My Looks

The New Feminine

CeCe Blouse

I am not “girly.” With a handful of exceptions, I tend not to choose pieces with floral patterns, with ruffles, with bows. My closet overflows with denim and grey. I think the last time I wore a headband was for my first-grade class photo (it was maroon velvet and actually pretty amazing, now that I think about it).

But just because I’m not especially girly doesn’t mean I don’t like to feel feminine. And I’ve rarely felt more feminine – by which I mean elegant, and polished, and confident – than I did when I put on the outfit pictured here. I have to be honest: I wasn’t entirely sure I’d love it when I ordered it from Macy’s, simply because I’ve literally never worn anything like this. Illusion neckline? Flounce skirt? Peter Pan collar?!

What?

But I put it on, and I don’t know whether it was the fit or the shape or just the fact that it was so different for me, but I felt positively transformed. Like suddenly I was the best version of myself. (A nice way to feel when headed to a meeting, which is exactly where I was on my way to when these photos were shot.) Both the top and the skirt are from CeCe – a collection of pieces with feminine accents that are all intended to go from the office to a night out – and for real, I think they singlehandedly gave me a brand-new go-to silhouette.

Because now I would like to own this (to tuck into high-waisted denim and wear every day and always, as it is perfect and classic). And excuse me but please look at the color of this tulip-hem coat. And I’m a little confused about how much I want to own this top because it involves ruffles, but as it turns out, I contain multitudes. And some of them wear Peter Pan collars.

Jordan ReidCeCe by Cynthia Steffe at Macy'sCeCe by Cynthia Steffe at Macy's CeCe by Cynthia Steffe at Macy'sJordan Reid

This post was created in collaboration with Shopstyle and Macy’s. Photography by Sue Hudelson

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