Visitors come to iconic Parisian jazz club La Trompette Bleue for resident singer Mindy’s sultry and powerful voice. They stay for her eccentric outfits and magnetic stage presence. She’s captured the spotlight in everything from heavily embellished skirts to feather-adorned suits to neon bodysuits. To say she knows how to leave an impression is an understatement. Even when she’s not onstage, her style gives real main character energy with bold hues, eye-catching patterns, and high-shine finishes.
It’s this inspiring style approach that makes her the ideal expert to turn to for all things fashion this fall. Not only can she point us in the direction of the trends worth noting, but, by shopping with Google, she knows how to discover all the best pieces for the best prices — after all, if there’s two people who can do bougie on a budget, it’s Mindy and her best friend Emily. We invited her to The Cut office all the way from Paris as our guest advice columnist to answer your shopping questions and share her pro advice this back-to-school season. If we can’t raid her closet — or steal a bit of her confidence — we can at least take a peek inside her shopping cart.
Dear Mindy,
I know you’re not a student anymore, but as a fellow fashion girlie, you probably remember how important those first-week outfits are! I want to start the new school year off strong and make a good first impression. What are some current trends you’d recommend that I can wear to an 8 a.m. eighteenth century literature lecture and band practice later? How about trends that you’re just plain excited about shopping yourself this season? I’m looking for a few key pieces that are, first and foremost, stylish, but that I can also mix and match with other pieces in my wardrobe.
Thanks!
Pressed to Be Best-Dressed
Bonjour Pressed to Be Best-Dressed,
A gal after my own heart! Being on stage night after night, I know all about the power of a striking outfit to make a strong impression. I personally like to make a statement by prioritizing details like rich colors, bold patterns, or sparkly embellishments, but I love wearing a trendy piece for achieving that fresh je ne sais quoi. Shopping with Google is great for uncovering those hot ticket items and helping me nail down the perfect piece to suit my style and budget.
There are a few trends that I think are going to be en vogue this season that are incredibly versatile and easy to wear. The first is leopard print. Yes, animal prints are coming back, and yes, I’m here for it! Go for a piece like a fitted top in a neutral or muted pattern that you can easily layer and combine with other pieces throughout the fall. Next up is the horse girl trend. It’s giving “off-duty model with an expensive hobby” — isn’t that the vibe we’re all trying to cultivate? I know I am. You could lean equestrian with a pair of tall leather riding boots that nod to the trend, while still being wearable with a lot of other pieces. I’m envisioning these boots with a flirty minidress and cropped jacket. Très chic! Alternatively, you could go full western with a pair of relaxed jeans complemented by a luxe suede jacket and straw hat, and voilà. As for the trend I’m shopping for myself, I can’t get enough of the little mod ’60s-inspired shift dresses. There are so many iterations to suit any style, plus they look fabulous on and off the stage. Wear them with flats now and then layered over a turtleneck and stockings for winter.
All these pieces are so easy to shop with Google. I love using it because every store is in one place for you to see options, compare prices, and apply search filters. You can even note which products have good reviews or include free shipping. Just typing “shop mini shift dress” into the search bar yields so many cute results that you can then narrow down by things like color or sleeve style. It’s all so convenient and helps me discover brands or products I wouldn’t have found on my own.
At the end of the day, remember that making a good impression is not about what you wear, it’s about how you wear it. So channel your main character energy, carry yourself with confidence, and go get ‘em.
Bisous,
Mindy
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Part 1 of Emily in Paris premieres on Netflix August 15, and the adventure continues with Part 2 on September 12.
Experiences shown are U.S. only and are not available in EMEA.
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