When discussing our own wardrobe and style essentials, Coveteur staffers found their feelings could often be summed up with the phrase, “it’s literally the best.” In our new series, we are asking industry insiders to reveal the style essentials they turn to over and over again and simply can’t live without.
On the set of Rosie Assoulin, where she spends her working hours in the realm of luxury, she also prepares her client for a press outing the next day. Burke mixes Mango with Totme, & Other Stories with Jil Sander, and Zara with Celine, all in a high-low style. Her know-how pays off here. She tries to keep her most inexpensive pieces from being mistaken for their luxury counterpart by experimenting with sizing outerwear and avoiding knock-off hardware.
Burke spends her money on statement pieces and saves her money on basics. She keeps her wardrobe fresh and new with the addition of items like Jil Sander brooches. She uses a bit of creativity in both the way she wears the pieces and the way she acquires them.
We want a picture of your style. What are your day-to-day outfits?
It’s minimalist but not crazy. I used to call myself an art-teacher-minimalist. If I tilt too far in one direction, I’ll probably pair it with a loafer. It’s a balance of masculine and feminine, but there’s always an artistic element. I guess it’s artistic minimalist. I like things that are sculptural. I love my jewelry that is almost like an art object. I like the vibe of jewelry that feels like brncui. There’s always a bit of a different style.
When buying a new item of clothing or accessory, what are the boxes you want to check?
The first thing I look for is an emotional connection. It is almost like dating. You have to have fire. Sometimes the thing doesn’t make sense to me but if I love it and can’t stop thinking about it, I know it will give something to my soul. When it comes to fashion, I feel like I’m a collector. A pair of elbow-length Jil Sander gloves may not be a logical choice, but it may speak to me and make me excited. I need that.
I will consider whether it is something I can style with other pieces in my closet. I like to stick to a certain color pallet. Sometimes I have to check myself. Is it trend driven? Take The Row’s boots. I still saw their timeless appeal, even though they are trendy right now. I recently got a top with stars and moons on it. It is1-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-6556 I look for things that will work with the rest of my wardrobe and then do something to my soul.
My first essential is a wide-leg pant. I wear a wide-leg pant almost every day. I make them to fit with flats, heels, and boots. I bought three pairs of shoes for $30 when they were on sale, and tailored them to different lengths. Aritzia also has great ones. Always a wide-leg pant. I have them in a variety of colors. I have different weights for different seasons.
A good belt is important. I don’t think you’ll ever regret wearing a belt because it can be four or five hundred dollars. Most of my clients don’t have that. It is possible to make it look more put together with a simple outfit. I wear my black and gold belt with almost every single look, even though people don’t see the value in investing in it. It makes a t-shirt and a wide-leg pant look good. There are amazing belts made by Khaite. Banana Republic and Club Monaco are great for standard belts at a good price. If you want something more artistic, I’m a big fan of the Triomphe belt from Celine’s.
A wide leg pant with oversized blazers and coats. If it’s winter, I love wearing an oversized coat with almost everything. I bought a coat from & Other Stories in a size 12 so people always think it’s a Row coat. People need to get over their association with size. I try to size up in outerwear. I think you can make a fast fashion brand look more luxurious. Sometimes, I’ll shorten the arm length to make it look like you’re wearing your Dad’s coat. Most of the blazers I buy from Zara are in a size 8 or a large, which would be like a 4 or a S/M for me. I’ve been wearing a coat all day. I like Isabel Marant’s blazers.
I also have a loafer. I have a really great pair of Mango ones that I got from the store. If they look like a copy of a trendy loafer, I don’t want to buy them. I don’t like hardware. If you’re going to go fast fashion, go super minimal with no hardware, but on the higher end, I love the Celine loafers.
I would say a shoe. I recommend an investment statement shoe there. For the past year, I’ve worn the zebra Bottega [Veneta] pumps, even though I dress very minimally. They’re the only trendy item because zebra print can be neutral. I think a statement shoe of the season can elevate your outfits and make you look better. The next pump on my list is the Saint Laurent Vesper pump. They’re still classic in my opinion, but they will make my current clothes feel new.
I love a gold jewelry or a gold accessory pop to elevate the look. Jil Sander has gold leaf brooches, earrings, and necklaces. I’m just starting to get into it. The Jil Sander one was the one that sold me the most. The e-comm is so good that they do brooches with everything. I love Martha Calvo. I always wear her gold jewelry. I don’t want my jewelry to look new. My grandma’s locket is one of my favorites. I mix that in with any new jewelry because I think it should look like it has been there forever.
I think a square toed heeled boot is good from Totme or the Row. Staud’s are really good at a lower price point. It’s good to have a square toed boot.
If I have good jewelry, a good belt, and good shoes, I love to wear a wide-leg pant and a plain crew neck sweater. I think that can be your whole look. I love the crew neck sweaters from UNIQLO. They all have good options for crew neck sweaters.
images: coveteur
source: coveteur
