There are 98 steps leading up to model Emily LaBowe’s Los Angeles apartment—perched on a hill overlooking Silver Lake Reservoir—and, most days, she relishes the workout. “I love the fact that the Silver Lake neighborhood is walkable,” says the 25-year-old, whose bangs and cheekbones make her a near ringer for Jane Birkin. “Markets, parks, Red Lion bar—it’s all right here.” LaBowe works between Paris and her native L.A., and when she’s home, she’s usually in pursuit of sunlight. “I’m definitely an L.A. girl,” she explains. “I have a need for vitamin D.”
On the days she has off, LaBowe paints on her patio, crafts homemade Aperol spritzes for hangouts with friends, and works on her underwear line, Poppy Undies, for which she hand-embroiders custom illustrations and sayings on cotton briefs. When she heads out into the neighborhood, she mixes tomboy basics with feminine pieces, like these mod, colorful, easy looks from Kate Spade’s Spring 2019 collection.
DAY ONE
I try to do as much outside as possible, whether it’s painting on my deck or reading in an outdoor space like Barnsdall Art Park. You can definitely fit a book in this burgundy bag (right now I’m reading A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin). It’s also great because of its long strap—throw it over your shoulder, no fuss. This cotton poplin dress is so dreamy; I think flowing white dresses look good on everyone.
DAY TWO
I live five minutes from Botanica, a fantastic restaurant and café where I’ll often drop by in the morning. They have super-fresh organic vegetables, and their Bub and Grandma’s bread is the best. I get their latte with cashew date milk and their Turkish eggs. Natalia, my best friend since age 14, is with me this morning. We’re both tomboys in terms of our style, so it’s fun to see her wear a dress that’s feminine and a little frilly.
I’m an avid wearer of jeans, so it’s great to be able to elevate them a bit with a blouse like this, with its feminine lines and bell sleeves.
DAY THREE
This mid-calf dress clings in all the right places, and the cinched waist makes it especially flattering. I also love the ruffle sleeves—they’re super flirty (against all odds, I’ve actually met people I’ve wound up dating at the grocery store). Lassens Natural Food & Vitamins is one of my favorite markets. They sell the best yogurt: Aris Natural Foods Sheep Milk Yogurt. It’s about $8 for one package, and I happily give them my credit card.
DAY FOUR
If I’m home during the day, I usually hang out in my living room because it has huge windows and lots of sunlight. All of the art on the wall is my roommate’s, except for the needlepoint, which I got from a vintage store in the Valley. I was drawn to it because I needlepoint myself—my mom taught me a few Passovers ago on an empty box of matzo. This emerald and pink charmeuse dress feels really soft and silky, perfect for curling up on the couch.
With a deep V neckline, this dress is so easy to throw on, not at all tight and restricting. Plus, it doesn’t wrinkle. I love that you can wear it at home or out in the world.
DAY FIVE
The ruffles on this dress are so fun! I’m really into mustard yellow right now, so I appreciate the flecks of it in this pattern. I also love a quilted look on a purse, and because this one is light, it could really easily be dressed up or down. Any Kate Spade bag reminds me of when I was little; my mom’s fancy going-out purse was a black Kate Spade with a chain.
Walking around my neighborhood—particularly the streets around the Reservoir—is a part of my routine. I’d wear this ensemble to something like happy hour at L&E Oyster Bar, and then walk off the champagne and oysters on some of Silver Lake’s hills. I love these shoes—they’re so comfortable. And these days I’m all about a dress that hits a little above the ankle.
With a deep V neckline, this dress is so easy to throw on, not at all tight and restricting. Plus, it doesn’t wrinkle. I love that you can wear it at home or out in the world.
