You couldn’t ask for a better guide to style or life than Marjon Carlos. The journalist and public speaker has carved an enviable niche since she left a certain big-name fashion glossy for the freelance life. Now, she’s one of the industry’s most sought-after writers, and to her growing social media audience, she’s both style icon and sage — serving up delightfully dishy advice on her IGTV show “Your Favorite Auntie,” alongside her own stylish mix of quirky vintage and luxury designer finds.
To find those super-special designer pieces, Carlos often turns to Nordstrom, the retailer that’s responsible for more than a few of our open tabs, too. We asked Carlos to hunt down her most-coveted designer buys for spring, and she brought us an eye-popping assortment of sexy, jewel-toned knits, romantic velvet minidresses, and sculptural statement heels from Gucci, The Row, Khaite, Wales Bonner, and more. Read on for one very stylish insider’s guide to the best of luxury spring shopping.
“Bottega Veneta under the creative direction of Daniel Lee is nothing short of a revelation. Yes, he’s the toast of the fashion world cognoscenti, but he’s also really mastered what the modern woman wants to wear: effortlessly polished pieces that are also sexy and rich in color. This body-hugging knit is very that.”
“I could never pass up a head-to-tonal look, so I would pair these jewel-toned pants with the knit top. It’s a uniformed look that far exceeds the matching sweatsuits I’ve been wearing!”
“Amina Muaddi is a young fashion force I admire a lot. As a young woman, it’s really inspiring to see how she transformed her business into an empire and distilled her sexy, take-no-prisoners aesthetic online. These sassy kitten heels are the perfect punch to leisurewear and make me imagine that happier, warmer days are ahead of us.”
“The Belgian titan of unexpected prints never disappoints, and this gorgeous graphic-printed blouse is no exception. I love how Dries Van Noten connects the work of Len Lye here and then twists the silhouette for really exciting results. It has a bustier vibe with a very dramatic sleeve, which is a cool combination.”
“Worn with the matching blouse, I love the tongue-in-cheek approach to office wear here. The ‘80s shoulder pads and exaggerated draping are giving me very Working Girl, 9 to 5 vibes, where you’re the boss and eschew the dress code entirely. It’s all in keeping with Demna Gvasalia’s sardonic approach to statement-making fashion. I would play up with a pair of the label’s ‘knife pumps’ for a look that means bizness.”
“Nothing but respect for this London talent. I love how Grace gracefully weaves her homage to Black culture into her work.”
“Harkening back to the laid-back vibes of the Jamaican yard, I would pair this cardigan with the crochet dress, and throw on knee-high boots for a total mood elevation.”
“Khaite has definitely cornered the market on luxe classics, but pieces like this have a real necessary whimsy, which I appreciate we haven’t lost entirely to leisurewear. Knee-high boots would give this babydoll dress a more grown-up appeal that I can relate to.”
“The over-the-knee utilitarian boot has become a mainstay for a few seasons now, and I love how The Row has reinvented it here. The line has built its reputation on quiet luxury and these slouchy cool buttery boots just ooze that vibe. I would slip on with sweater dresses and skirts — let the masculine play with the feminine.”
“The signature, clavicle-exposing sweetheart neckline has become a Khaite trademark and I love the idea of translating it into a figure-hugging bodysuit. You just feel held, sucked in, and snatched! I would wear with high-waisted jeans and a big blazer, or even a pair of sweats around the house.”
“Again, Margiela deconstructs an everyday essential with novel innovation. I love the relaxed, wide-leg cut, but the deconstructed belt loop keeps it from erring too much on the side of Mom jeans. I would pair with a bustier and big blazer for something a bit more elevated, or with one of Margiela’s knits for everyday.”
“I love how the traditional plays with the unexpected here. It’s kind of a demure cut, which belies its really progressive print. I would really play with footwear here: pair it with either a chunky platform for kicks or a simple flat sandal for off-duty casualness.”
“I never seem to tire of Gucci’s retro librarian vibes, and these horsebit slingbacks are such a cool nod to Alessandro Michele’s vision. They stay true to the heritage of the brand, but also feel like a modern twist. I would play into the ‘70s inspiration by pairing them with flares or a super mod miniskirt and chunky cardigan.”
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