OOTM: Outfits of the Month - August

Van’s look leans fully into the romance of cottagecore, with a long lace cardigan that feels somewhere between a kimono and a piece of heirloom lingerie. It’s romantic with just enough drama, and instantly gives a simple outfit something to talk about.

For pieces with this kind of presence, vintage is the place to look. Try hunting for lace robes, embroidered kimonos or delicate dusters that can be thrown over jeans and a tank just as easily as a dress. The goal is to find something with enough personality to carry the outfit on its own. A little drama is never a bad thing.

Van sources clothes from boutiques in Vietnam for custom tailored pieces and Revolve for last minute items! She finds unique pieces with different textures, shapes and styles to stand out and is naturally drawn to the timeless asian inspired designs like Kim Shui & Sau Lee.

Fall dressing is already making an appearance, even if August has other plans. Taking cues from BOLOLA’s fall palette of green, yellow and brown, Martha builds the look around light plaid, easy layers and a classic loafer. “I love to layer, while staying comfortable,” she says, a particularly useful philosophy when getting dressed for New York.

The rest of her approach is just as effortless. Martha mixes high and low, new and vintage, letting quality matter more than the label. And when it comes to shoes, she knows what she likes: “I’m a lover of loafers!”

Andrea’s outfit strikes a balance between intricate and edgy with a distressed metallic tank, a fringed vintage bag, and—perhaps most importantly—a great pair of jorts. The metallic top brings the edge, while the fringe keeps things a little bohemian. Andrea has always loved putting statement pieces together, especially items gathered from her travels:

“This fringe bag was handmade in Thailand, and the second I found it, I knew it was something I’d have forever. I love mixing textures and experimenting with combinations that aren’t necessarily the obvious choice. I think personal style is something you build over time through experimenting—the only way to know if something is or isn’t you is to actually try it. Sometimes that means pushing past the initial 'this feels weird' moment and giving an outfit a chance to surprise you.”

The takeaway: let the wild pieces clash together. A statement top or vintage accessory can completely change the feel of everyday denim. And if you’re wondering whether jorts are worth committing to, I’m writing this with a pair of my own on, so I think we have our answer.

Isadora has the late summer to fall transition figured out. The butter yellow keeps things soft and easy, while her pony hair zebra print heeled sandals bring in just the right amount of funk. We’re expecting zebra to have a major moment this fall, and these heels are a good argument for getting ahead of the trend.

For the rest of us, the takeaway is simple: don’t pack away your summer pieces just because fall is approaching. Keep the lighter colors and silhouettes, then bring in one piece with a little more personlaity. A statement heel, printed bag or great belt can make an otherwise simple outfit feel entirely different.

We’re also taking notes on the oversized sunglasses. A pair this big is useful for more than just sun protection. Keep them in your rotation for no makeup days, low energy mornings, or whenever the outfit needs a little more drama.

If August taught us anything, it’s that a little vintage, a bold print, an oversized accessory or a dramatic layer can go a long way. Take what you love, leave what you don’t, and carry the best of these looks into fall.