004: EMME PARSONS

lives in naked sandals and neutral basics.

Whether or not we’re conscious of it, we are all a product of our environment when it comes to what we wear. I always notice how certain regions, industries, and even groups of friends tend to dress alike. 

For example, in Williamsburg, where I live, I am surrounded by groups of 20-somethings in perfect, vintage leather jackets and very baggy jeans - often so closely coordinated that they look like members of a trendy, Gen Z band. In the offices of W Magazine, my colleagues find themselves accidentally matching at least once a week in a mix of minimalist browns and blacks. As I’m editing this post at my desk, I’ve counted 4 pairs mary jane ballet flats and even more Adidas Gazelles (not including the ones on my own feet).

What can be interesting, when your style is strongly linked to your surroundings, is when you leave them. I experienced this disconnect recently when I packed my city-garb for a work trip to Dubai. I ended up in the desert in a black, ankle-length, twill skirt, croc belt, and wool sweater, riding side-saddle on a camel because of my outfit restrictions.

A cute outfit, but not well-suited for camels.

What got me thinking about all of this was a conversation I recently had with Emme Parsons, the subject of today’s newsletter.

Emme wears sleeveless sweater by the Row (from TRR), Issey Miyake Pleats Please from Scout (her favorite vintage store in L.A.), Emme Parsons sandals, and an old Celine bracelet

Emme founded her eponymous shoe label in 2017 in Los Angeles, after many years of working as an art director in NYC. Emme’s brand, which makes perfect, understated sandals, really stands out for its elegance and simplicity in an overly-jammed market. I really love Emme’s taste in imagery as well, and the world she’s used it to create.

We had lunch a few weeks ago in Palm Beach, Florida, where she relocated from Los Angeles in 2020, and got to talking about the city’s sense of style.

Palm Beach has a very strong visual identity, one that I’m charmed by, though its different from my own. On Worth Avenue you tend to see a lot of white or salmon pink on the men, and bright colors and floral prints on the women. Think Lily Pulitzer, the quintessential Palm Beach girl, who grew her iconic brand there. Stylistically, her early 60s world of color still seems to thrive. Emme, being more of an L.A. minimalist, had to find her groove in a new environment. 

The women in Palm Beach tend to be very put-together. The style is not laid-back, like it is in L.A. Palm Beach has influenced me in that way. I still don’t wear much color or print, but I do find myself dressing up more often. Also, the weather is almost always warm to hot, and it can be humid, depending on the time of year, so I want to stay cool and be protected from the sun. I never want to wear anything too tight. I’ve found that my perfect formula is based on a neutral palette and loose, lightweight pieces that feel comfortable yet elegant.

EMME’S MOST WORN:

1. Neutral basics in loose, light fabrics, often these are found second-hand or vintage.

   Editor’s note: For clarity, I broke this up into a few categories when it comes to easy basics and, in order to stay true to Emme’s look, tried to find a lot of the pricer items in the resale or vintage market. This is how I shop for most of my clothes as well. I focus on buying high quality fabrics - you can always adjust the shape with a tailor later. One of the best things I own is a virgin wool skirt from The Row. I bought it on The Real Real for a fraction of the price and a few sizes too large. My tailor had fun with that one.

   

   1. SKIRTS

      

      Issey Miyake (resale), The Row (resale), The Row (resale), LouLou Studio, Issey Miyake (resale)

   2. PANTS

      

      Leset, Baserange, Tove, Vince, Pleats Please

   3. DRESSES

      

      Matteau, The Row (resale), By Malene Birger, The Row (resale), Toteme

   4. TOPS

      

      The Row (resale), Everlane, The Row (resale), COS, Hermes (resale)

2. Sandals, particularly the Emme Parsons Cecilia in black calfskin. Naked sandals are an enduring trend that are flattering and disappear on the foot.

   

   Emme Parsons sandals, clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4

3. Jewelry. In the photo I am wearing a Celine bracelet, a special, older piece from the Phoebe Philo days.

   Editor’s note: Again, I mostly stuck to resale here but I included a few other goodies as well. I am really lusting after that vintage YSL!

   

   Clockwise from top left: Bottega Veneta (resale), Laura Lombardi, Vintage YSL, Unsigned vintage, Sherman Field, Celine (resale), Sophie Buhai

4. A simple tote to pack my life into.

   Editor’s note: These Etsy totes are my new favorite discovery. I bought two and have gotten a ton of compliments on them. I love carrying a tote and a more structured purse to give this Bottega runway vibe.

   

   The Row (resale), my favorite new Etsy find, Aesther Ekme, Dragon Diffusion, Amiacalva

5. Sunglasses are an essential in Palm Beach. These ones are my go-to.

Clockwise from top left: Ray Ban, Oliver Peoples x Khaite, Bottega Veneta (resale), Celine

Thanks for reading this week! I hope that you can tell how much I love writing these newsletters and sharing them with you. If you enjoyed this one, please send it to a friend!

P.S. Michelle kindly obliged my request for more information on the Chinese jackets from last week. Here’s what she told me: My grandmother's jackets were from Shanghai or Hong Kong. In Paris, I love to go to Heng Seng Heng, which is a Chinese shop that has been there for years and years. It's on rue de l’odeon and has a funny mix of some homeware and traditional clothing.