Audit 002: what to wear to the bacchanal

and why we should all learn to sew

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I firmly believe that we should bring back home ec— except the revised syllabus is 1. how to live as a person in the world (aka therapy), and 2. how to sew. For all genders. Thankfully, my parents sent me to sewing camp as a kid despite the 2010’s eschewing of home making. It was love at first stitch.

my debut into the fashion design world, accessorized w/ fuzzy crocs & fingerless gloves

Being able to quickly hem, attach a button, or take in a shirt has proven endlessly useful. Especially as a thrift-lover. Moreover, knowing how to sew means that Halloween is my superbowl baby!

me when Halloween szn finally arrives

Every year I DIY my costume. I refuse to buy anything new, only sourcing secondhand or reinventing forlorn items from my own closet. It’s sustainable (vs. Amazon & Shein loaded costume guides) and it can be a fun challenge to come up with a costume based on the ingredients you have.

Needless to say, my week was packed. Even more so because my boyfriend doesn’t know how to sew. Oh the failings of the modern education system and the patriarchy. I spent Friday evening pre-party sewing a spotted Bibble suit for señor boyfriend, the real star of our Barbie Fairytopia couples costume.

apologies for horrid self-timer pic

Then, I spent Saturday afternoon chaotically transforming what I think was a male anime wig (thrifted) into a Mia Wallace, Pulp Fiction look.

before vs. after

PSA: cutting wig bangs is equally as frenzied and therapeutic as crisis cutting your own actual bangs. Consider picking up a wig before chopping off your hair post-breakup.

Today’s Agenda

1. Fashion Mood & Musings

2. Closet Flow: Items archived & added

3. Wishlist State of the Union

4. Reality Check: What are people really wearing?

Fashion Mood & Musings: Clean x Camilla

With my mind primarily occupied by Halloween, my current fashion mood and musings are fairly simple:

1. Clean— I’m leaning into regenerative self-care right now ft. daily showers, toe deodorant, and regular flossing. I’m just being so for real with you here. This was bolstered by a desire to shed Halloween’s hairspray, dye, and wig trimmings.

2. Camilla from The Secret History. I finally finished reading The Secret History and I’m intrigued by Camilla’s natural, almost boyish, classically preppy vibe. I’ve been dressing how I imagine she might in 2024: un-straightened hair held back by claw clip for optimal book reading, minimal makeup (just concealer, peachy blush, brown eyeshadow, & mascara), and a restrained color palette.

for studying Greek at the library

for murdering your friend in the woods

for galavanting at the bacchanal

3. I’m finally ready to announce the comeback of oxford shoes, a natural jeté from ballet flats.

On Friday,

Leandra Medine Cohen

talked about jazz shoes. Then,

Carina Nicklas

linked some gorgeous suede oxford-esque lace up flats in her Saturday post. I’m sensing a low profile, rounded toe, lace-up theme here…

*2012 Audrey laughs maniacally in the background*

Closet Flow

Items Added: 1

nb butter yellow/golden quilted jacket ($5)

I’m not really into buying new clothes right now, but I was drawn to the color of this robe? jacket? coat? at the thrift store and indulged myself a single purchase. It ties into my love for pajamas as clothes so I think it’ll be a solid hero piece.

Items Archived (aka items added to the sell/donate pile): 1

Massimo Dutti plaid trousers (thrifted for ~$20). Why? The silhouette looks off on me. Not pictured because they’re already on the move.

Wishlist State of the Union

New (why did I add this?)

• YSL Libre Eau de Parfum b/c it smelled delicious in Macy’s AND on a girl I met at Friday’s party. Now that’s fate!

• Dyson Airwrap is tempting because I’m lazy

Same (why is this still on the list?)

• I’m still not out of my current deodorant

• Miffy & co. still feel purposeless, though adorable

• Officine Universelle Buly ‘Audacious’ comb is currently sold out

• Cos coat still not being sold for FW 24 :(

• I’m worried about the longevity of cream, satin shoes

Archived (why don’t I want this?)

• L.L. Bean mocs have been archived because I don’t need a new slipper

Reality Check: what are people really wearing?

The standout takeaways from my NY trip were that people are wearing:

1. Matching dark wash denim sets. These were all over the young NYC girlies, though personally I’m not one for double denim.

   

   source: Levi’s

2. Chanel ballet flats. This makes sense for the slightly older NYC girlies, who want to hop on the ballet flat trend while staying true to their Millennial roots.

   

3. Giant Crocs & even more giant Jibbitz.

   

   like this, but even more and even bigger

   During my stay in Flushing, I happened upon multiple Jibbit droppings, shed from overstuffed Crocs. Initially confused about what I’d found lying in the crevices of the coffee shop, I eventually identified these breadcrumbs of Flushing’s fashion scene.

   

   Jibbitz: the breadcrumbs of Flushing fashion

xx Audrey