We all have that one friend we turn to for fashion advice. On the internet, that second set of eyes is Laurel Pantin—a writer, editor, mom, and entrepreneur-about-town—whose never overdressed or underdressed. Ask Earl is a direct line to Pantin’s brain, where once a month, she’ll help you solve the age-old question of what to wear—and how to wear it, well—for any possible scenario. Trying to figure out how to style work pants without looking corporate? Or how to pack for a long-haul flight with toddlers? Maybe it’s summer outfit ideas that don’t involve dresses… Whatever your question, Ask Earl is where you’ll find the answer.
Hi! I’m Laurel Pantin, and this is my dream come true. I write a style and shopping newsletter on Substack called Earl Earl where I write about, well, a lot of things, but mostly personal styling and identity, and how to feel current without looking trendy. Last October, I brought my newsletter to life when I opened Earl IRL (get the pun?) in Beverly Hills. It’s a teeny tiny boutique and styling studio where I can work one-on-one with clients helping them figure out their own personal style, and build an arsenal of clothing that makes them feel excellent. My favorite thing in the world (besides my kids) is helping people solve their style and wardrobe, and I’ve made it my job—my actual job—to answer styling questions. What a trip!
And now I’m more than delighted to bring my perspective and eye to Vogue Shopping, and to launch my new column, Ask Earl. Every month I’ll be answering a real style question from a real reader, and hopefully making getting dressed every day both a little easier, and a little more exciting. My personal style sweet spot is a blend of practicality and expressiveness. I’m not really a minimalist or a maximalist, I’m emotional about clothing, and inspired by an outfit’s ability to make something innate and personal visible to others. Style is one more way of communicating something interior, and when you feel like you’re properly expressing yourself visually, the rest of your day becomes so much easier.
This month’s question is one of my all time favorites: how to wear jeans and a T-shirt in a way that’s more than jeans and a tee shirt. To me, jeans and a tee has long felt almost like a cop-out outfit. It requires no thought, isn’t very original, and looks neither here nor there. It wasn’t until I really got into writing my newsletter that I started thinking about how that super simple formula could look like so many different things. Part of my hesitation, I think, about the “jeans and a tee” formula comes from a “jeans and a T-shirt girl” being another way of saying girl-next-door. Which, when I was growing up in the early 00’s was another way of saying “non-threatening woman.” I did not aspire to be non-threatening!
Personal hangups aside, it helps to think of the jeans and tee formula as a foundation, rather than a look in and of itself. Here are some takes on jeans and a tee that have more spice but require literally zero additional effort.
