Neil Francis Dawson
By definition, a style uniform is meant to be personal to the wearer, but what if a perfect equation existed that worked for anyone, no matter their individual style or predilections? We’ve hit upon a unicorn of an outfit that mixes versatility with timeless silhouettes, and asked model Jessica Raemy (and her sister Victoria) to put it to the test.
The fundamentals? A comfortable-but-chic lace-up wedge that’s stylish, but also ready for a packed day of moving, shaking, and more; a maxi that can be easily dressed up or down; and a classic, goes-with-everything trench.
Neil Francis Dawson
“I’d describe my personal style as comfortable, a little sexy, easy, and fun,” explains Jess. “I’ve always liked to push the boundaries with my style.” As such, she amps up the color in the prescribed three-piece uniform by doubling up, matching her flowy orange dress to Sorel’s Joanie Wedge II in “Zing.”
Uniform dressing isn’t new to Jess. As a model, she tends to wear simple pieces to castings and jobs that read like a blank palette (all the better for a designer or brand to project their look onto her). But because that can get just a little bit boring, she’s perfected the art of adding personality via her accessories.
Bright shoes are a go-to, and that’s why she gravitated toward Sorel’s wedge sandal in a poppy orange versus the more subdued gray her sister picked. “It’s about the little touches,” she says. “Accessories are the perfect way to personalize a simple outfit.”
Versatility is important to Jess when it comes to clothing and accessories—and it’s exactly why our uniform trio makes so much sense. Each piece is wide-ranging enough to be styled different ways and for different occasions, vital for someone who loves switching up the idea of how something is supposed to be worn.
“Something that works for a night out could work for breakfast too: You just have to know how to wear it,” she explains. “I like to take something that should be for dinner and wear it in the morning. I’ll wear low-cut things to breakfast. It’s not the right vibe but I’m like, forget you, I can do what I want.”
Neil Francis Dawson
An added bonus? A uniform makes sharing clothes easier, a good thing for the Raemy sisters since they’ve perfected the air of transcontinental closet surfing. Big sister Victoria’s personal style is slightly more conservative, but they aren’t so far apart that it’s impossible to take the same maxi or sandal and wear it in a way that fits with their vibe. (Take a closer look at her style here.)
So how does it work when one sister is in LA and the other in NYC? Pre-planning and a carefully packed carry-on. If Jess is headed to New York for work, she’ll pack something for her Manhattan-based sister and vice versa.
Neil Francis Dawson
“When I come here, I’ll bring a top that I know she wants, and she’ll keep it for six months and then send it back. That’s how it works,” she said.
“Years later, she has this sweater…”
“Give me back my pants and I’ll give you back my sweater!”
Read about how Jess’s sister Victoria is thinking about her style while she starts a new business on MarieClaire.com.
Neil Francis Dawson
Worn throughout: Milly Dress; Merlette Coat; Hunting Season Bag; Abel Necklaces; Ursa Major Rings
Styling: Lindsay Grosswendt; Hair, Charles McNair; Makeup: Rommy Najor; Styling Assistant: Julia Virkler
