Welcome to Style Diaries, a series where we research the physical manifestations of our closet tours IRL. We’re asking friends and tastemakers to show us what they’re *actually* wearing during the week and to provide a little insight into their thoughts on the current state of fashion. This week, we follow Clémence Polès, founder of Passerby magazine. She challenged herself to reinterpret her mother’s sense of style, whether that’s rewearing old pieces of hers or reimagining looks from collected photos. The result of which, underscored to Polès the value of timeless design and personal style and helped her to learn about what fashion meant to her mother.
Look 1: The Surprisingly Current Vest
Vest: Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier; Shirt: Alex Mill; Skirt: Vintage Max Mara; Loafers: G.H. Bass Socks: Muji;
Photos: Courtesy of Clémence Polès
“The fact that the vest is having a moment inspired me to wear [my mother’s vintage Jean Paul Gaultier] vest. It’s such a staple piece and it stands out probably more than the pieces I have in my closet. Keeping it super simple was the way that I made it work for myself. The skirt is actually my mom’s Max Mara pleated skirt from her college years. I’ve had to have it tailored. But yeah, I wear a lot of loafers. Those are my G.H. Bass loafers that are just so comfortable. I’ve always liked wearing socks with loafers. I didn’t really have a vision for this look. I just played around, tried it with pants, and this was what worked.”
Look 2: The Matching Set
Set: Pleats Please by Issey Miyake; Bag: Lemaire; Shoes: Vintage Stuart Weitzman;
Photos: Courtesy of Clémence Polès
“My mom is really into Pleats Please. I now have a lot of pleats in my closet. [When I wear Issey Miyake], I get stopped by older women; women that have this appreciation for it. I find it so flattering. Also, my mom wore so many sets. There’s also this detailing that I feel like my mom would gravitate towards. The bag is Lemaire. The shoes are Stuart Weitzman. I’m a big fan of their vintage pieces because they have a square toe—and they’re just more comfortable than the newer pieces. I have them in black and brown.”
Look 3: The New (Belted) Suit
Suit: Vintage Giorgio Armani; Belt: Prada; Bag: Medea: Shoes: Vintage Stuart Weitzman;
Photos: Courtesy of Clémence Polès
“That’s a Prada belt and that suit is from Giorgio Armani. My mom had a suit that was pretty …….