Hi everyone, I’m writing with a potentially unpopular confession:
When I consider transitional outerwear that makes me feel most presentable (and at the moment, I’m defining presentable as the ability to daydream that someone could fall in love with me—or simply wonder about me—after seeing me on the street), this is where I go:
And so:
Within the walls of my apartment I can convince myself I look romantic in a lived-in sort of way. Effortless. A man (my future boyfriend to be exact) will pass me on the street and wonder about the down-to-earth life I lead, my hodgepodge ensemble giving him blissful visions of how real our life could be together.
But then I step onto the street and am harshly put into context.
(I feel like a piece of lint among jewels)
And as the warmer weather and longer days get me feeling optimistic about dating again, this insecurity about my outerwear becomes a (albeit maybe silly) roadblock to going out. It’s hard to feel confident without an alluring outer layer!
I call this look “I just woke up and you love me.” (This affinity for pajamas definitely tracks back to chilly summer mornings at sleepaway camp.)
I’m thrilled to report that this weekend I discovered a dating scenario that would call for and even demand this exact outfit. Please suspend security concerns and the fact that this is objectively a terrible idea for one second:
Unfortunately this discovery was made possible by the fact that my landlord is selling my sweet little apartment building and my home has been selected as the show pony (and yes, I am mildly flattered by this). But as strangers sauntered through my home on Sunday and I made my (subtle) pitch for staying put (I’m a great tenant! I take good care of the space! etc), I realized they were all seeing me in my prime: nestled on my couch, in a comfy outfit, being charming, and surrounded by my belongings. THIS is how I should be dating.
Thanks for reading and talk soon (my vow to get back on a weekly newsletter schedule),
🌸💗Ariella + Fran
Open House is the BEST dating idea.
Love Fran, and the charcuterie board! I hope you get to keep your apartment in your sweet little building.