Bonestyle: Mae Mitchell

By Elisa Bonesteel, '11

In a total and clear act of nepotism(she might as well be my sister) the final installment of Bonestyle features my lovely friend, Mae Mitchell (10’). I think the thing I adore most about Mae’s wardrobe is its sheer scope. She has boyfriend jeans and a collection of vintage slips, exquisite sterling silver rings and hair bows from Claire’s. Somehow this mix always works, and the girl looks stunning. The pieces we’re featuring are some of her most prized, and as evidenced by my frequent attempts to steal them, her most covetable as well.

Le Boots Everybody’s got a pair of great cowboy boots (and if you don’t, go get some, you won’t regret it). Mae’s are traditional and classic, in a rich brown with red undertones. She found them in what she calls, “the Lily Pulitzer (a socialite and fashion designer of bright clothing for women and children, in relaxed styles) capitol of the world,” Vera Beach, FL and thus they are a treasured and rare find. These have been her go to boot from the day she saw them and “they haven’t left my feet since.”

Leather and Suede Jacket Oh my God, how much do I love this thing? So effing much. It is actually one of the most perfect jackets I have ever laid eyes on. Can you tell I’m jealous? Mae describes it as “a mix between a cropped tuxedo coat and a motorcycle jacket” and that pretty much sums it up perfectly. It is structured (the padding in the shoulders is amazing) but also badass, in black suede and leather. “I technically share this with my sister, but not really,” Mae quips, and it’s pretty easy to understand why.

Alligator Purse “This is the newest edition!” Mae exclaims, clearly psyched on this gorgeous chestnut, real alligator skin purse. The lines the front flap creates drew her to it, reminding her of teeth and further cementing its alligatory-ness. As the rhyme goes, “In came the doctor, in came the nurse, in came the lady with the alligator skin purse,” and Mae “always wanted to be the woman with the alligator skin purse.” Goal achieved I think.

The Rings Mae is the reason I started collecting rings in the first place, though her collection trumps mine by a long shot. I’d venture to guess this girl has more rings than anybody on campus, and if not more, certainly better. On the left is her mother’s scarab ring, which has beautiful gold filigree and butterflies set into stone around the base. At the bottom right is what Mae calls her “surrealist amber ring”, which she received for her 18th birthday and stalked for an entire summer, not because she couldn’t afford it, but because “it was just so beautiful I just wanted to look at it.” Finally, at the top right is “the stack”. Now, the reasoning behind the stack is fairly surprising, but this is why I love doing Bonestyle. People don’t just wear things a certain way because it looks rad, there is always more to it. Mae describes this arrangement of rings as a picture: “The elephant stands on this silver band, which is the earth, then there’s this blue orb, which is the sun or the moon, then there are these interlocking rings that are always moving, like the sky or space.” As she speaks, she keep interrupting herself, telling me she knows it’s weird, but I don’t think it’s weird. I think it’s amazing.

Well, that’s that for this semester’s Bonestyles. I look forward to seeing all the new digs y’all pick up over the summer and y’all can look forward to next semester’s Bonestyles: Teachers! (Sherry Kramer) and boys! (I don’t really know yet so lets get it together ok doods!). Have a sweet and stylish summer, cuz I know I will.