Welcome to This Is Cute. We’re Jenna, Jayna, and Verena. We text all day about cute stuff so you don’t have to. If you’re interested in seeing the previous and equally unhinged editions, they’re here.
This edition is extra special not only because it’s (almost) fall—welcome back, PANTS!—but because we’re partnering with Madewell (that’s right, our first partnership—are you proud of us??). We’re forever fans of the brand (Jayna used to actually call them to place her seasonal pre-orders when we were at Lucky, much to Jenna’s chagrin, since she had to listen to them and they were LONG, lol), so when they asked if we’d test drive styles from their fall collection, we jumped up and down and then composed ourselves and said yes. Read on for Madewell-inspired musings on controversial color pairings, slouching toward chicness, and day-to-night looks that aren’t total bullshit.
Jenna Gottlieb: Awww, it’s FALL. How happy are you, Jayna?
Jayna Maleri: FALL, WE DID IT. I’m so, so happy.
Verena von Pfetten: WE DID NOT DO IT, IT IS NOT FALL YET. But we are getting closer.
JG: Okay, okay. We’re cusping.
VVP: If you take the last 10 days of summer away from me, I will never forgive you. But that doesn’t mean I’m not excited to start mixing up my closet—like, wearing actual shoes and actual pants, which always feels so foreign at first.
JM: Love actual shoes! And pants! And tops! FALL!
JG: And... SOCKS. Which, whoa—remember those?
JM: And trying new things! I feel the most adventurous in fall by far, wardrobe wise.
VVP: Same! I get a little weird in fall. But good weird, I think!
JM: It’s great to get weird!
JG: Yeah, a real cornucopia of styling opps.
VVP: Variety is the (pumpkin?) spice of life!
JM: I already know one weird thing I’m excited to try. And by weird, I mean weird for me. NAVY BLUE AND BLACK.
JG: Okay, that actually is weird for you, Jayna “Burnt Orange” Maleri.
VVP: Yeah, very interested in a JW Maleri spin on this combo.
JM: So, I had a college roommate who referred to it as NB&B and said that anyone who paired the two was tragic. Which, first of all, how rude. But, for whatever reason, it has stuck with me for many, many years, and I almost never wear black so it feels very exciting for me to explore.
JG: I also heard growing up that you shouldn’t mix the two, but I think it’s very chic. Something about it feels French. But also a little subversive?
JM: Yes! I agree with subversive! I think it takes a certain confidence. Because you have to be like, “No, I didn’t fuck up and think the top was also black, I am making a CHOICE and it is the right one.”
JG: It’s very, “I’m doing this on purpose, idiot.”
VVP: What’s the trick to making sure it does look intentional?
JM: To me, the trick (I think??) is making sure both are the warmest version of themselves. Like a deep saturated black with a warm true navy. I say true because sometimes navy can do that thing where in 99% of the light, it looks black. So an obvious navy and a saturated black. The Madewell jeans are good because those things are BLACK and don’t fade. Adding in a little touch of cream or ivory also does a good job of helping to highlight the blackness and blueness of the other shades. I think the vintage koala sweater that I tracked down like an absolute wild animal a few years ago will be so cute with black jeans. Same with the cropped navy and white Madewell rugby shirt that I got, which is slouchy and good and feels like a fun collegiate/french mashup.
JG: I love that rugby. A great fall piece and a great updated take on a classic.
JM: Right?? JG, you had a good colorstory the other day.
JG: Okay! So, fact: Fall has the best palette.
JM: Thank youuuuuuu.
JG: But I think some pairings can end up feeling obvious and/boring? Or almost too collegiate (even though, if I'm being honest, I don’t actually think there’s really such a thing). But tobacco and green feel a little unexpected? I think the key is choosing the right green—like bottle green. Bright, but not neon or kelly.
JM: Or forest, which is great but more expected.
VVP: Yeah, you need a jewel-toned green (my favorite kind). I’m nuts for green, but it can be hard to pair!
JG: It really can! And I never thought it looked good on me, but I’m so, so into green lately, especially that particular shade with a really rich brown. I also did that olive green Toteme dress with Barbie-pink Acne shoes for a wedding recently and felt like that was a good pairing.
VVP: So good.
JG: Okay, but do you know what we really need to talk about? Jeans.
VVP: Yes, please!! I love jeans sooooo much. That’s maybe the only thing I miss during summer: actually wearing jeans. (Unless they’re oversized, extremely thin, and have lots of holes in them.) One way I’m easing into hard pants is with a baggy-slouchy option. It’s a look I love but I worry (always, and as I’ve stated in previous editions) that it’s not the most put together. And I also think that baggy-slouchy can be harder to make look right when you’re not a 20-something. you know? It can look sloppy instead of just ... cool. Anyway, I’ve been experimenting with slouchy, and I’m enjoying a ... wait for it ... LOWER RISE SLOUCH.
JM: Okay, pls explain the lower rise slouch. Because it intimidates me.
VVP: They have to fit just right below your belly button but not be too baggy around the hips. They should have some weight to them, and no crazy holes or whiskering, so that they fall right, and look intentional and crisp, not sloppy. And even though I really am a sneakers gal, similarly, good heels make a difference.
JG: What are you wearing on top?
JM: And dear god what kind of heel??
VVP: A nice silky top, as long as you tuck in the front. (Back can be breezy!). And pointy pumps! I have a pair with a giant gold block heel that makes a statement, but the pumps are beige and pointy and they’re a really good grounding element. You know? I would even do a cute pointy kitten heel. All the pieces have to have a classic element to offset the slouch. I feel very adult but cool in this combo. I’ve also been watching too much RHONY and do think Jenna Lyons would approve, which is maybe where I took this inspo from. She does slouchy + heels = put-together really well.
JG: She really is the queen of “dressed-up denim.” LOVES a sequin with a jean.
JM: She absolutely is—one of the best in the biz. Also, not to be so “WE USED TO WORK IN MAGAZINES” but, VVP, this look feels very actually day-to-night, you know?
VVP: I was about to say that and then stopped myself but it’s TRUE. It’s a look I would wear to an office and dinner out, especially with a lower heel. But, wait, you know what we haven’t talked about yet? One of our collective favorite things. CARDIGANS.
JM: Smartigan seasonnnn!
VVP: Jenna, you do cardigans really well.
JM: You definitely do. I feel like you do cardigans as tops and it’s inspiring.
JG: Awww. Did Taylor start playing in your head for you too? I’ve been experimenting a little and playing around with wearing them as tops. They’re button-down adjacent!
VVP: Whoa, that is actually a great unlock, in terms of how to think about a cardi.
JG: Yeah! A cardi-top feels a little ‘50s, in a good way? Like, I could be wearing one tucked into a poodle skirt. I would like to try one with a good A-line skirt, for the record.
JM: Yes, such an unlock! Do they always have to be tucked? Is that part of it?
JG: I think you can do long on long! Especially with a wispier cardi. A long wisper over a slip skirt!
JM: INTERESTING. And always a v-neck?
JG: Nope, can be a scoop. V-neck I think is more digestible, because, again, it is button-down adjacent—so a natural progression for most. But a scoop-neck cardigan can be worn like a tee!
JM: V-neck feels sexier. Maybe more DGAF.
JG: I’d also love one tucked into a tailored pant with a belt. You could even do it with a heel, to dress it up, which I love! We’re dressing up denim L and R!!!
VVP: Now you’re REALLY speaking my language. I don’t think there’s a move I rely on more in fall (and especially winter, not to season-push) than a dress over jeans. Am I nuts? I don’t know why it speaks to me so much. Don’t get me wrong: love a dress, but the combo just makes me feel more... me! Dressy and a little feminine but grounded. Unfussy!
JG: You’re not and I think it’s the COOLEST.
VVP: And speaking of having a billion pairs of jeans: not every pair is made to be layered under a dress.
JG: Was gonna say, what works best?
VVP: They have to be straight to a little wide leg, and they have to be extremely clean lined and fitted around the waist, hips, and through the thighs. So it can be kind of tricky! But I have a pair of vintage Levi’s that I cut the hems off of that work really well, and then genuine shout out to Madewell’s Perfect Vintage because of the Magic Pockets. They’re the right width in the leg and then have enough stretch that they can go underneath a dress really well without any lumps or extra fabric.
JM: Yeah, I do dresses over jeans (not as often or as well as you, VVP) and a smooth up top is CRITICAL, which is where the Magic Pockets really shine, because they hold everything in place without squeezing your guts out.
VVP: Smooth up top is honestly all that matters. And then the right length: the jeans need to show a little foot/ankle.
JM: Yes, definitely. When it’s good, it might be my favorite silhouette. Because it’s so cool and unexpected and FUN.
JG: Okay, and what DRESSES?
VVP: So the dress needs to hit, for me at least, at a midi-length (these are some good ones).
JM: Yeah, no minis or maxis, sorry early aughts.
VVP: It’s all about the right proportions. (I’m honestly tempted to draw a doodle!)
But if you think about it as having lines, the bottom line is the hem of the jeans, then the dress needs to hit halfway between that and the knee. And then the dress needs to skim either straight down or a little bit a-line. Them’s the rules! You can also go pretty dressy with dress.
And the jeans have to be the neutral element. I’ve done it with printed dresses, but I always wear a classic light blue wash for the denim. In this case I’m very, very into all the blue (which is maybe technically my favorite color), because the jeans become an extension of the look, not a whole new part of it. You also have to make sure the dress has a little structure and break it up the top half a bit. That could be with an empire or some sort of nipped waist. You can also add a cropped jacket or a cardigan.
JM: Yeah, I think dress over jeans can be a really good time for a strong monochrome moment. Because you can do dress, jeans, shoes, cardigan and it’s such a LOOK.
VVP: Throw a turtle in there if you want to! SO MANY LAYERS!! Ugh, I’m excited just thinking about it.
JG: Very versatile, too, you could wear it so many places. It’s such a SOLVE.
JM: And prolongs the wearability of summer-y dresses by a bill trill.
VVP: That’s my favorite part, probably!! Summer dresses, year round.
JM: Speaking of … I have a weird confession. As someone who is extremely on record about summer and that it sucks, I LOVE white jeans in fall. Not because I’m like “I want to break the rules” because truly who cares. But fall white—SWOON.
VVP: Yeah, no rules (except all the rules I just said.) But seriously, I love a winter white. Talk to me about fall white.
JM: Haha, yes, those rules are correct. This is more about historical “style” rules. But I feel like fall white with a similarly light neutral on top (a camel or a beige or an ivory) and a clean little loafer is just so nice and chic and refreshing. Rather than doing navy on top and white on bottom—which is great but a little too preppy for me personally!—I like to keep it all on the light side. I think doing all cozy warm whites/creams/tans is so fun. Also showing a little ankle, or a socked ankle.
JG: The colors are so cozy. Like a little latte.
VVP: A ... pumpkin spice latte?? (Sorry! I really don’t even think I’ve ever had one.)
JM: Not a pumpkin spice! A classic latte!
JG: An ALMOND latte. In one of Jayna’s amber glass Kinto mugs.
JM: An almond latte! It’s my ode to summer. But it only happens post Labor Day.
JG: Pure almond JOY.
JM: Awwwwww almond joy! That can be our style mantra for the season!
The Cute Catalogue™️
All the stuff we mentioned in one cute place.
Shirts
Madewell Signature Poplin Oversized Shirt
Alex Mill Carter Popover Shirt
Madewell Striped Rubgy Polo Shirt
Banana Republic Rosalie Cotton-Silk Top
COS Bow Voile Blouse
Pants
Madewell Emmett Pants in Clifftop Brown
Madewell Perfect Vintage Wide Leg Jeans
Madewell Pleated Tapered-Leg Pants
Gap High Rise Corduroy 70’s Flares
Madewell Low-Slung Straight Jeans
Madewell Perfect Vintage Wide Leg Jeans in Belmere Wash
Madewell Kick Out Crop Jeans in Vintage Canvas
Sweaters
Madewell Brushed V-Neck Cardigan
La Ligne Fine Line Cardigan
Sezane Gaspard Cardigan
Alex Mill Jordan Sweater in Washed Cashmere
J.Press Shaggy Dog Cardigan
J.Crew Brushed Wool Crewneck Sweater
Skirts
Favorite Daughter the Favorite Skirt
Scanlan Theodore Crepe Knit Skirt
Dresses
Madewell Goldie Dress in Plissé
Madewell Lightestspun Cover-Up Maxi Shirtdress
O Pioneers Jemima Patchwork Floral-Print Cotton Midi Dress
Sea Dahlia Dress
Rodebjer Louisiana Open Air Dress
Doen Revi Dress
Anthropologie Pleated V-Neck Slim Dress
Acne Studios Green Wrap Dress
Shoes
No 6. Logan Shoe
Vibi Venezia Slippers
Reebok Club C 85 Sneakers
Birkenstock Arizona Sandals
Meduse Sun Femme Jelly Sandals
Madewell Vernon Loafer
Raoul Gold Wedge Pointed Toe Heels
Madewell Greta Ballet Flat
Loeffler Randall Amyra Sienna Bow Kitten Heel
Gianvito Rossi Gianvito 85 Pumps
Bags & Accessories
Uniqlo Unisex Socks
Gucci Horsebit Bag
Moscot Shtarker Eyeglasses
Warby Parker Raider Eyeglasses
L.L.Bean Hunter’s Medium Tote in Drab
Emma Parsons Yoyo Belt
Falke Shiny Socks in Blossom
Marge Sherwood Embossed Leather Handle Bag
Le Bon Shoppe Her Varsity Socks
Outerwear
Vintage Burberry Trench
Shrimps Luther Faux Fur Coat
Misc.
Parachute Linen Pillow Case Set in Terra
Kinto Sepia Mug