

My husband and mom kindly watched all ten kids, while I got to grab a meal and a beer with the parents at the local brewery next door. It was an ideal scenario. Here’s what I wore to the patio! I really didn't get a chance to think too much about this outfit. I picked the skirt first, and tried a white t-shirt before I ended by picking this green one!

That’s all for this week, folks! Next week I will be in full packing mode, so I am going to share my summer (summer in the Bay Area?) essentials. I’ll have to make do with 2 suitcases (maybe 3) worth of clothes, bags and shoes until we find permanent accommodation, and my stuff can reach me. My goal is to be very meticulous in how I pack, so I don’t feel the need to buy new things before I am fully settled there.

More on that next week! x

This post contains affiliate links, but not every piece is linked. If you’re curious about something, ask away :)

Thanks so much for reading! I really appreciate you being here. If you’ve enjoyed it, show it! Like it, share it, talk to me about it! It goes a long way, and it certainly keeps me going!

x

• Through jewelry - how adding colour, metal, and heft through jewels shifts an outfit’s visual weight and creates a focal point.

• Through colour - how contrast and colour proportions transform outfits.

That leaves us with the other usual suspects - silhouette and texture. In this letter, I’m sharing how they bring drama to the summer wardrobe. But that’s not all! Summer dressing benefits greatly from unexpected styling, so let’s chat about that.

It’s got some texture

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Who amongst us hasn’t donned a pair of denim shorts and felt the thrill of bare legs in warm, muggy weather? Denim shorts are a quintessential summer staple. They signal freedom and picnics and ice creams and bike rides. They are just as easy and sturdy as their full-length counterpart, and once they mold to your body, it’s hard to tell where you end and the denim begins.

I know, it’s a pull-on pants/shorts world right now, but I fear I must be brave and just come out and say it…

I like denim shorts!

they cradle my belly, I love a button-fly

I like big pockets, I cannot lie

the sturdy fabric holds my phone

won’t crumble under its weight alone

they can handle a spill, may it be juice or milk

won’t need dry-cleaning, ain’t prissy like silk

they support my bum on grass and sand

can handle strong winds, at sea or on land

(ai could neverrr)

But the thing about all shorts is that they are less forgiving than pants and jeans. Fit matters above all else.

My criteria for fit:

made some great points in favour of pull-on shorts and astutely observed that denim shorts are indeed all hips and no legs, so for them to work in my favour, I’ve learned that the inseam needs to be at least 4 inches long (minimum). The waistband needs to sit mid-waist for optimal comfort. And I always size up in shorts.

The Shorties - Inseam 4.5 inches

These are a mid-waist pair that hit mid-thigh.

Outfit 1: Voluminous shirt and a big tote add contrast to the casualness of the shorts.

Outfit 2: Cotton bomber over tank top, playing with colour contrast here. Easy to replicate with a tucked in, but open button-up shirt over a tank top.

Outfit 3: Less volume, more length through leather blazer! The raw hem shorts add friction to the clean lines of the blazer.

The Mid-length, finished hem - Inseam 6 inches

These are also mid-waist, slightly longer than the first pair, and have a subtle A-line to them. Soft, 100% cotton.

Outfit 4: Balancing visual weight through print and a textured bag. The shoes add edge to this otherwise “sweet” outfit.

Outfit 5: The sari fabric kimono adds fluidity. Lots of colour and texture through accessories.

Outfit 6: Graphic tee and pointy shoes, can’t go wrong!

The Bermudas - Inseam 9 inch

These long shorts graze my knee. Their slouchiness is their defining characteristic. They’re so unserious!

Outfit 7: Creating tension by going monochrome, and wearing a cream blazer with flip-flops.

Outfit 8: No-nonsense little black jacket buttoned all the way up, and worn as a top. The mules and sunglasses punctuate this mood.

Outfit 9: Swinging in the opposite direction with a fuzzy tank top and a burgundy bag.

Outfit 10: Resigning to the unseriousness of the bermudas by way of colour and zebra print flats!

Three pairs, endless potential! Don’t give up on your denim shorts just yet!

This post contains affiliate links, but not every piece is linked. If you’re curious about something, ask away :)

Thanks so much for reading! I really appreciate you being here. If you’ve enjoyed it, show it! Like it, share it, talk to me about it! It goes a long way, and it certainly keeps me going!

xx

Today we’re playing with colour!

The goal of this letter is to share how I’m thinking about colour right now - what I want to wear, and the colours I’m gravitating towards. I’ve challenged myself keep the examples un-layered and style only 2 piece outfits.

Why?

1. To see what I reach for when I can’t add a third layer of clothing, or accessories

2. A good base layer makes a good outfit, even with additional pieces off

3. To remind myself that I don’t need newness for summer, despite the sales chaos

Read more

I’ve primarily focussed on necklaces, with a few pendants sprinkled in. Last time I did a jewelry edit, it featured modernist silver, in addition to vintage and antique gold. This letter includes colourful beaded necklaces, South Asian and West Asian1 tribal silver, and a fine gold edit of vintage and antique pieces.

Under $200

This collage features art-deco, modernist, and 80s fashion jewelry. There’s something reassuring about fashion jewelry that has lasted this long without tarnishing. As with all vintage, pay close attention to the photos and ask for more details from the seller if you have any concerns.

Under $500

I have wanted to do a vintage edit featuring tribal Indian, Afghani, Turkmen pieces, and this one barely scratches the surface. The Rajasthani hasli (top right) is real 925 silver2. The rest of the pieces haven’t been tested, but they are most likely made of brass or copper alloys.

A word of warning - this particular amulet from Vertigo is priced like sterling silver, but it is not in fact it. It is “Tibetan silver” which is a base-metal alloy made of copper, tin, zinc, or nickel. Always a good idea to read the fine print when it comes to jewelry, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Under $500

The easiest way to add colour to your summer outfits is through beaded jewelry.

Fine Gold

Gold prices are making my eyes water! Still, it’s comforting to know that you’re only paying for the gold and the craftsmanship, rather than a luxury house’s mark-up when buying vintage.

Let me know if you liked this edit, so I can make more of these! Next week, we’ll pick up right where we left off, and talk about ways to make base layers interesting, this time through colour!

ICYMI, last week the focus was on layering with jewelry!

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Thanks so much for reading! I really appreciate you being here. If you’ve enjoyed it, show it! Like it, share it, talk to me about it! It goes a long way, and it certainly keeps me going!

xx

We all understand this. When we can’t pile on clothes, we can layer through jewelry. In this letter I’m sharing my most tried and true summer formula with many possible iterations: top + jewels + bottom

Even when we aren’t presented with vacations and soirees, we still want to feel like we’re celebrating life by enjoying the things we have. I wear my nice jewelry as regularly as I can. I’ve spoken ad nauseam about wearing your nice things, and jewelry is the easiest to throw on and feel a little fancy on a simple day.

I’ve purposefully focussed on 2 piece outfits today, not even light layers are allowed, to show you how much excitement (and intrigue) is possible simply by adding the jewels to classic silhouettes.

So, what makes a good base?

Quality, Comfort, Repetition: I need my pieces to wear well, wash well, be comfortable and work with the rest of my wardrobe.

These qualities are also important for jewelry I want to throw on more casually.

Placement

The part of my body I choose to bejewel depends on what my day looks like. If I’m working with my hands, and typing, I can’t handle the sensory overload of jingle-jangle and so my hands need to be sans rings and bracelets.

While I do love bold pieces, I am also a big proponent of editing, and you will rarely catch me with statement earrings and a necklace and bracelets all together. The editing is based on practicality, my desire to not feel weighed down, and taste. Once I know what I’m planning to highlight, I let the rest be clean. I want the focal point to be apparent.

In the example above, I like having the shirt buttoned up and sleeves slightly pushed back, as this brings the eye to the wrist stack. The mixed metal hardware becomes the focal point. I did something similar with the statement earrings, as I didn’t want the bare neck to distract from the lobes. Mind you, this isn’t a rule (there are no rules), just a preference in this particular instance. This outfit could also benefit from a cute anklet and some toe rings if one’s feeling freaky.

Proportions

Let’s talk specifically about necklaces because they interact so closely with the rest of the outfit. Notice how a chunky beaded necklace draws the eye up and a longer necklace elongates the torso. Both of these add a graphic element to the white tee and make it feel less stark next to the patterned skirt.

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There’s no point lamenting. I’ve enjoyed the gluttony of it all. In today’s letter I’m sharing the things that I obsessed over, bought and loved (old and new) this month.
I’ll end the letter with noteworthy outfits from this week. I hope you enjoy it!

Jewelry

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I am far from an absolutist, and I think there is a time and place for more of the same, like floss, or underwear, or socks. However, sameness does not an interesting wardrobe make. I’m talking about sameness as it pertains to foundational pieces in our closet.

I want to make a case for variety in this letter.

How to create variety by curating an intentional wardrobe, and how to create variety in how we wear and re-wear our pieces, because even the most soberingly simple lifestyle deserves fun.

I have to add, that as I was discussing this idea with my husband, he looked amused and afraid. He told me that he would happily simplify his wardrobe with the same t-shirts, shorts and jeans, at best in a few different colours. But, he doesn’t care about fashion like we do.

I understand that variety is not everyone’s idea of excitement, but we need a variety of ingredients if we want to cook up new dishes. I’m not saying go out and shop for more things all at once. If you’ve been feeling like you are constantly wearing the same thing, go spend time in your closet! Take stock of what already exists, and refresh thy memory.

This letter aims to serve as a reminder for the next time you’re buying another article of clothing or accessory. If it is too similar to something you already own, reconsider.

Silhouette

We are always making shapes through our outfits; a shirt buttoned all the way up and tucked in will create a different shape compared to one that’s barely buttoned and hanging loosely on the body. When we have a wardrobe that has a diversity of shapes, it make layering interesting.

Let’s take the example of blazers. I work from home, and don’t need a formal blazer, but I love the shape and structure of one. A blazer is just a smart jacket, a perfect spring/fall layer, that transitions from indoor to outdoor.

I love a jacket that can add structure and dimension to an outfit. Instead of sticking with one classic silhouette, I’ve experimented with different shapes and cuts, colours and textures.

I chanced upon the grey vintage Dior blazer by pure luck, and I hunted for a vintage suede fringe for months. Curating a wardrobe takes time and patience, it also teaches us to be intentional about what we buy.

wrote a great piece on indoor/outdoor jackets, that must not be missed.

Texture

Let’s not get hung up on one fabrication, or texture. Linen is breathable, but so is silk and they both completely change how an outfit looks and feels. When you are buying a shirt pay attention to what you’ve already got lots of, and what might fill a gap in your wardrobe in terms of texture.

Colour

There’s nothing groundbreaking about wearing a coloured tank top, but it makes such a difference especially when you’re looking to add colour to your wardrobe. Variety in colours adds interest to layers. And it adds excitement to “jeans and a tank top”, because it’s not a default white tank.

There’s also the thrill of adding jewelry to colourful tops. Tank tops in “new neutrals” play very well with other colours.

Function and Occassion

Repeat after me - we don’t need another technical jacket. One is great, two is more than enough, step away now. If you’re buying another jacket, think what it can solve, and what it can create.

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This week I needed my clothes to make me feel something. But I desperately needed for dressing up to also feel easy, and I took that as my cue. It’s been a great distraction amid all the other heavy adult shit that needs doing. And that’s what I’m bringing to you today.

As I was putting these images together, I started noticing a pattern that ran through this week’s outfits (I do have a background in visual analysis🤓). A subconscious pull towards texture!

Sunday

Last Sunday, I went out for brunch with the family. We bought some bread from a local bakery, and then made a quick trip to the Indian store for some spicy Maggi Masala Chili ketchup. Wholesome!

I knew I wanted to create a tonal outfit especially when I realized how retro the striped tee and brown jeans looked together. The suede jacket let me lean into it further, but the silhouettes kept me from looking too 70s inspired.

Outfit analysis: tonal, with a darker base and lighter jacket. Relaxed silhouettes.

Texture spotting: suede for Spring!

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In this post I share how I like to think about novelty pieces. What might feel novel to me, may just be commonplace to you. It is certainly a relative term. I also share the drills new pieces go through before they are let into the sanctuary. Ultimately, the goal here is to rethink our nice things, so we may wear them often.

Novelty Threshold - How novel is too novel

How much do you budget for novelty in an everyday outfit? When you start taking risks, you understand where you can push a little, and where being low-key makes sense. I’ve learned that when I spot a piece in an exciting colour, but in a safe (tried and loved) silhouette, more often than not, I can wear it repeatedly. Case in point, these Patagonia shorts. My summers are spent in shorts. These are the perfect length (5 inch inseam) and I know they will accompany me on strolls and at poolside playdates. Can I wear them in more ways than one? Yes!

Gym shorts are on everyone’s mind, and I had the same idea as ’s amazing Spring look with the striped tee and purple shorts! I had to wait a month (!) for this t-shirt from Reformation because it was back-ordered, worth it though. The bag certainly helps create colour cohesion across the fits. I can see myself wearing it to a number of summer things.

My favourite look of the four is the second from left. It’s got lots of textural interest - crispy nylon, plush leather, and nubby cotton knit, not to mention lapis beads!

It is going to be a fun shorts summer. And I have been considering two pairs to add to my collection - COS silk shorts in a rich maroon, and these Leset shorts below. The ones from COS feel like an easy choice. The Leset ones are a fabulous colour, but they will be a longer pair on me compared to the model. The length+colour together increases the novelty factor a touch.

However, the shape and the fabrication feels safe compared to say a hypothetical orange, pleated, pair of corduroy bermuda shorts. On the novelty spectrum, both the Leset and COS pairs score low to medium.

No Special Treatment - Living with everyday pieces

I’ve shared before how I like to style bold, colourful pieces in terms of colours that can help ground them, or centre them. The bigger picture around that is to wear new pieces with old, to see the gap a novelty piece might fill, and ultimately if it fits into the wardrobe without needing additional pieces to compliment it.

The best way to get the most out of our “special” pieces, is by simply wearing them and experiencing them. Allowing ourselves to just throw the thing on and style it casually can be very freeing.

Precious things look even better when they’ve been out of the plastic wrapper, and lived some life. It’s the equivalent of a beaten up Birkin vs. a bright and shiny new one. Or a tennis necklace layered (intentionally or absentmindedly) with other necklaces under an unbuttoned shirt, vs. one worn in all its singular glory over a dress.

That’s my goal with this glorious Dries skirt. She needs to live with the commoners. I think that the old faded tee does her good (my thought process is documented on YouTube), as do the button downs, in different ways.

Be pragmatic

I’ve talked to people (I promise), and even white loafers can feel novel to some. If we took the pressure off and just saw them as a white shoe, a white slip-on, a white flat shoe, how would we style them?

I think that practicality and functionality can hold effortless style. It’s why street-style feels captivating, because people are in motion, living their lives while looking fabulous. This week shared an incredible letter covering the shoes Parisians are wearing this Spring. The thing that undeniably stands out is that the goal is always style and comfort, one isnt mutually exclusive of the other.

I am very partial to loafers, they work the hardest in my closet. I’ve worn this particular pair so much over the last three years. Practically speaking, the risk of novelty is low when you’ve got a classic shoe profile. And a white shoe hardly feels novel once you remind yourself that white sneakers are everywhere. Understandably, white loafers can feel serious. So we lean into the friction, and ask ourselves, how to juxtapose that with something that feels more laidback?

Reduce them to function

Function over form. At the end of the day, even a fancy coat is first a coat. And I needed a coat to wear to my birthday brunch. I was sulking over having to rethink my outfit because it wasn’t warm enough to wear a skirt, when my daughter found me and said, “Why don’t you wear your pretty pink coat?” She’s a great assist when I am feeling stuck.

I decided to wear it over this new green t-shirt from Flore Flore. I ended up matching with my flowers! I’d only worn this coat for evenings out before, so I’ve certainly overcome a mental block.

The result of me treating this just like any other coat was being complimented a by sweet lady at Staples(!) Because of course it’s not just another coat, it is a special one, and we are allowed to wear our special things even to the most mundane tasks. We just need to get out of our own way, and let ourselves and our clothes enjoy their true potential.

This post contains affiliate links, but not every piece is linked. If you’re curious about something, ask away :)

Thanks so much for reading! I really appreciate you being here. If you’ve enjoyed it, show it! Like it, share it, talk to me about it! It goes a long way, and it certainly keeps me going!

xx

I’ll say the most annoying thing first: most colours can work together. It’s a matter of context and of our perception of colour at different points in time, perception that is often affected by culture, norms, and trends, that ultimately makes us either enthralled by a pairing or averse to it.

But we’re playing it safe today. We’re talking about neutrals. I want to leave you with something practical that helps shake things up a bit without needing an overhaul.

The ideas here are less about colour theory and more about colour function. Less science, more behaviour, you know?

A quick google search will show you that the way we define “neutrals” shifts all the time; navy (understandable), animal print (of course), and even “avocado green” is considered neutral (as per Who What Wear).

The Neutrals

Neutral is defined as lacking strongly marked characteristics, it is what doesn’t stand out to the eye (extrapolating from google).

In my own closet, I consider 2 types of colours to possess these qualities

1. Soft, powdery, washed up, and muted, these register as colours, but function as neutral. They are diluted; think dipping your paint brush in water just once. Butter yellow is most certainly my favourite in this category. It’s an easy swap for white or beige and brings with it a certain warmth.

   I have a powdery blue tank top that also functions as white, but lacks the starkness of pure white. A light grey works in the same vein, but we’re not talking about obvious contenders here.

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My favourite DMs usually come without context, for ideas on how to pair and wear colour. I dig it! To be able to talk about colours and style, and have someone be interested in my opinions, is my forever dream job (as an older sister).

I’ve broken things down a fair bit. All of the images show me wearing my own clothes. I want to talk about how I wear and think about colour from my own lived experience.

Build around a main colour

When we start getting dressed, we tend to fixate on the one piece that we want to wear for certain, perhaps it’s something new, or a pair of pants that fits just right, or a jacket we want to throw on. When we zero in on a piece with a bold color, we have a choice to make. We can either -

1. tone it down

2. brighten it up

3. something in the middle

Let’s take the example of this blue shirt. Blue, even in this vibrant shade, is a safe color because it can be easily toned down with a pair of blue jeans, a piece most of us have in our wardrobes. Blue on blue is a monochromatic outfit that our eyes are used to seeing; it doesn’t shout “colour”.

When we pair blue and white, it becomes a high contrast outfit. It’s a statement! The blue pops! Adding the black bag and flip-flops grounds the brightness, and adds depth. The three colours together create a visually sharp outfit.

Brown and burgundy aren’t quite as sharp as black, the pairing feels softer than the black and white one, and falls somewhere in the middle.

Below is another example. This time we’re building around a brick red tank top.

To tone it down, I wear it with a proportionately oversized beige shirt.

To brighten it up, I pair it with a pink shirt, that contrasts with the tank and the jeans.

The “something in the middle” is accomplished with a checkered shirt that has the colours of the tank top and the jeans.

With the brown + purple base layer below, we’re shifting proportions and contrast by switching up the third piece. The result is three different outfits!

Which pairing feels the most vibrant to your eye?

relief to big color

We are still building around a main colour, and in this example, it’s this oversized red shirt. There is no right or wrong way to wear the shirt, the outfit on the left isn’t better or worse than the one on the right.

Sometimes big red can overwhelm my gentle sensibilities and adding a white tee in this context, spaces things out a bit, it gives the eye a place to rest. The white shirt acts as negative space.

Add in color through accessories

Let’s talk about these pointy red shoes I just bought! They are a striking red, and the options to style these are endless. For the sake of this example I wanted to keep things really simple.

The red kitten heels add another layer of contrast to a striking black and white outfit.

When we switch out the tee to a butter yellow one, the outfit becomes low contrast and the colour palette feels soft. The red shoe adds vibrance.

The first two outfits feel intentional in how paired back they are. The third outfit, however, has an effortless quality to it. The blue jeans and yellow tee play well with each other, and the shoes contrast with both.

Do you see how style descriptives shift and change as we start making little tweaks to an outfit even when the silhouette stays the same? We’ve gone from polished and minimal to a more casual and effortless vibe!

When we buy a bag, most of us aim to wear it in lots of different ways and with lots of different outfits, so buying a novelty colour can seem daunting. But when you’ve got your bases covered for practical life, play a little! A burgundy or olive will work in place of a brown bag in most cases.

Jewelry is one of my favourite ways to add pops of color! It’s easy to find beaded bracelets, anklets and necklaces at nearly every price point and instantly add some drama to the outfit.

I have been mesmerized by turquoise lately, and treated myself to this belt! It’s almost my birthday, so I’ve let loose.

(insert colour) is the NEW NEUTRAL

Remember, it’s all relative! Animal print is considered a neutral, navy too, grey of course, shades of brown, definitely butter yellow, olive and khaki, perhaps plum..?

Once a colour saturates our life (social media feed), it feels less intimidating. Red is the most intimidating colour of all, from a visceral standpoint, and look at us using pops and splashes of it to bring our outfits to life. Did red stop being menacing, or have we just gotten accustomed to seeing it on ourselves, and on everyone else?

From a visual standpoint, if a colour has its light dimmed out a bit, and it’s saturation reduced, it can pass off as a neutral. Its proximity to white or black or beige affords it that title. When you’re ready to play with colour, start by pairing something bright with something that’s more muted, more accommodating.

In the collage above, there’s no black or white (with the exception of white shoes), just color on color! Navy, plum, grey, brown, olive, and butter yellow, all of these can serve as grounding and amicable participants to your colour games.

So play around with abandon, friends. See what pleases your eye, for your eye is all that matters.

Thanks so much for reading! I really appreciate you being here. If you’ve enjoyed it, show it! Like it, share it, talk to me about it! It goes a long way, and it certainly keeps me going!

xx

Ritika

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