Effortless, Considered, Indulgent
Fashion, wine, and the quiet confidence of intention.
Fashion and wine are, to me, two sides of the same indulgent coin—both deeply personal, slightly performative, and excellent opportunities to curate an image of effortlessness that is, of course, anything but. They exist at the intersection of taste and theatrics, where structure matters, ambiance is everything, and confidence is half the look. Whether it’s the sharp line of a perfectly padded shoulder or the first sip of a crisp wine in a beautifully designed room, I’m drawn to experiences that feel deliberate, elevated, and just a touch self-satisfied. This is a reflection on the jackets I’m loving, the places I’m drinking, and the pleasure of knowing exactly what works for me.
Favorite Trend
Reminiscent of the 80s, using padding to define and structure feminine shoulders. A person’s favorite at the moment, because I’ve recently come to realize that I am a pear-shaped individual. The structured, theatrical nature of a shoulder pad does wonders for my lines, widening my shoulders and giving me a more hourglass figure. As much as I wish I could’ve found a beautiful vintage jacket, my reality is finding pieces that are similar but not identical. As someone with more feminine, rounded features, I often like using hard, defined lines in my dressing. A structured, high-collar gives me a sharper jawline.
In August, I found a navy double-breasted jacket by Ralph Lauren and quickly became obsessed with the structured, military-cut piece. I was drawn to the imperial-ness of the collar, high, structured, and straight. Shortly after, Napoleon jackets hit the scene. I’m in love with them. It’s basic, and I know it’s a micro-trend, but I personally love these pieces. I love the opulence, the rigidness, and the way these jackets are being worn casually with a pair of jeans and a white tee.
Later in the season, I purchased my first item from Mango. I’ve always walked by the store and peered in, but never purchased anything because of the less-than-desirable cuts and fabrics. Despite my skepticism with the brand, I found the perfect fall jacket, military-inspired but with a business edge. A particular favorite aspect of this jacket is the mix of navy and black. The difference in the collar between the black jacket and the navy collar and cuff fascinated me. In this day and age, I cannot justify buying anything that is not a wardrobe staple. Still, thankfully enough for me, I live in NYC and went through a private school goth phase, so the combination of navy and black would 100% go with the rest of my black-and-navy wardrobe.
Glass of Wine
For those of you who don’t know, I’ve recently discovered that having free will includes drinking wine and champagne exclusively if I so desire. Well, I do, and now I will only order wine wherever I’m taken. I am also quite a snob when it comes to the environment. I love being in beautiful places with a fabulous glass of wine. Is that really so bad??
As a self-proclaimed wine snob, I dream of every establishment having a perfectly crisp and refreshing Sancerre, a French white wine, or sauvignon blanc if y’all want specifics.
As one can expect, the Ritz-Carlton NoMad has a fantastic glass. Their rooftop lounge, the Nubeluz, is one of my favorite places to take visitors, with its fabulous view of the city, which sparkles against the night sky, and its excellent interiors. However, without a reservation, the wait is hours long, not very accessible for those of us who sometimes like a “go with the flow” evening.
While I could go on and on about this upper-floor paradise with its chic vibe, I actually want to highlight their downstairs lobby bar. Accessible, we were seated straight away on a Friday night. If I thought the upstairs was gorgeous, the lobby bar does not disappoint. I was fascinated by a sculpted chandelier and the mosaic tile. Definitely a place I would return for interiors alone. I was not specific when I ordered. I simply asked if they had a Sauvignon Blanc, and was given one of the cleanest, crispest, most gorgeous glasses of wine served in a perfectly thin-stemmed glass. I was served a glass from the Kaituí line by Markus Schneider, a winery based in Germany’s Pfalz region, an area known for its sun-drenched vineyards and quietly excellent white wines. German wine isn’t usually my first choice, but this one surprised me in the best way: clean, crisp, and elegant enough that I will almost certainly be purchasing bottles of it in the future.
Allow me to rave about my experience here because I am quite picky and found it fantabulous. Not only did we have a great, comfortable seat with what I can only describe as the perfect glass, but they also had none other than Papas Bravas on the menu. Apologies, I’m about to sound like I just came back from a study abroad trip that “truly changed my life,” but the first time I had papas bravas was in Barcelona, and I became obsessed with ordering them at restaurants. Now I know it’s nothing special, just another version of friend potatoes with a fancy sauce, but let a girl be excited about the little things.
Anyway, the papas bravas paired with the German wine is honestly perfect in my opinion.
As expected, the bathroom was picturesque, quite literally. Like any social media-obsessed 20-something, there was, in fact, a photoshoot in the bathroom.
Funnily enough, the blazer I am wearing in this picture is a one-of-one piece I acquired in Barcelona. Vintage made new with the addition of this dark purple velvet ribbon and artful pinching, easily one of my favorite pieces.
At the end of the day, this is less about jackets or wine and more about intention—choosing pieces and places that feel aligned with who I am and how I want to move through the world. A structured blazer can change the way you stand; a beautiful glass of wine can change the way an evening unfolds. Both are small luxuries, yes, but ones that offer a sense of control, confidence, and pleasure in a city that rarely slows down. Whether I’m wrapped in military tailoring or perched at a bar with impeccable interiors and an even better pour, I’ll always choose what feels considered, classic, and unapologetically indulgent. After all, isn’t that the whole point?