The Art of Getting Dressed

I’ve always believed getting dressed is about more than simply putting on clothes. Some might even call it an art form. Others, not so much. And I hate when people try to minimize what fashion is. Why would you ever miss an opportunity of expression? I tried reading Grace Coddington’s autobiography once, where she posed the question of whether fashion should be considered art and ultimately landed on the opposing side.

I didn't finish reading it.

For me, personal style has never really been about having the most expensive clothes or constantly chasing what’s new. It’s about developing an eye for what feels like you.

Style is in the details. It's always in the details. Chico.

The older I get, the more interested I am in the small decisions that make an outfit work and learning how to pare back.

The proportion of an oversized shirt with a flowy trouser. A slightly sheer fabric against something structured. Silver jewelry with an otherwise simple black look. A bag that changes the entire mood of an outfit. Plus, I'm quite the hoe for asymmetry.

And while I love fashion, I don't think great style needs to be precious or particularly expensive. Obviously I live on Amazon. I believe that style should be accessible. And yeah in an ideal world we wouldn't have fast fashion, but what we are living in is certainly not ideal. There's nuance to everything and I'd rather teach someone how to create silhouettes than singlehandedly try to save the world. Sorry. Vintage, high street, investment pieces, something I've owned for years: I'm much more interested in how something is worn than where it came from. To be honest I find it substantially cooler when someone can style something thats worth very little and make it look it infinitely more elevated.

Learn how to challenge yourself.

I don't think personal style is something you discover once and then keep forever.

Mine changes constantly.

There are seasons when I'm drawn to something more feminine, others when I want everything oversized and masculine. Sometimes I want color. Most of the time, admittedly, I want black.

But there are always certain ideas that remain: strong silhouettes, interesting proportions, pieces that feel elevated without feeling overly styled, and forever self expression.

The Art of Getting Dressed is less about telling you what to wear and more about asking if it's interesting.

Also, I just finished reading Verity and turns out, everyone can be a writer.

Maybe I'll circle back around to Grace.

XOXO

— Lauren Monet