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. As for today, we’ve gotten a lot (maybe 3!!!) of questions around Event Dressing, so in this installment, we’re talking fancies (and, um, also unicorns?). One last bit of housekeeping: To save you from link whiplash (linklash?), and on the advice of our former editor-in-chief (thanks for the edit, EC!), we’ve rounded up all links at the end of this email. Happpppy shopping! Onward —
Jayna Maleri: I don’t care if it makes me sound like a 13-year-old, I want to go to the Academy Awards one day.
Verena von Pfetten: I’m still thinking about how Rihanna cribbed your mint Dries, Jenna.
Jenna Gottlieb: Hahahaha but hers was UNWRINKLED.
JW: It was only unwrinkled because she was standing and it had no middle.
VVP: And also a team of people making sure it stayed unwrinkled.
JG: But, also, a wrinkle wouldn’t DARE.
VVP: Speaking of your Dries, I LOVE it. And think it’s a great example of a worthy splurge for a special occasion because it a) looks modern b) is timeless and c) is totally wearable more frequently as separates! It’s also true of Jayna’s Dries set. They both live rent free in my head.
JG: The rewear/mix-and-match/lend-out potential is so high. Which I think is what I now prioritize with occasion wear. I don’t love a one-hit wonder.
VVP: I also think it’s easier than ever to style occasion wear for the everyday? It’s not crazy to be wearing a cocktail dress with a cool slouchy sweatshirt and sneaks.
JM: Like my dream Oscars look you mean???
VVP: I wasn’t not cueing it up.
JM: Thank youuuuuu.
JG: Banshees of Inisherin chic! Honestly, all the costumes in Women Talking could also be dressed up or down. The vibe is Vampire’s Wife/Batsheva/Jayna on a Tuesday.
JM: I loved all their cute sandals with socks and complicated hair with the strings in it. (NOT THE POINT OF THE MOVIE, I KNOW.)
JG: A LITTLE THE POINT!
JM: But back to fancies, I do think a set is the way to do it, almost always. Not necessarily pants, though I love them. I think it’s just unexpected enough for people to be impressed by it. Like the Comey horses. I’m extremely tempted to get the pants now that I have the top.
VVP: How would you extra dress it up for, like, an evening wedding that’s just short of black tie?
JM: Extremely delicate shoe, VVP Lip, earrings if I could manage to re-pierce my ears for the night …
JG: … Slicked-back low bun, and GOOD bag.
JM: Yeah, a tiny shiny!
VVP: I get a lot of friends asking qs like, “I need a dress for X wedding, but I don’t want to spend a bunch.” And my natural inclination is to err on the side of spending a little more but make it something you LOVE LOVE LOVE and can picture wearing a bunch of different ways. But sometimes there really just isn’t the financial wiggle room.
JG: That’s why I pulled the TRIG on the dress I wore to my mom’s wedding. Which is basically a jacket. And I will wear it many times in both forms.
VVP: The thing is, I think a lot of people still have a very specific definition of what’s acceptable (and, obviously, what they’re comfortable wearing) for a cocktail-attire event.
JW: I think so, too! That’s why pants blow people’s minds sometimes!
JG: Or a knit set! So we all know I love a knit set, because I think they are so, so versatile—but that could also be an unconventional dress-up option. They’re chic with flats or boots, dressed up and cocktail-y (even gala-y!) with a delicate heel. Actually, Joseph has chic sets on sale right now (a tip off from my friend Aidan).
VVP: Ohhh, that’s a great set! It’s interesting because I think it illustrates another point here, which is that color plays a big part! That set in the neutral or black feels less versatile, in terms of occasion dressing, even though in theory, those colors should be MORE versatile. The mint of your Dries, the punchy orange—that’s what makes a look something you can immediately picture dressed up.
JG: The red feels special. With a heel and coat, it’s such a LOOK. But I also do love a neutral. Like my navy set. I wore it to a rehearsal dinner.
JM: Yeah, you make neutrals chic. But I feel like if you’re trying to not spend a bill trill, color is the way to go.
JG: I am SUPER pro set, obviously. But sometimes an amazing dress is just so satisfying. Or not even amazing! Just comfy and flattering and versatile.
JM: Vampire’s Wife foreverrrrrrr.
JG: Yes, perfect example. Also, VVP’s gold Rodebjer that she wore to my wedding.
VVP: I have worn it a bill trill times—over jeans, with sneakers, to weddings/formal events.
JG: And I have that green No.6 (now on sale!) that I’ve worn a bill trill, mostly to events. But I’m also excited to wear it over a turtle to work before it gets too hot.
JM: I’m still trying to think of good, less $$$ options. And I’m thinking there’s a major hole in the market. Like, remember when J.Crew wedding stuff was so so good? We really lost something when that went away.
JG: I have a secret more affordable share … I think Norma fills a void! Not a fortune, well-made, wearable. That’s where I got the naked dress I wore to Robyn’s wedding.
JM: Oh yes! Such a good secret!
VVP: Oh, wow, this is exciting. The other (somewhat obvious answer) is vintage. Or just splurging on one piece. Like, if you take a $400 budget and just get a super special midi-maxi skirt, you can spend nothing on all the rest of it.
JM: I feel like my version of Norma is Selkie. Because I love a FLOOF. I know this is VERY SPECIFIC.
JG: Yeah, but how fun!
JM: If you want a gown, and you want to get wild with it, they are good! And relatively $$. Often under $500!
JG: A fun floof is a great thing.
VVP: How have I never been told of this?? Have you been secret Selkie-ing?!
JM: I have NOT. But I’ve got them stuffed in my back pocket.
VVP: Omg The Last Unicorn?!!
JM: Okay. I never knew about the unicorn one until this VERY SECOND. (But now I want it.). Oh, shit they did a whole collab.
VVP: Ummmmm wtf. Sorry, Jenna, this is getting derailed, but I’m gonna need a min to process this.
JG: #horsegirlera
VVP: Am I allowed to get that t-shirt?
JM: 100%. I want it too.
JG: For $78???
VVP: I also kind of want the sweatshirt but I will wear the t-shirt the most.
JG: No.
VVP: lol JENNA.
JM: JENNA THE LAST UNICORN. I’m overruling!
JG: Not the first, and CERTAINLY not the last. How does this newsletter always come back to horses?
… Five minutes later …
Omg stop shopping! I know what you’re both doing. VVP HAS A HARD STOP.
VVP: Hahahahaha. Sorry, I started looking at their skirts, in case I wanted one for my BIRTHDAY.
JG: Back to helping our READERS. I’m throwing Sandro in the mix. Because it’s been good lately! And it is at a good price point—I like this Wednesday-y dress.
VVP: I sent that dress to my sister also.
VVP: Re: my midi/maxi skirt thought—Jayna has one of these that I borrowed for, like, surf town Costa Rica. But that obviously would be SO chic for a wedding/occasion too!
JM: LDJ is the best best best. But splurge-y FOR SURE.
JG: For sure. But to Verena’s earlier point, you could wear with a white tee and some fun VVP earrings and be DONE.
JM: Cynthia Rowley has some sneaky fun stuff. Look, fun! With a cute shoe and a good top?
VVP: Choco is the exact right color for something like this. Grounds it
JM: Exactly.
VVP: Not so literal.
JM: Honestly I might need that.
JG: Okay, but also, shoes and bags. SO hard.
VVP: A Clare V pouch is a good staple.
JM: Great staple!
VVP: Inoffensive, goes with everything. I also love a little texture in a dressy bag. I have this pony-hair pouch that I got on a whim at my fave store in SF (Voyager, rip). It’s mostly white/cream/a little black/a little brown. And it’s come in shockingly handy SO many times. Jayna, I feel like you do that well with a fleecy bag.
JM: I do have some cute little fleecy bags!
JG: I still think about this bag. I missed out on the green! Which is what I wanted. But the navy is chic.
VVP: That bag is so good! You could take a basic ass dress, add that bag + lips + earrings and you’d be set.
JM: But I also love a box sometimes.
VVP: I might need to buy that resin clutch box bag right now.
JM: It’s very you!
JG: Can we do shoes quickly??
VVP: Yes! The loeffler classics—the pleated bow ones.
JG: Classics! Pretty and playful.
JM: Sometimes J.Crew! if you don’t want to spend. I’m going through a real Suzanne Rae phase at the moment.
JG: I did these recently. Prob the cheapest shoes on net lol.
VVP: All so good! Most of the time you only need like two pairs of the right dressy shoes. you know? Like, one good stacked heel option, and maybe just a classic point-y toe pump.
JG: yes! I also like a kinda naked sandal in the mix.
JM: Yes ,everyone needs one pointy toe pump.
VVP: I dont have the feet for naked sandals, but I love them for other people! Ugh, wait is that Last Unicorn tee really only avail in xl and xxl?? (Sorry, Jenna.)
JM: I know, I really blew it by not keeping up with Selkie.
VVP: I’m now searching for vintage Last Unicorn merch. You’ve lost us.
JM: That was going to be my next move. I bet we can find some.
JG: I can’t believe this metamorphed into our Unicorn edition.
JM: Considering I’m wearing a vintage Charlotte’s Web sweatshirt right now, anything’s possible! Lol VVP’s hard stop is riding off into the sunset.
JG: Well, fuck now I want this. You’re both the worst.
VVP: Love you both! Yeeeee haw.
The Cute Catalog
All the stuff we mentioned in one cute place
CLOTHES
Mint Dries Van Noten Skirt
Rachel Comey Sweatshirt
The Vampire’s Wife Silk Dress
Batsheva Dresses
Rachel Comey Horse Pants & Top
Reiss Tux Mini Dress
ALC Tuxedo Mini Dress
Joseph Knit Skirt & Top
Aritzia Coat
VEN Knit Skirt & Top
The Vampire’s Wife Corduroy Dress
SIR Gown
ASOS Maxi Dress
Sea Dress
No. 6 Dress
Norma Kamali Dress
Vintage YSL Maxi Skirts
Cara Cara Maxi Skirt
Selkie Puff Dress
The Last Unicorn x Selkie (lol)
Sandro Knit Dress
La Double J Maxi Skirts
Cynthia Rowley Tulle Skirt
Leset Midi Slip Dress
Vintage Last Unicorn Tee (lolllll)
Vintage Indiana Jones Tee
SHOES
Feiyue Sneakers
Emme Parsons Sandals
Loeffler Randall Flats
Reformation Boots
Studio Amelia Heels
Aeyde Heels
Loeffler Randall Pleated Sandals
Suzanne Rae Strappy Sandals
Porte & Paire Platform Sandals
Gianvito Rossi Pumps
The Row Sandals
ACCESSORIES
Éliou Earrings
Cult Gaia Clutch
Lizzie Fortunato Earrings
J.Crew Earrings
Clare V. Pouch
ALC Faux Fur Bag
Shrimps Faux Fur Clutch
Stine Goya Faux Fur Bag
Mansur Gavriel Shearling Mini Bag
Clio Peppiatt Beaded Bag
Anthropologie Resin Clutch
And if you didn’t enjoy it—well, you know what to do. We’ll miss you, but we get it—we can’t even keep up with our own text thread, let alone someone else’s.