Recent Outfits, Just Because
plus: a shopping declaration, an update on my Bushwick thrifting day, and a spotlight on the Café Cleo vintage shop
Aside from thrifting (I never count thrifting…), I’m holding myself to complete a No Buy Spring, a.k.a. not buying any new clothing from both small and mass retailers. The past few years, my go-tos have been Gap, J.Crew, and Everlane, a trio of which one is always having a “major sale.” I must have gained some divine forethought because I decided to do this before the economy crashed.
But there’s a few reasons for this decision.
One, I simply just don’t need anything.
Two, per my last Substack, I am challenging myself to get creative with what I already have—and as a shopping editor by day, I already have plenty.
And three, buying a sale “haul” was a form therapy for me that became more expensive than an actual therapy session. I’m 32 and need to be better at managing my discretionary income.
A Secondhand Spring Wardrobe Guide 🪻
For the inherently sporty girls, inspired by one of my favorite London-based content creators.
I use the Monarch app to budget. I find it more intuitive and less complicated to use than YNAB and other budgeting apps. One category I always overspend on is clothes—and I wouldn’t even consider myself an over-shopper relative to most of my peers. I’m more prone to “adding to cart” and letting my could-haves marinate until I’m absolutely sure I *want* them instead of buying on impulse—most of the time.
I’m definitely a creature of habit though when it comes to dressing. First and foremost the outfit must be comfortable; I swore off high heels years ago. But that has forced me to fall into a routine of wearing mostly jeans, sneakers, and T-shirts.
That combo itself has a lot of potential, but in the past I focused more on one statement piece: a cool vintage tee or a funky printed pair of jeans, rather than investing in the smaller yet significant details.
After all, that is what transforms separate, latent pieces of clothing into something whole, something more meaningful, tying it all together. The magic is in the details: the accessories, the jewelry, the styling, the layering. Turning a T-shirt and jeans into uniquely YOUR T-shirt and jeans.
This is a lesson in progress for me, so for my own creative sanity, here are some recent outfits to keep the train rolling. Let’s normalize rewearing pieces in our wardrobes, season after season, year after year. Let’s wear our clothing, not allow our clothing to wear us.
Unexpected red color theory.
I’ve seen this “trend” pop up on Pinterest and Instagram as it relates to interior design. Not that this is a novel idea by any means…but that inspired me to apply it to how I dress, as well.
This Mansur Gavriel bag is a work of art in its own respect, anyhow. In the past I probably would have worn this outfit without the Theory sweater vest and paired it with a brown or black leather bag. But I love the end result with the pop of red, layering interest, and texture differentiation.
Also wearing: Gap button-down, Sperry boat shoes, Quince leather trench. (P.S. said bag is currently on sale at The RealReal for under $130.)
Comfy casual, rinse and repeat.
In my years of thrift shopping, I’ve learned one thing for certain: The most important choice you can make for the day is dressing comfortably.
So, hi, meet my comfy-casual “I’m going thrifting” outfit formula, consisting of relaxed-fit pants (in this case, black corduroys), sneakers (yellow Sambas), a loose-fitting shirt (thrifted soccer-style jersey), and a jacket, if chilly (in this case, an oversized denim chore coat that’s soon to be covered in vintage patches, like this). While this outfit seems quite basic, to me it was very intentional: matching the sneakers with my tote and the black pants complement the black accents of the soccer jersey, the latter of which I wouldn’t typically reach for as a layering piece.
Also wearing: Otra sunglasses, Artizan Joyeria necklace, Beekman 1802 canvas tote, and not leaving a single hole in my ears undressed (I have six).
Spring Layering (no florals necessary)
It may be mid-April, but it still feels like winter in NYC. It’s pretty bleh vibes right now, but I’ve mentally already packed away my puffer for the season so I’m forcing myself to find new ways to be warm, most of which just consists of layering different types of tops underneath leather jackets.
Headed out to work from a coffee shop one morning, I slid on my Zara leopard print jeans (I bought these in Paris and loved the chocolate brown print rather than the typical yellow or orange) along with a Bleachers merch tee, Banana Republic turtleneck in a gorgeous sky blue shade, and a vintage tan leather jacket I bought in Kansas City a couple years ago (now available on the Café Cleo Depop, linked below). Unfortunately, I was still cold.
Also wearing: Nike Cortez sneakers, Otra sunglasses, and cheap-o silver hoop earrings whose origin has been lost to the passage of time!
Vintage Spotlight: The Westerner Leather Jacket
📰 In other news…
READING: I just finished The God of the Woods by Liz Moore and was kind of expecting more from it? Loved the Adirondacks camp setting and the lore involved but honestly kind of disappointed it didn’t have a darker outcome (yes, I’m a bit diabolical). I’m also about halfway through The Paris Assignment by Rhys Bowen, a historical fiction novel set during WWII (classic). It’s been an easy read so far; the writing is simple and straightforward and the protagonist authentic and inspiring.
WATCHING: My husband has been recruiting me to watch Breaking Bad for over 10 years now, and he can finally declare victory because I’m officially hooked. (Only after The White Lotus and Severance seasons wrapped up was I open to giving it another shot.) In the past I just wasn’t able to get through the first couple episodes, but I gave it the old college try again and was able to break through. After watching for over a week now, we’re already halfway through season 2.
BUYING: As mentioned above, obviously not buying anything new from fashion retailers but I did indeed go thrifting in Bushwick with a friend last weekend and found some amazing stuff. Planning to post my thrifting haul on Substack this Thursday, April 19, and will have some of those pieces available to purchase on the Café Cleo Depop, too.
BRIANSTORMING: I’m thinking of new ways to share my love of thrifting with you, including offering thrifting bundles (for example, charging a flat fee for a certain number of vintage pieces based on your Pinterest board/personal style) as well as free personal shopping/styling consultations for paid subscribers. Send me a note (or leave a comment here) if either service would be something you’re interested in: cafe.cleo.nyc@gmail.com.
