the sezane tomboy vs. max shirt

April 15, 2024

hello april!

a button down is a staple in all capsule wardrobes. why? because it’s versatile. you can mix and match it with a variety of bottoms (denim shorts, jeans, skirts), dress it up (french tuck) or down, layer it (over a dress), or even wear it as a beach/pool cover up. Sézane has many beautiful collections, but i typically go for the staples like the tomboy and max shirts! i’m glad they’ve been added to my collection. in summary, the difference between the two:

Sézane tomboy shirt — despite what you think the name would mean it’s actually classic & fitted. measurements listed below for a 36 or US 4:
- measures 19.5” in width from one side seam to the other
- measures 26.4” from the shoulder to the hem
- complimentary embroidery available (you’ll see it after you click add to basket)
Sézane max shirt — oversized & relaxed. really great for super casual days, coverups at the beach or pool. it’s also longer and wider than the tomboy. measurements listed below for a 36 or US 4:
- measures 24” in width from one side seam to the other
- measures 28.9” from the shoulder to the hem

Sézane tomboy shirt in ecru/camel stripes

the only iconic one i’m missing is the Sézane pierro shirt — which is next on my list to try. the fit seems similar to the tomboy but the pierro is in pretty prints that’ll look great with some solid wide leg pants!

i included pictures here of both so you can get an idea. ironically they are in stripes since i’m having a striped moment over here && i styled them both with white bottoms!! which one should you pick? depends on the FIT. for classic, go with the tomboy. for oversized go with the max. you can’t go wrong with either! i love that it does not require ironing once washed (thank goodness, because i rarely pull out my steamer/iron). personally, my style leans more towards the tomboy (as i also have it in plain white) but the max is a fun one to have for certain style vibes. if you don’t own either, i recommend going with the tomboy first as my rule of thumb is to always go with classic first, then build on that with more fun & trendy pieces. more pictures after the jump!

currently on my playlist: lose control by Tom King (i like this cover more than the Teddy Swims original)

currently reading: the island of sea women by Lisa See

top c/o | Sézane tomboy shirt in ecru/camel stripes (wearing size 4 US)
top c/o | Sézane max shirt in striped blue (wearing size 4 US, i could’ve sized down to a 2 in this but i wanted it to be truly oversized)
denim | Everlane kick crop jeans in white (very old) — similar by Madewell // similar by J.Crew Factory // loving these wide leg ones!
pants | Ann Taylor kate wide leg cropped pant in white (wearing size 2P, hands down the best wide leg cropped pant everrrrrr)
bag | Loewe puzzle bag in sand grained calfskin (size small) — dupe on Amazon // also comes in a REALLY adorable mini size i also debated too!
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver
rings | gorjana diamond row ring in 14K gold // gorjana diamond stacking ring in 14K gold

until next time,
JD

the wide leg pant roundup

March 11, 2024

the pant that’s here to stay!

for the last year or two, wide leg pants have been IN. my own collection of wide leg pants also grew and lately, i find myself reaching for them over jeans or dresses (shocking, i know since i am a total dress girl). jeans are a great bottom option, but there’s not many colors to pick from. with wide leg pants there are endless colors and materials to pick from! and ahem, they are more forgiving than denim jeans - extra handy when the food baby kicks in 😆 the tricky thing about wide leg pants, for me at least, is the length. i’m short at 5’2” and hemming usually needs to happen which deters me from purchasing a lot (guess this is good thing). i rarely do alterations unless it’s something i just can’t live without. the good news is that wide leg pants can be cropped (whoo!) and there are retailers that offer short/petite sizing to help with this!

in this post, i round up my favorite wide leg pants that i wear over and over. they are staples in my closet and it’s really hard not to buy all the colors! more after the jump.

side ramblings: #SXSW kicked off last week and it does feel a little strange to not participate this year. there’s always next year! i’ve been watching Golden Girls and i love how the show (aired in 1985) is still hilarious and relevant in 2024. a true classic! and similar to Modern Family, there’s a nugget of wisdom in each episode 😊 also, can we take a moment to discuss daylight savings? what is it about the one-hour time change that can really screw with you?! 🫠

currently on my playlist: good thing going on by Mat Kearney (another solid hit by my all time favorite artist)

currently reading: about to finish hook, line, and sinker by Tessa Bailey and start my book club read the island of sea women by Lisa See

wearing the Aritzia the effortless pant in light birch (runs small, so size up! wearing size 6)

01. Aritzia the effortless pant

these pants are LUXE and dressy. they are made from a japanese crepe material and they are probably my favorite. i own two pairs and the shorts too 😉 unfortunately, even though these come in a short length, they’re too short imo. so i purchase the regular length and get them tailored (so that tells you how great they are). they are also high-waisted so perfect with crop tops!

sizing: runs small, so size up! i usually purchase a 6 regular.

great for: a night out with a dressy top with low strappy heels or for work with a button down or sweater.

02. Abercrombie & Fitch sloane tailored pant

these pants were all the rage in 2022 and 2023. so much that it still remains a staple today. they were viral on tiktok when they first came out so it was hard to find sizes. i have them in three colors? i love that they’re easy. but i have read that they pill which is sad. i haven’t run into this issue yet. the material of the sloane is not as luxe as the Artizia’s but they are a great alternative when you’re looking for fun colors! i purchase these in a short length and they are perfect! these are also high-waisted.

sizing: runs small, so size up! i usually purchase a 27 short.

great for: cool girl brunch vibes with a casual crop top or tee with white sneakers or flat strappy sandals (add a baseball cap for good measure!)

03. Ann Taylor the kate wide leg crop pant

these are my OG intro into wide leg pants. of course, they are cropped but still, they count! i have these in over 8+ colors. it’s so hard when they come out with new colors every. season. they’re a great casual-cotton-cropped pant and literally go with everything. these are also high-waisted. each year they refine the design a little more and they’ve really perfected it.

sizing: true to size. 2 petite.

great for: casual friday, with a t-shirt for errands when you want to look put together with sneakers.

rock all the wide leg pants!,
JD

how to style the sezane will jacket

March 4, 2024

the jacket for all seasons

luckily, my partnership with Sézane continues I decided to go with the Sézane will jacket #gifted that i’ve been eyeing for a while now and it comes in so many colors to choose from! i wasn’t sure how it would look on me due to length. turns out, i had nothing to worry about 🙂 it reminds me of a utility jacket but more sleek and structured. BTW, the utility jacket is my go-to travel jacket. i take it on every. single. trip. with me because honestly, it goes with EVERYTHING and it has functional pockets. i was hoping the will jacket would do the same in a more elevated way and it did not disappoint. the pockets are very deep and i love how the material keeps its structure since it is denim-like.

here, i decided to style it a couple of different ways. it’s all about versatility #amirite! i’ve always wanted to belt something like this and i love how it turned out. you can layer it (even over a dress which i have always wanted to try), belt it, and wear it as a top itself like a button down. you can dress it up and you can dress it down. check out all four looks after the jump!

side ramblings: 2024. it’s been a slowwww start here full of self-care. i’ve been enjoying spending time at home working on my paint-by-numbers, upgrading the home office, reading, playing mah jong, watching Modern Family with my parents, going down reddit thread rabbit holes about mechanical keyboards (new hobby) and trader joes (of course). it’s been a grand time!

invites + on the radar //

with this timely post, Sézane’s Austin pop-up opens on Friday, 03/08 at 1011 S. Congress Avenue Suite 130 (between Everlane and All Birds at Music Lane)! i was able to preview the store this past weekend and it is gorgeous. makes me miss Paris! i hope it becomes a permanent boutique in Austin🤞 hours of operation: Open Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 7 pm and Sundays: 11 am to 6 pm. stop by and check them out! it’s also a great way to try on their sizes if you are unsure and feel all their luxe fabrics and textiles!
i was invited into The Guest House // @welcometgh earlier this week and i gotta say, it was an AMAZING experience 💯 i loved all. the. dishes., the service, and the ambiance was 110% swanky. i’ll be returning soon! dishes ordered: complimentary brioche (OMG LAYERED GOODNESS), steak tartare, traditional caviar service, parmesean truffle crusted filet, miso mushrooms, the garden dessert (a must), and the tres leches x tiramisu dessert! they will be opening the take away section soon (and i hope they have that brioche available!) and the little outdoor wine garden! so happy to see this space filled on 2nd street!

other notable eats lately //

@mysweetishfriend — the swedish tosca almond cake is life changing i tell ya
@kpotbbqandhotpot — finally a korean BBQ and hot pot place down south!!
@tareaustin — omakase for life. slowly trying all the omakase offerings in ATX, next on the list is @craftomakase
@yuki.atx — yes, it’s known for its handrolls, but the nigiri is where it’s at
@uchibarestaurants — a diff uchi-vibe but i’m here for it!

currently on my playlist: headlights home by Mat Kearney

currently reading: hook, line, and sinker by Tessa Bailey

LOOK 1 - layered over a t-shirt or layered over a t-shirt and belted

LOOK 1: layered openly over a graphic t-shirt

LOOK 2. as a top itself. for good measure, just three buttons only + an ever so slight pop in the collar

jacket c/o | Sézane will jacket in khaki (sized down to a XS)
dress | Old Navy eyelet midi dress (very old) — similar but a maxi with classy cut outs!
denim c/o | Everlane kick crop jeans in white (very old) — similar by Madewell // similar by J.Crew Factory // loving these wide leg ones!
top | J.Crew Factory le weekend t-shirt (so old) — similar Paris one! // this striped one would go so perfectly too!
belt | Ann Taylor waist belt (old) — similar and love the one by Sezane
leggings | Athleta salutation stash 7/8 tight in black — similar on Amazon for $29
sports top | Amazon high neck sports bra crop top in white

until next time,
JD

the sezane barry cardigan

November 20, 2023

thankful.

howdy friends! gosh it has been a while and i can barely believe we’re here. Thanksgiving week already!!!! it’s so shocking. this year flew by a little too quickly - maybe a sign of age 👵side ramblings after the jump.

i’m thrilled to continue my partnership with Sézane! here i’m kicking off sweater weather (feels so good and normal to wear these now!) with the barry cardigan. while i own the iconic gaspard cardigan, i picked out the sister style; the barry cardigan in this beautiful lilac color. sometimes lilac can be tricky but the tone (not too cool) on this one is perfect for my fair skintone. the only difference between the gaspard and the barry is the neckline, the barry has a v-neck button front — which can also be worn backwards as well for a subtle sexy v-back look. i did try it and while no photos, i can ensure you that it’s a good look to try! i opted to pair this with some navy wide leg pants (looks black in the photos though) and really love the contrast of the colors together — def give this color combo a go sometime! if you’re feeling bold, i’d style it with green or light pink pants as well! as always, picking the one color in this cardigan was H A R D. because there are so many pretty ones for all the seasons! #lifedecisions ya know?

lately i’ve been going for tops over dresses at Sézane for some reason! i’m a total dress gal. but i’ve been gravitating towards their sweaters, shirts, and jackets lately. some others i picked out include, c/o Sézane:

betty cardigan (in black/ecru, size S) — HELLO CLASSY LADY. that’s what this cardigan screams! i also have this cardigan in rosewood… so that tells you something 😁
will jacket (in khaki, size XS) — this is such a unique and versatile jacket (with DEEP pockets which i LOVE). i wore it out this weekend with white jeans + white graphic tee, and i can see it draped over an athleisure outfit or even belted over a skirt or dress (will be trying this soon!). it comes in all sorts of textures, colors, and patterns. so again, good luck choosing! i did size down to an XS on this one though :)
tomboy shirt (in ecru/camel stripes, size 4) — one of the Sézane reps wore this when they were in Austin this summer and i loved it on her. it’s such a classic button down that i’ll be styling with white jeans!

also, check out the Sézane parisian gift shop here!

#blackfriday: alright alright alright. here we go with some black friday sales. i think i’ll continue to update this section as the week goes on but lots of sales have already started, much earlier this year if feels like?! i’m keeping it pretty slim this year, there’s not a ton i really want (or need; but that’s a fine line right?!) so here are some that top my list:

Abercrombie & Fitch — 25% off everything. would love to finally try the YPB neoknit line with these joggers and half zip hoodie combo in the prettiest evergreen
Ann Taylor — 50% off everything. eyeing this feather cuff mock neck sweater! haven’t seen a mock neck and feather combo yet. this is going to pair so well with some festive red pants for the holidays!
BIOSSANCE — 30% off everything with code: GIVE30 at this point, i use almost the whole line it feels like! also, with orders over $85 you get a 8-piece gift with purchase (sizes are great for traveling!). ☀️ staples: squalane + vitamin c dark spot serum, squalane + copper peptide rapid plumping serum. 🌙 staples: squalane + 10% lactic acid resurfacing serum (1x a week), squalane + retinol night serum (every other night), squalane + marine algae eye cream
gorjana — $25 off $175, $50 off $300, $100 off $500
H&M — 30% off everything: no code needed. this pile coat looks so cozy & neutral to match everything
J.Crew — up to 50% almost everything: no code needed. i’d pick up another emilie lady jacket (similar to Sézane betty cardigan but without the collar). also the perfect time to pick up the lady coat (or anything labeled as “lady” for that matter) look at the FUN colors!! that purple!! the buttons are hidden in this year’s design and i’m kind diggin’ it
MEJURI — 20% off with $150 purchase: no code needed. i’ve been eyeing the charlotte hoops in 14K solid gold since my charlotte bold hoops in vermeil are already rusted 😒 #realgoldera
Quince — 5 days of savings that change daily for 5 days!

currently reading: something wilder by Christina Lauren

currently on the playlist: times like this by Mat Kearney ft. Devon Gilfillian (there is always a Mat K song for every season on life!)

side ramblings: life has been a little rough lately, not gonna lie. everything kind of piled on top of each other all at once it felt like. hence, my absence. in fact, when i look at the blog posts for 2023, it’s an all time low for me and slightly disappointing. i know life/things get in the way, but this year i really let this piece of the internet slip away; by my own doing. this weekend i spent time making a list of small changes i’d like to make to change my circumstance. not that things change overnight, but i find that if i show up and hold myself accountable for something on my list (like publishing this blog post), i’ve made some progress. and progressing we are! 💗this is timely as it’s Thanksgiving week. the past couple of weeks were a good reminder of the support system i have and the people who have come thru for me during this time (thank you). i am pretty dang blessed beyond words. really. and hey, what would life be without ebbs and flows right? #cantstopwontstop actually it’s funny my dad reminded of this hashtag recently. he just knew 😉

top c/o | Sézane barry cardigan in lilac (wearing size S) — similar but the gaspard style (link to blog post on how to style it here)
pants | Ann Taylor wide-leg kate pants in navy (old)
necklace | gorjana diamond cluster necklace in 14K solid gold
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver
rings | gorjana diamond row ring in 14K gold // gorjana diamond stacking ring in 14K gold

until next time (but not too long 🙂),
JD

the maxi cutout dress

September 7, 2023

cutouts. but classy.

cutouts can be tricky sometimes! anyone else agree? while i love cutouts, most clothing pieces have too many cutouts or the cutouts are in places that would require too much thought in terms of what kind of undergarments to wear — ain’t nobody time got time for that! i was looking for an elegant yet tasteful piece and …enter this maxi dress! the colors captured my eye, bold & bright, reminds me of a piece of watercolor art. thankfully it falls right at my ankles so perfect on my 5’2” short self. no hemming needed, the back is actually attached!!! && the best part is you can wear normal undergarments + regular bra with it! whoo #thisis38

side ramblings: this past weekend was a blast! we celebrated my dad’s 70th birthday and it was so great to see family i haven’t seen since the pandemic!! it made my little heart so happy. we used to get together all the time. family gatherings were always a big thing in my life — asians love to make excuses to get together and eat! confession: i’ve been on a little shopping spree lately. for a awhile i was soo good about not buying anything but as we start to enter fall (my fave season of fashion), it’s pretty much all downhill 🫠

currently on my playlist: nobody knows by The Tony Rich Project (taking it back to the old school jams! the best IMO).

currently reading: the people we meet on vacation by Emily Henry

dress | petal + pup laquin long sleeve maxi dress in pink (wearing size S) — similar in a mini version // love this white one with eyelet details // similar with short sleeves
bag | MANGO straw bag (old) — similar on Amazon
shoes | shein cut out sandals in cognac (old) — similar on Amazon // similar by Steve Madden
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver
rings | gorjana diamond row ring in 14K gold // gorjana diamond stacking ring in 14K gold // Quince pave slim signet ring in 14K gold

until next time,
JD

photo credit: @janeyunphoto

the coral & chartreuse combo

August 21, 2023

cue the ‘watermelon sugar by Harry Styles’ for this post.

this color combo was so fun to put together! originally i wanted to style the coral pants with a white or cream top. at the last minute i decided on a more bold color combo and BAM! it all works out in the end amirite?!

the Ann Taylor kate wide leg cropped pants are a closet favorite of mine. the design continues to improve and launches in FUN colors ALL. THE. TIME. tbh, it’s hard for me to restrain from buying every color (me, hiding from the fall colors). there have been improvements over the years with these pants and i think this year is perfection. it’s finally a high rise (past my belly button) and the pocket placement and opening are perfect — before they would bulge out a little too much. i love that they come in a petite length because they fall just right on my 5’2” self. the material and amount of stretch is perfect. since they are high rise so they go so well with crop tops like this fun chartreuse one here. on the flipside, for safer-not-as-bold looks, i’d pair chartreuse with navy or white!

side ramblings: it’s crazy that summer 2023 is coming to a close. it only feels that way with school in session, but other than that, it’s still summer to me until i can put on a jacket (at the very least — and that… in TX is late OCT)! watching my niece & nephew go to school was bittersweet. they’re growing up so fast and with that means changes to our family time schedules due to all their extra circular activities! we spend SO. MUCH. time. together. but i wouldn’t have it any other way! #beyondblessed

currently on my playlist: watermelon sugar by Harry Styles

currently reading: the seven husbands of evelyn hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

top | Line & Dot v-wire top in chartreuse (old) — love this new tank from Madwell in artichoke (similar tone) // similar w shoulder ties // similar in terms of color // similar in terms of cut // similar
pants | Ann Taylor the kate wide leg crop pant in deep coral (wearing size 2P)
earrings | Mejuri charlotte bold hoops in gold vermeil — similar for $49 by Quince // also available as huggies
bag | lulu's essential style natural woven knot handle clutch bag — similar on Amazon
shoes | Target A New Day basil mule heels in cream — also available in a platform style // newer version // also love these new strappy ones!
watch | Michele 29 mm deco diamond watch in gold and silver
rings | gorjana diamond row ring in 14K gold // gorjana diamond stacking ring in 14K gold

until next time,
JD

photo credit: @janeyunphoto

the sezane doll blouse & tailored shorts

July 17, 2023

gimme all the shoulder tie tops.

HOWDY! ‘write blog post’ has been on my to-do list for a while now. since the last post, life was coming back to normal with work but i ended up visiting Japan! recovering from jet lag took longer than expected and finding life’s normal rhythm again took some time but it now finally felt like a good day to sit down and put something together that i’ve been meaning to put out there! and it FEELS SO GOOD. this is my happy place right here.

usually before summer hits, i take a couple of outfit photos to get me through the summer months. thank goodness because summer this year has been BRUTAL 🥵 it’s so hot to even be outside for more than 5 mins! scary what August will feel like. hopefully all the backlogged & Japan content will get me through to fall (my favorite season of fashion) 💯

i am pretty much a sucker for all shoulder tie tops and dresses. why? the bow/tie adds a fun-flirty-feminine detail to the outfit and this particular one, the Sézane doll blouse in cara red was the perfect shade of bold red (also avail in a matching skirt!!). the material (100% silk) made this an elevated top, so i styled it with some tailored shorts. while i love chino and denim shorts, they lean on the casual side and sometimes you need a pair of shorts that are good enough to wear to date night with tops such as this one that pulls the whole outfit together.

taken at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in the Theme Garden which is easily my favorite area. i love the arches, the vines, walkway, greenery. @janeyunphoto did an amazing job!

side ramblings: i’ve been back from Japan for a little over a month and every week i find myself missing it! if i could put Japan in one word, i’d say orderly. people actually follow the rules there, it’s so clean, people are nice/respectful. i LOVED Japan and plan on going back sometime in my future. dedicated Japan posts coming soon! on another note, i saw Past Lives and it had been forever since i went to a movie theatre — the movie itself was very good and thought provoking. the more spiritual/woo-woo side of me does believe in past lives and an afterlife in the sense that sometimes we meet people that we feel we’ve known forever, some sort of connection you can’t quite put your finger on/identify. it also made me think about people who have also touched my life for a season and didn’t really stay around for other reasons — maybe i’ll see them in a different life with different lessons. either way, it’s all comforting to me at the end of the day.

currently on my playlist: monster by Shawn Mendes & Justin Bieber

currently reading: 8 rules of love: how to find it, keep it, and let it go by Jay Shetty sometimes i spend time scrolling, before bed… and i’ve come across a lot of Jay Shetty clips. he always says things that resonate, that make me grab a pen and write it down. so i ended up picking up his latest book to read. it’s very interesting with exercises to practice on. much to unpack here and i’m only halfway through! it’s a great book for everyone at any stage — single, in a relationship, or married. it makes you ponder past experiences, how you could’ve approached it better and the future in terms of what you plan to do differently by working on yourself. it’s always about learning & improving, amirite?! 💗