He’s Just Not That Into You, Fashion Ed.

Let me throw some cold hard truth your way. (Ok, it’s just my truth, but still).

  1. There is no “dupe.” Anything worth having can’t — exactly — be replicated. And the details in fashion are fine ones. It’s those teeny little things that make or break. Whatever this “dupe” is, it won’t make you happy in the long term. It won’t! Rather than buy something disposable, skip it or rent it* or wait until you can marshal the resources, sell something, or there’s an occasion. The worst result: You buy the dupe and then end up also buying the real one out of lingering dissatisfaction (been there). *I’ll put my friend Rose’s rental discount code at the end of this story.
  2. And also, I have never not regretted a fast fashion purchase. I look back and none of them ever gave me any long term pleasure. There’s 1 Zara skirt I haven’t parted with and it’s — ok. But there is something about the smell and lack of story of these pieces that makes them joyless. And there’s something about the fact that they begin a whole cycle of joylessness that makes them not just fleeting but even kind of dark. Rent, wait, shop your closet, shop a friend’s, shop consignment. I get the desire for new and I get the strictness of a budget (I’ve been there) and I will not judge you, but this just *will not* help with the itch you want to scratch.
  3. There is no forever “solved!” Like right now, I feel like socks solve most things. When I don’t feel modern, I’m adding a sock with a sandal. But I will look back on this the way I do with anything else I tried that was “out there.” It will look dated. (And eventually new again.) You never solve fashion. You never figure it out. Just like you never figure yourself out. You have to, I think, embrace the delicious uncertainty. The inability to master things is what gives those things life. Uncertainty, risk, that’s what makes style exciting and you have to keep shuffling and f*cking around to have it. The ahas are fleeting.
Favorite “solves” now: belt folded over + socks with sandals
What could you wear at home and be comfy and chic? See above. And go to each IG handle for more.
Here’s Rose (@thecreativeclassicist)’s code!

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Grown-ass woman. Perpetual student of style. Sharer of tips. I work @honorcodecreative and write about fashion and style ahas here and on IG @heymrssolomon XO.

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Hey Mrs. Solomon

Grown-ass woman. Perpetual student of style. Sharer of tips. I work @honorcodecreative and write about fashion and style ahas here and on IG @heymrssolomon XO.