Keeping it Real

I love clothes, but I'm not a fashionista

I love clothes, but I’m not a fashionista. Maybe it’s because I’m petite and clothes hang on me or can easily make me look dumpy. I fit perfectly in a boys size 12 white button-down shirt from J.Crew.

And you should see me when I occasionally try to find a summer dress or caftan… Not good. But actually, funny. I look more like Ethel Mertz than Lucille Ball.

This fabulous fashion world that I was somehow a part of used to stress me out. I shopped for all the Met balls I attended for months. And needed “nice” clothes for book tours, TV appearances, and international personal appearances.

The oversized suitcases I used to bring to France or Asia were such unnecessary work and, well…baggage.

Then somehow I had an epiphany. That this was crazy and just dumb.

So I took it all down a notch and went category by category curating what actually worked for my frame and personal style. Boring or classics, depending on how you looked at it.

From undergarments to bathing suits to the big ones…T-shirts. I found that no matter what I was doing I got dressed in a t-shirt. A white one sticking out of my navy or charcoal sweater. A black one with my leggings for working out, or under a big sweatshirt. Now when I travel, which is always, I know what to grab and how to dress it up or down when needed.

Truth be told, I have loads of other one-offs that aren’t part of my standard dressing, but things I can wear to a party in the Hampton’s or dinner in the South of France -which for me is on the rare side. Since I’m pretty hard on my clothes, I like to keep this list replaceable and new every season…even though I seem to rebuy my favs when they stretch or get too worn.

( I’ll work on my dressy clothes another time )

Here’s where I begin…

Citizen Cotton T-Shirt

COLOR: White or Black

WHY I LOVE IT: It’s soft, fits me in the shoulders, and doesn’t have capped sleeves (which makes arms look like sausage). It’s not too tight or sheer, which is always a struggle when sitting. But also, it’s slim enough to work under my fitted blazers and not look bulky.

Mother’s Jeans

STYLE: PETITES The Lil' Mid Rise Dazzler Ankle

WHY I LOVE IT: They don’t bag in the knees like most jeans. I can also wear the regular sizes that are pretty good too, but these are better for someone my size. I also love that Mother saw the need and opportunity for us petite girls.

J.Crew White Button Down

STYLE: Boys 

SIZE: 12-14

WHY I LOVE IT: It’s a scaled-down version of a man’s shirt; it fits but is not baggy. Material is soft, but again, not see-through. I can semi-tuck/tuck in, or just let it hang. It’s got a great simple style, perfect collar, and cute color thread on the bottom. I also wear it as a coverup at the beach or sitting outside for dinner. The price point is also excellent.

Negative Cotton Underwear 

STYLE: Boyshort

WHY I LOVE IT: It isn’t too snug. It’s soft and a bit loose, which I find comfy. That is super important to me when it comes to underwear. It has excellent colors: I am particularly fond of charcoal but also have navy and black.

NOTE: I love everything negative does. It’s a great female-founded brand I discovered during COVID when I continued to buy.

SPLITS59 Tights

STYLE: SPRINT HIGH WAIST RIGOR ⅞

• These tights are my go-to’s. I love them because they are thin, and hold everything in, but I can still breathe. They’re comfortable, great quality, and always the first thing in my suitcase.