Forget Coastal Grandmother

This weekend, re-release your inner frazzled English woman, wear high heeled sneakers, fuzzy sweaters and striped tights, and be sure to binge on Rossif Sutherland

Hello, Gorgeous!

How would you describe your fashion aesthetic or personal style schtick? The best I could come up with for myself today is edgy classics. This is kinda sad, considering from balletcore to fairycore to goblincore, there was a while that I seemed to be almost exclusively discussing and defining the idea of cores in fashion. 

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If you’re unfamiliar with the idea of a core, it’s a group of aesthetics that together make up a somewhat recognizable united fashion micro-trend. So, for instance, if you veer toward pink, shimmery clothing with highly feminine shoes with impossible-to-walk-in heels, you might be embracing Barbiecore.

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For when you need a soft landing

For a short while, Coastal Grandmother was a cozier version of the cores Gen Z seems so fond of. Inspired by beachy Nancy Meyers movies featuring great big open kitchens, and slightly frazzled always lovable heroines primarily draped in soft chambray tops or oversized sweaters with extra long sleeves, cashmere wraps, and flowy pants.

Let’s share a warm drink while wearing oversized sleeves

But I think it’s time to revisit the frazzled English woman (F.E.W.) aesthetic so beautifully embodied by Kate Winslet in every movie highlighting her British accent, as well as anything related to the first Bridget Jones movie. I’ll be honest, F.E.W. is the only trend I’m still clinging to. Fashion brand LilySilk understood this as well.

According to press materials for LilySilk’s rustic winter collection, the collection was made for “cozy afternoons spent in luxurious silk and cashmere pieces creating an effortless look that says, I've just come from a charming countryside walk—don't mind the slightly wild hair.” Sigh. One hopes there will be future snogging with Colin Firth. 

She understands the assignment

Let’s have a rustic winter

While random trends are floated around from time to time, F.E.W. feels more timely than most. Life feels scary at times. It’s a particularly unpleasant election year. To combat this, let’s all lounge around in cashmere palazzo pants and plot our own personal rom-com (which will probably be partially marred by bad weather, weak plot lines or someone’s muddy dog or ex-husband). But wearing that cozy lounge-wear, we just know we’ll end up in happily ever after territory.

Image credit: LilySilk

And I’m not too proud to admit that I am seriously (Bridget) Jonesing for this LilySilk Lounge Wrap Knit Cardigan ($249).

Image credit Eloquii.com

Fuzzy logic

Since the LilySilk coziness only goes up to size XL, you can always opt for this Fuzzy Marble Sweater from plus size brand Eloquii ($89.95) which definitely has an eccentric and frazzled vibe going on and doesn’t judge you if you’re as soft and curvy as your sweater.

Image credit: Sneex

Sneex, please

If you must wear heels, they should probably have sneakers attached to them. Sneex were created by Sara Blakely, creator of Spanx. More importantly, my fabulous client Liz — who spends lots of time on her feet at trade shows while promoting her brilliant brand CITIBIN — swears by Sneex (more comfy than heels, less comfy than sneakers). They cost about $500 a pop though, and are not without controversy. An article in today's WSJ is less than kind about the design or price.

Earn your stripes

And you wouldn’t be in quirky territory without the requisite pair of striped tights from We Love Colors. This takes you there for about $16.

Escape to a small town (with a tall and scruffy police chief).

Meanwhile, if you’re planning some cozy weekend bingeing, check out Murder in a Small Town starring the scrummy Rossif Sutherland (son of the late great Donald and half brother of Kiefer) and Kristin Kreuk of Smallville fame. The show is based on the nine-book Karl Alberg novel series by L.R. Wright. The novels were written in the ‘80s and while the show seems updated to our era, there’s something charmingly retro about it overall. The small town in question is set in stunning British Columbia with some incredible homes and scenery I’d like to dive into. It’s also a relief that there isn’t too much gore or shocking crime. In all, this show is a cozy that makes even murdering neighbors seem less scary. Karl Alberg is like Inspector Gamache’s younger, scruffier brother. Murder in a Small Town airs on Fox, and is streaming on Hulu.

In all, I propose that in the months ahead we seek comfort and coziness above all. What say you?

Rachel, Your beauty concierge 💋