I truly respect what they’ve done w The Row and think many pieces are just gorgeous! BUT (lol) to me, none of it comes *close* to the magic of their own personal style. And it’s because they genuinely mix from different brands, vintage, new, etc - so many “viral” outfits from celebs who wear head to toe full TR looks are just too easily replicable/a bit flavorless to me? I’m not interested in that so much. I *am* interested in how Ashley wears her Celine knot slides with and without socks, how Mary-Kate wears that vintage velvet duster, etc. It’s literally made me want similar pieces when neither are really my style! Their power is in their taste. The Row is gorgeous and I do love my pieces (and even when sometimes winds up not working out, it’s never been because it’s poorly made/designed), but it’s definitely their personal style that I am addicted to!!
It’s unmatched isn’t it? And the fact that there’s two of them. I get what you mean, head to toe runway is bland. They’ve always marched to a different beat and they don’t seek attention. That’s a big part of the appeal.
I want to rebrand and decide that waffling back and forth, considering reconsidering, buying and selling is part of a “respectable” hobby (say, stamp collecting or first editions). Which also includes the joy of reading and talking all about it with you!
She would have loved The Row, but she would have tightly edited it for her real life and worn on repeat. And I do think she would have waffled, but in a good way, a mindful and well considered way.
As always, I am here for your point of view! Refreshing, witty and reality based, youre absolutely speaking about things that resonate. I always think to myself "They are billionaires, you are not" Thank you for the reset and perspective
Although I love The Row, not all their pieces speak out to me,...so I guess I am lucky. I am more restricted by my budget....I prefer to get 1-2 items each season to sprinkle my tired wardrobe with a simpler yet luxurious style. I do feel an innate desire to have a smaller selection of clothes...wear a uniform...that give a certain stability in my life. Less choices but more fluid style if that makes sense. Georgia O'keeffe is my style icon.
She’s an icon. La Collection is a great nod to her style.
I definitely have a uniform now too and rarely stray from it. I see the back end of my life being much simpler in terms of my wardrobe needs. Now I just have to stop accumulating. Haha!
Such a timely and well-articulated post, Neelam. I've had some similar thoughts in the past year or so and decided to be more conscious with my consumption – because of economic realities, the fact that I already have so much (of The Row and many other brands), and how much my lifestyle has changed since the pandemic. I pared back the brands I shop to very select few who make the best version of the things I like, and buy only what is truly differentiated and compelling – I definitely don't need another black coat, another black leather jacket, or another pair of blue jeans.
A couple other thoughts regarding The Row and the Olsens' personal style. Their style is so compelling because it's the best possible expression of personal style and their methodology is like most normal (well-dressed) people's – a bit of this, a bit of that, wearing things repeatedly, never head-to-toe anything. The Row shouldn't mirror the Olsens' style because they don't want to be fronting a celebrity brand, and if the brand is to be as eclectic as their owners, it would be both too varied and too specific to be understandable to all but a small swath of customers.
Their style is unique and intricate, making it difficult for many
to fully grasp and adopt. Clients admire their eclectic mix from afar but then opt for a piece from The Row which is a conservative interpretation of their aesthetic. The Row captures some elements of their style but doesn't encompass the entire range. Thank you for finding the words I could not find!!
Thank you so much for this post, Neelam! I relate to ALL of it, and I really appreciate your discussing the struggle (which is REAL) between being practical and sticking to a budget vs getting drawn into buying things because we are emotionally dying to have them. I’ve been on this journey for a while now, and have definitely cut back on the number of purchases, but it is a constant work in progress. ❤️
Yup and some days we do better than others. Letting things sit in my shopping cart is another useful trick. I often get over things quickly and that's always telling. And sometimes rearranging my closet makes everything look new and fresh and that curbs the spend too. We're in this together. :)
Wonderful wonderful wonderful. I am currently attempting a shopping "ban" for a year - not an outright ban per se, but a resetting of my own agenda. It's going okay but I bought one pair of black trousers. Caveat is I'm allowed to knit or make whatever I like. It's an interesting thought experiment.
I wish I was as industrious, I’d make my own clothes too. Good for you to impose restrictions but leave it loose so you can move a little within those boundaries. :))
Thanks for this post - I have been on a TR buying spree of late and I can’t really figure out why…but I am constantly checking and rethinking newer and older items. In any case, your post really came at a good time for me and my budget. PS. I still have my list ❤️
I remember long ago seeing photos of the Olsens in their oversized outfits and being confused about why a petite person would wear so much volume. I didn’t think it was flattering at all. Now I get it! I see now how timeless and unique their style is. And comfortable!! I’m a minimalist and love quality clothing that’s what really appeals to me. Good advice about being highly selective about purchases!
So wise point of view, Neelam. I started my TR journey only for 2 years. Although I am very happy to discover such a unique brand with exceptional quality, sometimes I really feel FOMO. And yes keeping things in cart, slowing down is helps with not doing ill-considered purchases.
“Thank goodness for the hive, a place to gather, discuss, analyze purchasing decisions, and justify our insanity; more than a sisterhood, it’s a support group.” — love this. Proud member!
As someone who likes the concept of uniform dressing, but also loves fashion and the occasional injection of newness, I’m allured by the idea of the ‘Olsen Shopping Diet’. Thoroughly enjoyed this piece. x
Such a great piece ! What’s so wonderful about fashion is how it inspires. As you suggest, the Olsen’s are just so magnetic. Somehow they do manage to translate this to their line even if they don’t match it exactly. I’m still new to the row. I think what drew me to it was the dialectic - how it can be so simple and yet so interesting at the same time! A true fashion adventure:) Neelam you always bring such great insight regarding fashion and how we relate to it on a human level and as consumers.
Thanks for this article Neelam! I wonder if you can share where you sell the pieces you no longer use from the row. Is there a local online platform similar to TRR in Canada that you would recommend? I have a few pieces in mint condition size 8 I no longer need. Thank you.
What a perfectly timed (for me, at least!) Note, Neelam! Such good advice, which I will take to heart. This last drop, and I'm not sure why, had me stressed, irritated with myself, and soooo distracted. Time to take a step back and rejoin my life, lol!
I truly respect what they’ve done w The Row and think many pieces are just gorgeous! BUT (lol) to me, none of it comes *close* to the magic of their own personal style. And it’s because they genuinely mix from different brands, vintage, new, etc - so many “viral” outfits from celebs who wear head to toe full TR looks are just too easily replicable/a bit flavorless to me? I’m not interested in that so much. I *am* interested in how Ashley wears her Celine knot slides with and without socks, how Mary-Kate wears that vintage velvet duster, etc. It’s literally made me want similar pieces when neither are really my style! Their power is in their taste. The Row is gorgeous and I do love my pieces (and even when sometimes winds up not working out, it’s never been because it’s poorly made/designed), but it’s definitely their personal style that I am addicted to!!
It’s unmatched isn’t it? And the fact that there’s two of them. I get what you mean, head to toe runway is bland. They’ve always marched to a different beat and they don’t seek attention. That’s a big part of the appeal.
I want to rebrand and decide that waffling back and forth, considering reconsidering, buying and selling is part of a “respectable” hobby (say, stamp collecting or first editions). Which also includes the joy of reading and talking all about it with you!
I'm so on board with this Rachel! It's a hobby, a very enjoyable one. xoxo
Yes to that. I consider it the "Georgia O'Keefe" method of choosing and deciding.
I love her style. So classy and very cool.
She would have loved The Row, but she would have tightly edited it for her real life and worn on repeat. And I do think she would have waffled, but in a good way, a mindful and well considered way.
💯 edit edit edit
As always, I am here for your point of view! Refreshing, witty and reality based, youre absolutely speaking about things that resonate. I always think to myself "They are billionaires, you are not" Thank you for the reset and perspective
Thank you Claire, and exactly right. They’re the ones with all the money!! Gotta remember that.😂
Although I love The Row, not all their pieces speak out to me,...so I guess I am lucky. I am more restricted by my budget....I prefer to get 1-2 items each season to sprinkle my tired wardrobe with a simpler yet luxurious style. I do feel an innate desire to have a smaller selection of clothes...wear a uniform...that give a certain stability in my life. Less choices but more fluid style if that makes sense. Georgia O'keeffe is my style icon.
Another Georgia mention. ❤️
She’s an icon. La Collection is a great nod to her style.
I definitely have a uniform now too and rarely stray from it. I see the back end of my life being much simpler in terms of my wardrobe needs. Now I just have to stop accumulating. Haha!
I have to ask. Is ‘I excel at this’ a pun like I so badly want it to be?! I excel too (literally)
Unintentional but I wish I’d thought of that! 😂 Leave it to you to notice! ❤️
Such a timely and well-articulated post, Neelam. I've had some similar thoughts in the past year or so and decided to be more conscious with my consumption – because of economic realities, the fact that I already have so much (of The Row and many other brands), and how much my lifestyle has changed since the pandemic. I pared back the brands I shop to very select few who make the best version of the things I like, and buy only what is truly differentiated and compelling – I definitely don't need another black coat, another black leather jacket, or another pair of blue jeans.
A couple other thoughts regarding The Row and the Olsens' personal style. Their style is so compelling because it's the best possible expression of personal style and their methodology is like most normal (well-dressed) people's – a bit of this, a bit of that, wearing things repeatedly, never head-to-toe anything. The Row shouldn't mirror the Olsens' style because they don't want to be fronting a celebrity brand, and if the brand is to be as eclectic as their owners, it would be both too varied and too specific to be understandable to all but a small swath of customers.
Duy, THIS!! 💯
Their style is unique and intricate, making it difficult for many
to fully grasp and adopt. Clients admire their eclectic mix from afar but then opt for a piece from The Row which is a conservative interpretation of their aesthetic. The Row captures some elements of their style but doesn't encompass the entire range. Thank you for finding the words I could not find!!
Thank you so much for this post, Neelam! I relate to ALL of it, and I really appreciate your discussing the struggle (which is REAL) between being practical and sticking to a budget vs getting drawn into buying things because we are emotionally dying to have them. I’ve been on this journey for a while now, and have definitely cut back on the number of purchases, but it is a constant work in progress. ❤️
Yup and some days we do better than others. Letting things sit in my shopping cart is another useful trick. I often get over things quickly and that's always telling. And sometimes rearranging my closet makes everything look new and fresh and that curbs the spend too. We're in this together. :)
Yes! I do the same things, too! And yes, we are in this together, and I really appreciate your support!
Wonderful wonderful wonderful. I am currently attempting a shopping "ban" for a year - not an outright ban per se, but a resetting of my own agenda. It's going okay but I bought one pair of black trousers. Caveat is I'm allowed to knit or make whatever I like. It's an interesting thought experiment.
I wish I was as industrious, I’d make my own clothes too. Good for you to impose restrictions but leave it loose so you can move a little within those boundaries. :))
Thanks for this post - I have been on a TR buying spree of late and I can’t really figure out why…but I am constantly checking and rethinking newer and older items. In any case, your post really came at a good time for me and my budget. PS. I still have my list ❤️
You’re in good company.❤️
I remember long ago seeing photos of the Olsens in their oversized outfits and being confused about why a petite person would wear so much volume. I didn’t think it was flattering at all. Now I get it! I see now how timeless and unique their style is. And comfortable!! I’m a minimalist and love quality clothing that’s what really appeals to me. Good advice about being highly selective about purchases!
Sometimes I think their outfits do swallow them up, but they manage to make it cool.
Re the plan, it’s idealistic but certainly a good (very high) goal! 😂
So wise point of view, Neelam. I started my TR journey only for 2 years. Although I am very happy to discover such a unique brand with exceptional quality, sometimes I really feel FOMO. And yes keeping things in cart, slowing down is helps with not doing ill-considered purchases.
I think if we all help one another slow down, we can make it work. Helps to have our hive. 🥰
“Thank goodness for the hive, a place to gather, discuss, analyze purchasing decisions, and justify our insanity; more than a sisterhood, it’s a support group.” — love this. Proud member!
As someone who likes the concept of uniform dressing, but also loves fashion and the occasional injection of newness, I’m allured by the idea of the ‘Olsen Shopping Diet’. Thoroughly enjoyed this piece. x
I’m so lucky you’re part of the hive luv. And I think you already do a great job of balancing old with new. You have impeccable style. ❤️
Best compliment coming from you 🙏🏻❤️ Grateful to be here.
Such a great piece ! What’s so wonderful about fashion is how it inspires. As you suggest, the Olsen’s are just so magnetic. Somehow they do manage to translate this to their line even if they don’t match it exactly. I’m still new to the row. I think what drew me to it was the dialectic - how it can be so simple and yet so interesting at the same time! A true fashion adventure:) Neelam you always bring such great insight regarding fashion and how we relate to it on a human level and as consumers.
I truly enjoy your posts and the hive :)
Thank you, I appreciate that very much. I enjoy digging in and analyzing the crap out of things, happy you enjoyed the read! Xo
Excellent writing! And totally agree 👍🏻
Thank you so much! ☺️
Thanks for this article Neelam! I wonder if you can share where you sell the pieces you no longer use from the row. Is there a local online platform similar to TRR in Canada that you would recommend? I have a few pieces in mint condition size 8 I no longer need. Thank you.
I don’t sell via TRR, I sell in my substack chat and sometimes on Instagram stories too.
What a perfectly timed (for me, at least!) Note, Neelam! Such good advice, which I will take to heart. This last drop, and I'm not sure why, had me stressed, irritated with myself, and soooo distracted. Time to take a step back and rejoin my life, lol!
Would it help you to know I’ve purchased nothing so far and am completely content. I’m not stoping but I’ve slowed my pace.
It absolutely does. I'll be taking your sage advice, my friend! ♥♥♥