A (Big) Apple A Day

FINALLY releasing a track from my cover album, MUSES, to be heard by ears other than those of my family. This is a cover of “Youth” by Daughter. 

Produced by Dave Wasserstrom.

FINALLY releasing a track from my cover album, MUSES, to be heard by ears other than those of my family. This is a cover of “Rivers and Roads” by The Head and The Heart, featuring Reilly Manz. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: denim on denim is back. And just last week, I decided to fully commit to the revitalized movement by purchasing my first jean jacket since the 90s (when, admittedly, my parents were buying my clothes and dressing me). I found the perfect denim jacket at H&M, and it was the perfect shade to wear with this season’s ultra-light and inky-dark jeans. That’s the key to wearing denim from head to toe: don different hues to avoid looking like a textured blueberry. Now before you weep softly while looking through your Zoe Report emails for slideshows of impeccable jackets priced about two points too high, take a deep breath and never fear. A denim jacket is something you can invest in if you have the cash and you’re confident you won’t give it to goodwill in 10 years once you look back on photos of yourself like you did on Britney and Justin at the 2001 American Music Awards. (A denim dress and Canadian tuxedo is still in bad taste, but they had a reputation for pushing the envelope, those two.) If you don’t have the cash and/or don’t have the style tenacity to withstand the eventual personal ridicule long enough to keep the jacket until it (inevitably) becomes stylish again, then do as I did and buy a wallet-friendly denim jacket from a retailer who dominates a lower price point. My textured treasure was only $30. I’ll go out on a limb and predict that denim jackets will be in style for the next 5 years or so, which makes my purchase more than justifiable. As for styling, remember the rule about different shades of blue, and pairing dark jeans with a white shirt and a faded blue jacket is a simple way to look effortlessly stylish and undeniably cool. For more details, see below.

This season, all hail hats! Hats are back for spring, and they’re cuter than ever. Wide brimmed, woolen, and oh-so-chic, these outfit-toppers are a must-have for the melting season. I recently picked one up at Swank Boutique in downtown Columbia, Mo. after donning it in an outfit styled by myself and two of my fellow Chi Omega sisters for a sorority styling contest. (We won!) After the photoshoot was over, I simply had to have the soft and sturdy style accessory. I was initially concerned about how much I’d be able to wear it with, but I’ve found it’s actually much more versatile that I thought. Pair it with a white turtleneck, white pants, and black peacoat for a minimalistic, dichromatic look on chillier days, or rock it with a tank, jeans, and a flannel tied around your waist for an edgier look that shows a little more skin. Whatever way you style it, make sure you wear it with confidence. Below, a photo from my look in the Swank Boutique sorority styling contest.

The S/S and F/W 2015 runways displayed a bevy of 70s reincarnations – from the indulgent use of fringe to breezier silhouettes to bralessness (thank God for that, am I right ladies??) – and that's all fine and dandy for our ready-to-wear looks this year. But when it comes to couture, I'd like to see a revival of the conservative class of the 60s. More specifically, I'd like to see models walking down the runway looking like Holly Golightly. Max Mara's F/W 2015 line was inspired by the glamorous Marilyn Monroe, and though the collection was overall conservative and subtly sexy, I'd love to see some of the daintiness that Audrey brought to Holly in next year's lines. Holly Golightly had such a catlike demeanor; aloof much of the time, intrigued by new things, interested in affection then biting when too much was given. Her laid-back attitude was in no way reflected by how she dressed. In fact, there's not a single moment in the film when she looks anything less than fashionably put-together, even when she's answering the door in her (adorable) pajamas. She brings a femininity to dressing that reminds me of Coco Chanel, pearls, and my grandmother; people and things that never go out of style. Below is a collection of my favorite looks from Breakfast at Tiffany's. Hopefully you'll find them as inspiring as I do.

When I'm feeling my laziest but have obligations in public places, I tend to favor comfort clothing. Think the textile equivalent of a hamburger; respectable enough to order at a restaurant, but makes you feel like you never left home. And like the hamburger, everyone can have their own version of what comfort clothes should be. My version just happens to share a title with the mouthwatering, meaty meal: American Classic.  Like any great burger, you need to start with a solid foundation. Mine is a crisp white Polo button-down, courtesy of my handsome Texan boyfriend. (It's practically part of a uniform for those southern men.) This button-down is always complimented by a pair of worn-in jeans. I'm partial to skinny jeans, but today I went with a straight-leg boyfriend cut from the brand Joe's Jeans that have a softer hand and a looser fit. Perfect for a day of running errands. To top off this classic look, I wore my Calvin Klein Modern Cotton bralette (not pictured, obviously) and my favorite charcoal grey Franco Sarto booties (also not pictured, also obvious). This look is one of my favorites for a number of reasons. First, I feel like a supermodel on her day off thanks to the flattering fit of the jeans that break up the straight silhouette of the button-down. Second, this outfit is so damn comfortable that I could sleep in it. I have slept in it. And third, it's so simple that it transcends fashion into timelessness, which is part of the reason why I consider this look an American Classic.