I am not “girly.” With a handful of exceptions, I tend not to choose pieces with floral patterns, with ruffles, with bows. My closet overflows with denim and grey. I think the last time I wore a headband was for my first-grade class photo (it was maroon velvet and actually pretty amazing, now that I think about it).
But just because I’m not especially girly doesn’t mean I don’t like to feel feminine. And I’ve rarely felt more feminine – by which I mean elegant, and polished, and confident – than I did when I put on the outfit pictured here. I have to be honest: I wasn’t entirely sure I’d love it when I ordered it from Macy’s, simply because I’ve literally never worn anything like this. Illusion neckline? Flounce skirt? Peter Pan collar?!
What?
But I put it on, and I don’t know whether it was the fit or the shape or just the fact that it was so different for me, but I felt positively transformed. Like suddenly I was the best version of myself. (A nice way to feel when headed to a meeting, which is exactly where I was on my way to when these photos were shot.) Both the top and the skirt are from CeCe – a collection of pieces with feminine accents that are all intended to go from the office to a night out – and for real, I think they singlehandedly gave me a brand-new go-to silhouette.
Because now I would like to own this (to tuck into high-waisted denim and wear every day and always, as it is perfect and classic). And excuse me but please look at the color of this tulip-hem coat. And I’m a little confused about how much I want to own this top because it involves ruffles, but as it turns out, I contain multitudes. And some of them wear Peter Pan collars.
This post was created in collaboration with Shopstyle and Macy’s. Photography by Sue Hudelson.
