Learning Style from Larissa Mills.
5 Tips that will have you feeling confident when you get dressed.
When I first saw this week’s guests Instagram page, I definitely had a moment where I was awestruck - by her beauty, by her style, by all of it. Finding women in their 40s that are aspirational - yet attainable - with their style, is incredibly rare. Larissa Mills has it and we had the chance to sit down and talk to her about her insane IG success featuring Outfits of the Day, and learn about how she styles herself. We wanted to dig in with someone we view as a true expert to share with us her tips on the Wardrobe Reset as we start a new year. Here are some of the best takeaways - but you’ll have to listen to the full episode to hear them all.
Wear Jeans That Make You Look Good.
Jean trends are always fluctuating. There was the skinny trend, the boyfriend trend, the horseshoe trend, the flare…I could keep going, but I’ll spare you. Find a shape that looks good on your figure - makes you feel great - and wear it regardless of the trends. Whether that is a vintage Levis or a pair of skinny Moussy’s that just work on you, when you feel good you look good, and that is so much more important than being “on trend”. Instead, experiment with brands - that has been my go-to. My favorites are Slvrlake (pro tip: little to zero stretch, size up a size); Re/Done (pro tip: size down in most styles, these are stretchier and have a bit of room); Closed (pro tip: size down here too - stretchy and more generous in sizing). These are the ones I reach for over and over again. And don’t be afraid to order a bunch of pairs to try on at home. Returns are easy - especially with Shopbop, they literally refund you the minute your label is scanned at UPS. It’s easier than bringing something back to the mall.
Own a great trench.
Whether you find an amazing one at Mango (like I did), or you want one from Burberry (find one for much much less on The Real Real), a great trench is a classic and can be updated in so many ways. Molly loves to wear hers with a hoodie underneath on the lacrosse field. Larissa wears hers with a classic stripe tee underneath it and a pair of denim. There is no wrong way to wear it - I haven’t broken mine out yet, but will likely wear it in a combination of ways that both Molly and Larissa have.
Embrace your Age.
I’m 45 and couldn’t be happier in my skin. I feel better about myself and more confident in my style at this age then I did at 35. I was figuring out WHAT my style was back then, so I dabbled in everything, which is exactly what Larissa did. It allowed us to experiment and come to a place where we knew what worked/what didn’t. Invest in key pieces (you’ve earned it!) like great cashmere sweaters (I wear my Jenni Kayne Cashmere Fisherman ones multiple times a week), have great jeans you always feel confident in (see above). Add your personality to it all with the accessories - that’s where your style comes into play. A great pair of hoops - like the Jennifer Fisher ones, a red lip, a great pair of flats like these , or these Mary Janes add a bit of personality to a simple base. Throw on a great coat. Carolyne Bessette-Kennedy was known for her style, and when you look at her pictures it was always so simple, and she was actually still so young. It was elegant, effortless but always cool.
Don’t buy cheap heels.
I don’t want to sound like a snob here. But if there is ONE thing you have to splurge on it’s a great pair of heels. Your feet will thank you. Your date will thank you. One of the things we all agreed on instantly on this weeks episode was cheap heels mean cheap leather which means they dig into your feet, they give you blisters. There is an art to a good heel and it is worth the investment. And you can always find a pair on sale if you are on top of it. I bought my Christian Louboutins at 50% off at the Neiman Marcus sale. I also bought these in the Net-a-Porter sale and there are a few sizes left with an extra 20% off to boot. Also another pro-tip: look at the pitch of the shoe. If it looks like your foot is at a 90 degree angle, all that pressure will be on the balls of your feet and you will not be comfortable. So no matter how cute the shoe, you won’t look cute as you hobble around.
Be Layered and Loose.
When we interviewed her, Larissa was wearing the chicest tweed bomber similar to this with a cashmere sweater from Anine Bing underneath it and chunky gold necklaces peeking out. Layering adds a softness to your outfit and also allows you to play around - layering a sweater over your shoulders as a scarf is a look Larissa has perfected. It’s a casual cool that ends up looking effortless. But layers allow you to add the personality to a simple outfit. A white t-shirt (my favorite at the moment is this ), jeans are the perfect blank canvas for your layers - you can look more pulled together with a great blazer or go casual with a soft cardigan like this gorgeous mohair one. And something else Larissa loves to do is add some sparkle - whether it’s her Fendi baguette or a sparkly shoe like this adorable pair that I need ASAP (it’s under $80). In fact - I have the visual for my Larissa-inspired outfit: baggier washed out jeans (these ones are my go-to for this look), a white tshirt, this cardi and then those sequin flats I just shared). And probably a grey cashmere scarf like this around my neck just like Larissa.
Hope you enjoyed this weeks Lipstick on the Rim episode as much as we did recording it. I love being inspired by cool women and Larissa is just that. But she is also an incredible mother, which inspires me even more. The relationship she has with her daughter is incredible, and hearing her talk about it alone makes this episode even more of a reason to listen. xx Emese
No doubt Larissa has a cool girl style but your style is my inspiration all day long! Thanks for always sharing.
Loved this episode and such a wonderful way to recap with your takeaways.