The Dressing Room | Vol. 1
Welcome to the newsletter! Sourcing vs. shopping, words of the day, and everything I think you should be consuming
Welcome to The Dressing Room, the cute newsletter edition of Extra Dressed.
Dressing rooms are one of my most cherished creative spaces. Some are better than others, but when I step into the stall with an arm full of clothes, my imagination gets goooooing. It’s not just about finding the dress, but envisioning who you’ll be when you wear it. The possibilities are endless! Dressing rooms are also the birth place of girl math (non-derogatory). A $250 item can easily become free with a quick cost-per-wear analysis and the right mindset.
All this to say, I’m taking everything I know about a beautiful brick-and-mortar dressing room experience and channeling it into this digital one.
You can expect more thoughts and musings, recommendations of all kinds, FASHUN (of course), and whatever else feels ~right~ upon sending. I hope it’s an always-fun read that sparks creativity and inspiration and excitement… like the feeling you get when you try something on and immediately add it to the “yes” pile.
“Thanks, it’s vintage!” and other shopping revelations
When I was looking back at my favorite outfits of 2025 (as one does) I realized that many of them were vintage or thrifted or bought on second-hand sites like eBay and Poshmark. I also tried Pickle, a popular renting site in NYC and other big cities, which lead me to one of my favorite purchases* of the year. My closet gained some special one-of-a-kind items, all that felt very ~me~, despite having lived whole other lives before coming into mine.
And that’s the other thing. The romantic in me loves the story that comes with pre-loved pieces. I found a 1960s fur-trimmed peacoat when I was shopping in South Beach and my god, how I long to know her backstory. What’s a girl like that doing in 80 degree weather?! I did the only ethical thing: swiftly brought her back to Manhattan… where she very clearly belongs.
Along with these second-hand finds, I also noticed that I added some really lovely high-quality staples to my wardrobe. These are things I reach for almost daily, most notably cashmere sweaters, extremely well-tailored denim, and all around higher quality fabrics.
Both of these learnings made me quite happy! On one side, I spent more time sourcing items that are unique and make me feel alive when I wear them, and on the other, I stocked my wardrobe with foundational, evergreen elements that help keep the others grounded.
It felt like a very balanced shopping year.
If shopping intentionally, developing your sense of personal style, or investing in some of those foundational pieces is on your 2026 vision board—you’re in the right place! We’ll do it together <3
*Unfortunately for me, I did in fact pay to rent the dress from Pickle and then pay again to buy it, so at that point I could have just bought a new dress full-price… but WHERE is the fun in that???
The things I bought full-price and really love:
Trending now: word of the day
I’ve started a daily notes project called word of the day where I match a series of photos with a word they all embody. I was inspired by Taylor Dedeaux’s good pairings series last year and wanted a similarly creative daily challenge. It’s been so fun!!!
Blending words and visuals has always been my cuppa tea and this feels like putting a pretty little micro story out into the world everyday. Plus, Pinterest is the only scroll free of doom.
What words should I do next? Please advise!
(seeing it like this, I really wish I did 6 photos instead of 5… live & learn, kids)
Side note: I heard a rumor that Open AI might be buying Pinterest? In which case we will need to throw the entirety of earth in the trash and try again. I simply shan’t go on if that happens. Leave my user-generated content happy place alone!
The Yes Pile — everything I’m loving lately and think you will, too.
One of my favorite parts of other people’s newsletters is where they share all the random things they are watching/reading/eating/shopping/hyper-fixating on… etc. And as someone who consumes a lot (lower screen time DID make it onto the vision board), I realized that I too have recommendations that are worthy of a share!!!
Good Hang with Amy Poehler is one of the best podcasts I have ever listened to. You know it’s good when you elect to watch it on YouTube, dedicating to a whole hour of sit down time, rather than just turn it on during your commute. Not only does she have the most impressive rolodex of funny, endearing, successful people who are at her beck and call, she also is an expert conversationalist. She will make an excellent late night talk show host one day…soon. I love them all, but some of my favorite episodes are Kate McKinnon, Ina Garten and the greatest of all, Cole Escola.
The Magnolia Parks series by Jessa Hastings has me in a forever chokehold. I am not much of a romance reader, but there’s something about Jessa’s writing that transports me back into the fuzzy, manic, magical feelings of your first love. The good, the bad, and definitely the toxic. It’s kind of like Gossip Girl with its upper echelon class of characters, but I always think of the Beckham kids when I’m reading it. Yes, as in David and Victoria Beckham’s kids. I don’t think I’ve ever re-read a book (why not, I wonder?), but I re-read the first three of this series back-to-back-to-back on a recent trip to London. Would make a great winter into Valentine’s read.
I’ve been preaching my haircare routine to anyone who will listen, including my parents’ real estate agent and a random girl at the airport who very sweetly, but lightly complimented mine. To set the scene, you need to know two things:
1) I’m an insufferable freak when it comes to hair. It’s just my thing. Well one of my things. I always think things are worse than they are and will cry if more than the agreed upon length is cut. I’m not proud of it, but I feel it’s important for you to know.
2) I got a #botched cut and keratin treatment over the summer… and I know that you’re probably not taking that seriously considering what I just told you BUT the hairstylist I went to for a correction told me, and I quote, “most people are being dramatic when they say they got a bad haircut but this is terrible.” Mhm. I’ve never been simultaneously validated and horrified.
All that to say, the two products that healed my hair and have it in an incredibly healthy, hydrated state are the Olaplex Serum #9 and the L’oreal Glossing Treatment - shine on you crazy diamond! I also use the NatureLab. Tokyo Scalp Scrub once a week and have been preaching this for years.
You can see it post everything shower and blowout HERE.
My latest food obsession is the kimchi from Trader Joes. Does anyone else eat this thing by the tub? My gut health is about to be insane. It’s so flavorful, I put it on everything.
I think that Brooke of Style Toast is one of the cutest follows on the internet. She always makes these fun quizzes for us to do, like a little fashion tarot card pull.
I know that everyone and their mom is watching Heated Rivalry, but considering I was catching up with a veryyyy cool friend yesterday who said, “what’s that?” when I asked if she had watched it… it STILL warrants a plug. Watch this show. And watch it with your boyfriend bc you want a boyfriend who appreciates all aspects yearning and romance ;)
OK, that’s all for now. See you in the next Dressing Room.
xx Caylee
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this post you may also love An end of year reflection that will make you feel warm & fuzzy inside
I ordered the hair stuff and I love it! Thanks Caylee 💕😘
we get ALL of these tips and tricks ?! what gold !! thank you cay x