James Beard award-winning food writer Tarajia Morrell lives in Manhattan with her five-year-old daughter, Viva. Each morning, Viva points at a bright, feminine item and says, “Wear that,” prompting a wardrobe that blends high heels, vintage treasures and personal history. Below, Tarajia walks us through five outfits that carry stories from flea markets, family wardrobes and a city that never stops dressing up.
Signature pieces that anchor a week
The first ensemble revolves around a silk jacket she uncovered at a flea market two decades ago. “I found this silk jacket at a flea market 20 years ago. It’s one of those pieces that magically looks great with everything,” she explains. Paired with a floppy Sézane blouse that hints at formality, the look can shift from casual jeans to wedding-ready gowns. Tarajia adds that the blouse feels like stepping into a Shakespearean painting, offering both movement and structure.
Her eyewear, sourced from French label Jimmy Fairly, follows a personal rule: the frames must sit low enough to hide her eyebrows. “My glasses need to cover my eyebrows when they’re sitting on my nose,” she says, noting that oversized lenses have become her signature look.
Family heirlooms and vintage finds
Beyond the jacket, a vintage Italian silk dress—also 20 years old—remains a staple. Though the fabric now borders on tatters, Tarajia admits she “wears my clothes to death,” a habit she inherited from her mother, a 1970s style icon who never let a garment go unused. “Where is that outfit?” Tarajia would ask when viewing old photos; the answer was always, “I wore things until they fell apart.”
Another nostalgic find is a pair of square-dancing shoes bought in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Despite a heel, they are, in her words, “the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn.” The attire surrounding these shoes includes a vintage turtleneck, a matching skirt, a retro tote, and similarly aged boots—each piece echoing her mother’s classic American aesthetic of cotton turtlenecks layered under sweater vests, reminiscent of an Annie Hall vibe.
Balancing motherhood, career and personal style
At 37, Tarajia attempted to freeze her eggs, an effort that ended in disappointment and a painful sense of loss. By 40, she discovered pregnancy occurred “the old-fashioned way,” a story she expands upon in her memoir. Now, five years later, she navigates single parenthood while holding down a full-time role as a food writer and communications director for hotels. Friends have become essential, delivering groceries and supporting late-night writing sessions after Viva’s bedtime.
Her weekly rotation also includes practical pieces: an Old Navy striped shirt, a vintage knit sweater, wool sailor pants bought on eBay (complete with 13 buttons), and classic Keds sneakers. She stresses the importance of knowing one’s measurements when hunting for vintage online, ensuring a quick decision on fit.
City influence and culinary favorites
Living in New York her entire life, Tarajia observes how older women treat even grocery runs as runway moments—dramatic coats, headscarves, sunglasses, and bold lipstick. “Will I someday be like these women? I think I already am,” she muses.
When it comes to dining, two New York spots dominate her current list: Saint Denis, praised for its warm, stylish ambience, and Thai Diner, celebrated for creative dishes and lively vibes. Both restaurants reflect her culinary background while complementing the artistic flair she brings to clothing.
Through each outfit, Tarajia illustrates that style is less about trends and more about narrative—each garment a chapter of memory, motherhood, and Manhattan’s endless runway.
