I often find the time to write this newsletter while sitting on a plane. Today, I’m returning from 48-ish hours spent in Santa Fe. A trip for work but not without its pleasures. Thanks to the job, my life is filled with quick escapes like this. Even being in Santa Fe for such a short time, the distinct style of the people who live there leaves an impression - well-worn jeans, boots, silver jewelry, braids, bolo ties. In the West, in my New York City-wear, I often feel like a fish out of water. My style has for so long, been a consequence of my place. As a lifelong East Coaster, I rarely notice my natural influences until I leave.
Sonia Mosseri, who I interviewed for this week’s newsletter, is an East Coaster too, with the wardrobe to match. She credits her refined-meets-rough, tomboy style to summers spent skateboarding in New York and New Jersey. Sonia is the co-founder and creative director of Still Here - a denim-focused brand that also makes basics, (including one of my all-time-favorite t-shirts). Her style is essentially my current ideal - great jeans mixed with great vintage. A little boyish, a little chic old lady. I loved chatting with Sonia about her style codes and what she’s been living in lately. Read our interview here.
Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?
My personal style very often has elements common to a 10 year old boy, juxtaposed with classic, effortless and simple ensembles. This mix can be understood through my growing up in both New York and New Jersey for the summers, which always had a large beach/surf/skate culture.
Some of my dressing habits:
I wear a lot of oversized things
I rarely wear pieces that in themselves are feminine (ruffle, bow, sparkle, etc…)
I always wear something vintage
I wear a white tee shirt under most outfits as an undershirt
I like long coats
I like showing midriff in the summer
I like capri length pants
I like shell necklaces (shells you find, not buy)
As I get older and invest more and more time in fashion and design, I find myself gravitating to uniform pieces for my wardrobe: reliable pieces that can be styled in many different ways with things I already own and love.
I am always living in Still Here jeans (I wear Still Here jeans every day of my life, and have done this for 5 years!). Right now I have been loving my Vintage Blue Everyday jeans. I am 5’ and super tiny so every jean floats on my body. I’ve been pairing them with a striped long sleeve shirt and a navy sweatshirt over. Or to dress them up, I’ve been wearing a nice white sweater with a structured, boxy black blazer on top (strong color pallet: Blue jeans, white shirt, black blazer). Both outfits I’ve been pairing with my Row black mules or new Vintage Prada boots I scooped up on Vestiaire earlier this year!
Sonia’s Most Worn
Still Here jeans and white tee (under everything!)
Vintage Mink Lined Trench
How often do you shop?
I am always shopping for vintage. There is no appropriate time to be honest. If I am on the ground, I am walking into a vintage store, and if I am office or home bound, I am checking in on Ebay, Vestiaire or The RealReal. This is mainly for design inspiration at work, but sometimes through my journey I find a personal treasure. My personal wardrobe doesn’t grow so often aside from those finds and samples from Still Here.
Where do you shop the most?
Other than Still Here - Front General Store, Lara Koleiji, Vestiaire, The RealReal, and Uniqlo.
Marsell boots and The Row mules
Vintage Prada Blazer with Belt
Any and all thong sandals including these, these and these
What’s your go-to out for a night out?
Getting dressed for a night out usually means I am in my usual uniform but with a brushed up brow and an extra pinky ring. If it’s an occasion: a nice tank top, blazer, “night-time jeans” (dark jeans, or the Buckle Jean we just launched) and boots with a small heel.
What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?
I never take off my wedding band, pinky ring and thin gold chain necklace. Other than that I am never to be found without a chapstick and pen.
Thin gold chain, Uniqlo ribbed beanie, Still Here sweatshirt
Best buy of 2024?
Vintage Prada square toe leather high boots with a back strap
What are you currently searching for?
A good oversized blazer, a vintage leather trench, reliable turtlenecks I can buy in multiple colors, a new ring.
What’s your go-to grocery-run outfit?
Blue jeans, white tee under a sweatshirt, boots, long coat, hat
Does your style change when you go to work?
Luckily, no!
Do you change your accessories daily or wear the same ones?
My world of accessories is quite small. It consists of gold hoops, silver hoops, some pinky rings, a thin gold chain (shells to be put on in season), a silver chain bracelet, vintage watches, a red scarf, basic beanies in cotton and fleece, and a nice mix of traditional bandanas I wear as headscarves. In general though I tend to be a creature of habit with accessories and go through long periods of time wearing the same ones before switching it up.
That vintage mink lined trench is incredible!
eBay forever!