Emotional Support Jeans, The Lip Flip & Dardys

Emotional support jeans are that perfect pair of denim which transcends mere clothing to become a source of psychological comfort and confidence. These are jeans that fit just right, make you feel instantly put-together, and serve as your go-to armor for challenging days.

This Sunday I was scheduled to meet up with friends at The Surf Lodge in Montauk. If you are not familiar, it is a waterfront spot that has live music and very popular with the “going out” crowd. I do not think I have walked into the Surf Lodge since their grand opening party with Ziggy Marley in 2007. I am a morning person and do my best work from 8-10am so anything that happens post lunch requires a lot of motivation.

My summer persona is a bit more adventurous than other times of year (based on the later sunsets) and with a 5pm start there was hope I could be in bed by 9pm. My preferred way of socializing is over coffee or a dog walk in the morning, and many, many, rungs after that….. a “DARDY”. Which is the new word for a day party that I learned during my 25 year college reunion in October. Slay.

When I am trying to be YOUNG and FUN I wear either a mini skirt or silk shorts because I have good legs and love a sleeve. I always follow the "rule of one" in fashion which suggests that you should only show one area of skin at a time, either your top or your bottom. This means that if you're wearing a short skirt, you should not reveal as much on top, and vice versa. Alternatively, if you're wearing a strapless top, you should pair it with a longer bottom like pants or a midi skirt. This approach helps create a balanced look and avoid feeling overly exposed. Much to my friends dismay this does not translate to teenage girls in 2025.

I recently purchased these Celine bandana print silk shorts from The Vestaire Collective link here because I love a pre-owned new with tags situation. The “thrill of the find” is a condition I developed in middle school when my mom would take me to our local Marshalls and I had less than 20 minutes to scour the racks while she returned something. I haven’t been able to find another pair south of $500 but here is a great alternative..

I was all set to debut my incredible find for the summer with my trusty chocolate brown button down and light tint sunglasses. I knew it wasn’t exactly what the gals born after 1990 would be wearing, but I could style the shirt mostly open and lean on the bare legs so I didn’t totally kill their vibe.

Unfortunately, the weather report was calling for rain and 59 degrees so I had to pivot. I had my brown leather pants with me because a friend had on leather pants the other day and they felt fresh after prematurely switching my winter closet to spring/summer. (this is your sign to take those leather pants out for one more spin on a chilly night this month!). Sadly, the combination of the chocolate brown button down and leather pants made me look like I had gotten lost on my way to a wine and cheese book club party in the middle of autumn.

I got a little frantic and started trying on some bizzare outfit combinations (while picturing the Gen Zers snickering in their crop tops) and my husband starting yelling from the other room “can I call the Uber?” which I have learned is never a good sign from a timing perspective.

We were only in town for the weekend so I had very little options. I always followed my Vogue packing rules and had my standbys on hand, but a cashmere wrap that doubles as a blanket for the plane (eye roll), a white button down and a neutral cardigan were not getting me to a DJ set with a bunch of folks cosplaying as Hailey and Justin Bieber. Thankfully I remembered I had packed my emotional support jeans. I put them on and they wrapped around me like a warm hug offering both literal and metaphorical support when I needed it most.

When I walked into the pulsing crowd I undid a few more buttons on my shirt and let the rhythm take me. We ended up having a great time and besides tiny sunglasses and crop tops, my main concern for the next generation is not social media and AI, but the prevalence of bad lip filler. I have never seen so many young women with cosmetically enhanced lips. It was a lip flip extravaganza.

The emotional support jeans that I speak of in this sub are Re/Done X Levis which is a company that takes used Levis and reworks them into modern fits. I love a non stretch rigid jean and I cannot recommend them enough.

ReDone X Levis 90s Jeans link here

Levis has finally caught on to the fact that people are wearing their vintage fits so re-released their 90s jean link here They also come in ecru.

All of my denim recommendations are in this shop including ReDone X Levis on The Real Real for 1/3 of the price.

The rest of my finds this week are items that pair perfectly back to your favorite jeans and either in my possession, in my cart or on my wishlist!!!

1. Gucci Westman Blush Stick link here

This is a never leave home without it situation. Works on cheeks and lips and the perfect color “petal”

2. A. Emery Sandals link here

I love this reddish brown color and so comfortable.

3. Zara Lace Shorts link here

I have spent most of my adult life on the waitlist for these Doen shorts link here - so I bought these until my name is finally called.

4. Frame Denim Shorts link here

My friend told me the other day that her cut off jean shorts don’t feel right with all the longer shorts out now and I cannot unsee it. I like the idea of jean short with a hem. It is giving my mom at Disney in 1989.

5. Mango Set shirt linked here and skirt linked here

Becky Malinsky recommended this in her recent substack and I am paying it forward. Will report back when it arrives but an evening look with a button down speaks to my soul.

6. Denim Shirt link here

I love the curved hem on the one I linked above, this is a great one too if you want more oversized. Finally if you don’t want a chest pocket I recommend this one!

7. Cartier Watch link here

No notes - here is a lighter color band link here

8. Jennifer Behr Pearl Earrings link here

The best part of these earrings is you can wear them with a necklace and not feel like it is too much because they are so delicate and neutral.

9. Prada Bag link here

Between the nostalgic nylon and the color combo this is on my wishlist.

10. JCrew Necklace link here

Such a pretty shaped pearl for summer.

11. Seashell Necklace link here

I love Sophie’s handmade jewelry - this shell is my favorite but there are so many good pieces.

All of my picks for this weeks sub are in this link here! As always thank you so much for subscribing! I love hearing from you.

XO