Nina Christen, outfits we can't stop thinking about, & friendship facelifts
This week is all about links in our notes app, an 'out of this world' themed outfit request, and a look into our text message convos. Giddy up.
This week, we’re keeping theme with last, sharing brands we love, pieces we want, and adding in a new segment where we yap about things tangentially related to fashion, but top-of-mind. Thank you for all of the feedback and comments last week. Please keep them coming. And without further adieu, here’s My 1st Rodeo, week 2.
Brand spotlight: Nina Christen
Loewe balloon shoes. Bottega wrap sandals. Céline Madame boots. She has designed cult-status shoes from some of luxury’s biggest and boldest houses: old Céline, new Bottega, Loewe, and The Row. Now, she’s set out on her own sartorial adventure, launching her brand Christen, and the Wall Street Journal even called her the next Phoebe Philo. Those are big shoes (no pun intended) to step into, but we’re watching intently to see what’s next.
Follow here: www.instagram.com/christenchristenchristen
See her brand here: https://www.christen.com/
And if you know where/how to shop her pieces, let two (very eager) girls know…
We’re live, laugh, loving her because:
Lucy: I live in a city where heels aren’t practical at all (there have been many nights where I’ve had to bear crawl up SF hills while in 5 inch stilettos), but shoes are still one of my favorite purchases. I’m so excited by the early previews of Nina’s brand - the juxtaposition of the super high heel on a motorcycle and the flat, knee-high leather boot paired with a bare leg and a fur coat have me *very* excited.
Mack: If you know me, you know I’m a Phoebe Philo & old Céline addict. My current day wishlist is filled with items from the former, and I collect pieces from the latter. BUT what I also know is that it’s the team(s) she has built that make the brand(s) go around (hi, Peter Do, Daniel Lee, Matthieu Blazy, Matthias Schneider … I could go on and on), so I’m beyond thrilled to shop the work of another protege. If Nina’s past is any indication of her future output, it’s gonna be good.
Total Request Live: An ‘out of this world’ country club party in SoCal
Thank you to everyone who submitted outfit request situations. We’re going to get to more of them next week, but in the meantime, we’re tackling a fun request for an ‘out of this world’-themed country club party in SoCal. Très chic!
Mack
I swooped in with an immediate desire to go vintage Paco Rabanne, but ultimately decided there were more interesting (sorry, not sorry) space age designers, so I went with this Vintage Courreges Haute Couture Wool Dress. As a golf wife myself, I know the club house vibes, and I love how country club-chic it is with the cut and color, but it’s perfect ‘60s silhouette. The space age comes in with the modern Paco Rabanne headpiece. Lucy told me she would wear it to hide her tears (lol), but I’m socially awkward, so I’d just hide my face and avoid eye contact. These Jil Sander shoes you’ll wear again and again. I love the unexpected pointy toe. And a white patent leather Prada Cleo Purse feels vintage & futuristic at the same time.
Lucy:
Mack let me know she was going in a Paco direction for this one, which is where my head went first, so I decided to take a fresh spin on it and instead go in an Austin Powers-inspired fembot direction, but with more silver.
This 16arlington dress is giving practical fembot - there are pockets! It’s missing some of the out of this world aspect, but that’s where the accessories come in…
These René Caovilla heels give a futuristic edge to the dress, and the wraparound ankle affect will look so good with the super short flowy silhouette
Avoid eye contact with people you don’t like at the club (plz fill me in on any drama, I live for country club tales) with these Celine sunnies
I have been waiting for an excuse to recommend someone buy this Grace Ling human-shaped mesh purse and this might finally be it! It’s going to take your outfit to a very weird place - I do think you’ll have to hold it in your hand as opposed to putting it over the shoulder because it could interfere with the feathers and get lost in the dress
If you don’t want a purse that’s shaped as a human (understandable, I guess) this Coperni little silver bag will be cute too
To finish things off, these earrings from my favorite jewelry brand of the moment (okay the past 3 years really) will be fun
Outfits we can’t stop thinking about
A new series for us to share some of our favorite outfits of all time because we have a million screenshots that need to live somewhere else besides our phones.
Lucy
This Claudia Schiffer Vogue editorial from 1994. The ball skirt with the t-shirt tied up like how I used to try and DIY my own crop tops in middle school? Perfection. I love the challenge of taking a really dressy item, like this skirt, and dressing it down to make it wearable for everyday.
Mack
This feels appropriate for the month of October. It’s technically a costume (but aren’t all clothes, anyway?): Lydia Deetz’ school outfit from Beetlejuice. It got a Jenna Ortega-remix during her Beetlejuice Beetlejuice press tour, but the original lives rent-free in my mind. It’s the long taffeta petticoat under the pleated wool skirt that just does it for me.
I could go on and on about the costuming in this film, but I’ll leave you with this little quip: I read that Aggie Guerard Rodgers (the costumer designer) spent an afternoon shopping at Maxfield’s for all kinds of Japanese designers like Issey Miyake and Comme des Garçons, none of whom Tim burton had ever heard of. Naturally, he had a bit of sticker shock when he saw the bill. But this outfit for Lydia was purchased from American Rag, and rumor has it the black petticoat may have even come from Winona’s grandmother’s closet. This outfit is proof that your look doesn’t have to cost a fortune to be unique and memorable.
Yap corner
This newsletter really just keeps going - can you tell how excited we are about it? Welcome to our text thread. We can make it a group chat if y’all join us in the comment section with your thoughts and feeling.
Finds of the week
Secondhand scores:
If you’re like me, and you loved Lucy’s red polka dot Victor Costa dress from last week, then you’ll be smitten to spot this black & white version. (Size US6, $225) Mack
I have (naturally) the Dalmatian-print dress version of this Dries Van Noten top, and if this were my size, I’d also snatch this up. Pair with baggy denim pants and ballet flats. (Size FR40, $122.50) Mack
Prada Fairy collection (S/S 2008) for a steal of a deal. Yes, ok, it’s the sweater, but if you’re like me and you have the runway skirt … you don’t wanna miss this bc we love a full look over here. (Size IT40, $165) Mack
Lauren Manoogian is always on my fall/winter moodboard, and these white slides would look so chic with a black mini dress and opaque black tights. (Size 8, $154) Mack
These Simone Rocha undies are making a strong case to close out 2024 without pants. Pair with a white button-down, a la Lucy. (Size XS, $105) Mack
This vintage Zoran top is giving The Row for a fraction of the price. It’s just begging for a pair of wide-leg linen pants and some slides. (Size Small, $140) Mack
I’ve been re-watching the OC because I need more Adam Brody in my life…and man Marissa Cooper had some great outfits. I still can’t find my dream Chanel dress she wore, but this BCBG one is fun and scratches the 2000’s itch (Size M, $120) Lucy
You could pay full price for these great Attico cut-out jeans, or if you’re a size 27 get them for a steal on Vestiaire Lucy
Look 13 from Molly Goddard’s SS 19 show, i have this dress and wear it without anything under for a dramatic night out, or put a t shirt under it with some doc martens - it’s one of those perfect dresses that works however you style it and it is a STEAL (Size M, $394) Lucy
I recently wore the skirt version of this vintage Isabel Marant dress out and go so many compliments (Fr34, $4240) . It also comes in white (but I kinda want this one so maybe don’t buy it…maybe do if it really calls to you and i’ll just be jealous) (6 US, $308) Lucy
I love a big sleeping bag coat, and this Rick Owens one has saved me in many frigid outdoor dinner situations (Size M, $1073), this Margiela one is also great and I love the tie at the neck (Size M, $795) Lucy
What we’re eyeing this week:
The Bode ‘Brunch’ shorts are a need, not a want. Gotta pair them with sheer black tights. (Size S, $378) Mack
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this dress. J Crew, call me…I’m a size US4. ;) I mean, how chic for a holiday party? Maybe even with RED tights or white heels! (Lotsa of sizes, $350) Mack
I really, really want this old Céline puffer vest (size 38, $1216), but living in the south, my outerwear budget is more aligned with the Uniqlo version (several sizes, $59.90) Mack
I have these Dries Van Noten sandals in blue, and they were my most worn shoes this past summer. They look great with denim cut-offs and a vintage T-shirt. (Lots of sizes, $289) Mack
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean that I’ll stop wearing sheer clothes. This Róhe long sleeve lace top is going to be perfect to pair with some leather pants in the colder months (Lots of sizes, $460) Lucy
Pants have gotten so boring. Or at least, I feel like my pants are boring. This is a new brand (new to me) that makes some *very fancy pants*. Pair these with any top and you’ll still have the most interesting outfit in the room (Lots of sizes, $460) Lucy
Shorts have been having all of the fun recently with them getting shorter, and okay, more diaper-y, but this Rick Owens skirt is really going there. A very nice old Project Runway reference, but it is giving ‘fallopian’ length (several sizes, $960) Lucy
I love a good sock. I used to wear patterned socks, but wanted something slightly more mature, but not any less fun. These waterfall socks from Maria Larosa more than get the job done - imagine these paired with a cute loafer or some Mary Janes?! (lots of sizes, $46)
Ta-ta for now. Leave us feedback. Tell us what you’re liking, what you’re not liking, what you wish we’d share, what you wish we’d stop sharing. All the things.
<3 , Lucy & Mack
I’m obsessed