Monday Mood: The Bling Ring Runs Away with The Uniform

It’s a great season for pulling real-life inspiration from the runways.

Jess Graves

Feb 27, 2023

Continuing to build on the declaration of Neo-Elegance: if Milan Fashion Week has been any indication, uniform dressing — an enduring principle of stalwart minimalists — is again going mainstream. Everyone from Prada and Ferragamo to Blazy’s Bottega have contributed to the sacred canon of foundational pieces this season, reimagining workhorses like the blazer, midi-length skirt, and kitten heel into something that feels like fashion.

In that sense, it’s a great season for pulling real-life inspiration from the runways. Even if Bottega isn’t in the budget, designers are inviting us to reconsider how to style our trustiest button-downs and LBDs. The easiest way to recontextualize? With accessories, of course! I love the tension of something blingy cast against something sturdy and practical, because it underlines the truth that two opposing realities — in this case, frivolity and substance — are not mutually exclusive. A vintage Chanel brooch on a humble ball cap? Sure! Piles of diamonds worn to the office? Absolutely!

The Devil is in the details, so to speak. The outfits catching my eye right now soar not because of the strength of the individual pieces, but by how they’re set off by styling. I’m zooming in on people’s hands, studying their manicures, their piles of rings, which watch they’re donning. Suddenly, adding a sock to a sandal has merit. It’s the glint of a blingy button on a black blazer. The perfect creasing of a well-worn pair of loafers. The dings on a Birkin that’s been to hell and back. It’s your Grandmother’s cocktail ring with a white t-shirt. It’s a vintage fur coat worn with blue jeans. It’s your best cashmere sweater in your messiest hair. Push! Pull!

Call it an art heist. The Bling Ring has run off the uniform — and I am happy to be swindled.

Source Book:

Assouline Cartier Panthère book / Cartier Panthère brooch (vintage) / On Jess, look 1: The Row ‘Ophelia’ sweater, Dorsey necklace, earrings / On Jess, look 2: Toteme wool blazer (sold out), Wolford Scuba leggings, vintage Cartier watch, Spinelli Killcollin rings / Chanel brooch (vintage, similar to Margaret Qualley) / Schiaparelli earrings, jacket / David Yurman watch (vintage) / Tory Burch oyster earring / Tory Burch ‘Runway’ ballet flats / Miu Miu loafers / Brighton loafers (vintage)

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