Chic & The City
10 Things Other Women Do That I Find Profoundly Chic & Incredibly Cool
This weekend I was back in North Carolina, celebrating my sister’s bachelorette party. How I’ve managed to avoid bachelorette parties until now, I don’t fully know, but staying in a house with eight women drinking tequila out of customized cups got me thinking.
In a world that constantly tries to pit women against each other, I have to confess: other women have always been my inspiration and my muses. There is a specific kind of effortless and nonchalant glamour that so many women possess: a distinct way of moving through the world that is just entirely their own and entirely intoxicating. And there is something so inspiring about women that are so themselves and so sure of it all that makes me want to be the same.
And heading back to the city after a weekend of heavy observation, I started making a list of these effortlessly glamorous things. So, without further ado, here are 10 things other women do that I find profoundly chic and incredibly cool:
Wearing animal print on a random Tuesday
Working in Midtown Manhattan, I see a never-ending sea of black trousers and white t-shirts every morning. While I respect the value of a well-fitted staple (& have to admit these girls look incredible), my heart belongs to the women rocking cheetah print heels or zebra skirts at 7:45 AM on 34th Street. It’s loud, it’s joyful, and it is beautifully impractical for a morning in the workplace.
Being loyal to a certain product (& recommending it to everyone)
An overpriced eye cream you tried once on vacation and now can’t live without? Hot. A lipstick you’ve worn for ten years? Incredible. A signature nail polish color you return to time and time again? Amazing. There is something insanely fabulous about a woman who knows exactly what she likes and what works for her.
Laughing really loud
All of my favorite people have a laugh that is entirely their own, and it brings me so much happiness to make them laugh and hear it echo through a space. It’s unapologetic and it’s joyful and it’s what life is all about.
Having good bedding
My grandmother curated her bed to be an absolute sanctuary (with bonus points for a strict no men allowed policy) and to me, it felt like heaven. Gorgeous white cotton sheets, the fluffiest feather comforter, and mountains of down pillows: crawling into it at the end of the day was a luxurious, daily act of self-love, and something I dream of emulating.
Making a point to include others in conversation
There is something immensely charming about a woman who is the connector in a group: she’s kind and she’s welcoming and she’s usually the best matchmaker you know. There is nothing chicer and cooler than making others feel accepted.
Wearing your natural hair
Waking up with your curls a little messier than you intended? Sexy. Baby hairs frizzing up and curling while you’re out at a bar? I am absolutely obsessed. There is a beautifully undone and effortless quality to natural texture that screams confidence and self-acceptance.
Sending mail
Receiving a postcard or a handwritten birthday card from someone you love is easily one of the top experiences this life has to offer. Being the kind of person who actually buys the stamps and drops them in the mailbox? Thoughtful, cool, and effortlessly rock and roll.
Being decisive
Whether it’s confidently ordering appetizers for the whole table or picking the restaurant without the classic "I don't care, what do you want?" dance, I love a woman who unapologetically takes up space and stands ten toes down on exactly what she wants.
Reapplying lipstick without a mirror
I grew up watching my mother perfect this craft with the tube of Revlon’s Rum Raisin she always carried with her. Every time I see a woman touching up her lipstick at a dark bar or on a moving train by pure muscle memory, I’m reminded of what feminine mystique is all about.
Wearing men’s clothes
The chicest women I know all own a pair of men’s Levi’s or a button-down shirt they “borrowed” from an ex and conveniently never returned. It’s oversized in the best way, giving a very nonchalant, "I just threw this on" sexiness that you just can't buy.
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Things That Make Me Feel Cool & Hot & Grown Up
A few months ago, I wrote about the sparkling, grown-up things that made me feel exactly like the twenty-something I always hoped I’d be. At the time, I was surrounded by half-packed cardboard boxes, preparing to leave one life behind and dreaming of what my new life would be like when I arrived in New York.
The Upper East Side At 4:35 PM
There is a very specific and very fleeting moment in an early summer afternoon on the Upper East Side where the light hits the brick buildings just right, turning everything into a bright and delirious dream.
decisive women are so hot i attempt to embody her everyday!!!!
“or a button-down shirt they “borrowed” from an ex and conveniently never returned.”
This line had me CACKLING, because in my 20’s my roommate and I had “ex boyfriend shirts” as staples in our wardrobe that we would lend each other back & forth. This brought back a fun memory from way back then ❤️ I have since ditched those 😌 but I am regularly sporting my husband’s vintage band t’s these days!
Loved this read ❤️ can’t wait for the next, as always!
P.S. If you’re interested in sending post cards to people, I’ve been on a site called Post Crossing for years now that pairs you with strangers all over the world to send post cards to! For every card you send, you receive one from a stranger- and it’s completely free ❤️ I’ve connected with so many cool people over the years!