Nice Shoes, Nice Bags, Nice Jeans

Amazing news for all you Sofia-Coppola-Marie-Antoinette-coquette-Tumblr-wrap-a-pale-pink-ribbon-around-a-baguette girlies out there—if you need to soundtrack your ennui, Charlotte Rose Benjamin has just released a gorgeous single, “French Resistance,” and accompanying video for your moodboarding pleasure. Directed by Emma Craft and styled by Chloë Felopulos, the video is a sartorial feast, complete with an abundance of corsets, lace, pearls, and candlelit intrigue. In celebration of the release, Charlotte shares her fashion philosophy, signature scent, and the EP she’s listened to almost every day this year. — Maraya

SIGHT

Dead Weight by Emmeline Clein: I’m currently reading Dead Weight by Emmeline Clein. I met Emmeline at a NYE party through a mutual friend, thought she was fab, heard she wrote a book, and then saw it at McNally Jackson and was moved to tears at the prologue. It’s a sociopolitical history of disordered eating, but Emmeline is like your cool smart best friend’s older sister who isn’t afraid to be real with you. It’s so good that I’m rationing it out in small doses. I only read 10 or so pages each night before bed and then think about it for the whole rest of the next day.

SOUND

Jockstrap: This year I listened to the Jockstrap EP “Wicked City” almost every day and I’m still not tired of hearing it and also their song “Glasgow” from “I Love You Jennifer B”. I have the sped-up 15-second TikTok sound of the new Olivia Rodrigo song “So American” permanently on repeat in my head this week, and I can feel my brain rotting. But I do genuinely really like that song and I’m super happy for her and the new hot British child she’s dating.

TASTE

Food For 11-Year-Olds: Almost every night at around 10pm I walk down to my bodega and buy one pouch of Reese’s Pieces and a Spindrift seltzer. I bring it up to my apartment and watch old seasons of The Kardashians. The combination is exquisite. My favorite meal in NYC is the nachos from The Commodore. When it comes to food, I have the palate of an 11-year-old.

SMELL

L’eau D’issey by Issey Miyake: My mom discovered this perfume when she was in her 20s in Paris and it became her signature scent, and then I stole it from her so often in high school that it became mine too. It smells like the relief of my parents coming home from a night out and elicits the feeling of being rescued from an unfamiliar babysitter.

FEEL

Boatneck Three-Quarter Sleeve Shirt: A second-hand three-quarter sleeve white and navy cotton striped boatneck from J Crew or Chico’s. So classic. I found three of these at Goodwill last month for like $5 each. You can get one two sizes up and still look so effortless and sophisticated.

CHARLOTTE’S ESSENTIALS

I care about clothes more than anything. I especially love bags. I’m always looking for something very specific on eBay, the RealReal, or Depop. When I was in high school, my friend’s mom lived by the rule, “nice shoes, nice bags, nice jeans,” everything else can be cheap. Half the pieces in my closet cost about $7 and half are closer to $300. I buy mostly second-hand. I like to have fun with it and show up a little overdressed. I hate rules about formality. Sometimes I feel like wearing platforms to a doctor's appointment! I like kitsch, and I like color. I love living in New York because you’re dressing for the commute as much as you are for the event. 

Shop the Essentials: Vintage Chanel Ballet Flats, 501 Levi’s from Chickee's Vintage, Chanel Patchwork Vinyl Naked Tote, Fendi Mama Baguette Bag, Fruit of the Loom Undershirts

“Get bad tattoos, get them removed, and then get more tattoos. Life is so long and your body can be a growing portfolio of weird ideas!”

Charlotte Rose Benjamin

VANITY

I have really oily skin, so for me it’s all about exfoliating and cleansing. The Isla Snow Scrub feels so good and smells amazing. I always stock up on Milk Jelly because it’s perfect for washing off makeup. I hate the way my brows look filled in, I just brush them up with the ELF clear gel. I wear Charlotte Tilbury lipliner every day. Even if I’m just running an errand I’ll just put lipliner on and brush up my brows. Chanel gifted me a bunch of beauty stuff three years ago, and I’m still scraping the last bits out of everything they sent. I love shiny pink cheeks. The Glow Sheer Colour stick has a little sparkle in it too, it makes me feel like a porcelain doll. 

Luxury/Splurge: Chanel Les Beiges

Drugstore Discovery: E.L.F. Clear Brow & Lash Mascara

Cult Classic: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner

Indie Option: Isla Snow Scrub Exfoliator

All Time Ole Reliable: Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser

LATELY ON COVETEUR

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