058: KATHLEEN AND CAROLINE SORBARA
live in Brooks Brother's button downs and Giorgio Armani trousers.
I’m getting a sister! Well, kind of—my brother just got engaged. Kelly hasn’t officially joined the family yet, but she was with us at a recent wedding, and it hit me how fun it’s going to be to have another girl around. Someone to girl talk with, swap beauty products, take IG-level pictures. What’s better?
My brother is one of my favorite people in the world (he even dutifully reads this newsletter and usually picks out my Christmas present based on it), but there’s something special about sisters.
This week, I interviewed one of the sweetest sister duos I’ve ever come across—Kathleen and Caroline Sorbara. Kathleen opened her first store, Chickees, in Williamsburg back in 2019, and last year she expanded into a bigger space, reinvented as Sorbara’s. Her younger sister Caroline recently moved to New York to help out while she earns her Master’s at NYU.
I audibly awwwed multiple times reading their interview, and I love love love their style. This one is packed with ideas, and definitely “too long for email”, but I promise it’s worth reading to the end.
Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?
Kathleen: I think that both of our styles involve function, sport, and a strong sense of femininity. We both grew up as athletes and our dad wore a lot of Ralph Lauren. I remember wearing my Dad’s massive Polo sweaters, sitting on the bleachers at my brother’s baseball games. Our family’s influence is reflected in our current personal styles with a lot of button downs, cotton knitwear, baseball hats, worn out denim, and loafers. We grew up going to Pittsburgh Steelers games; my dad has an obsession with vintage sports memorabilia and gear. My earliest memories of eBay are helping my dad make an account to purchase 1970s Steelers tickets that he framed in his office. He went to Andover, and my favorite tee in my collection is his old practice jersey from the 80s. I’ve worn it to bits.
Our grandma and aunt owned a local beauty salon/clothing boutique in Florida and had very strong opinions growing up about beauty and fashion. I remember going to the Miami trade shows with them and watching them make wholesale purchases for their boutique. Our aunt wore a lot of Tom Ford’s Gucci and I know that influences Caroline’s style a lot.
Caroline: I certainly have my own personal style, but as a little sister, the foundation of my style definitely comes from Kathleen— 3 times this week alone we’ve shown up wearing basically the same outfit, but different. Different in that I tend to lean towards more form-fitting silhouettes, while her style tends to be a little more structured. I think for both of us our personal style comes from pulling from what we knew and loved growing up.
Kathleen: I’ve currently been living in my jeans from Phoebe Philo and The Row. I just read Betty Halbreich’s memoir and she notes that the Brooks Brothers button downs are just the best, and I simply would have to agree. As spring presents itself, I’ve been wearing this 1990s Calvin Klein Collection beige trench that I found last year. The older that I get, the more that I need ease in my day to day style.
Caroline: I always remember our mom in a big, crisp button-down, usually old Brooks Brothers or Ralph, with a good dress pant. This always was—and still is—her uniform. And as we’ve both grown older, we’ve adopted that as well.
Caroline: Working at the store, I have the luxury of getting to try on everything that comes in. I’ve been able to pinpoint the designers that work best for my body type, and more generally, the designers that just do certain pieces right. Giorgio Armani is that guy for me. Nothing beats a good Armani dress pant and a good Armani button down. The button downs are top notch, perfectly boxy without being too long. So many of our customers share the same sentiments too. I’ve started to build a collection of them because they’re something that I always reach for—I know I’ll always feel good in them no matter where I’m headed. I’d say that’s what I’m living in right now.
Kathleen: I remember Mom wearing a lot of Dad’s button downs, or finding really nice ones at the thrift stores. She’d always say “I found this great dress shirt, it just needs a good press.” I remember ironing her button downs for her in our old laundry room.
How often do you shop?
Kathleen: Basically every day of my life! But I am pretty selective when it comes to my personal shopping, as I have so much at my fingertips. If I don’t wear something I usually end up selling it, I don’t like the feeling of having clothes in my closet that just sit there. I’d rather sell them. Unless my sister gets to it first. I used to get so bothered when she’d steal my clothes growing up, but now I love it.
Caroline: Kathleen is definitely more of a shopper than I am, but again, I have access to one of the best closets (hers) and I work at one of the best stores, so I don’t really ever feel the need to shop. Every once in a while I’ll tag along with her on a day off for some shopping and she’ll convince me that I need something. There’s nothing quite like validation from your cool big sister to sell you on something.
Kathleen: We have grown up our entire lives shopping together, and there’s nothing we love more than sneaking away to a consignment store when we’re visiting home. Any sister knows that bond. Iced coffees and a trip to the thrift. We’re both brutally honest with each other about what looks good or doesn’t look good, and I like to think that energy is carried into the ethos of the store. It’s a healthy amount of enabling, balanced out with “you don’t need that.” We’re not afraid to tell customers to not purchase something if they don’t feel 100% amazing in it. If they don’t feel great in the store, there’s no way they’re going to go home and try that item on and feel any better.
Where do you shop the most?
Kathleen: Obviously at my own store! But I love shopping at other vintage stores, especially when I travel. Outside of vintage shopping, I’d say that I shop the most in New York at La Garconne, The Row, and Bergdorf’s. I just visited LUISAVIAROMA, and I was super impressed with their buy. In Paris, I usually go to the Lemaire store, like, four times in one trip. When I’m not in the trenches for my own work, I need an elevated shopping experience for the “new” clothing that I purchase. My brain can’t really mix the two for some reason.
Caroline: Honestly, about 80 percent of my wardrobe comes from the store. It’s just the best place on earth, in my opinion. Every day, I see the hard work and intention that happens behind the scenes. Kathleen is so thoughtful in her curation and our team works so hard to keep it all going. There’s so much integrity in that store, and as a sister it’s important for me to do all that I can to support that.
Caroline: I have the privilege of seeing everything that comes in before it hits the floor, which creates this steady stream of carefully selected pieces that’s pretty hard to beat. This can be incredibly challenging at times, but I’ve learned how to be really intentional about what I buy. I usually only go for things that I know I will routinely wear. Every once in a while though, I’ll indulge in a special piece. I’ve learned to let things go onto the floor, and if the thought of it selling haunts me, then that probably means I need it. I’ll never forget this green Armani top that I let go to one of our favorite customers. I still think about it. I’ve learned the hard way to never make that mistake again.
When I’m not getting high off of my sister’s supply, I love tagging along with her to all of the spots that she mentioned. In addition to that list, we both also love Lauren Manoogian. She gifted me the cutest top from there for Christmas after we took a visit to their beautiful new store. I went back the other day and purchased the matching skirt to complete the set.
KATHLEEN’S MOST WORN
Dark Denim from Phoebe Philo & The Row
Worn in button downs from the shop and Lemaire jacket (ed note: Kathleen’s is sold out, linking the new one!)
Elsa Perretti for Tiffany beans and Dunton Ellerkamp rings
Best buy of the last year?
Kathleen: Caroline found these basically brand new Chanel ballet flats at the thrift for like, $250. Probably her best find last year. She’s been on a pretty big pant kick, too. She keeps finding pants that fit her really well. She’s got a good collection going. She picked up the most perfect pair of Levi’s from the shop that are that perfect baggy fit without being too loose in the butt. The wash on them is just that perfect worn-in wash that everyone looks for.
Caroline: For Kathleen, her best buy of the last year has got to be these wedged Charles Jourdan Boots she recently found. I’m not even quite sure how to describe them, but I’ll try— they’re like the sexiest wedged, sock boots I’ve ever seen. Whenever she wears them the girls freak out.
And since she wants to talk about my pant problem, I’ll respectfully follow that with the fact that she’s on a pretty big Phoebe Philo kick right now… did she make that clear? Rightfully so I guess… These shoes she treated herself to are another one of her best buys.
We also have matching Hermes Fourre Tout canvas bags that we both always carry. Kathleen’s is all black while mine is a deep purplish/gray color. I think these perfectly highlight the way that our styles can differ: Kathleen leans towards being more elevated, while I tend to be a bit more playful.
CAROLINE’S MOST WORN:
Vintage Giorgio Armani button downs, an old gray wool Saks sweater from the store, these beat up Prada loafers that I refuse to let go of
Old Barneys cashmere coat Kathleen got me for Christmas 2 years ago
All of my denim and military fatigues from the store
My Gucci watch, these wide headbands from Walgreens, my old Chickee’s Vintage tote that our youngest sister designed (pictured here in GQ :’)), and a good white t-shirt.
What are you currently searching for?
Kathleen: Tis the season of finding the perfect spring jacket. I want to find a good trench for this time of the year, something slightly heavyweight but a good layering piece for the in-between weather. I’m also dying for this Phoebe Philo skirt.
Caroline: Going to have to second that one. The perfect spring jacket is the one gap that I feel like needs filling in my closet.
Another incredible part about working at the store is that I am consistently inspired and influenced by all of the stylish people who shop with us. Last spring, a customer came into the Chickee’s Men’s Store wearing the most perfect jacket. I honestly thought it was The Row, but she put me on and told me it was from the brand Rue Sophie. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since, and I regularly find myself checking in on their new collections.
What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?
Kathleen: I picked Caroline up yesterday to go thrifting and she got into my car wearing literally the exact same outfit: we both were wearing worn out military fatigues and vintage hoodies. I styled mine with my Dries sneakers.
Caroline: I would’ve loved to have styled myself with some Dries sneakers, but those are not quite within my price range. I instead opted for a pair of the Adidas Tokyo sneakers which I purchased recently. I had been on the hunt for a good low-profile sneaker and these felt like the perfect, reasonably-priced alternative to the Dries ones she has. They’re so comfortable too. I haven’t wanted to wear another shoe since I purchased them.
Does your style change when you go to work?
Kathleen: I’d say maybe it’s slightly more elevated at work, but not really. If anything I’ll wear a nicer shoe, like my The Row pumps.
Caroline: I think it makes more sense for me to say that work has completely changed my style. I’m so proud of the way that it has evolved. I moved to New York just about 2 years ago with the intention of supporting Kathleen in her business. I was fresh out of college, and as an ex-sorority girl my style definitely needed some help—the foundation was there, but boy did it need shaping.
Kathleen: Caroline lived with me for about two months when she first moved here, and we worked together too. There were a few days where the store opened a little bit late because we needed to get Caroline’s outfit right! Her style has evolved so much since then. Sometimes her outfits are better than mine.
Caroline: Kathleen was patient with me, and we've finally made it to the point where she doesn’t have to worry about what I wear to work anymore. We have the store to thank for that. It really has functioned as a petri dish, helping grow my style into what it is today. I’ve been exposed to so much that has allowed me to learn about what I like and don’t like, along with what works for me and what doesn’t. And I’ve met so many great friends through the space— all of whom have played a huge role in shaping my style.
Last fall, I started as a masters student at NYU, studying psychology. Sometimes it feels like I live a double life between going to school and working at the store. My style is the one thing that remains constant between the two, I feel like it grounds me in both of those places.
What’s your go-to out for a night out?
Caroline: A good night out always starts with feeling your most confident. I think that happens when we wear the things that we know we love and that we can always count on feeling good in. For me, this almost always means going for a good low rise slack, with either a little tee or a hot turtleneck…always paired with a kitten heel.
One night I had two girls chase me down in the Delancey-Essex Station to ask me where my pants were from (vintage Helmut Lang from Sorbara’s, obviously), and they’ve been my go-to ever since.
Kathleen: This winter I found this really lovely secondhand Badgley Mishka sweater with this decadent fur collar. The person selling it thought it was faux fur, but it wasn’t, so I really got it for a steal. On my birthday in November, I paired it with these great silk Ralph Lauren Collection slacks from the store and my favorite Manolo Blahnik mules. I found a little Céline pouch that I love to wear on nights out too.
Caroline: It’s also worth mentioning that we both love a good halter top, maybe it’s the Florida in us.
What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?
Caroline: Doubling down on the vintage military fatigues here. I refuse to travel without them. They are truly the best pants (I have 3 pairs). I always describe them to our customers as an elevated sweatpant. They’re perfect for the plane, perfect for the beach, and I even have a pair that I’ll wear out with a heeled boot.
Kathleen: I always pack this soft duffle with me when I travel. It’s my dad’s bright orange Nike bag from when we were growing up. I always shop for the store when I travel— that bag is perfect to fold into my luggage before the trip. It fits right on top of my rollaway luggage once it’s been filled up with flea market finds for the flight back home.
Kathleen: I also finally pulled the trigger on a black leather Henry Cuir tote that I’ve wanted for a really long time. It’s a little more unique than the Dragon Diffusion bags or the Bottega bags that are hot right now. My Henry Cuir is pretty large but is still a good enough size where it can sit on top of my carry-on when I travel. I’ve been meaning to give Caroline my old Rimowa carry-on. The casing cracked but I think if she takes it to the store they’ll be able to repair it for her.
Caroline: Kathleen has gifted me two L.L. Bean Boat & Totes, in the medium and the large size, and they have really changed the game for me when I travel. I usually use the large size as my personal item on top of my carry-on suitcase. It fits an ungodly amount of stuff. I could go anywhere without checking a bag using this strategy.
The absolute best girls
I love this 😌❤️