Misha Nonoo's work clothes
Anyone who wants to look effortlessly cool and have it be a truly effortless endeavor (not "effortless" as in actually spending an hour picking out this outfit) needs to invest in a few items from Misha Nonoo. The 35-year-old designer launched her eponymous ready-to-wear line in 2011. It all started when a senior buyer at Intermix complimented a jacket designed by Nonoo herself, who at the time was an apprentice in a New York garment district atelier. Ten years later, Nonoo has a devoted following that includes Meghan Markle, Bella Hadid, Amal Clooney, and the editor-in-chief of Marie Claire (opens in new tab).
Nonoo may be best known for her has-band shirts (slightly oversized, crisp button-downs), but her collection is full of tailored, timeless separates that reflect her personal, restrained aesthetic. Each piece is deliberate and versatile, designed to be styled in a nearly infinite number of ways. In fact, investing in quality, classic staples has always been the foundation of a stylish wardrobe. That's why Nonoo is dedicated to sustainability in all areas of production, including responsible sourcing of materials and exclusive contracts with ethical factories.
The brand caused a stir in 2016 when Nonoo announced its pivot to a direct-to-consumer model that helped it survive the COVID-19 craze (the clothes are made to order, so the brand was never stuck with excess inventory). Despite the difficulties of the past year and the adaptation to the "new normal," one thing has remained the same: the brand has always been a little bit more "modern. For her, that means always looking smart - even when zooming with her team from the couch.
Here's what she wears, WFH or not. (Hint: there are a lot of Husband shirts. I'm jealous.)
I'm a big fan of routine, especially first thing in the morning. I get up around 6:45 a.m. and get my son out of his crib by 7:00 a.m. I meditate for 20 minutes while my matcha tea cools. Then, around 9:30, I jump into work. I never work before then unless it is very urgent. [Some people say they don't wear clothes during COVID. If I don't get dressed, I mean if I have a really chaotic morning and somehow I'm not properly dressed or I'm still in the clothes I got in bed at 11:00, I think, oh, this is not a good day. I think it's really important to get dressed in the morning.
All of my clothes are clearly labeled and stored in specific areas of my closet. All my sweaters are organized by thickness. Then I store all my shirts, mini-skirts, longer skirts, and pants in a designated area. I wake up in the morning, look at the weather, and think about what I'm going to wear, but my wardrobe is so slim that it's a super organized process. Yes, I have 15 Husband shirts, but that's because I have them in a variety of colors, stud styles, and sizes.
Most of what I add to my wardrobe is classic. Even my own collection, which is a bit more trend-driven, I might not actually add to my personal wardrobe. For example, when I was pregnant with my son, I was very selective about what I bought in larger sizes. I didn't want to feel wasteful, so I chose three or four pieces to wear every day. I really, really think about what goes into my wardrobe. As a result, I don't have to constantly get rid of things. I don't like things that don't last.
Even my underwear takes that approach. I invest in really good bras. They're expensive, but there's a reason they last so long. If I don't, they wear out too quickly. The same goes for workout clothes: you can tell what items are actually well made by how well they stand the test of time, and that doesn't necessarily depend on the price.
I love my Nike leggings. I also love the Athleta crop top. They are really beautiful sports bras, but the length is a little long, so even if you wear high-waisted leggings, you can still see a little of your stomach. Lululemon is really great and I have a few Adidas items as well. I have a couple of items from Adidas as well. All my items are navy blue, black, gray, and white. I never wear printed patterns.
I've actually fine-tuned my style specifically over the past five years; before I turned 30, I was more exploratory and playful; in my 20s, I played with the idea of femininity, but that wasn't really me. In my personal aesthetic, I'm more of a tomboy.
When I turned 30, everything clicked for me: this is who I am and this is what I love most. It's not just how I dress, it's my aesthetic when it comes to interior design: very clean, minimalist, lots of white and solid colors instead of prints.
But I still love the jackets and tailoring I wore in my 20s. In fact, my collection started with just eight jackets and coats. As a working mother, it's easy for me to pair great pants and leggings with classics like shirts and t-shirts, and then layer a beautiful blazer or jacket on top. I love a great blazer.
I really like wearing separates as opposed to dresses. I reach for an Austin skirt and throw a Husband shirt or cashmere sweater over it, depending on the season. During the day I wear sneakers (I love the white ones from Common Projects) and Prada pumps when I go to dressier places. Another look would be a Husband shirt with classic skinny pants, like Ivy pants. [Edit, Elegant, Tailored.
I love earrings, in fact I collect old Celine earrings, I look for them on eBay and various other places, and I'm always looking for new ones. As for handbags, I always go back to the same thing, my Bottega cassette clutch. Because it's so easy. I don't have a diaper bag, so I just pack diapers in my Bottega bag. I'm all about being super streamlined and efficient.
I also wear blue light glasses these days. One of my dearest friends, Whitney Wolf Heard, who founded Bumble, sent these to me because we always spend so much time zooming.
My wedding ring.
I'm really into shorts and pleated skirts right now. I think shorts with a classic button down is really chic. Especially with a belt, I can wear them to the office with a bit of pizzazz, or with sneakers for a subway ride.
My husband's shirt.
.
Comments