A Week of Outfits: Emma Copley Eisenberg

Emma Copley Eisenberg, who wrote the bestselling novel Housemates and runs the newsletter Frump Feelings, lives in Philly with her partner, Art, and their cats, Tofu, Sesame, and Gabriel. Here, Emma talks about soft robes, size-inclusive vintage stores, and not being an “ironing girlie”…

Jacket: Katie Sturino x The Drop. Pants: Katie Sturino x The Drop. Turtleneck: Big Bud Press. Shoes: Vagabond “Courtney,” available secondhand.

“Last year, leading up to my book tour for Housemates, I booked a session with Dacy Gillespie, a weight-inclusive personal stylist. I was definitely programmed from a young age to ask of clothing, ‘Does it flatter my figure?’ by which we mean minimize. I always thought I couldn’t wear turtlenecks because I have big boobs. Dacy was like, ‘Who cares? Do you like this turtleneck?’”

Shirt: Torrid. Jeans: Madewell. Belt: Anthropologie.

“As I’ve grown more comfortable in my body and felt more desirable, I’ve become more attentive to style. Witnessing how much joy my partner, Art, takes in style has also inspired me. They’ll search far and wide for the exact right piece, and they have a lot of fun putting outfits together.”

Dress: Wray. Mules: Charlotte Stone, available secondhand.

“For my book tour, I saved up for a few fun, pricier pieces — I wanted to celebrate the hard work and isolation of writing a book — and this dress was one of them. It’s so comfortable, like wearing a caftan. And this is a hat I am knitting for a friend; I love neon. I’ve been knitting since I was eight, when my mom taught me.”

Hair clip: Klei & Zij.

“There’s a sense that if you’re fat, wearing bright colors will draw unwanted attention. And it’s true that I do get remarks on this dress, but that’s because it’s a dress that brings people joy. I like being a part of that experience, even if it means I’m getting a bit more attention for what I’m wearing.”

Pants: Big Bud Press. Shirt: Wray. Coat: ASOS. Shoes: “I got these in Paris,” similar. Tote: The Paris Review Store.

“This December, my mom said, ‘Merry Christmas, here’s a tote from the Paris Review!’ 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 salient memory was visiting him in Key West. I can still see him sitting on his tiny boat, wearing a captain’s hat and drinking an extremely strong vodka martini.”

Shirt: Wray.

“I am not an ironing girlie. But both Wray and Universal Standard make clothes that are easy to pack and throw on right out of a suitcase.”

Top: vintage, Proud Mary. Skirt: vintage, Witch Bitch Thrift. Shoes: Vagabond “Courtney,” available secondhand. Jacket: Old Navy, available secondhand.

“I grew up doing lots of thrifting, but then my body changed and I sized out of most vintage stores; I was bummed. I’d go shopping with friends but look at only the accessories. In New Haven, I stumbled upon Witch Bitch Thrift, which is size inclusive. Going shopping there felt like a life-changing experience — they put so much work into measuring each piece and translating that into today’s sizing. My friend Emma Specter also recommended Proud Mary in L.A.”

“There are quotes that say something like, ‘no great literature was written by someone in their pajamas.’ Meanwhile, I’m writing in a caftan and very fluffy robe. (I’m very into robes, and this particular one is incredible.) But if it’s a day where I’m teaching or doing stuff out in the world, I do get dressed.”

Thank you so much, Emma!

P.S. More women share their week of outfits, including best friends with twinning jackets and a mother who pairs colorful hijabs with minimal basics. Plus, 14 favorite size-inclusive brands.

(Photos by Jillian Guyette for Cup of Jo.)

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