Love this on multiple levels, from the friends who are perhaps unexpected BFFs, to embracing the wisdom/freedom of aging to add friction. I'm definitely going to do more dress + cap as we head into Australian summer, including to avoid the sun spots! Ps. now also wondering if I'm a pajamas + adidas victim ;)
I loved all the looks above 😍 my favorite one is definitely the red shorts with the jacket, but all had something so stylish about them. The long skirt one makes you look an A type celebrity IMO. I loved this post. Now you have me thinking about unlikely pairings in my wardrobe. My issue is that I generally go for comfort over looks, so when it's warms it's so difficult for me to one to add a jacket to any looks. However, your looks show me that I can experiment more with shoes too if that's what will make me more comfortable 🫶🏻 as always a great read Traci 🤗
A celebrity?? ANAAA, I’m blushing!! Thank you so much for your support. Honestly, when I was in the toddler phase, it was all about comfort — so I totally get how style ebbs and flows with life. That’s so valid. I love seeing all your style choices on IG!!
First Nightmare Before Christmas stans, now we’re vibing on kitten heels & jorts. Our Substack friendship just leveled up! Thank you, Maureen—I can’t wait to swing by and check out your amazing work!!
I don’t know what I love more — the term “unlikely best friends” or the unapologetic joy you bring to styling them. This whole post is such a good reminder that fun, weird, wearable style doesn’t need permission. You just have to try the combo and see what happens. And now I’m eyeing my socks and loafers again. Love this!
I think you might be the voice in my head. These outfits are exactly what I've been musing on too. I am so jealous you don't look like a kid in school uniform (British reference, admittedly) in the socks and loafers because when I did it I am 99% sure the school bus slowed down when it saw me on the street. PS - yes to navy-to-black being a wild upgrade.
This was so fun Traci! I am the person who’s worked in the industry for so long, but because I’m a mom that lives in the suburbs now, I often feel at odds with the more serious side of fashion. I guess you could say my unlikely BFFs are a love of Fashion with a capital F and anincredibly casual lifestyle. But somehow, we make it all work! Just as you did here with all of these really fun pairings. I’m so happy to see “civilians” get creative with fashion. It’s honestly way more inspiring to me than all of the big influencers or celebrities!!
THANK YOU for reading my work, Sogole. I honestly view you as one of my Jedi masters (I've actually never seen Star Wars, so I hope this works...) someone I look to when I want to learn, observe, and experiment more boldly with my wardrobe. Thank you for being so kind, warm, and supportive of everyone here. You’re the best.
Thank you, Ginny!! It was really fun — almost like a dress rehearsal for real life. Now that I’ve played with it a bit, I won’t think twice about wearing it out in the wild.
i LOVED every single look and all the insights. The power of the unexpected and couldn’t agree more that the support from all the fashion lovers from all the walks of life is so very real ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you, Jordyn!! I mentioned it in the note, but I absolutely LOVE YOUR STYLE and literally get so pumped every time the newsletter hits my inbox. You = personal style goals. I also tried to do a cool bathroom mirror selfie like the ones I love in your posts — I think I failed, but it’s okay, no one saw, lol.
Ok but wait wait wait—I just realized who you remind me of, and it took seeing you in a Boston Red Sox cap for it to hit me: Amber from old school Survivor. *had to pause to confirm your name isn’t actually Amber 😉* Also—and I say this random thing (and the random thing above) because I believe this is a safe space for random—one of the ongoing debates in my marriage is whether or not I really DID see a dog patiently trailing a chicken (unlikely best friends-style) as we drove to our favorite breakfast place, which is in a part of town with lots of horse properties (barnyard animals are the norm). There’s nothing more to the story, that’s it. Ok, I’ll go back to reading now!
I have never watched survivor, but I definitely see the resemblance!! I’m low key scared of bugs & camping so I would never be as tough & cool as this Amber individual 🤣
Re: the dog and chicken— YOU SAW WHAT YOU SAW. Unlikely bffs in the wild!!!!
And yes, this is a very safe space for randomness. It’s actually encouraged. I wrote an entire post about unlikely animal friends and related it to substack & fashion. 🤣
Oh, I’ve actually never watched Survivor either 😅 but I HAVE rewatched The Amazing Race, and she’s in a couple of seasons. Thank you for acknowledging my doppelgänger spotting—like your humor, it’s a skill of mine that I feel gets short shrift.
This was a fun style experiment! That’s awesome that you found some new combinations that pushed you outside of your comfort zone.
You’re officially my new favorite Substacker on here! I lol’ed when you said you were avoiding eye contact with your kids 😂. These looks are so cute and I’m gonna try an unlikely BFF outfit this week!
Thank you!! Lol, we’ve all been there! A super mom would’ve risen to the occasion and dug out that Frisbee before the kids even had to ask… But me? I’m a C- mom out here fighting for her life. 🤣
I'm obsessed with your writing! You have such a way of drawing connections between life and style. Also I LOVE a baseball cap with a dress. Ultimate cool girl outfit!
Thank god for WiFi and a laptop—now these wild ideas don’t have to marinate for ages. They can be unleashed directly onto the World Wide Web. 🤣 xo, appreciate your support!!
As soon as I read your post, I was like OH YES, we are clearly enjoying the same fashionable dysfunction! I’m so glad you liked it!! You know I get big inspiration from your work. HARD CORE, every-franchise Housewives fan here.
I had an IG when I first started this, but I deleted it. I was doing it for all the wrong reasons—making reels that sucked and falling into habits that didn’t align with who I am. This account is a fresh start with a new POV on how I want it all to operate! ;) Instagram’s where I pop in from time to time, but Substack feels way more like home.
Okay I’m glad to hear that. I was doing TikTok. And also same for all the wrong reasons and it felt so dumb and awful. I’ll check out your instagram! Might be inspired to make one for Substack too 😃
Love this on multiple levels, from the friends who are perhaps unexpected BFFs, to embracing the wisdom/freedom of aging to add friction. I'm definitely going to do more dress + cap as we head into Australian summer, including to avoid the sun spots! Ps. now also wondering if I'm a pajamas + adidas victim ;)
🤣🤣 so true! I love the adidas/pajamas STILL and we are entering the American fall 🤣💕 Thanks for reading, Meg!!
I loved all the looks above 😍 my favorite one is definitely the red shorts with the jacket, but all had something so stylish about them. The long skirt one makes you look an A type celebrity IMO. I loved this post. Now you have me thinking about unlikely pairings in my wardrobe. My issue is that I generally go for comfort over looks, so when it's warms it's so difficult for me to one to add a jacket to any looks. However, your looks show me that I can experiment more with shoes too if that's what will make me more comfortable 🫶🏻 as always a great read Traci 🤗
A celebrity?? ANAAA, I’m blushing!! Thank you so much for your support. Honestly, when I was in the toddler phase, it was all about comfort — so I totally get how style ebbs and flows with life. That’s so valid. I love seeing all your style choices on IG!!
I would wear every single thing. Love the kitten heel with jorts?? Who knew!
First Nightmare Before Christmas stans, now we’re vibing on kitten heels & jorts. Our Substack friendship just leveled up! Thank you, Maureen—I can’t wait to swing by and check out your amazing work!!
Substack makes dreams come true lol--so happy to have discovered your little corner of the internet, too!
🤣🫶🏻
I absolutely LOVE all of these looks. Killed it
Thank you, Kaye!! As were YOU in your last post!!
Love your POV and love seeing fellow mums exploring their style on substack! I will happily join you in the creative trenches 😊
Yayyy! I welcome you with open arms!!! Thank you for the kind words 🥰
I don’t know what I love more — the term “unlikely best friends” or the unapologetic joy you bring to styling them. This whole post is such a good reminder that fun, weird, wearable style doesn’t need permission. You just have to try the combo and see what happens. And now I’m eyeing my socks and loafers again. Love this!
YES…to everything!! You are so right, Sarah! Fun, weird & unlikely > everything!
I literally would loveeee to see you style socks & loafers! You know I adore your style!
I think you might be the voice in my head. These outfits are exactly what I've been musing on too. I am so jealous you don't look like a kid in school uniform (British reference, admittedly) in the socks and loafers because when I did it I am 99% sure the school bus slowed down when it saw me on the street. PS - yes to navy-to-black being a wild upgrade.
So I FELT like a kid in a school uniform— so to hear I didn’t LOOK like one is a massive relief.
BIG praise coming from you, Anna!! I appreciate you reading my work (literally, beyond words!)
Love that we are on the same wavelength!!! Loooove your work.
This was super fun to read. I think the jorts outfit is my favorite!!
I’m so glad!! I crack myself up regularly, so it’s refreshing to know someone else is enjoying the fun too. I loooove the jorts outfit as well!
This was so fun Traci! I am the person who’s worked in the industry for so long, but because I’m a mom that lives in the suburbs now, I often feel at odds with the more serious side of fashion. I guess you could say my unlikely BFFs are a love of Fashion with a capital F and anincredibly casual lifestyle. But somehow, we make it all work! Just as you did here with all of these really fun pairings. I’m so happy to see “civilians” get creative with fashion. It’s honestly way more inspiring to me than all of the big influencers or celebrities!!
THANK YOU for reading my work, Sogole. I honestly view you as one of my Jedi masters (I've actually never seen Star Wars, so I hope this works...) someone I look to when I want to learn, observe, and experiment more boldly with my wardrobe. Thank you for being so kind, warm, and supportive of everyone here. You’re the best.
You’re TOO KIND!!! 😘😘
This speaks to me! The formulas- hat and dresses, loafers and socks, long shorts. These are good, girl. You nailed it ❤️
Thank you, Ginny!! It was really fun — almost like a dress rehearsal for real life. Now that I’ve played with it a bit, I won’t think twice about wearing it out in the wild.
i LOVED every single look and all the insights. The power of the unexpected and couldn’t agree more that the support from all the fashion lovers from all the walks of life is so very real ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you, Jordyn!! I mentioned it in the note, but I absolutely LOVE YOUR STYLE and literally get so pumped every time the newsletter hits my inbox. You = personal style goals. I also tried to do a cool bathroom mirror selfie like the ones I love in your posts — I think I failed, but it’s okay, no one saw, lol.
Ok but wait wait wait—I just realized who you remind me of, and it took seeing you in a Boston Red Sox cap for it to hit me: Amber from old school Survivor. *had to pause to confirm your name isn’t actually Amber 😉* Also—and I say this random thing (and the random thing above) because I believe this is a safe space for random—one of the ongoing debates in my marriage is whether or not I really DID see a dog patiently trailing a chicken (unlikely best friends-style) as we drove to our favorite breakfast place, which is in a part of town with lots of horse properties (barnyard animals are the norm). There’s nothing more to the story, that’s it. Ok, I’ll go back to reading now!
I have never watched survivor, but I definitely see the resemblance!! I’m low key scared of bugs & camping so I would never be as tough & cool as this Amber individual 🤣
Re: the dog and chicken— YOU SAW WHAT YOU SAW. Unlikely bffs in the wild!!!!
And yes, this is a very safe space for randomness. It’s actually encouraged. I wrote an entire post about unlikely animal friends and related it to substack & fashion. 🤣
Oh, I’ve actually never watched Survivor either 😅 but I HAVE rewatched The Amazing Race, and she’s in a couple of seasons. Thank you for acknowledging my doppelgänger spotting—like your humor, it’s a skill of mine that I feel gets short shrift.
This was a fun style experiment! That’s awesome that you found some new combinations that pushed you outside of your comfort zone.
Appreciate you! A wonderful skill!! My four shirted husband agrees & sees the similarities. That’s v big. 🤣
You’re officially my new favorite Substacker on here! I lol’ed when you said you were avoiding eye contact with your kids 😂. These looks are so cute and I’m gonna try an unlikely BFF outfit this week!
Thank you!! Lol, we’ve all been there! A super mom would’ve risen to the occasion and dug out that Frisbee before the kids even had to ask… But me? I’m a C- mom out here fighting for her life. 🤣
I can’t wait to see what you put together!!
I'm obsessed with your writing! You have such a way of drawing connections between life and style. Also I LOVE a baseball cap with a dress. Ultimate cool girl outfit!
You’re the best!! I felt pretty cool!
Thank god for WiFi and a laptop—now these wild ideas don’t have to marinate for ages. They can be unleashed directly onto the World Wide Web. 🤣 xo, appreciate your support!!
I get why you said we were on a similar path now! That was such a fun read and I LOVED all those experiments. A great way to come up with new looks.
Thank you!! 😊
You know I LOVE unexpected pairings and this was so cool to see it called unlikely best friends!! Thank you for the mention 🙌🏼
I really really enjoyed this post and your style pics, it’s really resonating with my own personal style.
Also are you a housewives fan?!?
Second, I’ve been wanting to start a instagram with my Substack and now that you did I just might!
As soon as I read your post, I was like OH YES, we are clearly enjoying the same fashionable dysfunction! I’m so glad you liked it!! You know I get big inspiration from your work. HARD CORE, every-franchise Housewives fan here.
I had an IG when I first started this, but I deleted it. I was doing it for all the wrong reasons—making reels that sucked and falling into habits that didn’t align with who I am. This account is a fresh start with a new POV on how I want it all to operate! ;) Instagram’s where I pop in from time to time, but Substack feels way more like home.
Thank you that means a lot!
Also same, I’m a SLC, OC, and Beverley fan haha.
Okay I’m glad to hear that. I was doing TikTok. And also same for all the wrong reasons and it felt so dumb and awful. I’ll check out your instagram! Might be inspired to make one for Substack too 😃