The Minimalist’s Guide to Wedding Guest Dressing

New York Fashion Week is wrapping up, and it’s been a week of brands refining their codes rather than making bold departures or seismic shifts. Last week, I covered the Marc Jacobs and Christopher John Rogers shows, but I wrote those before the final Friday and Saturday collections hit the runway.

Photo credit: Tagwalk

The biggest headline to close out the week was Calvin Klein’s return to the runway. A brand built on provocative minimalism, it has always walked the line between sensuality and clean American ease—but Veronica Leoni’s debut played it surprisingly safe, veering more corporate than cutting-edge. There were moments to love, especially the 90s nostalgia—Kendall Jenner’s heavily shared look which was compared to Sex and the City’s Charlotte York—but overall, the collection felt a little clinical, even derivative in parts.

Photo credit: IG @

You could have plucked certain looks and dropped them into The Row or Jil Sander, and no one would have batted an eye. Still, there were glimmers of something promising. I’ve said before that designers need time to excavate their vision, and Leoni, with her pedigree from Phoebe Philo’s Celine, The Row, and Jil Sander, deserves that grace. If anyone can carve out a space for the modern downtown woman—sexy, understated, and clean—it’s her. I’ll be watching closely. One thing the show did give us? This insanely chic Greta Lee moment that I’ll never stop thinking about.

Photo credit: Marie Claire

Then there was Khaite, a label synonymous with that NYC cool-girl aesthetic but this season, it dipped into European influences; British riding boots, Toteme-coded leopard prints, and a few berets that leaned très French. Khaite’s leatherwork was the real standout: a black oversized jacket with a razor-sharp fur collar, a floor-length red leather coat over a fraying dress, deconstructed knits that felt undone and avant garde in the best way. Their shows never make me fall head over heels, but that always changes once the pieces hit stores. Sometimes the styling can cloud the magic.

Photo credit: Tagwalk

And in industry gossip: The Row is discontinuing the Margaux bag. I can’t say I’m surprised. For a brand positioning itself as an Hermès contender, the Margaux was veering dangerously close to oversaturation. Yes, it’s a tragedy for those of us who hadn’t quite justified the $7000 price tag, and resale prices are about to skyrocket beyond reason—but strategically a power move.

Now, onto this week’s three outfits.

MANÀ Shell Necklace, Venroy Trench Coat, Cos Oversized Shirt, Massimo Dutti Studded Belt, Loafers, Viktoria & Woods Shorts, Toteme Suede Sling Bag,

By Malene Birger Coat, Loewe Glasses, Agolde Rugby Top, TALJÉ belt, Wales Bonner Sambas, Citizens of Humanity White Jeans, Toteme Suede Sling Bag,

Toteme T Flip Bag, Camilla and Marc Dress, Anine Bing Leather Jacket, Senso Ballerina Flats

If you love this weekly edit and you’re not yet a paid subscriber, I’ve got some pieces coming up that just might tempt you—think The Cool Girl’s Guide to every brand worth shopping this season, trend reports, and beauty brands that deserve a spot on your radar, all for just $3 USD/month. Of course, Three Outfits will always be free. Until next time, have a fabulous week!