This is our very dear and seriously adorable friend Rachel. Rae and I were roomies for just before Bryan and I got engaged, and fortunately for me, she’s not the sort to leave passive aggressive notes on the fridge. She’s more the subtly witty friend who never seems all that funny until you’re spraying red wine out your nose for the third time in a night. Ow.
Bryan strong-armed Rachel into becoming one of Adaptive Path’s first employees years ago, and she’s still there. I have no idea how to describe her job. She’s sort of their resident empath — advisor, bellwether, able to predict whether new policies will make everyone feel vengeful and quitty, etcetera. Rachel is the sort of person in whom it is wise to confide. She’s also a sharp dresser, and that’s really why we’re all here.
The office is casual, and Rae never looks like she’s trying too hard, which fascinates me. It’s easy to look good when you’re dressed up, harder to feel cute when you’re just going about your day, you know? This is the type of thing she’d wear to work if she had plans to head out afterward. (Like I said, the office is casual.) Her jacket is by Plus Four.
For me, good casual dressing requires a lot more effort, or more money than I want to spend on the perfect T-shirt, but Rae always seems to have pulled something over her head and tumbled out into the world looking stylish. Her dress is American Apparel.
Rae is naturally a wee tiny person, and she’s also a vegetarian who bikes everywhere — hence the ability to wear anything made by American Apparel. Her petite frame can be a big challenge when she’s looking for clothes, because she either has to shop at Gymboree or have everything tailored. Her red belt is a Goodwill score.
Her shoes are by Me Too. Rachel refuses to wear uncomfortable shoes, and more than once I’ve had to pep talk her through buying a pair of pumps for a wedding or whatnot. She’s become more open to heels over the years, but she’d like you to note that these are comfortable flats with nice, bouncy rubber soles. Noted.
She got the necklace second hand at Buffalo Exchange and the bangles were a gift from a friend who got them in Vietnam. Rae has very little jewelry, so what she does have is in heavy rotation.
Tomorrow, we’ll have a look at a work outfit for when clients are in the office.
Mighty Girl 
Love! So much cute! Love the stirrups with flats. And that hair is AMAZING. Such sass in that ‘do.
LikeLike
So cute!
Me Too flats have become my favorite – I have high arches and they are bouncy and comfy enough to walk for miles without driving me crazy. Also, I have that dress from AA, but it’s more of a tunic on me – looks so, so cute on her with that red belt!
LikeLike
but where are the leggings from!? i want some!
LikeLike
Maggie, I thought this statement was so true, “It’s easy to look good when you’re dressed up, harder to feel cute when you’re just going about your day.” I usually go with jeans and a t-shirt of some sort during the weekends, but I want to look more pulled together and polished without spending lots of money. Looking forward to the next installment!
LikeLike
I’m a firm believer in only buying comfortable shoes! And there ARE comfortable pumps/heels out there, trust me. Or look for me, I’m the one walking laps around DSW because you have to be SURE.
LikeLike
i LOVE this. this is a lady with gorgeous style. plus, i have never seen anyone look so great in american apparel. can’t wait for more.
LikeLike
holy cow is she cute… like, audrey tautou cute… mon dieu. (oh yeah and nice fashion style too)
; P
LikeLike
PLEEEASE tell me where did she get her leggings? I have been looking for footie leggings everywhere!
LikeLike
Agree with Lydia. I’m afraid of the day I no longer have pencil skirts to guide me (and can I still wear them).
Other thoughts:
1) She clearly needs to divulge her hairdresser (though I am loyal to mine, others might not be)
2) I want her job, I think. So cool.
3) Did Bryan help found Adaptive Path? I already want to sit down and quiz that man about his from theatre to politics to entrepreneurship resume (those of us who started in professional theatre in NYC are few and far between, and there are two of us in our two person SF household) but now I think I might think he’s cooler even still.
Thanks Maggie. I missed you over the break (though I was breaking more than you were).
LikeLike
How adorable!! I, too, covet those leggings – where are they from??
LikeLike
stirrups with flats! i dig it. lovely.
LikeLike
Love her haircut!
LikeLike
Rachel I love your hair! Time to grow mine out and show your picture to my stylist.
LikeLike
I LOVE her hair! I’m sitting in my cube wondering whether I could pull off such a fantastic cut. And I LOVE Mighty Closet–irrationally so.
LikeLike
i tried on that American Apparel dress and looked like I was wearing American Apparel. But that red belt? And that necklace? THAT is a lesson about the magic of accessories and their power to change an Outfit into Style.
I have serious style envy right now. (Should you ever do a “Mighty Closet Makeover” for one lucky reader, I am so there. So. There. I’d even write an essay to be considered.)
LikeLike
Is it a prerequisite that to be your friend you must have fabulous style? I feel like I should take notes whenever I read a Mighty Closet post!
Seriously, I am with Sarah and I would love a Mighty Closet Makeover. Perhaps that will be on my 100 Things to Do List: Get a Closet Makeover from someone with great fashion sense!
LikeLike
She’s cuter than a bug’s ear!
(As we say here in Louisiana.)
LikeLike
She is making this all look so good! (Dov should be in touch. Rocking AA without looking like a hooker, addict or teen mom ain’t easy.) Rachel is cute in a way that I will never be and for that I am quite envious. As always, love the Mighty Closet.
LikeLike
Oh Rachel, you got it girl. Is her hair assymetrical or is tucked behind her ear? I’m not feeling like I want to go change my clothes and try again (in a good way!)
LikeLike
Thanks. Y’all are very nice.
For those who were curious, the tights are from Forever 21 and I get my hair cut by Amber at Salon Louie in San Francisco.
LikeLike
She’s Audrey Tautou-levels of cute. Love that necklace and how she’s wearing the leggings with the tunic. Can’t wait to see her other outfits!
LikeLike
Her best accessory is that killer adorable smile.
LikeLike
I was also curious if the do’ is asymmetrical or tucked behind one ear?
Inquiring minds wanna know…
LikeLike
The clothes are cute, but the haircut is to die for!
LikeLike
I’m a long time MG reader and while a man – I do like these style pieces. I think Rachel is beautiful, and your photos of her style are great. I really appreciate your eye in photos – keep it up.
LikeLike