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NEW!! NEW!!
Listen below for a more intimate experience of this newsletter, narrated by me!
It’s Sunday! I thought could put together a newsletter by Friday, but c'est la vie, right?
So, last week I showed you outfits based around a simple white t-shirt and an old pair of Levi’s, but today I’ve created an early-spring capsule wardrobe and I think it’s very playful and light-hearted. I’m ready to break up with winter; so I have included some lighter colors and a few spring pieces. I also want to share how I have been styling my hair lately, inspired by a recent fashion show look. And, lastly, I want to talk about my obsession with a certain Sade music video from 1992! She’s a real fashion icon.
First up, let’s talk about this sweet capsule collection! It’s relaxed but it still manages to push against a lot of fashion rules. You can wear all of these pieces interchangeably and the introduction of shorts and pastels makes it very spring-forward! Most of these ideas can be found secondhand, so begin your search with basic neutrals, consider the shapes (i.e., ruffles, wide legs), and look for light washes of color (pastel greens, blues, yellow-ish creams, rosy-peach), and smaller floral or check patterns— especially pants! I Love a printed pant.
Look 1
Zara cropped v-neck sweater for an optical look, or if you want to mix texture with pattern: this Zara crochet sweater, Wales Bonner check-print cropped trousers, Golden Goose Black clog
Look 2
Totême Organic raw denim Bermuda shorts, La Veste Loto Pink linen shirt, Emme Parsons Tan Festa Heels, Vintage Studded western belt via Etsy. There’s no need to buy a brand new western belt when there are so many on Etsy, eBay and resale shops
Look 3
La Veste Circus Blue Denim Jacket, Zara light yellow wool sweater, Attersee Sand pleated skirt, Caro Editions pale pink Rosie hair clip. A rose claw clip? For pretending you're 24 and you live in Copenhagen, Aeyde Dani leather slingback flats in Creamy Nappa
Look 4
Mixing tones here: La Veste Clovis turquoise pants. I want everything on the site. La Veste is fresh, J. Crew gets color: Cashmere crewneck sweater in Neptune Green, Gold hazelnut lizard belt ,Vintage silver grey western boots. I hope to be wearing my cowboy boots with leggings or shorts this spring into early summer
Look 5
Jenna Katz makes incredible jewelry. Her Wiley hoops are stunning, My love for the designer Rosie Assoulin is deep! Look at this dress, please… the Finn beret by Gigi Burris and a pair of Chanel buckle Mary Janes: dream with me!!
Before we move on to hair, I am wondering if you have read “How to Take a Mirror Selfie Like a Pro” yet via the SHOP RAT Substack? I read it after I shot pictures I’ve included of myself, so you’ll have to be ok with my first (and makeup-less) photos here on Substack. SHOP RAT is one of my favorite Substacks, so take a peak! And wow, I have a lot to learn about taking selfies.
For your hair: one of my long-time favorite designers, Jacquemus, just presented his 2024 Spring-Summer collection and the thing that I noticed most was the hair styling! It was so good. In my previous life, I was a hairdresser for almost 18 years, and one thing that I noticed is that women make styling their hair into a much bigger chore than it has be! Everyday can be a good hair day— you just have to roll with what your hair wants to do! I actually have been wearing a middle part regularly for a few years out of habit, but seeing the show photos inspired me to break out of my rut.
Backstage, stylists were dealing with models who most likely had just had their hair done for a previous show, so the techniques they used to get this look were probably more complex and rather demanding. For us though, it’s as simple as shampooing and conditioning, then while damp, brush your hair into the most moronic looking deep, side part that you can handle for as long as possible (we are talking full on combover), scrunch the mid shaft to ends, diffuse or air dry, flip it back over when it’s dry, and shake it out, baby. Voilà! Wherever you need volume, always blowdry it in the completely opposite direction or let it airdry that way. That’s it! You’re now a supermodel. Maybe you don’t need me to explain or maybe it was a mystery and now it’s solved. Either way, I think that it’s time for a change— even a subtle one.
Yes, in my dreams, I’m wearing the double-heeled sandal and one of the structured, squarish mini-dresses. In reality, though, I am just changing my part and adding the light yellow mini shirt dress to my wishlist.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day next week, I want to tell you that about a month or so ago, I became fixated once again on Sade and I am particularly inspired by her video for No Ordinary Love. I ended up adding a few still shots to our perfume editorial mood board. I had such a visceral feeling as a child that came back to me seeing this… I’m pretty sure that I wasn’t supposed to be watching VH1 when it came out. It was so grown-up and intimate— and, well, there was a mermaid. Coming back to it now, all I see is the incredible cinematography and art direction, the light, and oh the wedding dress and her pulling that needle and thread. The dreamy visuals and the way a lot of scenes were shown in slow motion really give it this surreal quality. Truly it was ahead of it’s time! Please watch it when you have a moment.
Lastly, before I go, I want to express how grateful that I am for your subscription to my newsletter, and I hope you enjoy receiving each one in your inbox!
Let me know what you think about this new audio feature in the comments! Have a great Sunday! Love you all.
Eternally yours,
Amber
I love the audio addition, Amber!
If I cannot be sitting next to you having this conversation, then your voice in my inbox is the next best thing. Hw about we go halfsies on the Mary Janes and you just do my hair for me?
Seriously though—I look forward to every newsletter. Your taste is forever impeccable. ❤️