LaTonya Yvette describes her personal approach to fashion as an eclectic mix of the playful and the political. The writer and book author celebrates her freedom to portray different personas through what she wears while staying true to her core as a native New Yorker, mother, and Black woman at the forefront of style. There are no go-to uniforms in her closet, and each day is a new chance to express a different part of herself.
“My style takes on many moods,” LaTonya says. “My life is so varied, between my career and having kids; I get to play in different characters by changing up my looks.”
Each season, LaTonya welcomes the chance to refresh and reinvent her wardrobe. This fall, she’s turning to the new personalized shopping experience, Stitch Fix Freestyle, to shop and discover new looks that suit her busy life, and express her mood du jour. Ahead, LaTonya shares a few of her favorite things.
Work Mode
When I’m writing a book, I wake up at 5:15 AM and try to write for an hour or so before my kids get up. Then I flow into my own morning routine, before getting them into theirs. But after school drop off, I’ll settle in at the coffee shop near our home and write from there. I always take meetings in cafés too. I love a statement blazer with jeans, that help me feel pulled-together. When I do work from cafés or take lunch meetings at one (outside), this is a look I typically gravitate towards.
Mama’s Night Out
I go out to dinner all the time—either with my sister or a friend, or often by myself, which is so nice. I really like getting dressed for myself. Right now I’m storing all my mellow summer sundresses away, in favor of styles with maximalist appeal. Just add high-heeled boots, and I’m ready for a night out.
Daily Errands
I get dressed up for a regular day of running around the city, from school drop-off to appointments, errands, and events. When I don’t dress up, that’s when my kids [daughter River, 10, and son Oak, 7] start questioning. For me, getting dressed means self-care, and style has so much to do with my mental health. You will not see me running around in yoga pants. I love a cozy cardigan come fall, and a vibrant flowy midi skirt is simultaneously polished-looking and comfortable to get me through my day.
TAKE A STYLE CUE FROM LATONYA
You know Stitch Fix as the online personal styling service that blends the science of algorithms with talented stylists, boxed up and shipped right to your door. But now the company has a new sartorial offering—Stitch Fix Freestyle—that enables you to discover items curated just for you (and only you) through a highly-personalized online shop. (Read: No more hours of time lost searching and scrolling.) Stitch Fix Freestyle works by getting to know you through a brief quiz and continues to learn from your preferences so your shop is refreshed with new and inspiring styles on the regular. So, that feeling when you actually love the way you look? You can have that every day.
Styling by Abby Kalicka; Photography by James Emmerman; Hair by Eric Williams; Makeup by Frankie Boyd.