It’s a Hot Dickie Greenleaf Summer

Hot girl summer is now irrelevant...

Every time summer rolls around I’m drawn to one hyper-specific source of inspiration for my summer dressing: Jude Law’s character in The Talented Mr. Ripley, Dickie Greenleaf. Now, one might be surprised to hear that I’m partial to Law’s looks, rather than those of the super chic Marge Duval, brought to life by ski bunny Gwyneth Paltrow, but when you break down Dickie’s wardrobe it’s truly enviable.

Throughout the film, we see Dickie flexing in neutral, well-tailored looks that could be straight out of a ‘90s J.Crew catalog. He’s an absolute collar king, wearing mostly knit bowler shirts with camper collars. I’m specifically obsessed with the top below and have been searching for one of my own ever since. I recently found this rag & bone one that’s super similar but is unfortunately not in the budget at the moment. 

Dickie also knows his way around an accessory. He commonly rocks a pinky ring, which I also really want. (I’m thinking a chunky signet ring if anyone is wondering about a birthday present!) Dickie wears Gucci belts, fabulous sunglasses, shiny watches, and gold cuff links. Plus, he looks sooooo good in a suit and you already know how I feel about suits. Honestly, Tom Ripley’s obsession with Dickie is warranted if you look at it from a fashion inspo lens.

We can credit Dickie’s timeless penny loafers and chinos to the brilliant costume designer Ann Roth, the genius behind another menswear knockout, The Birdcage. God bless her for putting Robin Williams in all of those Versace silk shirts. Roth not only excels in dressing men in a refreshingly un-boring way, she knows how to shape the female form. Paltrow’s Marge and Cate Blanchett’s Meredith Logue embody the well-bred, upper-class lady that I will never be (cause I was never sent to Cotillion and I genuinely don’t care how to set the table properly). Ms. Goop’s bikini is the exact sort of swimsuit I’m hunting for this summer and queer-bating queen Blanchett’s hair, lipstick, scarves, etc. are really my vibe.

While it’s still a few months and degrees away from it officially being summer, I’m already embodying my Dickie uniform this weekend with my favorite thrifted Harley Davidson tuxedo shirt, new Eddie Bauer shorts, and my pink Adidas sneakers because we’re putting Dickie in a 2023 context, okay? Consider this my official apology for sitting this “hot girl summer” out and instead embracing the “hot man on vacation in Italy summer” aesthetic. 

New Feature! My Cult of the Self

While reading Judith Thurman’s biography of Colette, Secrets of the Flesh: A Life of Colette, I was struck by Simone de Beauvoir’s idea of the cult of the self and the importance it plays in a young woman’s life: “One can’t please the whole world and oneself too. I prefer to please myself first.” While notably selfish, I love this idea of focusing on what I love and what makes me happy. So, I’ve been building a list on my notes app of my cult of the self and will be sharing my latest additions in each newsletter. I’m a passionate woman with lots of hobbies and obsessions! And now you all have to hear about them. Here’s what I’m loving:

1. Beverage updates! 

   Many of you are aware of my love for a Hendrick’s gin & tonic (with cucumber, not lime) and a Bloody Mary with extra celery salt. However, I think I may be changing up my drinks (gasp) for a filthy, not dirty, vodka martini and a Michelada, which is like a Bloody Mary but lighter and with beer! Yum. Stay tuned for updates on this journey.

2. Daniel Caesar’s new album.

   He’s done it again. Mr. Sex-on-a-stick has really outdone himself with Never Enough. My favorites are (in order of importance): Disillusioned (with serpentwithfeet), Pain is Inevitable, Unstoppable, and Let Me Go. Please listen!

3. Caesar salad (haha it’s a Caesar-themed list). 

   I’ve been slowly paging through Samin Nosrat’s life-changing Salt Fat Acid Heat, which is a cookbook that actually teaches you how to cook and explains the science and stuff. It includes a super simple recipe for the best Caesar salad in the world and I’ve been making it several times a week. If my breath always smells like anchovies now, I’m so sorry.

4. M.F.K. Fisher. 

   I recently finished an impulse book purchase, The Gastronomical Me, and I really, really loved it. As I become more and more enamored with the idea of running away to France to pursue my culinary dreams I become more obsessed with reading books about food. Fisher eats how I want to eat: frequently, richly, seafood-ily(?), and always with a beer or wine. Next up, I’ll be reading one of her best-known works, Consider the Oyster. (Sad note, I made the mistake of Wikipedia-ing her life and it was seriously so depressing.)

5. Baby’s first sample sale!

   Last weekend I ticked off a Sex and the City milestone by attending my first sample sale held by Dauphinette. Oh boy, it was a little too successful. I found the most whimsical pair of patterned shorts, a pack of mismatched vintage earrings, and my new winter coat. Friends, I don’t think I can express to you how IMPORTANT this coat is. I will not and shall not reveal its beauty yet because come next winter it will be debuted in a way that will alter my personality (and maybe yours) forever.

Thank you for reading, tell your friends to subscribe if you liked this, or your foes if you didn’t, and have a chic week!