Grace Fraser
HBO’s The Undoing premiered in late October 2020. It was easily my most anticipated show of the year not just because I am obsessed with Nicole Kidman and anything she’s in, but also because it hit every requirement on my Ideal Show Checklist - a 1) thriller (thrilling!), 2) set in NYC (comfort for an NYC resident), and 3) done in very good style (think: Succession). I miss it, and my Sunday night anticipation of it, every. damn. day.
Lady of the Hour: Grace Fraser
By: Liam Goodner; Source: Shutterstock
But I’m not here to talk about the show - as you can see, the title of this post says that this is clearly an ode to the main character of the series, Grace Fraser.
When I first saw the trailer for The Undoing, I had already mentally prepared myself for a good time. What I was completely unprepared for was the overwhelming finally moment that came with being graced by Grace. Finally, Grace in a peachy pink négligée, hair up artfully, brushing her teeth while rummaging through a gorgeous vintage teal dresser. Finally, Grace pulling out a beige dress for the day, then tossing her plum and lavender lingerie (I imagine nothing less than La Perla) onto the bed. Finally, Grace replacing the beige dress with a powerful plum piece instead, and looking like she felt pretty damn good about it. [Side note: I saw that, Grace - you chose your dress based on the lingerie and not vice versa. Now that’s a power move. Or maybe I’m reading way too deeply into this.]
Grace made me feel seen. Because no, I can’t relate to the cool girl-next-door who can wake up in a tie-dye T-shirt half past 9 AM, tip-toeing around unwashed clothes on the floor to make herself coffee before brushing her teeth, and yet, miraculously be mentally prepared for her new job. Because one, I don’t want to relate, and because two, my daily “routine” is a reflection of years and years of habits that I refuse to apologize for or sheepishly admit to as “a little extra” (always own your extra with pride). Because Mum taught me way back that clothes for sleeping are different from clothes you wear when preparing to dress, which are not the same as day clothes. Because finally, Grace Fraser is here, and she is effortlessness, fine taste, and my ideal aesthetic incarnate.
Every week of watching Grace made it harder to shrug her - and her closet - off. She was omnipresent. In 2015 internet slang, she was MOM. I became more and more swayed to break out of my 100%-neutrals-only proclivity, thanks to her (stylist’s) excellent color pairings. By the end of the series, my summer linens were buried under heaps of new cashmere and wool knitwear, my coat closet was one more piece heavier (and otherwise cleaned out to make room for a few empty hangers “just in case”), and my fingers were laden with new rings I had spent days choosing so that they would match my mother’s vintage 24ct gold, a prized possession.
Because Grace had stepped out in a hooded green velvet coat and the world lost it. She glided through Manhattan streets in a burgundy red velvet number and then I lost it. She wore her Metier like armor and rekindled my love for oversized bags. She lounged in beautiful house robes and I already had a strong collection going - why not a few more? She seriously lost her cool more than once and still looked naturally composed thanks to the harmonious composition of her self, complete with a well-fitted knit set, flawless skin, and a piercing gaze. Most importantly, she dressed with intention and the understanding that every detail counts. She sat me down and asked, “what do you want your choices to reflect?”
For me, this past year became an exercise in actually updating my closet - no more half-hearted attempts to donate a few old sweaters and bomber jackets, this was FORREAL. I had a mini existential crisis over whether I really needed to keep that “cute” black off-the-shoulder top with a little ruffle detail on the neckline. The answer was No, 100% not - 25-year-old me was OK with that for going-out nights, but nearly-30-year-old me won’t be caught dead in it. I had Grace’s blessing, and I ran with it.
And Grace entered my life at the perfect time. By the time The Undoing premiered, I was already feeling pretty satisfied with the collection of pieces I had amassed since March. I didn’t care that except for my sister, who I live with, literally no one was seeing me during the day. Most days, I wouldn’t even post on the “Socials” and would just have a grand ol’ time lighting candles around my apartment in a new silk robe, feelin’ myself. I hadn’t lusted over anything new in a few weeks and it was A-OK.
Once Grace entered the picture though, my temporary spell of “chill-out-with-the-shopping” was thrown off balance. All of a sudden, I needed all the coats (I mean, Winter was coming!), cozy shawls and throws, knitwear, jewelry, and even more “elevated loungewear.” I couldn’t escape all my wants, and ended up with a few great beauties I will probably be wearing for the rest of my life, all bought under the influence of Grace Fraser - I’ve even put them all in a little box below with click-thru links for your aesthetic pleasure:
My choices aren’t full looks directly out of The Undoing into my closet. That would be weird, and unimaginative, like wearing a head-to-toe-same-designer look. Grace wouldn’t do that. I don’t do that (ok, The Row could be an exception). I just went with the flow of what Grace made me feel - I sought sleek cuts, unique prints, beautifully imperfect gold jewelry and comfortable knits, and landed with content in utter stylistic bliss.
The point is, Grace Fraser changed my life post-pandemic. She reignited the fire to continue doing things for myself - like ordering “must-haves” for next-day delivery (mindfully chosen first, of course). She is the final “NO” I need whenever I find myself tempted by bad /fleeting fashion trends (it happens to the best of us). She doesn’t make me feel 17 and carefree again, but rather, 45ish, powerful, and sure of myself. And ok, I may not switch my bath robe out for a dressing robe on some days, but…even I’m not perfect.
I haven’t taken mysterious-looking walks by myself yet, nor am I an Upper East Side therapist whose husband is total psycho trash. But I think my style game, further boosted by Gracespiration, is looking pretty good right now. And while I haven’t committed to any Rebecca Elbek pieces as she had, I do have one in particular bookmarked - but that will hopefully be a story for another day. WINK.
-S.
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