Styling SLOWING (Part II)
The beginning of a new season, a creative crossroads, and style as story.
Time is running, yet autumn is rolling in slowly. The light and color haven’t quite met seasonal expectations here in the city—but I know vibrant golden hours eventually give way to clusters of gold leaves. Greens will feel softer (and maybe a little less brat). These early fall hues indicate change and serve as a stark reminder that I’m simultaneously at a beginning and a middle—a crossroads.
From my recent piece “Against Perfectionism and Productivity: On Embracing Flaws as a Writer” for Literary Hub:
What should a day, a schedule, a life—or, in this case, a story—look like? What gives it a solid foundation? How do you know it’s moving in the right direction? Where does it begin and end? What is a beginning, a middle, and an end? The latter was a central question I considered when organizing the stories in Slowing. (Every story, conversation—life—has them, after all.)
My grandmother said it best: “Your book is a newborn.” And yet, I’ve already been asked about what’s next (to be fair, I am working on something), though I still have more to say about Slowing (which I’ll share with you soon). Lately, however, I’m seeing—wearing—the world more than writing about it. I know that looking at something isn’t necessarily the same as writing it down. But sometimes, the act of noticing creates something between a photograph and a memory—an internal canvas I can put words to once the emotional film has developed.
All of that to say, I haven’t minded channeling my creativity in a different direction. I’ve been more attuned to style and visuals and how, aside from aesthetic delight, they create a palette for transformation. It’s the season for it, after all. As I write in the essay “Fall” from Slowing:
The autumnal color palette activates my taste palate: berry and honey, chocolate and cider—these rich hues make me want to take a bite of the world. I watch leaves overtake branches, a kaleidoscope of color against an overcast sky. They sweep through the neighborhood, blanketing park benches, slate-gray sidewalks, and the steps of my building. Piles of leaves amass anywhere and everywhere. This seasonal abundance never lasts for long: Leaves begin to crumble under the weight of our lives with every step.
With each step—both on and beyond the path of publishing a book—I want to feel the sweat and tears and the shy autumn breeze trying to break through the grasping heat. I want to feel joy during this chapter of my story—and I do. In fact, during one of my podcast conversations with fashion designers and novelists Claudia Dey and Heidi Sopinka, the duo adamantly advised me to “have fun with [my] book. Have a beautiful time with it. It's really important. It's a moment, and it's fast, and it's intense, and it's magnetic, and it's super outward.”
Outward. A good word to describe the first few weeks of this fall: out and about at bookstores and events—gearing up for a few of my own—and dressing accordingly. But if, like me, you find yourself at the beginning of a creative crossroads—looking in and wondering how to proceed—I invite you to slow down and enjoy the view. The process.
Play with words on the page and garments on your body. Consider getting dressed and out the door a win. Have fun with the creative means available in your toolkit. Work with the (artistic) medium of your choice—in the middle of uncertainty. Your slow story is being made in ink, acrylic, film, suede, silk, salt, pepper, hunger, heart, hope. The next chapter will be here before you know it.
From Slowing’s Design Diary:
“I thought about the colors that often make up my day: a bright morning sun, golden yellow—sometimes blinding or quietly emerging from a wall of clouds. An afternoon walk in Prospect Park, where greenery abounds … Then, that blue sky—expansive and universal, up until it gives way to the blue hours of the evening, a bruised palette representative of a hard day or a hard day’s work.”
Styling SLOWING
It’s like what Elisa Gabbert writes in the essay “On Recently Returned Books” from her collection, Any Person Is the Only Self: “Anything you do every day—that’s your life.” I read (and try to write) every day, and the same goes for getting dressed. But when I slow down to see beyond the aesthetics—of my closet, content, bookshelf, life—I remember correlating stories and future lessons.
Styling Slowing
In August, I shared a personal style edit inspired by the colors of Slowing’s cover. (So much care and intention went into the book’s palette; you can revisit the design diary here.) In the vein of visual storytelling, I figured, why not continue the series? From the practical to the whimsical, here are some pieces I’m wearing and eyeing—inspired by Slowing’s first two sections, “Beginning” and “Middle.”
Beginning
In Slowing, beginnings range from new ideas to fresh starts. Off the page, I recognize them in everyday textures and hues: golden light, crisp fall leaves, the most buttery part of a croissant—and a pop of color that brings an outfit (and my day) to life.
SWEATERS & TOPS
Alex Mill Jo Shirt in Paper Poplin in Yellow -Sézane Regine Jacket in Ochre - TOAST Orla Donegal Wool Sweater in Mimosa Yellow - Ulla Johnson Leona Turtleneck in Tumeric - Ulla Johnson Harlow Coat in Tumeric
PANTS & DRESSES
Donni Rib Kick Flare in Butter - Jenni Kayne Satin Slip Dress in Bronze - OZMA Linen Trouser in Hay - S/W/F Textured Open Back Maxi
SHOES & ACCESSORIES
Catbird Gold Crochet Lunch Bag - Catbird Tiniest Croissant Charm - Cawley Studio Yellow Mini Bucket Bag - Jenny Bird Supernova Ring in Gold - Karen Walker Acetate Oval Sunglasses - Nikki Chasin Kitka Hair Bow in Marigold - The Bali Taylor Jones bag in Yellow Suede -Tio Lee Fargo Hat in Mustard - Veja Rio Branco Alveomesh Ouro White
Middle
This section was the hardest to write in many ways, but it’s always remained consistent in my mind visually: I picture the middle of the day, sprawled amid foliage—which is to say, life. Sometimes, I don’t know what’s beyond the verdant landscape, and that crossroads can feel both daunting and familiar…
As the summer greens begin to change, I’m looking to deeper, earthen hues that slow me down and remind me to look up. (What better starting point is there in both life and style?)
SWEATERS & TOPS
Alex Mill Cari Top in Pine Needle - babaà Cardigan No. 61 in Emerald - Pleats Please Issey Miyake Green New Colorful Basics 3 Tank Top - SEA Carine belted cotton-blend corduroy jacket - Sézane Clyde Trench Coat in Dark Khaki - Sézane Jady Cardigan in Perfect Green - The Elder Statesman Cashmere sweater in Forest Green - TOAST Brushed Alpaca High Neck Sweater in Moss Green
PANTS & DRESSES
Damson Madder Harrison Trousers in Green - SEA Carine cotton-blend corduroy wide-leg pants
SHOES & ACCESSORIES
Bode Bow Barrette Green - Clare Vivier Petit Moyen Evergreen Woven Zig-Zag - Holzweiler Green Couple Mittens - J.Crew Mini hair clips two-pack in mixed Italian tortoise in Emerald Outdoors - Levens Jewels Green Lagrima Earrings - LOEWE Green Inflated Butterfly Sunglasses - Melissa Joy Manning Large Micropave Bezel Wrapped Chrysoprase Ring - Pacific Books Baseball Cap, Green - Sézane Victoire Loafers in Patent Jade - Veja Rio Branco Alveomesh Emeraude White
Thank you to Sézane for gifting me these pieces to help bring this story to life!
Slowing is officially in the world! You can order a copy anywhere books are sold. I've reached a critical point in my life and work, so your support in this way would mean the world to me. (And if you’ve ordered the book already… Thank you!)
AMAZON · BARNES & NOBLE · BOOKSHOP
Speaking of Slowing…
I got sick and had to slow down, hence the rescheduling of my New York launch. So, if you’re in town on 10/21 at 7 p.m., join me at P&T Knitwear with the incredible Brandon Stosuy! RSVP here and learn more at the link below. (You can also revisit my podcast interview with Brandon and his collaborator Rose here.)
Lauren Puckett-Pope recently interviewed me for ELLE, which was an honor—and delight! Check out the full story here. (I’ve also been fortunate to speak with so many amazing Substack creators about Slowing, including
and .)For Your Next Chapter
If you enjoyed this Slowing diary, check out the previous installments…
SLOWING: On Structure
What should a day, a schedule, a life—or, in this case, a story—look like? What gives it a solid foundation? How do you know it’s moving in the right direction? Where does it begin and end? What is a beginning, a middle, and an end? The latter was a central question I considered when organizing the stories in Slowing.
SLOWING: Punch and Roll
The studio where I recorded Slowing’s forthcoming audiobook is situated inside a high-rise building I hadn’t realized I’d visited before until seeing it again from the street. My eyes traveled the distance from gummy concrete to storefronts filled with “I <3 NY” merchandise toward office windows all the way to the sign for the renowned dance apparel shop I frequented in my youth.
SLOWING: On Prompts
I didn’t initially set out to write a book that could be considered self-help, but in addition to sharing my (slow) stories—and the stories of those I interviewed—I wanted to include an element that could help readers find or rewrite their own.
SLOWING: On Interviews
Questions and answers are the bedrock of our lives. We ask for information, meaning, connection. We respond with what we have available to us—whether it’s a long story or a small shrug. To me, the practice of interviewing embodies the adage it’s about the journey, not the destination.
SLOWING: A Color Story
For the purposes of this design diary, I keep coming back to color. I wondered what palette would make the most sense to convey Slowing’s pillars—time, pace, and creativity—without leaning too heavily into certain wellness trends.
Meet SLOWING
I knew Slow Stories would force me to confront unresolved feelings. I knew it would be the thing I wrote before writing anything else. I learned that things can change when you least expect it, and as a result, you change, too. Slow stories can evolve, and new chapters emerge.
I love your ability to intertwine the worlds of writing and design / sartorial choices. It’s so inspiring! <3
🤍 I am so glad you are enjoying YOUR process and celebrating your newborn creation with SLOWNESS and care 🤗