I know everyone has been wearing hoodies for the last year, and while I've resisted them for the most part, I had a revelation a few weeks ago. I was out walking Zuni when it started to lightly rain, and I happened to have been wearing my Cuddl Duds hooded tee; I didn't have a hat, but I pulled the hood over my head and saved my freshly washed hair from frizzing out. Considering I've lived for more than 7 years in a city that's frequently cloaked in drippy fog, it's kind of amazing that it took me this long to realize the practical applications of a Hoodie. But now that I have, I've gone a little hoodie-happy. This is the first of several new hoodies I've purchased, so apologies in advance for the barrage of hoodie-themed posts coming up. Up first is this Isabel Marant hoodie, which I am completely obsessed with right now. Here's how I've been wearing it.
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I got a new job in January, and whenever I get a new job, I treat myself to a little something. As longtime Cheryl Shops readers know, Isabel Marant is my favorite designer, and while I've had to steer clear of some of her recent offerings (the '80s V-yoke jeans were a no for me), I'd been eyeing her hoodies for awhile. Now, I realize that this is a ridiculous amount of money to pay for a hoodie (I got mine on sale, but still); I am generally not a fan of logos, either, as it turns one into a walking designer billboard (and can read a little gauche). You can most certainly find something similar, without a logo, for a fraction of the price. I can offer no logical explanation as to why I wanted this hoodie so badly, other than I find it incredibly cozy, and I like using it to create a little push-pull with whatever I'm wearing. For example, here I layered it under a more tailored blazer and paired it with jeans, rather than wearing it with leggings (although, full disclosure, I do that too). When the weather warms up, I'm looking forward to pairing it with a ruffly, flouncy skirt—I feel like that's something Isabel Marant herself would do. (WWIMD may just be a new styling motto for me.) The other big revelation I've had is that attempting to always "dress like a French woman" is kind of boring, and that I need to follow my own advice and wear what I like—for real this time. Isn't that what a real French Woman (like...Isabel Marant!) would do?
I don't know about you, but I'm getting really tired of all my winter coats, which usually happens this time of year. So I relish the days I can get away with a blazer instead, and when you layer a wooly one like this over a substantially thick hoodie, it's actually pretty warm. I've had this blazer for awhile—you last saw it in my ultimate classic outfit, I think—and while I think Everlane might be "canceled" at the moment (I've personally struggled with finding anything worth buying there lately), this blazer was a good buy. It does run huge, however, so size down—I'm in a 4 and as you can see, I have plenty of room for an oversized sweatshirt underneath.
At my new job, we have a pair of straight-leg jeans that's a bestselling style, and the funny thing is, while they're super flattering on nearly everyone, they tend to not look great when we photograph them for whatever reason. I feel like these Levi's 501 jeans never look as good here as I think they do in real life, but then again, maybe they just don't look so great, period. (You last saw them with a cashmere coatigan; IDK, what do you think?) I guess I'll hold on to them for now, though, because they're pretty comfy. I will say, in spite of being 100% cotton with no stretch, this style runs a bit big; I'm in my usual 28 and wish I'd had gone down to a 27.
Something that does bring me joy, however, is this pair of red suede loafers from Calla. Even though this is only their second appearance on the blog (the first was with my favorite ruched dress), I wear them all the time IRL because they're so freaking comfy, and I always get compliments on them from random strangers. Even better, they're on sale right now, so I highly recommend grabbing a pair. Would a French woman wear them? Who cares—I would, and I do love them.
OUTFIT DETAILS: Everlane oversized blazer | Isabel Marant Mansel hoodie | Levi's 501c jeans (also here) | A.P.C. sac demi-lune | Calla Maggie loafers (c/o)
