There are three silhouettes in the Silhouette System,™ and I am going to take you through each. I had originally planned to start with "The Column" (a/k/a the Cypress Tree) because, in my experience, that's what most people identify with. But then, the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party happened, and I was reminded of my love for Chloë Sevigny and her commitment to the Palm Tree silhouette.
If you're like, "Um, what?" The Silhouette System™ is a way to categorize your style according to your preference and what makes you feel confident. There are three silhouettes (Cypress Tree, Evergreen Tree, and Palm Tree), each with a formula to help you craft your outfit. While you will likely sway towards one or another, it allows for the openness to jump between the three. And then, within that structure, you can play with your wardrobe. It's all about finding what makes you feel good and having the flexibility to play with fashion.
What I love about the Palm Tree is that, when well-executed, it doesn't just look great; it's also unexpected and exciting. Chloë had volume and shape up top to make her outfit interesting. Hers is a great example of why I compare these silhouettes to trees: tree foliage has texture, movement, and shape. It's what an outfit — no matter your Silhouette — needs. Chloë here has all three in abundance.
Some other examples of the Palm Tree silhouette on people whose style I admire (and my own):
I've noticed these people do the Palm Tree silhouette consistently and expertly. Some of these (not all) would probably identify with it as their Silhouette. You don't have to stick to one Silhouette, of course—there are no rules when getting dressed! But when you know what Silhouette you identify with, it helps you put outfits together. It's especially helpful when you're in a rut or when you don't know what to wear. The Palm is relatively straightforward, so you can throw it into the outfit mix, even if this isn't the kind of outfit you normally wear.
Each Silhouette has a general formula. Here’s the Palm Tree’s:
+ Volume above the thighs. That can mean a flared/A-Line mini skirt/shorts (as seen on Lilly, Nikki, Reese, Anaa, and me) and/or a voluminous jacket or top (as seen on Chloë, Vic, Anaa, Reese, Ellie, Kendall, and Alice).
+ If you're layering or adding accessories, you're doing so up top. You're either layering using your jacket/tops (Ellie, Reese, Anaa, and me) or accessorizing with your head/neckwear (Ellie, Chloë, and Lilly).
+ Shoes are usually slim so as not to overwhelm the leg, rather than chunky. That doesn't mean you can't wear a platform, heel, or boot, but it's about which you choose. When you're first trying out the Palm Tree, I recommend shoes like the below:
I typically do not advertise trends and avoid trendy things with my clients. I suggest adapting trends to your Silhouette to celebrate your style and what makes you feel confident. That means that, as a Palm, instead of getting the exact Miu Miu mini skirt look that you saw on the Spring 2022 runway and which seems to be sticking around, use a mini skirt you own or try a vintage one (I particularly like this one, too) — it means less consumption and waste and that your look is more personal and curated. You can even get a longer one altered! Or adapt the trend with said longer one (that would be an "Evergreen Tree" Silhouette! I'm getting ahead of myself; that will be next week… but OMG, look at this one or this one belted!).
I will leave you with some general Palm Tree outfit formulas in the format I send to my clients when I do their Shopping Packets. If you want to dive into the Palm, you can use the formulas to style pieces from your own wardrobe or to Shop the Silhouette.
Co poplin shirt with a peplum/flared shape for emphasis on the silhouette, BDG micro shorts, which are a Palm favorite, Vintage Pierre Cardin silk neck scarf (Bulk! Up! Top!), Ancient Greek Sandals flats, Fane bag, Gentle Monster oval sunglasses
Vintage jacket (hybrid between a Chore and Field jacket. Another option here, but size up one or even two sizes in this one, so it’s oversized! And here is another excellent Vintage option) + Boden cardigan belted — which is an important note because it will make the jacket flare out in a very Palm way — with Emme Parsons belt, 3.1 Phillip Lim capris (wayyyyy less expensive option here), Vintage Gucci kitten heels
Free People denim bloomers, KULE silk bandana print shirt with Another Tomorrow blazer layered over and left open and belted with Bottega Veneta navy braided belt ($14 vintage option here), Le Monde Beryl mesh flats (other options here and here)
Marine Serre lace-trim cotton shorts (alt “boxer” style option with good flare — that’s the key! — here), Ralph Lauren cable polo top, L2R THE LABEL multicolor jacket with an oversized “cocoon” look that’s great for the silhouette, Delarge sunglasses, Bloch ballet flats, which you will see me insisting on because they’re under $100, comfy, and durable
I leave you with Kacey Musgraves’ song “Sway,” which my sister sent me in honor of the Palm.
Ta-ta for now! Thursday will be a Therapy Walk post for paid subscribers.
xo
Eliz
I've been a lifelong fan of the palm silhouette without realizing it! Thank you for this<3
I am the Lorax! I dress like the trees! 👀