Truthfully, there are a few answers we’ve come to expect when pressing models for the details of their personal style. An indifferent shrug, a few well-placed name drops of designer friends, and a litany of impossibly cool vintage finds from their travels. It’s all completely unattainable, and that’s kind of the point. At least, so we thought until we met Cora Emmanuel, whose style MO is something we’re completely familiar with. “Anything on top of the pile in my bedroom,” she replied, not missing a beat. Of course, when you’ve walked runways for the likes of everyone from CHANEL and Balmain to Louis Vuitton, said pile probably looks a little bit different than ours. Here are all of the other (more imitable) style lessons we learned from her.
A denim mini, vintage-feel sweatshirt, Adidas Stan Smiths, cross-body camera bag: they’re probably the cornerstones of your wardrobe (and if not, they should be). When worn together, they work in perfect harmony, too: the skirt gives a girlier feel to an impossibly comfy well-worn sweatshirt, while the sneakers balance out its shorter length. As Cora pointed out of model-off-duty style, “We dress just like any other person when we aren’t working…but whenever we can avoid heels, we do!”
Top, Adidas; Skirt, Levi’s; Bag, Marc Jacobs
No matter how minute, details matter and are the one thing that takes a look from feeling thrown together to artfully assembled. It also lets you get away with wearing things head-to-toe that can only be described as chill: the black cuffs of this perfectly ’90s throwback CK Jeans hoodie pick up the signature black backing of these classic Stan Smiths. A crushed blue velvet backpack is what really tips it over into cool-girl court.
Sweatshirt, Calvin Klein Jeans; Skirt, Calvin Klein Jeans; Shoes, Adidas
Finding a cozy, cool sweatshirt that’s still completely work-appropriate doesn’t need to be Mission: Impossible. Just look for one in a rich, luxurious fabric, with thoughtful touches like the navy embroidery on this one by Frame Denim, atop a bright, sunshine-y yellow background. See? White ankle boots with a block heel add enough polish for you to pair it with jeans, too.
Sweatshirt, Frame; Jeans, Frame
Leave it to Theory to give us a crop top co-ord set that’s actually meet-the-parents appropriate. Wear it with sleek, minimal black leather slides (the Olsens would approve), cat-eye sunnies, and a statement cuff, and you might just be able to take it to the office, too. It also makes outfit planning dead easy.
Top, Theory; Skirt, Theory; Shoes, Marc Fisher; Cuff, Elizabeth & James
If there was ever a look you’ll want to live in all summer, it’s this: a lived-in, super soft striped tee (with a little ruffle on the sleeve, just because you can), star-printed denim cutoffs, and easy navy espadrilles by Superga. If you need us, we’ll be wearing this.
Top, Current/Elliott; Shorts, Current/Elliott; Shoes, Superga; Sunglasses, Ray-Ban
Shoes, Stuart Weitzman; Shirt, Rebecca Minkoff; Sunglasses, Tory Burch; Bag, Kendall and Kylie
Want to shop all of the above? We don’t blame you. Head over to Bloomingdale’s and do just that.