9-5: How Interior Designer Alyssa Kapito Adds Unexpected Intrigue to Her Classic Minimalist Uniform

Trousers and coats (and Hermès bags!) are the major players in her wardrobe, Kapito explains, adding, “I love Dior blazers, they’re really flattering and have an incredibly classic feel.” When she’s looking to shop new, it’s often to add a missing piece in her wardrobe, or to update a familiar silhouette (like a white T-shirt) to make her other staples (like a pant from The Row) feel more current. She’ll look to the Belgian-based brand La Collection, New York labels like Attersee and Another Tomorrow, or Copenhagen contemporaries like Toteme and Skall Studio for these kinds of pieces that balance structure with comfort and versatility.

Of course, a statement piece still catches Kapito’s eye every now and then—last season, that twinkle came in the form of a pair of lime green satin mules with a conical heel from Prada.

Photo: Courtesy of Shana Trajanoska

Tailored Separates for Work and Play

I’m wearing a Khaite shirt, belt and pant from The Row, earrings from Lié Studio and a bracelet from Dorsey. This is just a really easy, comfortable look to run around in for work. I usually tailor my pants to heels and then I’ll roll them up so I can be in a sneaker during the day and then roll them down if I’m doing a heel for dinner—which is something I do with jeans as well. I love a button-down shirt; I think it frames the face really nicely—especially an oversized one because you can play with it a little bit more. You can wear it a little bit looser. You can control the shape if you tuck it into your pants. I usually go for solids or something with a very fine stripe. [My style] isn’t overly feminine, but I like leaving a few [of the top] buttons undone for a more sexy look. And I love to roll up my sleeves so they don’t get in the way of me working. I won’t do an actual roll, though. I’ll button the cuffs and just push them up.

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Photo: Courtesy of Shana Trajanoska

Tonal Looks to Emphasize Shape and Form

I’m wearing Another Tomorrow pants, a Suzie Kondi top, a Juju Vera necklace and Manolo Blahnik sandals here. Like I said earlier, I love a trouser. This is a very classic daytime office look—you can see how I rolled up the hems of the pants. Sometimes if it’s a softer pant like this where the cuff won’t stay put, I’ll take a bit of body tape and just run the hem of it. I’ll then pair it with a loafer or a white sneaker. I love white sneakers—nothing else! The Row makes a great one and so does Jenni Kayne. [This outfit is made up of] really classic pieces that I’ll do up with some interesting jewelry. I also love architecture in clothing, I think you see that the most in a tonal look. This top from Susie Kondi has these almost bat-like sleeves and it comes in this great crunchy cotton.

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Photo: Courtesy of Shana Trajanoska

Metallic Accents Bring the Element of Surprise

This is all Maria McManus with metallic Toteme shoes. The crochet sweater makes it a more playful look that can still be worn day to night with a coat and sneakers during the day. A lot of my clothing is very transitional, so not only can I wear them day to night, but I like to be able to wear them all season long. I easily could see myself pairing this sweater with a white pant in the summer, with a little bikini top underneath it.

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Photo: Courtesy of Shana Trajanoska

A Blank Canvas for Statement Jewelry

I had seen this pendant before I knew about the dress, so I kind of wore the dress for the pendant. The dress is from Another Tomorrow and comes with a very wide belt. It doesn’t have belt loops, which I love because it’s great as a shift dress as well—it can be worn with flats, heels, or a leather jacket and a boot. It could even be worn with a big sweater. And it’s also a great length. If I’m wearing a skirt or dress, I’ll do a tea length or lower. I just feel like it just elongates you—I’m not a miniskirt or shorts person at all.

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Photo: Courtesy of Shana Trajanoska

Creating Depth With an All-Black Look

I go to a lot of events in the evening so this is a more formal look. I’m wearing a very special cape-like jacket here that I got in Paris from La Collection, with coordinating black trousers and a pendant from The Row. The jacket that can be worn in more than one way. I love pieces like that, especially coats, which you can wear as outerwear or as a dress. This one can be both and I’m wearing it over a sheer shirt from Maria McManus, though, I would just as easily wear with it a dress and flat sandal for a summer event.

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