The Clothes In Your Closet #006
Feat. Rosalee, an NYC-based freelance art director and artist
Rosalee is a not a minimalist. Her closet is a case study on color, prints, hardware, and (thoughtfully) holding onto things that bring you joy. It’s not unusual for Rosalee to wear something from her high school days in Atlanta or college at UNC-Chapel Hill. She’ll then elevate it with secondhand designer from The RealReal or Housing Works, a chic vintage find from one of her go-to spots in Paris or Rome, or a trendier piece that she’s sourced from one of her many savvy shopper spots.
When discussing outfits for the week, Rosalee wanted to nail her look for the Emirates Suite at the US Open(!!) and figure out how to modernize a pair of pink vintage pants that she loves, but are tricky to wear because of their dated tapered leg. Then I sprinkled in some outfits to take her from various events throughout the week.
Enjoy!
Emirates Suite at the US Open
We tried a few options before landing on this elegant, yet sporty look. Going for American Sportswear. We used this white Club Monaco jumpsuit that she’s had for years as the foundation, and then added her brother’s old Tommy Hilfiger sweater for a pop of color. I’m a big fan of accessorizing with clothing. In theory Rosalee could wear the sweater, but it’s really there for the layering. I tied it all together with heavier jewelry (statement gold and pearl earrings and a gold herringbone necklace) and her vintage Gucci clutch and pumps.
Grocery Shopping (lol)
This was one of the outfits options for the US Open, but we decided against it bc it felt too busy for that specific event; HOWEVER, it def deserves its own moment because holy moly, it’s cool. I started with this horse-print top (we were thinking horses, America, lol), added the tan pants, and then layered on brown and gold accessories. It’s a bold look, but it works because everything is in the same color family, and the pants act as a blank canvas for the top and leopard-print sandals.
Dinner with Friends
Next up: the pants. I wanted to lean into the color and incorporate some skin to sex them up a bit. How about…a scarf as a shirt?! I absolutely love Rosalee’s vintage Gucci scarf. The print makes any outfit instantly more interesting, and it’s quite versatile because of all the colors.
First, Rosalee tied the scarf ends around her neck and waist, and then tucked the excess fabric into the front of the pants. I added the Versace-inspired belt to polish it up a bit. Belts just make everything more put together. If you ever feel like your outfit needs something, try adding a belt. I kept the gold and pearl earrings and Gucci clutch from the US Open outfit, and then finished the look with her pink vintage Prada kitten heels to play into the color of the pants.
Date Night
Then I wanted to style the scarf as a strapless top. I folded the scarf into a triangle, Rosalee rolled the top of the triangle over once, we tied it in the back, and then tucked the “v” of the triangle into the front of her pants. I kept the belt, but swapped out the jewelry, bag, and shoes for her gold butterfly earrings, a gold choker and dainty gold chain, whimsical satin purse, and pointy-toe pumps. The overall look reads more “date” because the top is form-fitting, the accessories pack more punch, and the shoes are sexier.
Gallery Hopping
One more look with the pants. This time, pairing it with a vintage bathing suit Rosalee bought in Rome. I love, love bathing suits as body suits. Rosalee jokes that they’re great for hot days because the fabric can handle some sweat. She’s not wrong!
I added this vintage black belt and her black Prada bag to play off the black of the bathing suit. We tried it with black platforms, which looked good, but I swapped them out for the pink kitten heels because I like a more monochromatic look for bottoms and shoes. Just lengthens things.
I went back and forth on the necklace. Landed on a longer, dainty chain because it’s not too in-your-face, but it adds a little something to the exposed neckline.
Dancing
Another scarf as shirt moment. This scarf’s print is also super versatile to style because there are so many colors to play off of. Rosalee wrapped it around her neck, crossed it over her chest, and then tied it in the back. I paired it with this super high-waisted nude colored skirt she bought from The RealReal to balance out the skin on top. Then completed the look with these peachy floral-esque shades, her Gucci clutch, pink kitten heels, and two different earrings. This happened bc one of the gold and pearl earrings broke (RIP). Instead of tossing them, I paired it with one of her butterfly earrings. It works bc they’re both bold, gold pieces. Try this with your earring missing their mate. It’s cool, plus you’re giving them a second life.
Coffee with Your Trendy Friend
This was an accidental outfit. I asked Rosalee if I could borrow a t-shirt, and she handed me this Parade camisole instead 😂 It has a tie back, so obviously I had to try it on backwards.
Similar to the Dancing outfit, I wanted more coverage on the bottom to balance out the skin on top. Paired it with some high-waisted, wide leg jeans, then added accessories for fun, playful vibes: “Picante” hoop earrings, her floral-esque shades, the same necklace combo as the Date outfit, and the kitten heels. I grabbed this mini satin bag first, but it just felt too costume-y, so we swapped it for her cream-colored bag. Voila!
Brunch (and hailing a taxi in style)
Okay so I love a men’s button-up. I wanna style everyone in one bc they are just so darn versatile and understated sexy!! There are so many brands that sell button-ups, but the best ones are secondhand. That’s what the designers are referencing when they are making them. Might as well go straight to the source.
Rosalee picked this one up at Goodwill. I tied it in the front for some deep-v action, rolled up the sleeves, then popped the collar. Paired it with her high-waisted, wide leg jeans, kitten heels, Gucci clutch, and used the same necklace pairing (choker chain juxtaposed with dainty chain) as the Date and Coffee outfits.
Museum Moseying
Then to make it feel more evening (and it was raining), topped the Brunch outdit with this Rains trench coat. I like to style trench coats with rolled sleeves and tying the belt in the back. There’s something about a little subtle tucking and rolling that took a look from good to “wow!”
Ingredients
Clothing: Rains trench coat, tan pants, print top, white jumpsuit, strapless bathing suit, Parade camisole, pink pants, red sweater, pink button-up
Accessories: brown belt with gold hardware, black shoulder strap purse, cream purse, brown clutch, black belt with gold hardware, peach sunglasses, brown printed scarf, floral-printed scarf, satin shoulder bag, satin mini bag, gold choker, gold herringbone necklace, dainty chain, gold and pearl earrings, butterfly earrings
Shoes: brown pointy-toe pumps, leopard-print sandals, pink kitten heels
xx,
Robyn