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What I Wear When I Want to Feel Normal
How I'm dressing for fall even though I'm barely going outside.
Growing up in Minnesota and now living in New York City, I’ve always marked the passing of time with the emergence of each distinct season. I celebrate the thawing ground by unearthing my shorts and sandals as soon as the days hit 60 degrees. I transform my mourning of summer into anticipation of autumn by looking forward to cashmere comforts and my treasured Lana boots. But 2020 is different. Working from home, I no longer carefully select a weather-appropriate outer layer, nor take more than two minutes to get dressed. The simplicity of my new routine is freeing in some ways, but also incredibly monotonous. Now, the turning leaves only seem to highlight that time carries on, even as we’re stuck at our makeshift desks for the foreseeable future.
Without Mother Nature as my wardrobe guide, I’ve taken advantage of my climate-controlled environment and leaned into dressing according to the “weather patterns” of my mood, instead. By sartorially catering to my emotions, I’m able to feel whatever combination of comfortable and confident I crave on any given day. On days when I need pure couch-potato comfort, I reach for comfortwear; if I have an important Zoom meeting, I’ll opt for a statement top and earrings. Most days, though, I find myself somewhere in-between—wanting to feel put-together, yet avoiding fussy details at all costs. My solution for these neither-here-nor-there days? Blazers. Here’s the trifecta of M.M. blazers that have all but quashed my quarantine blues.
The O’Hara Blazer
I reach for this blazer when I want to feel most like myself: fashion-loving, yet uncompromisingly practical. Simultaneously on-trend and timeless, the O’Hara blazer is boxy and menswear inspired in the absolute best way. I pair it with tapered trousers like the Mejia pants for a slimming silhouette and a cream underpinning like the Spardel top for a chic, head-to-toe tonal look. (No one ever said, “No off-white after Labor Day,” right?) If I’m going for a more spill-proof palette, I choose the Paige T-shirt and Mejia pants in black and throw on a pair of gold Claressa hoops and elevated sneakers for an instant quarantine-cool-girl ensemble.
The Arden Jacket
When I want a non-bulky layer, the Arden calls my name. Its cropped length means it’s never in my way (anyone else vacuum during their lunch break?), and it makes me feel prepared on those days when I just know an unexpected Zoom call will pop up on my calendar. I throw this baby over a simple onesie, like the Demi jumpsuit, plus some playful earrings (pictured: the Claressa hoops + Magritte charms). Or, if I’m in the mood for separates, I pair it with wide-leg pants like the Wesley lounger and tuck in an easy top like the Giulia. To add more drama (not that we need that right now…), I switch out the Giulia top for the Axam turtleneck (and turn on Selling Sunset for an extra dose of diva).
The Colette Jardigan
This one’s for the lazy-leaning (but not full sweatsuit) days. Basically an elegant hoodie, the Colette is ultra comfortable (it’s made of our jardigan material) but also holds a candle to the formality of a traditional blazer. I go with concord when I’m bored of black, and I keep things streamlined with the matching Harlem skirt and lightweight Marcia tee. I tend to keep the Colette at my workspace, and it’s become my new “desk sweater”—thermostat arguments begone. Bonus: with the hood up, the Colette can double as a Jedi costume this Halloween (if you’re into that sort of thing).
