For reference #03
Looks I’m saving, notes and links vol. 3: Lessons in simplicity from Kendall Jenner’s street style
Happy New Year! Hope everyone is feeling rested and refreshed. A quick thanks to this growing community for being here and for all your support. So lucky to have connected with so many of you and grateful to have been included in
’s Farewell 2024 and ’s 2024 Unwrapped letters as well as ’s 2025 Style Resolutions roundup. For those who are new—welcome! You can find more on this specific series below, and previous editions here and here. Let’s get to it…This series is my attempt to make my scrolling useful by sharing with you the looks I’m saving for future reference, notes on what I like about them and a few links. Occasionally, I might share how I tried to recreate a look that inspired me.
Think of these as a collection of ideas for real-life dressing.
I find most of my inspiration for getting dressed on Instagram and (now) Substack. Am I ever “influenced”? Sure. But I try to be mindful of not buying everything I see and like. Mostly, I find the practice of having references helpful for knowing how to put together similar pieces I have in my closet and narrowing down my shopping list.
I’ll share a few links here as that’s something I would want if I were looking for a particular piece—though I always suggest sleeping on things first to avoid buying something you don’t need. More than anything, what I hope you get from these are some good ideas, not the urge to shop more.
Sometimes, a new year can inspire change and a different perspective on how we want to get dressed every day. To be honest, that’s not me right now. I don’t have any urges to overhaul my closet or deviate from how I normally get dressed. Other than my resolution to add a few more accessories to my rotation, there’s nothing I really want to change.
It may sound boring, but I’m feeling pretty happy with where I’m at personal style-wise, and if anything, what continues to inspire me is a return to simplicity. When I look at my references lately, it’s a lot of street style photos, particularly of Kendall Jenner. Many of her off-duty looks are reminiscent of the ‘90s minimalist aesthetic that I (still) gravitate towards, with classic silhouettes and wardrobe basics that stand the test of time. Even if there’s a stylist behind her outfits and some of the clothes cost more than I could ever afford, the vibe is easy and natural—and above all, doable for people to recreate with their own pieces. Here are some ideas:
Adding an extra layer to your blazer + t-shirt combo. This combo is one of my go-to looks for a meeting with clients or dinner out with friends. Adding an opened button-up in between is low effort while bringing something fresh to the look so it doesn’t feel stale.
Photo: Pinterest To pull off a similar look, I wore this Zara blazer + white button up (this one for an upgrade) + t-shirt + straight-leg jeans + black knee boots + Freja bag (size up for something closer to Kendall’s, or I love this new style.) Swapped sunglasses from her look for this necklace I’ve been wearing a ton to add an accessory.
I’m convinced that a monochromatic outfit is the simplest way to look elevated when you need to get dressed up. See KJ’s all-brown and all-black outfits for proof.
I was once teased in elementary school for wearing a GAP sweater vest my mom bought me, and I haven’t worn one since. Now, I’m slightly obsessed with finding one, so I can style it with a white t-shirt (inspo from @shayinjune) or in a monochromatic look, like Kendall’s. I love the combination of textures with the brown wool vest and sheer long-sleeved shirt underneath. I haven’t been able to find a decent-looking brown vest, but I do have all the elements for her all-black outfit, and maybe a combination of both looks could work? This turtleneck I have with these black trousers and this wool vest I’m lusting over.
An outfit that works for any day of the week: an oversized knit with black pants for a cozy but still polished look. I like how the white specks in her crewneck sweater make it feel less plain, and I’m taking a mental note of this style for next Fall/Winter.
Photos (L to R): Pinterest / @courtneygrow / Le Specs / Everlane / OAK + FORT / Undo Hairware A charcoal sweater borrowed from the men (a la @courtneygrow), or this black mockneck option, currently on sale. Or if you prefer something lighter, I like this oat colour in a crewneck style + paired with black pants that are more chill than trousers.
I haven’t really thought about leggings other than for working out or on those days I feel like I have nothing else to wear. Is having the right pair the key to more styling options? I think so. I’m inspired by the versatility in these references of Kendall styling them casually (while still looking put together) and dressed up.
I still wear my old pair of black Lululemons that are pilling, but I know it’s probably time to get some new leggings and I’m all over the stirrup style. These seem to be a favourite on Substack and these, which I’m leaning towards. If you’re not sure you want to commit, you can try these for under $30. Pair them with your favourite sweater + ultra mini uggs for the daytime or kitten heels (these are on sale, and I’m devastated they’re sold out in my size) for the nighttime.
When in doubt, keep it simple as Kendall does. There are days when I look in the mirror and my outfit feels too forced. Like it looks overly styled (if that makes sense?) and it’s missing that sense of ease that feels like me. That’s when these references are especially helpful to remind me of the power of elevated basics, like a long-sleeve tee or turtleneck with straight-leg jeans (KJ loves the Khaite Danielle jeans, but for those of us who don’t have a supermodel’s budget, there’s Denim Forum or Madewell) and a belt.
Photo: Pinterest “When everything else feels like trying too hard, it’s a jeans moment.”
-Dani Michelle, Kendall’s stylist and the Creative Director of Joe’s Jeans (source)
For accessories, she keeps it pretty minimal with one common thread being a pair of sunglasses. In an old interview for the Second Life podcast, Kendall’s stylist, Dani Michelle, mentioned that one thing she thinks takes an outfit to the next level is a pair of sunnies, which makes sense looking at these references. Like the understated bags Kendall carries, her sunglasses are equally classic and simple, usually with a rectangle or oval shape (again, very ‘90s inspired). For similar styles that don’t break the bank, I like Le Specs. I have these and can attest to their quality (sturdy, fits well and stays on your face) and there’s this style if you prefer an oval shape.
More for reference
As you can tell, I love a good street style moment. There’s something more natural about the styling in these candid shots where you see movement in the clothing and there’s the context of how people are dressing for their regular (albeit glamorous) day-to-day lives.
said it best in a previous Midimalist letter on celeb street style:“So often, the style that inspires us doesn’t come from posed OOTDs or styled videos, but rather what they show up in day-to-day.”
So, I’m curious to know: Which celeb’s street style inspires you?
*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small percentage from anything you purchase through a link, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links help support the work that goes into these newsletters, and I carefully select recommendations based on what I love and would wear, regardless of a commission.
This was such a lovely read and you're right her style feels effortless and put together without doing too much. Obviously, she has access to everything under the sun, but I think most of these looks are fairly achievable!
Also, you look so lovely in your version of the blazer over a button down + tshirt look.
Love love love Kendall’s street style! This was a fun read!