I'm Bringing Sexy Back
A modest girl spices things up a notch.
I’ve always been on the slightly more modest side when it comes to getting dressed up. My Tía Lupita bought me my first “sexy” halter top and while I still love an overly embellished halter top (rip, Caché), I’ve been thinking about one thing lately…
Sexing up my closet. Why now? Well, for starters, I’m much more confident in myself now in my 30s than I ever was in my 20s, and more importantly, I realized why not?
As a millennial, I feel spiritually obligated to unpack my devotion to the Going Out Top. If you were not there, let me explain. A Going Out Top was not just clothing. It was identity. It was prophecy. It was the glittery, slightly itchy signal that tonight you might leave the house and maybe, just maybe, someone would buy you a vodka cran. I still feel a primal longing to put on a top that is fancier than anything else I own whenever I want to feel sexy. It is a reflex. Like checking if a bathroom has a full length mirror.
Low plunge tops are undeniably saucy, but they do not always read sexy to me. For me, sexy is about curves, yes, but it is also about those subtle little details that whisper rather than scream. Silk that catches the light just right. Lace that feels like you inherited it from a glamorous ancestor who had secrets. Things that feel classically romantic and a little mischievous, but in a tasteful, millennial, “I moisturize regularly now” kind of way.
So here I am, ready to embrace a new era of dressing. A little bolder, a little shinier, and a little more like the person Tía Lupita always believed I could be.
Here are some spicy things I’m eyeing at the moment…
This stunner hugs in all the right ways and somehow manages to spotlight the bust in a subtle way that whispers romance instead of shouting it. It feels perfect for date night, cocktails with friends, or any situation in which you want to look amazing without announcing yourself like the human version of a foghorn. Just the right amount of spice, not a full-on jalapeño.
To know me is to know that I love feathers. I love them on dresses, on bags, and on anything that looks like it might have wandered off the set of a glamorous Broadway show. Naturally that obsession was never going to stop at lingerie. I adore a fully lace moment, but I also appreciate pieces that live in that magical space between salacious and long pajama bottoms, the kind that say I am irresistible and also I might take a nap after this. This set hits all the right notes, with the sweetness of something dainty, the flirty energy of something slightly scandalous, and the cozy charm of slip that could very easily be worn while eating Cold Stone.
I can’t quite get behind the full “no-pants” trend, but this bottomless look from Norma Kamali hits a sweet spot. It’s just covered enough that I feel comfortable, but still cheeky enough to make someone do a double take and wonder, Hold on… was that a bare leg?
The epitome of French girl style will forever involve a black bra peeking out under a little lace number, at least to me. It is effortless, confident, and has the energy of someone who casually picks up fresh flowers on the reg. I am usually not a sheer girl, mostly because I spend too much time wondering if I am wearing the right bra for the job. But this white boho top from Self Portrait won me over instantly. It feels romantic, a little cheeky, and surprisingly wearable for someone who normally treats sheer fabrics like a high risk sport.
If your first thought upon seeing this plunging low back gown is, “Wow, that is a lot of back,” then, you and I are spiritually aligned. The back is not usually the first thing that comes to mind when people talk about sensual body parts. Most of us are too distracted by collarbones, and curves. But there is something about a completely exposed back that feels sexy in a slow burn, cinematic way.
What’s sexier than a black leather thigh-high boot that has just the right amount of oomph in the heel? Literally nothing. While I’ve never been one to shy away from a boot, I shockingly have never owned a classic pair like this. When I think of boots, I immediately think of Stuart Weitzman. They’re classic, and extremely dependable. My mom has had a pair since the 90s and they’re still holding up beautifully.
Few things are as striking as a dress that nearly disappears against your skin. This Amanda Uprichard piece does exactly that: the tone harmonizes effortlessly with my complexion, while the micro-mini silhouette brings a subtle but unmistakable edge.
Extra sauce, please
There is a deep power in wielding a great lipstick and a beautiful lipstick case. I adore this one from Guerlain. I bought it in Paris, and now it travels with me like a lucky charm. It has become my constant companion. There is something incredibly glamorous and undeniably sexy about knowing you can produce a perfect pout at any moment. It is my tiny, shiny form of self-confidence.
This perfume highlights pink peppercorn, bergamot, and tabacco (which I usually hate!) It feels mysterious and extremely chic.
I’ve been trying to take better care of my curls lately, and Ouidad has been a huge part of that. I recently got another curly cut, and live by their prods, including this oil. Shiny locks are just another layer to unlocking your inner bombshell.
I’m still in going out tops every weekend—and loving it—oops!! 💅🏾🕺🏻
This made me pause and think in the best way. Thank you for writing it ♡ we would love to have you with us at gēnu if you are interested! Looking forward to reading more from you.