Issue #100: Carrie Bradshaw in the suburbs
How a former fashion founder dresses for mom life
Interview by
. Edited by .
What’s she wearing:
An Alix of Bohemia dress (stolen from my best friend’s closet), with ATP sandals I bought over a decade ago and still wear constantly and a Prada clutch gifted to me by my old boss when I worked there.
Why she loves this outfit:
It’s easy to wear while still feeling special. Shells, pattern, and color… all in one piece! I fell in love with it when I wore it to my daughter’s fourth birthday. Her favorite color was purple, so we did purple everything. She was so excited when she saw it. Now it’s my go-to for warm-weather trips, and during the summer I wear it once a month.
The clutch was a gift from my boss at Prada, where I started my career (and where I met some of my closest friends.) Whenever I wear anything Prada, it feels nostalgic and special and reminds me of how far I’ve come. They’re definitely the pieces I’m saving for my daughter.
How she pulled the outfit together:
These days, my process has to be fast — usually with little voices in the background asking for snacks. If I manage to shower, I'm likely heading out with wet hair. This outfit works so well because it’s a true throw on.
How it makes her feel:
I spent a decade in the city working in fashion and really getting dressed every day. Now, as a mostly full-time mom, I’m usually wearing sneakers and sweatpants. In that sense, this outfit is a departure from my typical style. But it also feels like a return to how I used to dress. This is one of those rare outfits that my past, present and future selves all love.
On her style philosophy:
Clothes should be a way to get more of what we want. When I want ease, I wear something easy. When I want to celebrate, I wear something special.
On family connections to fashion:
My grandma was a designer and owned a dress shop, Lily’s, in San Francisco’s Chinatown. It was how she rebuilt her life after immigrating from Shanghai. She passed away when I was in high school, but she used to make me the most incredible clothes. She taught me early on that fashion is a way to celebrate life and love.
On how her professional life has shaped how she dresses:
I’m really thoughtful about what I buy — I have a “fewer, better” mindset. What I want more than any individual piece of clothing is space between my hangers. But because of my work, I get to try so many different things. I learn about new brands everyday. It’s brought more lightness and experimentation to it all for me.
On her current go-to pieces:
I’m really loving barrel jeans. Like this dress, they’re easy and comfortable but still make me feel excited about what I’m wearing. (Aja: Same!! I love this petite-friendly pair, and Aliza wears these all the time in black…)
On finding community in an unexpected place:
I didn’t know suburbs like this existed until we moved here! I can walk everywhere — the kids’ schools, restaurants, the train to the city, the grocery store, and more. I lived here for six months before even learning how to drive. It’s such a diverse and creative community, a lot like the one I had in the city.
On motherhood as a spark for creativity:
I wake up at 5 a.m. — it’s when I write and really get to check in with myself. Then my kids wake up around 7, and I switch into mom mode. But that will change next year when my youngest is in school more, and I’m excited to see how my routine evolves.
I saw an [old] photo of [successful interior designer] Amber Lewis with her young daughter from the early days of her business. It brought me so much joy because it shows the seed of what her creative journey has grown into. I think motherhood is this crazy portal. I see so many moms of young kids planting creative seeds. That photo is a reminder of what’s possible.
Thanks so much for sharing, Olivia! For more, subscribe to .
We’d love to hear from you…
What’s your favorite outfit these days, and why do you love it? How has your sense of style evolved?
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Always love hearing Olivia's perspective! Especially early motherhood being a portal and planting creative seeds for future growth, I feel that so much right now.
Loved this!! And that purple dress is perfect 💜thanks for sharing! Totally fine if you don’t want to share, but what suburb do you live in? I’m a Brooklynite exploring a potential move myself when my husband and I start a family, but tbh I am kind of turned off by the idea of suburban life, but sounds like you love where you are!!