Issue 04
If you got forwarded this email, or got it be accident, why not stick around? Also, are these emails making it to your inbox?
credit: @modaamuse
A part of me has always had the desire to be a cool-girl. 🍒
There’s this tiktok audio: it goes along the lines of, “I don’t dress up for boys. I dress up so that when a group of 13 year old girls passes me on the street, they’ll say to each other ‘wow, that girl is cool.’”
To me, the cool-girl character embodies more than just a great outfit. Cool-girls can be kind and they can be mean and they can be complicated humans who are both and more. The only thing they all have in common is their cool, eccentric style.
How you dress is always a reflection of yourself and if you want to feel like a cool-girl, you can just dress like one.
A cool-girl look has so many variations today with the coolness coming from creativity, confidence, and interesting camera angles. One version uses these ingredients: big t-shirts, some baggy industrial-looking pants, and some super Dad sneakers 👟. If you’ve got a hair scarf, square sunglasses, and chains, that’s even better.
This looks amazing on some, but it’s a fine line to walk between looking relaxed and looking lost. Maybe that’s the chill, carefree nature that underlines the meaning of cool.
I recently got some fun graphic tees and styling them this cool-girl way was not as easy as I hoped. After lots of trial and error, here are some lessons I’ve learned.
How to style: Big T-shirts 👕
The design and size of the shirt matters. You want the oversized nature to look intentional, but a length that fully covers your butt is hard to style.
For a street style look, go with straighter-leg pants (the more industrial the better) and tuck in a corner to show that you still have legs.
For a cropped look, gather the fabric in front, twist, and tuck the excess under the bra. Actually, you can use your bra to tuck in the shirt all the way around if you like. (I do this with sweaters!)
Try wearing pants of a similar color for a tonal look that also helps the legs look less short.
How to wear: Wide leg pants 👖
Length is what will help pull off wide leg pants. If they inseam hits at your usual ankle-ish length, then you’ll look long.
Showing a lil ankle and pairing some open-toe-ed shoes or sandals
What’s up with: Dad sneakers 👟
I think I get the hype, but I don’t see it yet on myself. You gotta be committed to the full look – even if it’s just the bottom half. :)
Have you ever wanted to be cool? What does that even mean to you? How would you characterize your style? lmk…
On the sale rack
Khiel’s – My favorite skincare brand is doing 20% off site wide with code SUMMER. I will be restocking on my favs: Midnight Recovery and Daily Reviving face oils. Ends 6/24.
🌍Frank and Oak – this affordable sustainable brand is having their Summer Sale. Up to 50% off markdowns. Extra 20% off is you buy 3 or more sale items. (B3G20). Also big love to Canadian brands.
COS – a not affordable sustainable brand but hey, the 70% of section is ok. :)
Anthropologie – Extra 30% sale clothes, shoes, and accessories.
If you’re looking for sustainable brands, check out good on you. If want to support some great Black-owned fashion retailers, check out this.
Next week, I don’t know what we’re going to talk about! But please, share this with your fashion friends. :) - Iris