Slim Aarons Soirée
Two things that live rent free in my mind:
Slim Aarons’s photography
The phrase “is this the right vibe, though?”
I’m sure you’ve been there, staring straight at your closet, trying to imagine what everyone else is wearing and angry that you are 100% the only one that doesn’t understand the vague dress code. “Black tie optional, dressy cute, elevated casual,” yada yada yada. These oxymoronic descriptors provide no help, and yet, we still flock to them.
Unfortunately, I can provide no help in rewriting the dictionary of dressing.
I can, however, tell you my quick rule of thumb for closet consultation:
“Would I wear it to a party with Slim?”
ICYMI, Slim Aarons is one of the most quintessential photographers of the 20th century. Known for photographing “attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places,” Slim was more than just a lucky guy with a camera. He was actually a purple heart recipient who got his photo journalism start on the frontlines of WWII. To this day, Slim is regarded with the utmost respect, forever known for his kind demeanor and ability to capture magic in one moment of time.
So, I circle back: If an outfit is good enough to be worn to a hypothetical party with the likes of Slim Aarons, we are good to go. The women in his photographs are classy, colorful, chic, and confident. If you have these four pillars covered, you can forget a dress code!
I love ALC ‘s gorgeous Rio dress this exact reason. It’s undoubtedly colorful, striking, classy, and trendy all at the same time. I actually rented this beauty from Rent the Runway, and if you use this link you can get 40% two months of a subscription!
I paired the Rio with this Swells of Splendor scarf and sleek bun to add a sophisticated yet fun balance to the daring dress. Since the gown was so statement-making, I wanted super simple hair to go with. But, a silk scarf in the back kept things interesting and perfectly retro.
Quick (literal) side note on the Swells scarf:
Named “The Connie” scarf, I designed this silk from a photo of my grandmother taken in 1948. Similar to Slim’s subjects, my grandmother is a very fabulous gal, as were her friends in the photo. Dissimilar to Slim’s subjects, they were inspecting a crop of cantaloupes on a farm in Cordele, GA at the time of the photo.
This sassy snap has always made me smile, and I love that it’s immortalized on a scarf. Needless to say, The Connie is always Slim approved!
And there ya have it! My go-to, 1 paged guidebook on dressing for any occasion. If you want to start adding Slim-approved staples to your wardrobe, click the photo below! And for info on the items not linked:
Bottom Right Monsoon and Beyond Set
Top Middle Connie Scarf
