The Flair Index

City Summer Simplicity

Jennifer Alfano — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:30:31 GMT

First a note: For the first time in two years, and in celebration of Summer, I am offering a small discount (10%) on my jewelry for this week only. If you sign up for my jewelry emails, you have the code. If you do not and would like the code, it is at the end of this post behind a paywall. There are perks to being a paid subscriber!

If it hasn’t already, a heat wave is coming for you at one point this summer (New York’s first one will be later this week) and I’m taking inspiration from Phil Oh’s latest Paris men’s shows street style reportage. As much as I enjoyed wearing color in Greece, when I’m in an urban environment I prefer black and white with shots of blue, red and brown.

I love monochrome combos like her’s above and below on Ludivine Poiblanc who is the new Creative Director at A.P.C. (Also I always carry a fan like the gentleman above, it’s a necessity.)

Replace Ludivine’s red Celine invite with a little red bag. Both of these looks are easily replicated, probably with pieces I already have in my wardrobe.

Above, I like her striped shirt with white and his belt that breaks up an all-white look. Below, an effortless white shirt and black pants combo still always resonates with me.

And then there is something refreshing about a blue button-down and vintage jeans when everyone else is going over-the-top. (Did you see my recent button-down guide?)

A couple of additions I am making to my city wardrobe are a pair of cotton long shorts (I guess we don’t call them bermudas anymore?) I have always worn them in the summer and have some narrow-cut old Dries and another pleated wool pair from Dries that I wear a lot, but these from Beare Park (the Australian brand Margot Robbie kind of put on the map, at least for Americans, with her baggy black shorts/Chanel bag airport look) that I found through Ali Pew’s newsletter Uniform fill a void. Ordered. Will report back. Next up, some cotton black pants as I only have old linen Matteau pleated. Love these and these (blouson pants are coming back, these are more subtle), these classics (the white version are good too.)

On a side note: I loved this article that Becky Malinsky recommended and then this by the founder of CO (so brilliantly stated).

For funsies: Kind of obsessed with the little beaded jewelry on display at Auralee’s latest Spring 2027 show. Found on Etsy. My girls and I all ordered necklaces.

And finally the code….

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Packing for Greece

Jennifer Alfano — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:33:16 GMT

I have always been obsessed with packing well, partly to feel in harmony with the rhythms and attitudes of the environment I’m visiting, but to also add that extra layer of delight to my adventure. Packing is an opportunity to distill the essence of how you want to feel where you are going. Sometimes it’s a vibe I make up as I get ready. Other times, it’s more concrete inspiration and Jackie O. and Lee Radziwill in Greece were definitely back of mind for me this trip. Do I spend too many hours imagining what I will wear where? Perhaps. But I aim for maximum joy in all aspects of a vacation—clothing included. What also brought a zing to my wardrobe was the rare addition of color. Some very vivid shades at that. For me, it is all about finding the right color, it can’t be too common, I want it a bit off. Of course at night I reverted to mostly black and white.

Suzie Kondi top and shorts at Temple of Poseidon

Typically, I post a packing list before I travel. But post-trip packing lists allow for a reassessment on what worked and what didn’t. Plus I read other people’s lists, take cues, do people-watching research and test things out. I have not been on a beach/resort vacation in two years, or bought much in terms of summer clothes since then. So did I go a bit overboard for Greece? Maybe? But I wore almost all of it, many things on repeat and will for the next few months.

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Summering Seriously

Jennifer Alfano — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:56:50 GMT

My last two summers haven’t been very “summery”—our big trip last year was to Melbourne to visit our daughter (where it was winter) and the summer before we had our big trip in May and then had things to tend to and added a short break in Maine in August. I have nothing to complain about, but I promised myself and told my husband that this summer was going to be a very SUMMERY summer—lots of time barefoot, by water, swimming, lounging languidly, traveling as much as possible. Everything is geared towards that goal. With that in mind here are some ways (besides leaving for Greece this week) that I plan on doing it.

Travel Journaling

So, the first does have to do with my trip to Greece. I always collect ephemera on trips—receipts, tickets to museums, maps, postcards, photos and they just sit in a box. I am taking cues from travel expert Yolanda Edwards who wrote about how she journals on trips, which is a very inexpensive and easily copied idea. I bought the same, slim Muji notebooks, som…

The 411: A Guide to Button Downs

Jennifer Alfano — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:35:19 GMT

This is the first in a new series, where I take a deep dive into something I think can benefit from the coverage. To read this full post, you need to be a paid subscriber. Maybe now is the time to get in on the fun?

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This post is also based on biased reporting (I am not Wirecutter). It’s not inclusive of every brand, something I don’t have the time or interest in doing. After all, you are here for my editing skills. Instead, I focus on brands I rely on and others I am curious about. Most are women-founded. As a brand, if you don’t see your name here, I apologize. But these days everyone makes a button-down so….

I have always worn classic button downs. Case in point: Me, pre-braces, in my add-a-pearl necklace in seventh and eight grade wearing Polo button downs when I lived in Charleston. (I remember these pale yellow and lavender shirts vividly….I felt so cool putting them on. My love of clothes has been a constant.)

Polo all the way in 7th and 8th grade

Why do a button-down post now? Because Summer is the season I rely on them. When it’s melting hot, I want a loose top that isn’t touching and sticking to my skin. A button-down shirt works with everything, can be fitted or oversized, and can take you from the beach to dinner al fresco.

Me in July at Couture in Paris with Karl in the 90s wearing a white A.P.C. (had black too)

Button down lover Sofia Coppola

So let’s start at the top with three brands who makes shirts worth splurging on. Note: I have never ordered a shirt from Charvet (I do love this NY Times article on Charvet collectors). Nor do I have one from The Row. But I would argue the cost to quality ratio isn’t any better than the shirts from these women.

May's Little Mood Lifters

Jennifer Alfano — Sat, 30 May 2026 13:22:10 GMT

I have a soft spot for vintage and souvenir or travel tees. Always have. In fact, as I write this I am wearing a small men’s grey Hawaii tee I bought over a decade ago when we were visiting (all time fave, well, the one that isn’t in tatters and I can still wear). What I don’t like are tees that have a distinctly feminine shape—scoop necks, nipped in waists and those weird, longer short sleeves. Fitted is fine but square and slightly boxy is better. Often, I get a boys size 14 or 16 which is something I can get away with since I have a small chest.

Marine Nationale: Small Fortuna Pendant on classic cable chain and Blue Lapis and enamel Bullseye with Lapis and Tsavorite Circle Pendant on Two-Link Chain.Bahamas: Il Pesce Pendant on silk cord with Vintage Coral necklace B. Da Adolfo: Large Fortuna Pendant with Small Coral Branch Pendant and Il Piccolo Pesce Pendant worn with Vintage Coral necklace D.Maui: Large Il Sole on custom length Baby Mariner Link chain with Vintage Coral necklace E

Summer Starts Here

Jennifer Alfano — Tue, 26 May 2026 20:33:47 GMT

I am the odd person who loves a hot humid day, and what I love even more about sultry Summer days is that now, I have found a formula for getting dressed that allows me to still feel like my tailored, minimal-ish self.

Each season, I start by creating a color palette that evolves every couple of years and a few key pieces that anchor the mood. A few years ago my palette included a lot of navy. Last year (which I posted in Spring, but the items featured were more summery), I was into adding shades of brown and russet. This summer I want to mix my russet and browns with white and pale blue. Not the electric blue everyone is into right now, but something a bit more aqua.

Chava Studios white linen blazer, pants and blue button down shirt; Machete barrette; Heidi Wynne bag; Oscalito tank; A. Emery sandal; JA Fortuna pendant, Jackie O. and Jil Sander

This season it is all about a white suit for me, one cut from linen that you can separate the pieces and wear the pants often no matter where, …

Summer of the Pastel Tee

Jennifer Alfano — Sun, 17 May 2026 11:41:09 GMT

Lee at Warhol’s in Montauk, 1972

These images of Lee, Jackie and Yves are perennial summer inspiration for me and this year they were the jumping off point for a fruitful search for a pastel tee. This is something usually easier said than done because I have criteria when it comes to color and cut. A good pastel is hard to find. The color cannot be too saccharine, too Barbie; it has to be a little off, sophisticated. Then cut and fabric. The fabric can’t be thin and flimsy, none of those slub cotton tees (which seem to have thankfully become less popular), and it should be slightly fitted. It used to be that the best ones came from Petite Bateau. I did find one (below), but now they have added a logo in the corner. Why? If you are a tucker ,then it’s ok. While the Gap tees I found don’t have the perfect fit, it’s close enough and colors and the price are spot on.

Tees: Gap organic cotton tee in Havana yellow, Moonstone blue and Tangerine orange, Vince pima cotton 90s shrunken tee, Matt…

New Series: My Elements of Style

Jennifer Alfano — Wed, 13 May 2026 20:24:45 GMT

This is an idea that has been quietly ruminating on the back burner for a couple of years; I kept putting it off because I wasn’t committing to my newsletter. Now that I’m moving forward, I am ready to launch. It should get fun as it goes along because it will give me an opportunity to talk with other women whose taste I admire. (If it is about me all the time, we will all get bored.)

My Elements of Style is meant to be a questionnaire that highlights someone’s style through their wardrobe and ideas that inspire and define their taste. It is a broader style dissection, not seasonal, not specific to the year 2026. It’s what you would discover if you opened someone’s closet.

It is about the continuum of what one loves and wears and purchases again and again. The tweaks might be a newer iteration of a wardrobe staple that fits with the current mode, but ultimately it’s about the style uniform one creates that evolves over time. It’s a good questionnaire to give yourself, as I am doing her…

A Mother's Style Influence

Jennifer Alfano — Fri, 08 May 2026 21:36:50 GMT

Happy almost Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. It is so nice to have both my girls on the same continent and state this year so we can be together. I have been thinking about how mothers influence their children and their taste, whether purposefully or by osmosis. My mom, whom I just saw in Charleston and who just turned 85, has different taste than I—she loves French Country antiques, more is more for her and she routinely wears pink and pale blue and never leaves the house without bright pink lipstick (so pink we couldn’t even find a comparable shade at Sephora for her to try, everything these days is so dull). My tastes pretty much run the opposite of hers, that said she was instrumental in my love of design and fashion.

My mom two years ago

She used to clip images out of Vogue (she still has tear sheets from the 70s) and I would sit at the kitchen table and read her W subscription, back when it was like a newspaper and more society driven. Shopping for her was (and still is t…

Event Dressing: A Few Thoughts

Jennifer Alfano — Sat, 02 May 2026 22:30:16 GMT

I love getting dressed but can’t say I am a big fan of dressing up, unless you’re going to put me in a tux (and then I am all in). Tis’ the season of weddings and graduations which both call for different dress codes but also used to thoroughly stump me. I don’t do flower prints, I hardly do pastels. And black in the summer seems a bit much. I do feel like there are finally some women-founded brands who get the predicament of someone who wants to look refined, but not sexy, and certainly not fussy.

A Plea: Get Yourself Together When You Travel

Jennifer Alfano — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:30:04 GMT

I have a list of upcoming posts that I am working on, but as I sit at LaGuardia airport dealing with an indefinite delay and looking at the sad state of people dressed for travel, I’m going on a short diatribe.

Decades back, when I worked at Bazaar with Andrea Linett (she has a good Substack, I Want to Be Her), we went to a party at Coney Island hosted by Levi’s. Busta Rhymes played, it was rather epic, but what we both came away from is a ride we went on several times (no longer there it seems), in which the woman working the ride would announce before it started to go backwards “You better get yourself togethaaaaa” in a heavy Brooklyn accent. It’s been a running joke/saying since. And this is my plea when you travel….

Please, pretty please….Get Yourself Together.

At least a little bit. This is what I don’t want to see anymore at an airport, leggings and yoga pants. Don’t do it. I don’t care how good your derriere is or how many Pilates classes it took to get it that way, leggings are just yuck. And beyond lazy.

As I’ve instilled into my daughters, it takes the same amount of time to pull on a pair of jeans or pants as it does to squeeze into your Alo’s. Same thing with tops.

Random Thoughts + Anatomy of an Outfit

Jennifer Alfano — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:49:55 GMT

Well it’s been a seesaw weather situation in NYC lately, 80 for a couple of days, then down the 50s….all over the place. I finally bought my own full-length mirror, which I have been stubbornly resisting. Apparently, it’s not a bad a idea to see full-length you before venturing outside. It also gives me a chance to start discussing how I pair things and revisit and reimagine what’s in my closet. Also, how I don’t reinvent what I wear and still reach for the same pieces year in and year out.

I have to get a picture before I leave the house, because the minute I come home, I peel off into sweats or jeans and a tee. Here, three looks from the last week. (The new pieces can be found in my ShopMy closet.)

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Jennifer Alfano — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:01:43 GMT

There is some time before Mother’s Day (May 10th), unless you want to receive or give some of my jewelry and then you should consider ordering quite soon. Receiving jewelry as a Mother’s Day gift is always a good idea. Of course, it is not always in the cards.

I will say this: Being a mom is at once the most rewarding thing you can do in your life and hard as hell, exhausting and never-ending. (I love it when young moms say no one told them how hard it would be; we did, you were in that pre-natal glow and tuned it out). That is why moms deserve some extra attention every now and then, because typically they give a lot more than they receive. Of course, you don’t have to be a mom to be deserving of gifts. I believe in treating yourself in little and big ways often. And that wearing diamonds always makes you feel better.

I’ve categorized the gifts randomly….I feel that I am a bit of each woman.

Mom Loves Her Diamonds

Jennifer Alfano Pavé cocktail ring; Soft Square Pavé diamond band; Half…

Old Stone Trade: Slow Design I Can Get Behind

Jennifer Alfano — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:28:26 GMT

Melissa Ventosa Martin, former mag editor and founder of Old Stone Trade, vibes on the same fewer, better things ethos I try to adhere to. Her business consists of partnering with artisans from around the globe to create limited edition and made-to-order designs and speaks to her desire to seek out and share beautifully crafted items you won’t see coming and going. It is for clients who want to geek out on the story of where the hand-knit cardigan comes from (one of the last knitters on the Irish island of Inishmore), or a chic tweed suit that is hand-loomed (from a woman artist, Julie Rose Clapton and oh, how I want one).

You could create a wardrobe of distinctive, classic pieces if you visit Melissa with regularity, or add a piece here and there when it makes sense. If you need trendy, look elsewhere, if you crave timelessness, done well, OST is for you.

It is because of all this, I wanted to partner with Melissa on an event. I hope you will stop by this Friday and Saturday to see m…

Meet Me in NYC + Spring Tidbits

Jennifer Alfano — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:17:58 GMT

Spring is in full swing in NYC. I was in Soho yesterday with my daughter—PACKED….so much shopping going on. We partook a bit which I will share.

First, I am having a trunk show of my jewelry at Old Stone Trade with founder Melissa Ventosa Martin this coming Friday and Saturday. I hope you will come by. Also trying to get my edit of favorites from her unique UES studio where she features made-to-order and limited edition designs from artisans around the globe. Beautifully made pieces you can’t find anywhere else, it’s all so up my alley. I believe she is also launching her Spring capsule at the same time so it should make for good shopping.

Second, on a total aside, I was lucky to be invited to a talk with Belle Burden, author of NY Times best seller, Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage last night. If you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it. Quick plot outline: After having been happily married over 20 years (or so she thought), her husband decided out of the blue, at the beginning…

Does Simplicity Correlate to Confidence?

Jennifer Alfano — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:29:10 GMT

First a note on this newsletter that some of you might be getting tired of reading (I promise it will stop soon). I am committing to TFI and because of that, I am moving to a mostly paid subscription model. Why? Because I want to write about what I want to write about. Being supported by readers allows me to be authentic and ignore the monetary carrots dangled by brands that wouldn’t normally make the cut. It is the harder path to doing this, but I can’t imagine it any other way. I know you all have been getting TFI for free for a long time so joining as a paid subscriber is a commitment on your end as well. I am excited for where this will go. Having been a magazine editor for over 20 years (Vogue, Lucky, Bazaar 3 times)—it’s the way my brain is permanently hardwired. I hope you will come along!

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Fashion isn’t rocket science but that doesn’t mean there aren’t thoughtful conversations to be had about style. It is the ideas behind moments and movements that often give rise to thoughts I want to discuss.

For me, the idea that simplicity—in dress, manners, and how you live your life might relate to being or becoming confident (in the best way, not a strident, egotistical manner) has been on my mind. These thoughts were a confluence of many random things.

I started thinking about it last week, when in a deep dive into layouts and magazines I like (going to upgrade the look of TFI—as a former mag editor it’s a fun project plus I think you might enjoy it), I came across this fashion shoot of my fave model, Malgosia Bela photographed by Marie Deneneuille in Study Magazine Vol. 4/2023 (a quarterly niche French zine put out by Christopher Niquet).

My immediate thoughts beyond design/layout were—I love the clothes and already have most in my wardrobe, Helmut Lang was truly genius (I should have bought that pink dress back in the day) and also a shock of color under all black might be a move. I loved the imagery and was inspired to forage my closet and get dressed.

Then I was thinking how much positive attention Phoebe Philo’s collections are getting. (And how excited everyone is that you can now shop it at MyTheresa.)

I Am Now A Scarf Convert

Jennifer Alfano — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:59:39 GMT

A note of thanks and a request: If you have been reading my posts of late, you may know that I have decided to put more effort into my little newsletter and commit to sharing women/places/things that inspire me and as always, my love of style. Because of this, I am starting to put the majority of my posts behind a paywall. I think that $5 a month is not much to ask (I might be the least expensive letter out there right now), especially because your support allows me to be authentic. Sure I make commissions from some links, but I do not from many others. I want to keep TFI real and not have it turn into a marketing campaign for brands I don’t believe in. So, please become a paid subscriber, because the majority of you are not. And a huge thank you to those who do! Your support means a lot.

Finally my closet is in full transition mode for Spring and I’m starting to get to play around with clothes I’ve been wanting to wear. My new Sézane suede jacket is quickly becoming a constant (this has been a TFI fave—hope you are enjoying yours as well), but another piece I didn’t quite know if I would commit to was the new Celine scarf I purchased a few months back. It is A LOT of color for me. But you know what? It is the perfect amount of color, and the right colors that perfectly offset my neutral wardrobe palette.

I am such a color phobe, that I admit I wore it tied at the waist to lunch and then stuffed into my bag for the afternoon. That said, even just peeking out of my Bolide, it makes me happy.

I think a scarf now is a worthy splurge. Sure, you can get an affordable version, but there is something about the commitment to wearing a proper silk scarf that feels right. Before I might have considered them old-fashioned, but now, done well, it feels ultimately modern. A scarf is an elegant, colorful, playful extra that has been missing after years on monochrome tonality. (Which I am still for often, but not always.)

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Spring Holiday Tablescapes

Jennifer Alfano — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 14:13:03 GMT

One area where my minimalist tendencies disappear is at the dining table. I love the nuances of a well set table, one where vintage finds and heirlooms mix in with newer pieces…where there is not one focal point but visual layers of delight and beauty. Flowers, more flowers, or fruits and veg, and napkins and crystal and candles and little objets.

Deeda Blair tablescape

With Passover and Easter arriving, I thought I would share my favorite table setting pieces (some on my wish list) and ask women who do it well their favorites. Both Forsyth and Interior Monologue are online, but Florrie Shop in Bedford NY is one of those rare destination shops, DM them on IG and Laura or Beth will gladly help you out. Same for Kelley Estes. (All online pieces are culled together on a ShopMy page for easy access.)

My Edit

Spring Weekend Wardrobe Edit 2026

Jennifer Alfano — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:44:34 GMT

Many of you commented after my Spring Wardrobe Edit that you were more interested in this Weekend Wardrobe Edit, because it’s typically how you dress. I do as well, somewhat. How dressed up or down I get depends on what my week looks like. When I am doing jewelry errands I can get away with jeans and a sweater/jacket. A blazer or suit is my dressier go-to.

Weekends are either spent wondering neighborhoods in Manhattan or Brooklyn with my girls, husband and/or my sister’s family…lots of trying new lunch spots or dim sum, grabbing the latest exhibit or popping into stores. Casual to super casual is typically the dress code.

Some inspo and thoughts. Lauren Hutton in that plaid shirt, always and forever. And while The Row made a similar version last year, which is quite nice (have seen in person), my friend Nikki Kule has the perfect version, cut from the nicest, softest cotton she sources in Portugal. It’s loud (for me), but I love it; it’s anchoring the mood for everything else. A pop of red is a must, mixed with stripes, a good fresh blue and navy. White jeans and pants as in my weekday edit. Let’s discuss CBK for a minute. At this point, I’m annoyed with the reference overkill (even though I’m adding to it!) If I want to walk out of my house in a favorite Leset sleeveless turtleneck I bought last year and my old cropped Lee jeans, I feel like I might never hear the end of it. Do I care? Not really. The phase will pass. I’m so glad she didn’t wear blue button downs and vintage 501s….kind of my weekend uniform. Anyway, another piece I am feeling again is

Notes from LA

Jennifer Alfano — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 16:14:31 GMT

I cannot remember when I last spent five nights in LA, it’s typically been a day trip from my family’s home or an overnight, so it was fun to have more time. My husband and I both agreed we always have felt like outsiders there, but this time, it felt different. I am starting to understand the allure of LA.

Staying at the Chateau Marmont was a trip. While I didn’t see anyone famous (anywhere), the pool and bar/restaurant make for epic people watching. I feel like people come to New York to be anonymous and people come to LA to be seen or live out their fantasy version of who they want to be. My favorites were the older (at least late 60s) British rocker with his typical skinny jean/leather jacket blazer outfits and his partner/wife who was close to his age and seemed to wear the same denim miniskirt, black shirt and little black mules every day. She had great legs so why not. Loved her commitment. There were a lot of young men cosplaying Pedro Pascal or the disaffected ennui of Timoth…