I’ve always been a bit of an old soul. I spent a few years living in Italy, I’m obsessed with life in Paris, and my apartments are always relics of yesteryear. I feel more comfortable where there’s patina and history — but at the same time, I work in digital and I’m definitely all about those modern comforts. My style has always been somewhere between yesterday and today, and I think the balance between the two comes down to patterns and textures, and keeping an eye on silhouette.

From the ankle up, everything is super streamlined and fitted. I went with navy blue, a nice alternative to black, and here the color helps create a modern look — no fuss, no muss, and everything looks clean and polished.

What up sunglasses — I talk about them all the time, and they really are the best way to up your style without doing very much. These are from Arnette and feature a rectangular shape that’s sort of an ’80’s revival. The tortoiseshell gives it a ’30s effect that I love. The streamlined yet slightly exaggerated silhouette is perfect here because it plays off of the simplicity of the rest of the outfit.

The shoes here make the outfit for me, and they are where the old world comes into this look. The floral pattern is a bit Hawaiian, a bit grandmother’s wallpaper, and I’m kind of crazy about it. The electric blue gives it a masculine edge while also updating it — what up Pantone — and the chunkier also gives it some modern weight. These are in a lighter material that’s perfect for the summer, and they’re surprisingly comfortable. Perfect for when I need to be running all over the city from meeting to meeting.

Sunglasses c/o Arnette  / American Apparel T Shirt / H&M Shorts / Dr. Martens

Photos courtesy Kristin Booker