How To Dress Like The Row (Without Buying From The Row)

a styling exercise using The Row's collection as inspiration

Dear Readers,

If you are a subscriber of this newsletter, you are probably also inspired in some way by The Row. There is a restrained, yet highly detailed, approach to design that feels fresh and modern yet timeless (and highly covetable!).

My goal today is to show you how you can take styling cues from The Row, without buying from The Row — styling over buying! A lot of times when we like the visual of something, it has more to do with the styling than the actual pieces you are tempted to buy. Do you like the actual pieces, or just the way it’s styled? Do you like how it’s styled, or just because it’s from The Row?

This is less about weighing the pros/cons about what has recently become quite a controversial and polarizing luxury brand. There are plenty of people providing a great POV but my absolute favorite is

Totally Recommend

“It Costs A Lot To Look This Poor”!

However, I’ll share some quick context for this brand as it relates to my own style history:

I have always looked at Mary Kate & Ashley (MKA for the fans!) for their style — they were probably my first style influencers (OBSESSED with them as a kid watching Full House but also all their teen movies) and the reason why a blue poplin shirt is still a mainstay in my closet is because this Ashley Olsen image will forever stay burned in my mind:

the beachy hair, the classic wayfarers, the low V, the Balenciaga cork wedges so simple, so youthful, so chic for the time

They are known for their minimal chic style now but this was the style I was in love with in my younger 20s. Some of my favorite looks that I probably saved on my Tumblr that I still reference today. The reason why I probably love an undone, chill, kinda messy, element in my style!

I’ve also always respected The Row brand, ever since their first essential white tee in 2006. You guys know how much I love a basic white tee — if not, read here + here!

I own a few pieces from the brand, all purchased in great condition secondhand from many years ago. They border on a bit boring and don’t stand out in any way but that’s honestly what I love about The Row — they are a subtle brand. These days, there is so much exposure and craze around the brand through social media that:

1. It’s now much easier to spot pieces from The Row (which in turn creates the demand but can also turn off some buyers who want to feel unique)

2. When there is so much exposure for an item, it’s hard to distinguish if you truly love it or if you are being influenced because you have seen it on all your favorite style inspirations

3. It becomes blurry if you are buying The Row because it fits your personal style and resonates with what you are looking for vs because it’s exciting to wear something that’s labeled ‘The Row’ or getting your hands on the elusive new trending item (hello, jelly flats!)

All this to say, The Row’s price points make it an unrealistic brand for the majority of people but they make clothing designed to be worn for the everyday so in that sense, there’s something to take note of!

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What prompted this styling exercise:

• I recently moved and before that, was living out of suitcases so I’ve had limited access to my full wardrobe for ~ 2 years. We moved with just a couple suitcases and I have yet to unpack most of my clothing boxes so after 6 months of the same clothes, I was in need of some new inspiration and thought it would be fun to take The Row collection and try out new outfit combinations.

My Learnings:

• You can admire something and create a version with what you already have vs buying anything new. All the pieces I tried on are 2+ years old (the newest item was purchased last year).

• Even when you admire something, whether it’s from a brand ad or on your favorite style influencer or someone walking down the street or even your sister, it may not be for you. Just because it looks great on someone else, doesn’t mean it will look good on you, but more importantly that it will even meet your vibe or how you want to dress. The reason I always try things on and play with my clothes, and have my clients do the same, is because sometimes we think we want something or want to dress a certain way when in actuality, we may not and it can make us second guess our own personal style POV.

• The great thing about a brand like The Row is that the individual pieces are very minimal. Pay attention to fabric, silhouette, construction, and shape to get a similar vibe.

• You can do a lot with less if you give yourself the space to try! These looks were created from what I brought with me, which was 1 large suitcase and 1 carry-on.

• What may be the craziest finding: I consider myself fluent in my style. Meaning, I am very well versed in my clothes, what I own, and how I wear them. I spend a lot of time playing in my closet. I wear my clothes a lot of different ways. Yet somehow I have NEVER worn these exact looks and pieces as they are styled. Not even once. That is wild to me. Yes, I have worn very similar looks but they all had different combinations or accents. It shows how much potential we have in our closets if we just spend some time in it!

OK - now for the styling visuals and THE TIPS!!

(some of my images are screenshots from video so they are a bit dark and blurry but I was too lazy to retake!)

Also - I don’t own an iron, my dryer was broken, and my steamer hadn’t arrived yet so my pants are really wrinkly(oops). I was like, “well that doesn’t look very polished and Row-like but then I was like, what would MKA do?”

WRINKLE APPROVED

On the garments:

• Button Ups - Utilize it as more than just a top. Wear it open as a light layer, layer over and under things for dimension and contrast by showing the cuffs/hiding the collar etc.

• Pants - Opt for low or mid rise. Don’t worry about altering to the perfect length, or at all - they should puddle at the hem.

• Outerwear - Investing in a great piece of outerwear will take you through the seasons. It will be the piece you can just throw on and go over your pajamas or loungewear and still feel so chic. Look for a standout factor - whether it’s a sharp strong shoulder, an interesting neutral, or the perfect slouchy drape.

• Size up - Nothing form fitting! There is a relaxed ease to all the fits so lean into it or borrow from your partner.

On the styling:

• Colors - keep it neutral, monochrome or tonal; when you want a pop, add it via accessories or wrapped up in a monochrome look (like a colored tee under a matching neutral set, or a colored silk sandwiched between neutral separates)

• Hardware - Create a subtle point of interest with minimal hardware and jewelry

• Dark accessories paired back to crisp whites for a clean contrast

• Mix seasons - Wear your winter coat with a cotton dress, wear your flip flops with a chunky sweater. Clothes are meant to be multi-functional and versatile and this will help you through the transitional months!

• Texture - None of The Row’s looks are flat. They create interest with texture (leather with soft knits, cotton with silk, wools with crisp poplin)

• Layer, Layer, Layer - Most of The Row’s looks have at least 2-3 layers to create dimension. When the brand plays with 1 layer, they focus on proportions to create that dimension and interest.

Onto some of the looks I tried to recreate:

(The pieces I used are quite old but I have linked what is still available, or similar!)

THE ROW PRE-FALL ‘23 | My version - I quite like this! Taking the monochrome base with the contrasting black layer + accessories | Outfit: Wardrobe NYC coat, AYR shirt, COS pants (similar here), Porte & Paire sandals (similar here)

THE ROW FALL ‘23 | My version - My coat isn’t as minimal as the brand and I don’t generally wear brown/grey pants so I opted for a white linen. I would probably switch out for ballet flats next time so it has a bit more of a feminine touch. | Outfit details: Massimo Dutti coat, AYR shirt, Gap linen pants, Quince sweater, Flattered loafers

THE ROW FALL ‘23 | My version - using the same coat as above with my Porte & Paire sandal and a contrasting rope tie belt. I love a coat doubled as a dress!

THE ROW PRE-FALL ‘23 | My version: Ok, I thought I was going to love this but I look and felt like a waiter LOL. It looked worse on me with the blazer closed. It looked slightly better with my shirt partially tucked on one side but in general, it didn’t feel like me bc I think it read too polished. | Outfit details: Wardrobe NYC blazer, AYR shirt, Comme Si boxer shorts, A. Emery sandals (similar)

This version I posted awhile back is more me - just a plain tee instead of the button down for a lived-in feel…would look cute with a minimal flip flop too

THE ROW FALL ‘24 | My version: This is actually a go-to look for me except I usually wear a more fitted blazer with my wide leg trousers but I went for the oversized version for a more interesting proportion. I’d have to add a bralette but it fits my vibe! | Wardrobe NYC blazer, COS trousers, A. Emery sandals (similar), Dorsey necklace

THE ROW SPRING ‘25 | My version: I was so drawn to this look in the collection because it speaks to my style language (modern, lived-in, unexpected). I opted for a silk lace slip to pair with light wash denim vs a cotton slip and dark wash jeans as it felt more me. I like the idea so I will probably keep playing around with new combinations! | Outfit details: Quince sweater, Aritzia slip dress, Pistola Jeans, A. Emery sandals (similar)

THE ROW SPRING ‘25 | My version: I don’t wear a lot of grey so I took the concept and applied it to what I had. Cashmere knit with sleeves pushed up (I have been looking for a fitted SS sweater so it’s on my list for Fall!), tonal wide leg trousers, my house slippers | Outfit details: J Crew Cashmere Sweater (borrowed from my husband), Banana Republic trousers (similar here), red babouche slippers from a Morocco trip

I loved this look so much I wore it the rest of the day but swapped for sandals to show some skin and balance out the baggier proportions (hopefully my husband isn’t reading this bc he always complains how I stretch out his sweaters lol)

Taking the styling cues, some additional looks I’ve been wearing:

variations of the white button down as a shirt and a light jacket + minimal accesories

playing with texture and proportions - these will be looks I’ll definitely wear for the Fall!

Ok, that’s all for today but for more looks inspired by The Row, I love this post from

Dea

and this SomHack from

somsack sikhounmuong

!

I hope this was a fun read and as all the Fall campaigns come out - before you feel you need to buy something, I recommend styling what you already have because you may find that the outfit you are admiring is already in your closet!

❤️ My calendar is open for Fall styling sessions - if you are looking for 1:1 support to refine your style and build an intentional wardrobe you love, you can book a call here!

❤️ Thank you all for reading and I’ll be taking some time off for the rest of August…I may pop in a post while traveling but if not, see you in September!

xx

Angie