8 things I find chic

styling edition

I recently shared a Substack on 7 things I find chic. This was a mix of some fashion, interiors and just over all lifestyle. I enjoy lists like this so I thought it would be fun to do another one! This time through the lens of styling. I am approaching this more as style concepts over linked products. Details and things I’ve noted that feel chic to me. The good news is, many of the items on this list can be achieved just by playing with what you already have or doing nothing at all (if you wanted to try any of them). I find this type of content to be much more helpful to me personally than just having a list of clickable links to purchase (there’s definitely and place for both) since you can personalize this as you see fit. So here are some styling elements I am finding very chic!

Excessive rings — I used to mainly be a ring and necklace girl but more and more I find myself reaching for rings and bracelets as my accessories of choice. I love seeing a woman with fingers layered with rings. They don’t have to be cohesive. Rather, I find it particularly chic when it’s obvious they have been collected over the years and are well loved. (Bonus points if there is an heirloom piece past down from grandma or mom’s collection.) We use our hands so much, how we adorn them can be a small window into our sense of beauty and a life filled with stories.

A signature scent — Our sense of smell is one of the most powerful triggers of memory. I think we all know of someone who has had a signature scent that when we smell it, we are flooded with memories and a sense of their essence. This could be through a perfume or a scented oil. Although I’ve been trying to lessen the synthetic fragrances in my life, for years my signature scent has been Another13 by Le Labo. I also love taking rosemary and tomato leaves from my garden and rub them on my skin because to me, nothing smells better than the garden.

Vintage wrist watches — In a day in age where everything is digital, I am increasingly drawn to and seek out the analog. I love real watches for this reason (not Apple watches. This may be an unpopular opinion but I despise the Apple watch. I understand it’s function and practicality but I want to create more distance between me and my phone/constant communication not put it on my body. Plus I think they’re ugly.) A vintage watch however, I will take any day! It could be something picked up at a thrift store, past down from your grandpa or a designer one you found online. Even just leather band watches that are new I find so chic.

Non-obvious footwear — There is a style concept called “the wrong shoe theory”. Where basically you select your outfit and then make a non-obvious selection on the shoes. Think: pairing sneakers with a dress or adding a pair of kitten heeled mules with oversized denim and a relaxed tee. This creates a chic factor because it brings some tension and makes things feel fresh. Turning an outfit into a look. The interest lies in the juxtaposition.

Monochrome dressing — Some of the chicest outfits I always come back to are the ones where there is one color or different shades of one color repeated through the whole outfit. This doesn’t just have to be an all neutral outfit either. All burgundy, various shades of chartreuse, head to toe navy, whatever color you fancy. However the wearer decides to do it, I find it an easy way to make an outfit feel 10x more elevated and chic.

Laid back with a dose of bling — My outfits most days tend to be pretty laid back but something that really takes a relaxed look to the next level is one simple move. One piece of bling. Just a dose of sparkle on the wrist or around the neck or dangling from the ears, especially when paired with something understated looks so incredibly chic! In fashion and in design my favorite way to play with contrast is partnering something rustic or unfussy with something fancy. In design, that can look like a silver dish on a reclaimed wooden table. In fashion, that can look like an oversized button down, vintage worn in denim and a tennis bracelet. Striking the perfect balance of effortless and elevated.

Repeated ‘hero’ pieces — I love when someone has one or two ‘hero’ pieces in their wardrobe. These are items that are unique and you wear frequently enough to establish them as a signature piece in your closet and life. Overtime, this item can become synonymous with the wearer. I think past generations were much better at this art form but it’s something I would like to see more of us get back to.

Natural nails — It feels we are in a renaissance of natural nails being in vogue again. But ultimately, what is natural I think is always chic. I love giving myself a fresh manicure with a favorite color or treating myself to a trip to the salon but there is so much beauty in our natural state. When I see a woman with great style rock bare nails and her natural hair texture, I find it very chic and inspires me to embrace my own natural state even more. I think we are getting further away from the primp and perfection but that’s a topic for another day.

I’m curious, what styling elements do you find chic?

xx Cassidy