Behind Closet Doors #2: Emily North
A chat about beat up Chanel bags, vintage clothes, and Tokyo travel looks
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Welcome to Behind Closet Doors—an interview series on Fashionably Late. Here, I’ll share an intimate peek into the wardrobes of people with really cool personal style.
For today’s send, I reached out to one of my favorite writers here on Substack.
is the writer behind : One of those rare, warm, and inviting publications that almost feel like the digital equivalent of a good old pajama party.Here’s what Emily shared with me:
Emma Saadi: How would you describe your personal style?
Emily North: this is a great question- one that i honestly kind of struggle to articulate. i would say on the surface i have a fairly traditional preppy/waspy style, my dream is to own a vintage chanel jacket for context, but i try to offset looking do traditional by adding an unexpected detail like a fun sock or a big t-shirt. i try not to take myself so seriously and i want my outfits to reflect that, i think that’s why i sometimes dye my hair pink and how i love my tattoos… how fun is it to have pink hair and wear a chanel jacket?
ES: What’s your go-to everyday look? Are there any particular colors, patterns, or fabrics that you're drawn to?
EN: i always say that in the summer my go to errand look is a pleated mini skirt + oversized t-shirt + sneakers or mary jane’s + a fun sock + a pearl necklace. it feels comfortable, easy, girly but not too serious. if i’m not wearing that i usually wear a silky skirt with a t-shirt or tank- i’ve really been into chunky pearl necklaces lately, very 80s preppy.
ES: Where do you shop most often?
EN: i really try to shop vintage or secound hand as much as possible, i use depop and ebay a lot. if im shopping in person i love to go to chickee’s vintage or seven wonders in willliamsburg. other than that, i shop a lot at coach and try to find sandy liang pieces at their annual sample sale every year.
ES: Do you have any style inspirations you consistently turn to?
EN: my immediate thought is zoe kravitz, she really incompasses my style because her style is pretty classic and simple but never feels contrived. even the simpliest outfit always feels cool on her whether it’s because she intentionally adds subtle details like jewelry or a hat and because has a ton of tattoos. i think overall she presents herself in a very casual and confident way which is how i try to be.
ES: What’s the most cherished item in your closet, and what’s the story behind it?
EN: my most cherished item is probably my grandmothers old chanel bag, it’s extremely beat up and tarnished and old but my grandmother was obsessed with chanel and it’s the only bag she ever had. she had a love for art and culture and fashion but was the opposite of snobby or formal which i like to think i embody. whenever i wear it i think of her and how she warmly embraced everyone she met, wasn’t fussy, and had a voracious appetite for every story she hears.
ES: How do you curate your wardrobe and find pieces that truly feel like they represent you?
EN: another great question, i think i try to do a lot of reflecting of what pieces i have consistently liked and been drawn to year after year, if i liked something 10 years ago and still like it today that signals that it’s something innate to me. i still own a lot of pieces i’ve had since high school (lady jackets, a-line mini dresses, great vintage denim) so i know that i tend to lean a bit classic, i also have always loved leopard and tiger prints in a cool 70s way so i know that that’s something that will never go out of style for me even if it is not “on trend”.
ES: If you could pick any destination to travel to right now, where would you go and what would you pack?
EN: if i could go anywhere right now….. it would probably be tokyo, i’ve never been to japan and i’m really dying to go, the vintage shopping specifically is apparently amazing. i would probably pack a lot of comfortable long vintage silky skirts/dresses, some oversized t-shirts to go on top of them and very comfortable sneakers for walking. and i would bring an extra suitcase for the clothes and snacks i would inevitably buy :)
ES: What would you wear to the airport?
EN: if it was in the summer and i was going somewhere warm i would wear a vintage nightgown with a pair of cute sneakers or comfortable mary jane’s… or i would wear a pair of boxer shorts and a vintage t-shirt and sneakers with fun socks and probably a pearl necklace. if it was in the fall winter i would probably do an oversized comfy jean and a hoodie and a trench coat (everyone gives denim a bad rap, but the secret is just buying a baggy pair 3 sizes larger than what you normally would.. sizes are fake! be comfortable).
ES: Lastly, what’s on your wishlist right now?
EN: don’t get me STARTED- i really want a good suede jacket- it’s hard to find one that’s not too western or too expensive. i’m also in the market for a good denim button up preferably vintage ralph lauren. i just bought these chocolate brown adidas sneakers as my back to school shoes so those are checked off my list…. oh and i also want this oversized leather bag from coach desperately.
A huge thank you to Emily for sharing the contents of her closet with me. You can find Emily’s newsletter here and follow her on Instagram here.
Thank you for reading. ❣️
I have two pairs of leopard pants, and they’re surprisingly versatile. I think a pair of zebra or tiger pants is in order 😈 I especially love that beach look, Emily! 😎
emily has the best style 🤍🤍🤍