Cheryl Shops

As I mentioned in my newsletter last week, I've been hearing a lot about dopamine dressing, which is basically wearing clothes that bring you joy because the last two years have been all about sad sweatpants and scuzzy slippers, and we're all OVER IT. So as I enter my 44th year on this planet—yes, today is my actual birthday—I am fully embracing that concept. This week's outfit feels very "me" on several levels. For one, it includes some of my favorite pieces. On another, it pays homage to one of my favorite Peter Lindbergh editorials from Vogue, featuring all of the supermodels draped over motorcycles in Dumbo, dressed in a mix of Chanel and Schott. But on the deepest level, this is how my inner child would like to dress, ballerina skirt and all. And I'm totally embracing it. 

Chicwish tulle skirt

I started dance classes when I was three years old, and I was mostly in it for the tutus. Dance ended up becoming a huge part of my life, and while I never  performed in a big tulle skirt like this one, I've always wanted to. I mean, it looks great in motion and you feel like a princess in it, which is exactly how I want to feel on my birthday (and maybe every day, if I'm being honest). This particular skirt is from Amazon, and real talk, it's not the highest quality, but it's only $40 and you get what you pay for. It is thankfully not itchy, as tulle can frequently be, and I like that it has a built-in slip. It also has a not-super-attractive elastic waistband, but thankfully you can cover it up with a belt like I did. I'm wearing the size small-medium and it fits perfectly (there's also a lot of room in the hips due to the full shape), but I'd say if you're a size 8 or up, go with the medium-large. 

Veronica Beard porter tee 

Funny story about this tee: American Express sent me a $200 gift card to Veronica Beard last year (I am a very good customer), and I had every intention of buying a blazer, but as I mentioned in my Galentine's Day post, their blazers are $800...and polyester! Which seems absolutely ridiculous to me—if I want a polyester blazer, I'll go to Zara. Anyway, everything else in the store was super expensive, so I ended up with this $158 T-shirt. Really, it's not worth $158; maybe half that. It's kind of short on me, so it only works tucked in with super high-waisted bottoms. The sleeves are puffy and cute, but they're three-quarter-length, which is not my favorite. I do like the leopard print, however, and I've always wanted to try leopard and pink together, so, success. If you do decide to splurge on this tee, definitely size up—I'm in a medium, which is still pretty fitted on me. 

Banana Republic moto jacket

You've seen this jacket a gazillion times (here are 7 ways to wear it), but as I mentioned, it was one of the most important parts of this outfit because I wanted to pay homage to the Wild at Heart photos shot by Peter Lindbergh. Biker jackets always look cool with anything, but I especially love them with something overtly feminine, like this tulle skirt. I think 13-year-old Cheryl (that's how old I was when the story came out) would totally agree. 

Sarah Flint perfect block sandal 30 (use code SARAHFLINT-BACHERYLSHOPS for $50 off)

Y'all have been buying so many Sarah Flint shoes that they sent me another pair, so thank you for that! This time I went with a gold sandal for warmer weather, and so far I'm loving it. If I were being totally true to the Peter Lindbergh photo, I'd be wearing biker boots, but since it's my birthday, I wanted shoes that felt a little more festive. Sarah Flint makes this sandal in several different heel heights, but I went with the lowest one because, well, I'm 44 and I've been wearing flats for the last two years. Like all of her shoes, this one is very well padded in the footbed—like surprisingly so for a sandal that looks so delicate. The heel is the perfect height for me right now: just enough lift, and totally walkable. I feel like I could wear these to a wedding or to something as casual as a weekend brunch—they pretty much go with everything and I think I'll get a ton of wear out of them. My one tiny quibble is that I wish the toe strap were a tiny bit wider; my bunion sticks out a little from it (again, I'm 44), but it's still comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time. This style runs true to size; I'm in a 39 (and I'm almost always an 8.5 US), and PS it makes a great birthday present ;) 

OUTFIT DETAILS: Banana Republic moto jacket | Veronica Beard tee | Isabel Marant Lecce belt | Chicwish tulle skirt (c/o) | Sarah Flint perfect block sandals (c/o; use code SARAHFLINT-BACHERYLSHOPS for $50 off)