The Human Touch

We have to talk about AI...kind of? Thoughts on Milan fashion week and getting dressed of late.

You might be shocked to hear how many people casually suggest that I should use ChatGPT to write the newsletter. I try to giggle and brush it off but the look of sheer HORROR on my face gives away my distaste for the technology that is not so secretly stealing our brains and ability to shape simple sentences. DO YOU THINK CHATGPT COULD ALLITERATE THAT!? (Actually don’t answer that.)

Prada finale (courtesy of Prada)

I have yet to see AI style someone’s wardrobe successfully (according to me.) Or shop for them with any sense of accomplishment or joy, even though there are dozens if not hundreds of companies that are trying to solve the age old ‘what to wear’ conundrum via machine learning. It’s all a bit soulless and a little off. And since we don’t really NEED more clothes, the thrill and joy and confidence that one gets from shopping and dressing is lost when left to the bots.

Will I be replaced by the bots someday, like we are all thinking? Maybe. But I’m holding onto my humanity with white knuckles. My ability to create surprising or innovative solutions based on an emotional connection - to clothes, to people, to service - serves as my armor.

I could tell the designers at Milan Fashion week last week were grappling with the same questions. At Prada, coats and dresses appeared tattered: black cocktail dresses darned with floral brocades. Wool and canvas coats unevenly patched with herringbone. The big donegal-esque knits and scarves appearing (if not actually…but probably?) hand knitted.

A detail shot of the Prada coat in the last image of this newsletter…sorry, keep scrolling.

At Jil Sander, a brand notorious for “needing to see in person” designer Simone Bellotti delivered more of what makes it great - beautiful cuts, gorgeous fabrics that you have to feel to believe, and also a personal anecdote from the designer in the form of a “mattress dress.” The idea spawned from watching his father, an upholsterer, work as a child when the natural fillings and stitchings were done by hand. A personal touch…about craftsmanship no less!!!

It trickled into Paris (a full seasonal recap coming next week!) in Chloe’s show notes. The brand’s designer Chemena Kamali says:

This season has been a reflection on humanity, empathy and devotion - on how clothing can hold emotion, and carry memory. In a world that often feels mechanized and accelerated, I felt drawn back to the essence of making; the human touch, the spirit of community, connection and shared values. I was profoundly inspired by traditional costume and folkloric craft.

Jil Sander FW26. Stirrups and a mattress dress.

I couldn’t not notice these parallels to how I’m feeling when I get dressed right now. I am craving something softer. A bit more organic in shape. Maybe an uneven, hand-stitched neckline, fluid, drapey tees and henleys, faded jeans, stained shirting. Traditional details. Something that was clearly touched by another person before it made it’s way to me. The sense of things feeling worn in.

Chloe FW26 / a study in community, connection and human touch. Result is a slightly haphazard but weirdly relatable and joyful collection of voluminous dresses and outerwear, great colors and one of my favorite tricks…socks with sandals. :)

I actually shot most of this newsletter before I left for Milan two weeks ago now (with one addition as Prada always sparks inspo) so was pleased to to find that these pangs were greater than me but the spark for so much creativity this season.

So we will pause on the trends for now, and this week go over five easy outfit concepts that are giving time tested. Time worn. Soft in fabric and finish.

An everyday throw on outfit of late that gives slightly more than jeans and a t-shirt. All Three henley over a Redone x Hanes white tee. Our fave Calvin Klein jeans, a steal of a belt from Mango!? and western boots. Saks if you’re a lucky 36. Othewise…Tecovas and Ann Mashburn for the rest of us.

Instead of my usual crewneck base layers lately, I’ve been reaching for this faded black henley unbuttoned all the way down. I wore it over the holidays to a x-mas party with that crazy sequined Alaia cropped top and silk pants. It makes shiny things feel a bit “easier” for a decadent house party. For everyday, I’ve been throwing it over a white tee with jeans and cowboy boots, completely undone.

It’s a good middle layer for under a blazer or leather jacket without feeling too overstuffed. And still looks like a complete outfit when you remove said layer.

A great middle layer for a leather jacket or blazer. (This is Bally, but I also really like this Massimo Dutti shape and sheen.) Testing out this necklace by Renato Cipullo to see if it will be my next jewelry purchase. All signs lead to yes, FACK!

Added this next one after the Prada show, but from things I own! I love this pairing of chunky hand-knits with a super soft and ladylike bottom. I would love to wear this to a party. Maybe with something bright and mismatched underneath for when I’m ready to de-layer! And a big earring. I miss Milan already, the city where I would easily wear this day in and day out with no one even giving me a second glance.

A handknit (preferably with a zipper!) is the texture contrast of choice coming out of the Prada show. This looks great if you’d rather a subtle color. With a vintage silk Prada via TRR skirt, (This Toteme is giving me all the Prada feels!!!) wooly tights and my favorite Jimmy Choos

The soft bomber is coming for our blazers this spring. I’m not saying I’m over a blazer. Heck, you’ll see two pulled from my closet styled below this. But in packing for in-between weather in Europe last week, I chose this A.Presse cotton bomber in place of my usual navy blazer as a throw-over-anything option. This jacket was SO expensive (it is cashmere lined which you can’t see and makes me feel like I’m wearing the world’s coziest sweatshirt!) and therefore I laughed when it arrived pre-stained. But then Prada showed stained cuffs during its mens and women’s shows! And since I will definitely stain this jacket as I bought it to wear both with fashion and with my son - who uses me as a human napkin - I decided to keep it. What a relief that this is trending! But also, I love the statement this makes. Wear your dad’s Member’s Only or Baracuta jacket. Show off that well-loved piece. It’s not worn out, it’s weathered with love!

A. Presse jacket (sold out but diff color here) - this one from Baracuta is a FAB alt!!! Also Gap. And this, oo and this! - though you might have to get your children to help incorporate the stain spots. I’m sure it won’t be a problem. :) With a vintage tee, Toteme corduroy trousers (I took my regular size - DE36 - and had to tailor the crap out of them, so size down and save yourself the bill) and worlds most comfortable fashion shoe.

The same concept applies to denim. I have been craving a dirty wash (hence buying these as my “dinner jeans” which we discussed.) I’m seeing more fading (re: Celine) and faded vibrant colors at where else, Versace! The fading on this 6397 pair below shares their ethos. The fading making a pink jean look a little more relaxed. More like a part of a collected wardrobe.

A red pique polo (this is an old High Sport but Land’s End! If it’s good enough for Ina, it’s good enough for me.) with 6397 pink faded jeans in a size 27. I also love these faded jeans if you are not trying to go full Crayola. I might hem them to the ankle and get rid of the trim all together ala Celine. :) A good western belt here and Lemaire boots here.

I Versace’d the whole thing by pairing this with a dark grey tailored wool blazer instead of the little french work jacket that I initially tried.

A closer look at the fading.

We don’t have to look tousled and frayed to participate in this great softening. I recognize not everyone would be as thrilled as me for their clothing to come pre-stained. 🙃 We can also partake by simply swapping our shirting. Trade crisp cotton for a flannel-type fabric or a gauze or jersey or a cotton poplin that is treated to look paper-y (aka pre-wrinkled). I bought this Zara shirt during the first blizzard of 2026 when I couldn’t stop myself during a late night scroll.

A more subtly soft take for those who might not be able to explain away the irony of a pre-stained cuff in midtown: Zara shirt over a Park tank and Argent trousers. I paired with my most oversized black blazer but any blazer would work with this.

It’s a gauzy fabric that upon closer inspection gives off a micro-fuzzy vibe. And the shirt-jacket cross-over construction gives it the look of being both shirt and jacket. Almost like an old chefs coat, repurposed. Consider it a teaser for workwear month, coming back at you this April!

My true style self. Members Only style bomber, CDG kilt (how about Burberry?) and Bally Plumes forever!!!!

If I bring this whole rabbit hole — both the designers’ focus on craft and “aging” and my desire to soften around the edges — back to personal style, I end up in this: a well-loved (read: lean into stains!) jacket with a plaid kilt (my true spirit garment) and my most beloved shoes. In this outfit, I feel like everything is going to be OK. 💓

And we will Prada-fy the cuffs just to stay on top of the trends…it is my job after all. :)

Courtesy of Prada

Because at the end of the day, how we dress is a reflection of our values. Our daily needs. Our priorities. And I sure hope my outfit reads: ChatGPT could never!

Yours TRULY,

Becky