Emma Copley Eisenberg, author of the best-selling novel Housemates and editor of the Frump Feelings newsletter, lives in Philadelphia with her partner, Art, and their cats, Tofu, Sesame, and Gabriel. Here, Emma talks soft robes, size-inclusive vintage stores and not being a “ironing girl”…
Jacket: Katie Sturino x The Drop. Pants: Katie Sturino x The Drop. Turtleneck: Big Bud Press. Shoes: Vagabond “Courtney”, available secondhand.
“Last year, before my book tour for HousematesI booked a session with Dacy Gillespie, a weight-inclusive personal stylist. I was definitely programmed from a young age to ask clothes, ‘Does it flatter my figure?’ by which we mean minimize. I always thought I couldn’t wear turtlenecks because I have big breasts. Dacy said, ‘Who cares? Do you like this turtleneck?’”
Shirt: Torid. Jeans: Madewell. Belt: Anthropology.
“As I get more comfortable with my body and feel more desirable, I pay more attention to style. Witnessing how much joy my partner, Art, enjoys with style has also inspired me. They will search everywhere for the exact right piece and have a lot of fun putting together outfits.”
Dress: Wray. Mules: Charlotte Stone, available secondhand.
“For my book tour, I saved up to buy some fun, more expensive pieces (I wanted to celebrate the hard work and isolation that comes with writing a book) and this dress was one of them. It’s so comfortable, like wearing a caftan. And this is a hat I’m knitting for a friend; I love neon. I have been knitting since I was eight years old, when my mother taught me.”
Hair clip: Clay & She.
“There is a feeling that if you are fat, wearing bright colors will attract unwanted attention. And it’s true that I get comments about this dress, but that’s because it’s a dress that makes people happy. “I like being a part of that experience, even if it means I’m getting a little more attention for what I’m wearing.”
Pants: Big Bud Press. Shirt: Wray. Coat: ASOS. Shoes: “I bought them in Paris”, similar. Tote: The Paris Review Store.
“This December, my mom said, ‘Merry Christmas, here’s a Paris Review bag!’ I was a little confused until I saw that the image is a piece by my grandfather, an artist. He died when I was eight, but my most notable memory was visiting him in Key West. I can still see him sitting on his little boat, wearing a captain’s cap and drinking a very strong vodka martini.”
Shirt: Wray.
“I’m not an ironing girl. But both Wray and Universal Standard make clothing that is easy to pack and put on straight from a suitcase.”
Cover: vintage, Proud Mary. Skirt: vintage, Witch Bitch Thrift. Shoes: Vagabond “Courtney”, available secondhand. Jacket: Old Navy, available secondhand.
“I grew up doing a lot of secondhand shopping, but then my body changed and my size was bigger than most vintage stores; I was discouraged. I went shopping with friends but I only looked at the accessories. In New Haven, I stumbled upon Witch Bitch Thrift, which includes the size. Shopping there was like a life-changing experience – they put a lot of effort into measuring each piece and translating that to actual size. My friend Emma Specter also recommended Proud Mary in Los Angeles.”
“There are quotes that say something like ‘no great literature was written by someone in their pajamas.’ Meanwhile, I write in a caftan and a very fluffy robe. (I really like robes, and this one in particular is amazing.) But if it’s a day when I’m teaching or doing things in the world, I get dressed.”
Thank you very much Emma!
PS: More women are sharing their outfits of the week, including best friends in twin jackets and a mom pairing colorful hijabs with minimal basics. Plus, 14 favorite brands with sizes included.
(Photos by Jillian Guyette for Cup of Jo.)
