What I Wore to “Fashion Week”

I put “fashion week” in quotes for a couple of reasons. First of all, I only went to one show and it was just a presentation. And second, fashion week has dramatically changed the past couple of seasons, so it’s not what it used to be. For better or for worse! I’ve always enjoyed my experiences with fashion week, particularly when I was living in the city. However, I have determined that it’s really just… not for me.

There is a lot of peacocking. I’m sure it’s always been the case, but social media has definitely brought it to a new level. Now it’s who can get photographed outside of the show even if they aren’t going. Guys, I have so many thoughts about it and you really see a little bit of EVERYTHING fashion-wise with what people are wearing (the good, the bad, and the downright… crazy). Knowing myself, I can’t play that game, starting with the very fact that it’s simply not me.

So… I wore something that I knew I’d be comfortable in. I was just bopping into the city for a few hours for the Kate Spade presentation and then lunch with my friend. Such an easy outfit and then I came right back to Connecticut and changed into leggings 😉

(Also, it was cold.)

I wore this gray duffel coat I bought from J. Crew two years ago. It’s surprisingly warm without being overly bulky. They have brought it back every year since but unfortunately has already sold out. A non-toggle version is available in a couple of sizes on Nordstrom.

Good news though, if you’re dying for a duffel coat, ASOS has a bigger selection still available. Obsessed with this blue coat!

I took precisely zero photos without my coat on because I was freezing. (I know the shoes were not the smartest choice!) But I have to call out how absolutely incredible this bodysuit from J. Crew. This is my first foray into bodysuits and, well, I think I’m hooked. I’ll have to do another post where the blouse is more visible because it really is brilliant.

It’s kind of awkward to put on because it looks a little (ehhh, a lot) like a onesie, but it’s 100% worth it because the shirt stays totally tucked in the entire time! It’s a gamechanger. I have a super long torso and was worried that I’d be uncomfortable in it. I heard from a couple of my girlfriends who have regular length torsos that they exchanged for a petite, so that’s something to keep in mind.

This is about to go into TMI territory, but after I posted about this on Instagram, a bunch of people had some questions. So I’m just going to share my answers publicly because I had some of the same questions myself 🙃

Is it difficult to go to the bathroom? Not really. It’s WAY easier than a romper, which you have to pull all the way down awkwardly. The bodysuit has three small snaps that are easy to un and re-snap when you need to. It takes under 20 seconds to re-snap, so it’s really a non-issue.

Does it cause panty lines? Yes… If you wear it exactly “as is,” there is definitely a line. I was kind of disappointed by this initially and would have considered it a dealbreaker. But the underwear portion only has about 20-30% coverage of a regular bikini undie. I ended up just pulling it in like a thong and it was not uncomfortable and the VPL issue was totally resolved. It’s super thin and doesn’t feel bunchy at all.

For the show, Kate Spade sent me the new reimagined “Sam” bag. The boxy bag was the original one Kate Spade had back in 1993. Love that they’re bringing back a classic for their 25th anniversary. It comes in two solid colors hot pink (which my friend Mackenzie has) and black plus a striped. I went with the printed version.

This is my first printed handbag, I’m normally more of a solid kind of girl, but I love this print. It goes with so many of my outfits. I especially like it because I’ve been dressing head to toe black in my everyday life this winter and it’s a little pop of personality! There is also a tiny frog in the print that I think it adorable.

Similar Coat // Silk Blouse Bodysuit // Pants // Similar Shoes (originally c/o, these also look sharp) // Handbag (c/o)