118. Moodboard to Monday: Translate Zoë Kravitz's Style Into Seven Repeatable Outfits
Using What's In Your Wardrobe.
For most of my adult life, I woke up to that familiar feeling of ‘I’ve got nothing to wear.’ Leaving getting dressed to the last minute meant pulling outfits I didn’t feel excited about from a bloated wardrobe, and starting every day frustrated. I saved great outfits for ‘good days’ and accepted ‘just fine’ as the default. That was until I experimented with a wardrobe system, which I now call the Seven-Look Season. By planning and leaning on a few great outfits on repeat, I removed all decision fatigue from getting dressed without sacrificing creativity. Moodboard to Monday is a monthly column that bridges inspiration with execution. It translates readers’ inspiration (a street-style image, a runway look, a celebrity’s style, a new collection) into seven repeatable outfits for real life. Each letter breaks down clear cues that you can put into practice to find and style your seven outfits today.
People often struggle to grasp and emulate what they love about Zoë Kravitz’s style. From her collaborations with Saint Laurent to her unofficial co-sign of The Row, one common thread you see Zoë abide by is the practice of restraint. Zoë’s style is inherently anti-excess, and it fascinates and inspires many. She’s often a reference for the effortless aesthetic; seemingly thrown-on-in-a-hurry outfits that are, in fact, far from uncalculated. In the world of celebrity style, it takes a great deal of effort to look effortless. I myself value ease, but not the myth that it’s innate or that caring or putting effort into how we dress is trivial. Some looks in this newsletter are the result of Zoë’s latest collaboration with Danielle Goldberg, a stylist who also dresses the likes of Ayo Edebiri, Greta Lee, and Saoirse Ronan. Zoë’s style is a combination of precise influences, discerning taste, and meticulous styling.
Her style is embedded in her DNA: a ‘90s kid who received her fashion influences from bohemian style icon Lisa Bonet and rock legend Lenny Kravitz. Some cornerstones of her parents’ style that oppose one another — boho’s loose silhouettes and colorful prints versus punk rock’s sharp cuts and monochromatic looks — seem to all come together when it comes to Zoë. She’s minimalist in her approach to accessorizing: if a pair of large, gleaming earrings is a yes, its matching necklace is usually a no. Her restraint also shows in how she approaches volume on her petite figure. She balances oversized pieces like blazers, coats, and jumbo totes with straight lines, always making sure her bottoms are hemmed to divert eyes towards her pumps, open-toe shoes, or platform boots. Her way of expressing herself through countercultural fashion in an understated way makes her one of the few celebrities who can wear The Row while still looking like a relatable style icon. That’s why her collaboration with Danielle Goldberg works. Goldberg, who also used to style the Olsen twins, often talks about how she loves playing with contrasting concepts to create an exciting outfit. In today’s letter, you’ll see how Zoë dips into sportswear, skate culture, boho chic, ‘90s femininity, and rock-infused looks all in one press tour.
However, today’s letter is not about shopping or copying Zoë’s exact looks; anyone who identifies with any of the style subcultures she plays with and anyone who is drawn to Zoë’s minimalist approach will learn something about styling their own clothes. There’s a lesson from each of these looks to incorporate into the outfits you will wear tomorrow, this week and the rest of your (seven-look) season.
British heartthrob not included.
Monday: Give Your Casual Tee A Sensual Upgrade
📍For when you plan to run between coffee meetings, or a casual office day that runs straight into fun evening plans.
As mentioned, Zoë participates in many style subcultures, whether it’s ‘90s skate, bohemian hipster, or even prep. Here, she pulls from skate and baseball, pairing a long-sleeved raglan t-shirt with an otherwise refined, girlish look.
The top and skirt she’s wearing are from the Japanese brand Auralee. Like The Row, Auralee sources raw materials like alpaca and cashmere from countries like New Zealand, Mongolia, and Peru to create their own in-house fabrics, and have a subdued aesthetic that focuses on tailoring. Their creative direction leans into reinventing the purpose that these fine fabrics have in your wardrobe across the seasons. Kind of like when Bottega created denim that was actually leather, but for your everyday wardrobe. Though the New York Times dismissed Auralee as ‘advanced normcore’, we love brands you can depend on for quality, since they are few and far between.
💡Things To Look For In Your Wardrobe
A sporty touch: Pull a long-sleeve raglan if you own one. No raglan? Use a slim long-sleeve tee under a short-sleeve one to fake the contrast sleeves. Aim for a close-but-not-tight fit that skims the torso. If that’s your thing, try with a non-padded bra so the tee lies flat.
A slip or bias-cut bottom: Satin, silk, or drapey viscose or Tencel. Dark neutral or a small pattern (like a check or dots). A scalloped edge or any other feminine detail. Length: mid-calf to ankle.
Or the reverse: You can also replicate these vibes with a delicate, lacy, feminine top combined with a more casual skirt with heavy pleats or stiff cotton; it’s the contrast that makes this look. We break down the concept of contrast in styling in this letter.
If you don’t own a skirt: Try a dress or anything with a straight column silhouette in a fluid fabric. If you don’t have that either, use your darkest, full-length straight-leg jeans. If you feel comfortable repeating this look, you can always look into investing in a slip skirt later.
Simple ballet flats: Almond or square toe, Mary Janes, or anything that doesn’t have chunky soles to keep the aesthetic soft.
A small, tidy bag: A baguette, a slim shoulder bag, or anything that isn’t oversized, so as not to distract attention away from the fluid skirt.
One slightly muted color + two neutrals: Try this combination; nothing too bold or too saturated to keep the feeling soft and feminine, and to not overwhelm the dressed-up element.
Cold-weather add-on: Throw on a long, straight coat or a neat cardigan. Keep layers light and classic in shape so the tee still reads sporty and the skirt keeps its movement.
It May Look Something Like This
Tuesday: Add an Edge to Your All-Black Corporate Look
📍For another desk-to-dinner day.