Re-Spin Me Baby

It’s Laundry Day and I brought some friends home.

I was beyond honored to be asked to contribute to the newly launched website Re-Spin started by the effortless cool and iconic, Halle Berry. Re-Spin is place to learn how to connect, nourish and strengthen all parts of yourself. You can find helpful articles and advice on traditional ideas but articulated in a new way. Halle’s own personal journey to finding what her healthy life looked like help birthed this site.

I have in my own ways been re-spinning my ideas of fashion and clothing for along time. How I wear it, how I embrace myself in what I wear and how maybe others embrace me and my ideas. I don’t come from the fashion elite nor have I found any of my little success through connections. I am just a girl who found my entry into this fashion madness by luck. In middle school and high school I started writing down all my outfits in a calendar so that I would never repeat a look. Yes, every single outfit, every single day.  I’m crazy.  I would carefully examine each item I owned and would challenge myself to think about styling those items differently every time.  I never knew what a stylist was but I was training myself without even knowing it.  As we often are in our young life, I was deeply insecure about my looks.  I was too gawky, too skinny, too boy-like, not sexy, not cute, just always the “friend.”  Clothes, and how I styled them on myself, became my armour and my entry to finding my own self expression. I learned that I could become the person I wanted with the items I chose to put on my body. If one day I wanted to be girly with a dress, so be it. Or the next day I want to wear a head-to-toe tracksuit and feel more jock, great.  I had no rules, I just played.

For a long time, I have drooled on my computer over the brands in this haul, even written about some of them before here. When Re-Spin asked me to dive deeper into them I was like, hell yes, I’m going shopping! What are they like in person, is that photo a reality of what they will be like when I get them? So, I got some goodies, tried them on and I am here to share my findings. I hope you enjoy it.

Meet Christina Alcalay. I have talked about this thoughtful and beautiful human before. She makes clothing that are both comfortable, easy and romantic. Like all of us, Christina has a story. And hers is rich with love, challenges, success and heartbreak, along with a strong desire to dress women as the unstoppable and confident beings that they are. Christina gives us clothes that don’t make us think, instead they enable us to just walk in a room and own it.  I love the stories she tells with her clothes through the photos found on her website and her Instagram. Her clothing is available through her website and a few boutiques, she also offers to New Yorkers a Try Before You Buy program.  Here is my haul from Christina Alcalay.

The Gretchen Pant. It’s Saturday, I’m tired and I want something comfortable for my bloated pancake belly.  This cotton pull-on pant in a thin lilac stripe is the easy fix for the “I just want to be comfortable” mood.  Pair it with a slim fitted t-shirt, a denim jacket or a sweatshirt and you can easily stay in them all day and feel good about yourself; or, if you dare to go outside, you won’t be embarrassed to run into people you know.  This pant also doubles as an easy fix for dinner out or, yikes, work in a real office! Try it with a flirty blouse--I like sticking to creams or navys with this color stripe, or an oversized sweater and a heel. It has large pockets that can hold that computer--I mean phone--you are carrying around. 

The Zelda Pant. Yes, people this is a pant!!!! I got this and I was like, oh another amazing skirt, great! Oh no, it is no skirt, no skirt at all!  This 100% silk organza floral number has a wide leg pant and it is f&*$ing fantastic! I love pants that have a secret. It is light, airy and oh so chic with sandals or sneakers, a simple tank top or a white button down. It is a little sheer, however, the floral pattern hides a lot around the waist. My suggestion would be to try it with a nude biker short like undergarment or high waisted underwear.  Either way, these pants are amazing for dressy events in your life or the casual ones.  It is a showstopper.

The Marie Jumpsuit. Marie is so elegant without even trying.  She comes in lilac and denim with a self belt. The higher halter neck and pleated pants make this a no-brainer when your brain is stuck on what to wear.  Try it with a simple strappy sandal or a low heel; a kitten heel height (which is around 1-2 inches high) which would prevent the legs from being too short. I love the idea of treating this jumpsuit as another pant in my closet vs. just a single use jumpsuit. The duality gives it more life.  I synced a men’s inspired blazer over the top creating the illusion that I have high waisted pants on, perfect for dinner or work.  The next day I can wear the same jumpsuit with a striped button down loosely tied in a knot at the waist, showing off the top part of the jumpsuit. It's perfect for the weekend farmers market or the playground.

The Emily Blouse. Never met an off the shoulder I didn’t like.  I love the way this lilac thin stripe blouse shows off my clavicle and both shoulders or one, whatever I prefer.  (I will decide, thank you very much.) Throw it in your bag for a beach day with an opposing stripe bathing suit. Try it with the matching Gretchen pant above, separating the fabrics with a belt or denim around the waist. Maybe you pair it with your favorite beat up jeans and a heel.  I even love mixing this causal cotton with a soft leather pant for a night out in the summer.  This top is busy because she works well with others.

Long Sleeve Silk Organza Dress. This 100% silk floral beauty is so stunning in person. The way it moves when I move and the way the light catches the fabric makes me feel like I need to have a tea party, followed by a dancing party, followed by a stroll anywhere where people can see me because I look and feel like a million bucks. I want to wear this dress with everything!  It feels like more than a dress and more like a bonus to my basic wardrobe pieces: throw it over a tank and jeans, tie at the waist and let it flow open, it is my flair.  Throw my dirty hoodie over and my retro sneakers and, great, fab I am casual chic. Add a classic fitted button down underneath and amazing I’m so fancy you can take me out. In the colder months I would even pair the dress open under a trench coat or heavy wool coat as a little layer peaking out. I can’t love this dress more! It also comes with a self belt that for extra credit you can tie in your hair for that pirate meets prairie look you know you want.

The Jaime Dress. Oh Jaime, you are simple but oh, so not simple in all the best ways. The pleats on this dress make it hang so elegantly on the body. The front and back pleats are each beautifully designed and very forgiving.  This is a perfect dress for a summer night, either belted or free as a bird.  It comes in white, lilac stripe or a light khaki gingham. The thin straps and long back make the dress sexy in a very subtle way, so tie your hair up and show off that skin.  I love this dress styled on its own or with a few more layers.  Here I added a classic military belt in cream high on the waist and under a crisp white slim fitting button-down with the sleeves rolled up. Stick to the same color family and you are cool man.

Meet Royal Harlem Jelly. I have mentioned this mother and daughter duo behind this Harlem brand before, and yes their talent is oozing out.  Their classic shapes and silhouettes paired with bold African inspired prints make their items both easily wearable and a powerful statement, unlike what you see everyday on the streets. I have long been a fan of their work and their collaborations. I think they have a great eye and I was honored to have their items finally in my home for a try on session.  Here is my haul from Royal Harlem Jelly.

The Blaze Blazer. Ok, so I love a suit, I love the head-to-toe matching look but I also love the option to de-suit each item.  Finding ways to give life to each piece individually feeds my creative side and my frugal side.  So when the blazer and its matching pant arrived at my house, my head started spinning with ideas. I paired it as a full suit on its own with nothing underneath, just a belt tight around to keep me covered and PG. 

I added a bold men's style striped button down under to support and highlight the bold African print.  I paired a blazer with my favorite vintage Levi’s and the Habibi popover, which is more of a thin stripe and has a boxy oversized cut, and for extra credit I added a sequin bralette over the popover.  Maybe I am going out, maybe I am not, who cares. 

For a more casual vibe I paired an oversized sweatshirt with the slim patterned pants.  Don’t be intimidated by this bold pattern or any pattern Royal Jelly has to offer. It CAN work on you.  When in doubt, try pairing it with denim and classic items like t-shirts, hoodies, and button downs.  Also remember a stripe is basically a neutral so it can go nicely paired with all of these bolder prints. Tip: stick to the same color palette when styling with bold prints. You can always add a pop of color in an accessory but similar colors in clothing keep the outfit less chaotic.

The Jenny Pant. Jenny is sweet and pink but packs a lot of punch.  This cotton slim pant has pockets and a flexible waistband which is always a win for me.  I love this color pink played off of a bright citron yellow, here shown in a blazer with a hoodie underneath, perfect for cooler Fall temperatures. I also love it with--surprise, surprise--a stripe! This preppy long sleeve tee ( a vintage military stripe) and sparkly heels makes for a perfect work to dinner look. 

Chun Liu Dress. Well, I had no idea a floral cotton dress would make me as insane as this one does, but it did. I think I gasped out loud to myself.  The Mandarian inspired collar, keyhole neck, slits up the side, wrapped up in a floral dress.  It is so yummy, that is all I can say. On it’s own it is a stunning easy dress for play or work or beach. Paired with a denim jacket it is an easy repeat look.  Another fun option is to open both sides where the slits are--I added a tulle skirt under so that it peeks through plus a larger than life belt and, viola, a new personality. You could also try the same idea by putting slim pants or jeans underneath.

This dress can also perfectly find its way into your Fall rotation.  Try adding a navy slim fitting turtleneck and some matching tights and nobody will know you had this dress on the beach a few months ago. 

Meet Officine General, the French brand that instantly makes me feel way cooler than I actually am. OG is another brand that I have obsessed over from afar and grateful to finally see their items IRL, and they did not disappoint.  I love their storytelling on their site and through their instagram. Pierre Maheo, the talent behind the label, has excellent taste that extends to mens and womens. They have stores in Paris and London, ship internationally and can be found in a few US boutiques.  One day I will meet chic Pierre for a drink in Paris, pretend I speak his language and that I am cool and hopefully he will become my friend. But, until then I will simply pretend I am one badass French girl living in NYC and wear his clothes on repeat. The champagne problem with clothing from Officine General is that all their garments are easily interchangeable.  Ugh, why are you so good?! The fabrics are really high quality and feel amazing on my unshaven legs.  I am also obsessed with their fit.  It is just enough boy to get me in that “cool man, yeah ok bro” mindset but also just enough girly to put me back in my “oh, yes girl you are a little sexy aren’t you?” Here is my haul from Officine General.

So here I took a mashup of the Alana Pajama Shirt and introduced her to my other new favorite friends, the Ella Linen Shirt, matching Miranda Linen Pants and the collarless Heloise Jacket. They had a baby and, well, we are really proud of her. 

The pajama shirt also has a matching pajama pant, which in my world is always a good idea. Match away and bring your pajamas outside of your bedroom. Each of these items looks great on its own. The top would look amazing with cut off shorts or open with a swimsuit for the summer, or tucked into wool pants in the winter.  The pajama pant can easily take you into fall when paired with a chunky sweater or heavy blazer or jacket.

I cried a little when I put the Ella Linen Shirt and matching Miranda Linen Pants on.  Yes, they are that good.  The drawstring waist, the beautiful blue linen.  I feel like I could have personally swept Grace Kelly off her feet. I love how casual and elegant these pieces instantly look and feel.  Try with a sandal or sneaker or a heel in a pop color.  A bright blazer and a simple shoe would also look fantastic with this.  Don't be afraid to move these traditional Spring/Summer items into your Fall rotation, ideally with other fabrics like denim, maybe some rhinestones, cashmere or chunky wool to help offset the linen. Also don’t be afraid of a double collar and cuff styled here.

The Paola Jacket and matching Miranda Pants are a sexy pair in satin.  The light pink goes well off of that blue linen top but also more saturated colors like navy, black and hunter greens. This suit would be a beautiful option as a guest at a wedding versus a traditional dress.  Try it with a bodysuit or a slim shirt and some jewels and you are as good as gold.   

Who says women can’t have a double breasted jacket? I say steal everything from the boys and never give it back.  This Maely’s Jacket in lightweight wool and matching Pierre Pants has a cropped leg and pleated front.  I love them together with these Asahi Sneakers or with a simple pointed heel and a basic tank or tee. Have a favorite concert tee or beat up sweatshirt? Try pairing it underneath.

The blazer buttoned up is chic AF over jeans, with shorts or over a shorter skirt. Okay to even go more girly over tulle or a sequin skirt for different kind of win.  

Also I am approving most mixing of different suits with different materials.  Try the Heloise Jacket with the Pierre Pants for a cotton and wool combo.  The key is that the colors are in the same family so they easily can work together but also sync more effortlessly when with a grounded color, in this case the black accent in the shoe grounds the two lighter shades. The fabrics themselves are different enough they add interest in their opposing texture vs competing with each other. 

And here is that collarless Heloise Jacket again paired with that amazing matching Lauren Pant and the Alana Pajama Shirt.  I told you all their things worked harmoniously together.  I love this khaki cotton pant for its shorter length and self ring belt.  If you level up a few sizes, you can easily get the paper bag look.  This update to a classic mens suit with a more fitted jacket is French chic at its best.

So I spent my wad on this haul and possibly ran out of words to write, because I only know just a few.  Life is somewhat heading back to normal so find your way to re-spin your own wardrobe with some of the old and some of the new. Have fun, discovering these brands or other new ones. Make sure to check out ReSpin both on web and Instagram and as always send your Dirty Laundry to sarahsdirtylaundry@gmail.com

X Sarah