[Just a note: Paid subs, please scroll all the way down for a video of Tibi and other try-ons.]
It was the ultimate challenge for a girl who struggles with casual. We spent two weeks at a rental house in coastal Rhode Island. Last week I served you looks from the first half. Here’s how week two went, with lots of repeats.
But I did learn a few things.
… ok, the Takeaways this week:
Use a vacation as a test run. Especially a vacation by car, where you can take more stuff. I packed things I hadn’t worn yet to rip the bandaid off, things that weren’t working to give them one last chance, and beauty products I wanted to actually put to the test versus stare at in my bathroom. I even self-tanned!
Play stylist on vacation: It’s also a great time to build your styling muscles. Create little challenges, like see how many ways you can style the same cardigan, or the same cardigan and jeans. Put an outfit together and then try it with every shoe you packed. Try every “I wonder if I could…” even the ones that scare you.
Remember your Domino Dressing: I came up with this term because with dominoes you build by repeating one thing, you put a three, say, up next to another three. In outfits, it’s like, start with one thing you liked wearing the day before. On vacation, we change a lot to swim, get dinner, whatever. Often you have something you only wore a couple hours. Wear it again!
Wear the same thing coming and going. You already thought about the right outfit for the journey. Instead of reinventing the wheel, just swap out a tee.
MONDAY
WFH and relaxing
Secondhand Ulla Johnson Joni dress - Size 4 (size is very adjustible). Brochu Walker makes a great alt, on sale, in a range of sizes.
Old Rowing Blazers Arthur Ashe tee; here’s an option … more barrier-breakers: Jackie Robinson…Basquiat…Serena
Phoebe flip flops + Larroude’s option + these for $25, the color, lines. And love the women-founded brand.
Lofted Settledness? Yes. I really liked trying this dress with a graphic tee, which I’d never done before.
TUESDAY
WFH and relaxing
Lofted Settledness? Yes. I am obsessed with how I felt in this.
WEDNESDAY
WFH and relaxing, a walk
Marcella asymmetrical tee (Domino Dressing!)
Compass necklace with my initials and Js for Jack + Jim
past season Tibi Winslow sweatpants; current here
Night — double date with law school friends at Red Dory in Tiverton RI
Phoebe Philo tee with a black bra! I AM A HUSSY! AND I LIKE IT!
ye miraculous Theory men’s sweater (in my hand)
Vintage Levis juniors 517s from The Consistency Project
Valentino belt, vintage denim, The Horse clutch — as above
Lofted Settledness? Yes. I felt hot in this!
THURSDAY
House inspection at the new condo we bought
HMS Lambrusco tee (sold out - this is the vibe! and I need this asap)
Tibi shorts … and These!
Secondhand Vuitton belt (similar); Nili Lotan has a good comp; so does Rag and Bone (it’s a little narrower)
Louboutin flats, winner of my “comfortable and modern black flats search” — and + - great comp!
Roxanne Assoulin necklace (try code MOBILE10)
At Present necklace (use code HEYMRSSOLOMON15)
Secondhand Prada lipstick bag … here’s an option you are loving the lipstick. And also so many good secondhand Prada prints! Don’t forget on Vestiare you can make an offer. The price you see isn’t the price! And also this and this for more cute prints for a song.
secondhand Miu Miu sunglasses made into glasses
Lofted Settledness? Ish. Nice, not knocking my socks off. But I do like the narrower shoe with it.
NIGHT
a special dinner; the day our son came from Korea
Theory men’s sweater — cotton + linen blend, which I like because it’s airyyyyy (a gift I chose)
Valentino belt — another great option. And this feels worth trying; great price.
Chelsea Von Mach CVM jeans with adjustable waist - I am in a medium; the waist adjustment is great because then you can wear with flats or heels by having them sit higher or lower
Dolce Vita thong sandals under there — these have turned out to be really comfortable
Lofted Settledness? Yes. It was a low-key party outside and I felt comfortable but festive.
FRIDAY
Jim’s birthday - family celebration #2
Best present ever … JACK
Chelsea Von Mach CVM jeans with adjustable waist
Dolce Vita Hinna Wedges - these have worked out great, give me the lift and heft I sometimes need and not expensive
Tibi capelet sold out, but we have this iteration … Why not drape this in the same way?
SATURDAY
my bday, cute coffee + heading home
Vintage 517 juniors Levis from The Consistency Project (like these?)
Emme Parsons belt // Jil Sander tee with blue logo // Theory men’s sweater
Phoebe Philo Pace Runners, or get the original inspo
Lofted Settledness? Yes. Kitchen Sink Neutrals, I tell you!
By request: The Kitchen Sink Neutral Formula
·
September 27, 2025
I am a lot. And sometimes my outfits are a lot too. I call my style DNA “Miami King” —and often I want to feel a lot of Miami. Bold, bright, maybe a graphic tee or an out -there shape. But sometimes after these very Miami outfits (and I’ve noticed this more in the past year), I crave something that still feels like my DNA, but expressed in a more minimal way. Something that makes me feel like my most sophisticated version of myself. And as I’ve taken a look at the outfits that do this for me, I’ve realized there’s a formula in there that I bet a lot of people will relate to, really like, and be able to execute with what you already own. I’ve been calling it The Kitchen Sink Neutral Formula. It was a big aha.
SUNDAY
Unpacking, packing again for Chicago, The Package Room, Sunday Night Outfit Planning
Secondhand APC sweatshirt (I have a shoulder pad tee underneath) — what I like is the sweatshirt is thin and there’s whimsy but it’s low key … like this or this
vintage Levis from The Consistency Project
secondhand Jil Sander sandals … lovely Old Celine vibes; have tried these IRL, and also this looks good; have been happy with their flip flops
Let’s get dressed.
For access to my weekly finds and cravings, follow HMS here on ShopMy
In case you missed it, here is last week’s Package Room AND Sunday Night Outfit Planning:
AYR “the Boost” slit legging + longer sleeve “ish” tee
With Nothing Underneath: The Classic (blue), Boyfriend (black linen)
Agatha ribbon necklace, candy long earrings
Anna Foxy baggy black trousers
BEAUTY
Skinfix mist, SPF-melting cleanser, clay cleanser
Tinge: Body Beam, The Tint, The Big Brush, The Detail Brush
Farmacy: Cleansing Balm, Honey Milk hydrating essence, Honey Vanilla peptide smoothie
Tarte blur concealer, concealer paw brush, blur concealer brush
Fenty: Gloss Bomb
Ursa Major Golden Hour Body Serum
Ranavat Brightening Mineral Sunscreen
Now for the paid folks, here’s my try-on of my Tibi Fall buys, some treats from Shopbop, etc.
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