It poured for most of the weekend, and my immediate inclination was to swaddle myself in all-black pajamas and binge-watch every X-Men movie ever made.
Instead, I opted for a super-saturated color palette — a bright outfit seemed natural on a rainy day. (After all, a rainbow is nature’s post-storm reward.)
Let’s start with the Technicolor dream coat, a consignment treasure I found in Noho. For many years, I skipped colored coats. They seemed too 1980s, begging for a match-matchy church hat and shoes. (Check out the super-dated blue coats Princess Diana wore, and you’ll see what I mean.) But when layered with contrasting colors, the coat suddenly seemed very modern.
When choosing the rest of the outfit, I plucked every item that could be described as “electric gummy bear” from my closet. I wondered if I looked too much like an Easter basket — but then I started thinking about the peacock that’s taken up residence at my parents’ house in Miami.
The peacock rocks every color under the sun, and its outfit always looks natural and bohemian. (If any animal is a hippie, it’s the peacock — observe its raggedy ponytail!)
This reminds me of my golden rule when it comes to color pairing: if a color combination exists in nature, you can wear it. It explains why maroon and gold (fall leaves), taupe and turquoise (Jamaican beach) and moss and gray (mountainside hike) work so well together.
The chartreuse sweater (last seen here) is an old favorite. I topped it with my favorite Zara summer scarf and a secondhand Balenciaga bag in a similar Pepto hue.
A quick note about the Balenciaga bag: I chose a secondhand version for its sweet price tag, but the bag was beat to hell by its previous owner. It’s a good reminder that no designer handbag should be too precious. These types of bags are best when they feel lived in.
The consignment coat is by Karen Walker — yes, the sunglasses designer. When buying a secondhand coat, you should scrutinize the fabric and the little details. This coat is 100% wool and fully lined to avoid any itchiness. (You’ll want to avoid paying too much for an acrylic blend that won’t keep you warm.)
This coat also included unique features, like chevron pockets and an arrow-shaped sash, which is the consignment equivalent of a jackpot lottery ticket.
So, you tell me — do you wear brights on a rainy day? And would you ever give this peacock palette a try?
