My love affair with preppy style began with a sweater—a pistachio green, cable-knit, three-ply cashmere Ralph Lauren crewneck, to be exact. It had exquisite proportions—a skinny, slightly cropped cut, tiny armholes, and narrow sleeves that made your arms look like they went on forever—and the wool was so soft that it felt like a baby’s hair when you touched it (which I did a lot, obviously). In my New York of the late ’90s, it became part of my work uniform: I would wear it to the Vogue office on Madison Avenue with a pair of pale pink silk Dolce & Gabbana flared trousers, my granny’s pearls, and Manolo Blahnik kitten heel sandals in pale suede. On my shoulder: a huge leopard-print Fendi sack that André Leon Talley had given me. (It was quite normal for André to throw a heavenly bag on your desk and say something like, “You need it more than me, darling!” before pirouetting out of sight.)
Soon, I’d added a chocolate brown version of the Ralph sweater to my collection (the “collection” forever remained at a modest two), which I teamed with another pair of Dolce trousers (this time in lime green silk), snake-print shoes, and an L.L.Bean tote monogrammed with my initials in pink letters. Beauty-wise, the Bobbi Brown “no makeup” makeup look reigned (think: an immaculate nude mani-pedi, a subtle stain on the lips, a dash of mascara, and a light tan courtesy of a weekend in the Hamptons).
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WOMAN TO WOMAN
Chemena Kamali's debut for Chloé was notable most of all for the way it connected with so many. Chloe Schama meets the designer whose name is on everyone's lips.
In Wonderland
Coach creative director Stuart Vevers and husband Ben Seidler's country cottage on 40 rolling acres is filled with antiques, flea market finds and their gorgeous young twins.
SUPERNOVA
A searingly modern take on Sunset Boulevard, starring Nicole Scherzinger at the height of her powers, comes to the New York stage.
Mr. Happy
Kieran Culkin as electric an actor as he is a constitutionally ambivalent one-anchors the dark comic indie A Real Pain, and is leading Glengarry Glen Ross to Broadway. It's a lot to process.
SHAPE SHIFTER
Who is Lady Gaga now? A Hollywood superstar, a pop innovator, and a much happier, more grounded creature altogether. But as Jonathan Van Meter discovers, she's still an ever-evolving puzzle all her own. Photographed by Ethan James Green.
An Un-Still Life
The vibrant paintings of Hilary Pecis pulse with energy.
Giddyup Cup
The storied Austrian glassware maker Lobmeyr looks to the American West.
What's Going On With Pants?
The current (and oft-confusing) proliferation of them mirrors our lives today. By Maya Singer.
Full Flower
Erdem Moralioglu plants a new seed with his bloom-adorned bag.
Out of the Box
A biopic made from Legosfor Pharrell Williams.