rainy day outfit essentials

and how I fit fashion into my life working in healthcare & education

BAG | Tod’s

So late last year I finally figured out a way to fit fashion into my profession working in healthcare and education.

But first I should mention that the journey to realizing my style was humbling, expensive, and eye opening.

What I learned about myself:

• I love mixing retail pieces with vintage finds (I discovered that I cannot wear things long-term even if I am practicing sustainability by looking solely in the secondhand market).

• I am not a jewelry maximalist (this was an expensive lesson).

• I like wearing hats (I wear a size L; when it comes to hats, you learn very quickly what fits and what doesn’t).

• I don’t need to wear platforms and heels constantly to overcome my shortness.

• I can use my short torso to my advantage (I used to bemoan the fact that I didn’t have a long(er) torso. But instead of grieving what I don’t have, I utilize my “shortcomings” to my advantage. More on this later.

• As someone who is 4’11, I can wear oversized fits and still feel and look good (again, by utilizing what I already have).

• I can feel practical AND put together with a short bob (no need to heat style my naturally wavy, thick and occasionally frizzy hair to pin straight perfection). Though I do think chemically straightened hair is super convenient, ultimately the upkeep and cost are what I’m wary about).

• I don’t always need to follow a certain type of aesthetic; I AM my own aesthetic.

TL; DR version: I coordinate quality with comfort. For example, I am quite comfortable wearing my Phoebe Philo leather bag to and from work, but I most likely won’t wear Rachel Comey jean or silk skirt to get down and dirty during floortime therapy. I don’t want to overdress but I do want something to keep warm (the Anine Bing cashmere blend blazer is great to keep around for this reason).

My formula for getting dressed

With the above points in mind the following is my “formula”¹ for when I am getting dressed for the day². I do get influenced; I feel moved to buy something that is trending (though I kept away from the mob wife aesthetic; it simply isn’t me). But the trick is to stay true to my preferences without getting swept away. I love wide legged trousers, and I prefer the high rise in order to elongate my legs a bit by playing up my short torso. I love a baggy button down and cashmere knit, so I push or roll up the sleeves to show my wrists. When it comes to pants, I sometimes cuff them to expose my ankles.

LEFT: I was pleasantly surprised to feel how soft this cotton tee was. MIDDLE: So I had to get one with long sleeves. RIGHT: This yellow was too delicious to pass up.

• A shirt

  • Budget: preferably 100% cotton; my favorite is the vintage Hanes with a single stitch in men’s size M, because it feels thick and durable (I tend to wear the heck out of my tees).

  • Splurge: James Perse long-sleeved crew and boxy tee are soft and easy to style. Its relaxed fit goes with every pair of denim I own, including straight and wide legged styles. The brand Flore Flore carries incredible basic long sleeved Max tees that are excellent for layering under outerwear (I have four, including one in a cute butter yellow).

• Outerwear (sweatshirts knits, hoodie)

  • Budget: My favorites are from COS, secondhand Ralph Lauren, honestly anything made by Ryan Roche on TRR look good enough to buy (but I won’t because you know, that is dangerous).

  • Splurge: I have an incredibly oversized thick Akimbo Club hoodie that I am positively obsessed with. When it comes to sweatshirts, I love the vintage inspired styles of Anine Bing. For something less graphic and trendy, French brand IRO has a collection of knits with timeless silhouettes with a bit of an oomph factor to them. For a slightly more trendy and “rock and roll” type of look, take a look at what Zadig & Voltaire has to offer.

• A straight legged pair of jeans.

  • Budget: My go-to is the Levi’s ribcage denim. Second favorite are my straight jeans by Ganni (also made from 100% organic cotton). When it comes to jeans, the more uncomfortable they are, the better. It keeps me on my toes and prepares me to be in “work mode” mentally. When I’m too comfortable I feel lazy and unmotivated.

  • Splurge: I love Still Here NY jeans in Childhood (Classic Blue wash) and Re/Done high rise bootcut denim.

• Socks. These are essential when you’re working in other people’s homes. Just as healthcare workers wear gloves when treating patients, socks are a must have to create a barrier between your feet and everything else.

  • Budget: the Double Doc Cotton Blend is what I swear by. At $16.00 a pop it’s worth it.

  

  SOCK | Comme Si Yves sock in Sapphire

  • Splurge: Vince cashmere jersey socks are so good at keeping my feet nice and toasty. I wear these on rotation with black, gray, and camel. Another good brand is Comme Si (I have Sapphire, Capri, and Scarlet in my collection).

• Jacket/Coat

  • Budget: Honestly, any comfortable jacket or coat will work. For years I swore by anything Madewell; their jean jackets and even spring outerwear are easy to throw on or roll up the sleeves if you feel like it.

  • Splurge: My recent purchase of the Max Mara Poldo coat is my latest love; my eye is on the understated yet luxurious Ludmilla Icon coat.

• Shoes

  • Budget: My Doc Martens Bethane platform Mary Janes are surprisingly comfortable. They go well with my thick cashmere socks. I have wide feet, but these Mary Janes don’t hurt my feet. Also I’ve had my Michelle mules by Fortress Shoes have been around for about four years and they are still going strong even with wear and tear. G.H. Bass Weejuns are reasonably priced and they’re great quality.

  • Splurge: I love a classic Gucci penny loafer for the horsebit detail. It doesn’t hurt to treat yourself to something nice once in a while. These days I save wearing my pair for coffee shop trips because I have to get them re-soled.

And with that said, I discovered the importance of:

The foundation:

• which is the second skin (think basic tees in white, navy, black) that I reach for before I select layering pieces over it, like a pullover, button down, cashmere sweater).

• is important because when I don’t layer up I am shivering and miserable.

The second layer:

• like styling a sweatshirt, jacket, and/or vest is versatile and easy.

• a good shoe not just for walking, but sitting in a car can make a difference in how comfortable you area seated without adjusting the chair too much.

Something extra (optional):

• is what pulls the look together. Think bags, a long coat, scarves, headwear (hoods, balaclavas), leather gloves.

• but the most important thing is: if it makes you happy, wear it.

And with that said, here are the two outfits I styled this past week:

Rainy Day essentials & fits

The puffier the better; my trusty Ganni jacket with the wide collar was cozy and cute. I always reach for my COS cashmere crewneck knit which is layered over a Uniqlo tee (men’s size Small). In the morning I wore my Maison Margiela tabi ballerinas because the first session wasn’t at a home. My bag contents were well protected in the Le Pliage Longchamp tote in Large.

In my Ganni-fied outfit:

• I usually reach for my quilted Ganni jacket but since I misplaced it, I wore this one with the ruffled collar. I forgot how cute the collar was.

• The Ganni jeans. Did I mention the best part of Ganni denim is it doesn’t need to be altered?

• I absolutely hate wet socks (who doesn’t?) but I take advantage of the days when I get to keep shoes on my feet. The Maison Margiela ballerinas are a perfect fit and yes the leather will stretch a bit.

• A zipped tote is important, but a zipped nylon tote is even better. The Le Pliage tote in Large is so low-key, sturdy and trustworthy. Though I wish it had more pockets inside for little goodies, the chaos inside actually grew on me.

A chilly day fit:

What sold me on this jacket was not only the oversized fit but the pen holder and inner pocket with a zipper. A classy touch for a writer on the go

• The leather jacket was a secondhand find but the brand is La Favola, which is apparently known for their Italian leathers. I love how it creases and folds in all the right places without overwhelming my frame.

• The Ganni boots are size 36 (I am a true size 35 but these work because I usually style them with thick socks) and perfect for stomping through rainwater puddles without a drop getting into them.

• The tote is from the Strand bookstore in NYC; when it’s not raining I love the openness of a basic tote, if that makes sense.

• The pelican briefcase houses my medical equipment. Its compatibility with the fit was unintentional.

Something extra: should I or shouldn’t I?

• Snag this vintage Akira shirt on eBay, because it’s Akira but the going rate is hefty

• Invest in a pair of Jamie Haller penny loafers, oxfords and flats, because I already have loafers but this one in suede is just too good to be true.

• Keep my hair short or let it grow?

1. No affiliate links are included in this Substack. I will not receive commission for items sold through this column.

2. When I say “getting ready for the day” I don’t only mean sitting at my desk in front of my laptop and answering emails/messages. On the clock I do a lot of floor time therapy, getting down on the ground (literally) to play with little ones, getting my hands dirty with kinetic sand, play-doh, role-playing and imitating animal and car sounds while doing my utmost to keep my hands out of my face and hair.