One of my many (somewhat useless) skills is that I do not have the ability to forget a birthday. I swear, I’m worse than your dentist’s office that texts you every year to wish you a happy birth. And this is deeply unfortunate when it marks the birth of someone I do, in fact, wish to forget. (I can’t, and I won’t.)
Today is June 13th. It’s national pigeon appreciation day, which is relevant to precious few people beyond myself. It’s also Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen’s 40th birthday, which you fellow fashion-obsessed millennials probably already knew. (And for the record, I’m happy to remember this one.)
I was introduced to the Twins when I was quite literally still in the womb. I was raised on Full House, a series which followed me through my early childhood and continues to be my comfort show (and that of my entire family’s–my brother is opening a restaurant this fall and I begged him to call it the Smash Club, which he is, much to my dismay, not). I still have every episode on VHS.
And then there were the Barbies. The lip gloss. The line of clothing at Wal-Mart. I had to have it all.
Ashley and Mary-Kate were, in my opinion, the original influencers. And their book, Influence? It still sits, dog-eared, in a stack underneath my mantle.
I was, I suppose, an early fan of the Row, too. In 2013, I cold emailed Ruthie Friedlander, then the PR manager for the brand and a perfect stranger to me, requesting a job. She never responded, though ironically we reconnected several years later when we founded The Chain, and this email never fails to make us chuckle.
To this day, the way the Olsens get dressed scratches an area of my brain nothing and no one else can reach, and has been extremely impactful in my own approach to style. As I touched on in my earlier essay on personal style, I don’t seek to replicate anyone else’s outfits verbatim, but I do see my clothing and point of view as both an emotional outlet and a scrapbook of sorts, taking inspiration from all of life’s experiences and the beauty I encounter within them.
Moreso than any specific outfits, I’ve gleaned a few style principles from them that guide my own process. Without further ado…
In theory, this sounds obvious enough. But I’ve always said these two are a prime example of the difference between wearing vs. styling. This can be seen in the way The Row is styled in shows and on e-comm vs. how they, themselves, wear it–and it’s a world of difference. I mean, it was a brand founded on the idea of creating the perfect t-shirt. They deliver a (very elevated) foundational wardrobe season after season–absolutely exquisite garments, to be sure, but not exactly revolutionary. The secret sauce is in how one interprets it, which is also the fun part.
To me, there is nothing less interesting than when a look is too done, too clean, or too perfect. When there’s an element of something a bit offbeat or undone, I find that it gives texture and intrigue in a look. Whether that’s their lived-in hair or beat-up Hermès Kelly, it makes their style that much more compelling. Not unlike Allison Bornstein’s signature “wrong shoe theory”, these two always show up with at least one element that feels unexpected, and I think that’s what makes it so great.
During an age of short-lived micro trends and algorithmic dressing, incorporating vintage elements into a look makes it personal and more memorable, and it’s unlikely many others will own the same pieces. There can also be such a significant storytelling aspect to vintage or antique clothing and accessories that I find so special and captivating: why it speaks to you, how and where you found it, what it means to you, etc. The same usually cannot be said for a piece you or I impulsively buy online through an affiliate link. By now, I’d say at least half of my closet is vintage, antique, or pre-loved, and it’s so fulfilling to be able to associate meaning with the pieces I wear over and over.
At 19, I didn’t swear off wearing color because of the Olsens, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they shared a similar rationale (for frequently wearing black) considering how private they have become. For me, as a sensitive person, it serves as a buffer between the chaos of New York and myself (also no stranger to chaos). This early realization was my gateway into viewing clothing as so much more than purely decorative, or merely utilitarian. My wardrobe has become such an extension of my emotional expression, and I’ve found this to be a common sentiment among others who also wear a lot of black.
Yes, even during winter. I have nothing else to offer here because it doesn’t make sense. And yet.
Although an Olsen sighting is about as rare as a snow leopard (and prompts a litany of full-blown dissertations which bring me no small amount of entertainment), they aren’t shy about rewearing their clothes. (And that even feels stupid to say out loud, because clothes are meant to be worn!!!) I’ve never understood the stigma surrounding outfit repeating. To me, that signifies a strong sense of identity, and the people whose personal style I admire the most have some sort of signature something. And that’s on personal taste.
On that note, if there’s one single piece of clothing I associate with these ladies, it’s a tailored black maxi coat. So in their honor, here’s a gaggle of favorites.
Hope you enjoyed!
Xx Christina
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