Guest Series 002: Fall Uniform with Melissa Ventosa Martin
Building your uniform with inspiration from friends of Uniform.
This is a series of guest-featured newsletters where friends of Uniform share their philosophy on fashion, personal style, and their go-to pieces. I hope it allows you to find inspiration in different types of style, all grounded in knowledge of fashion and thoughtfulness for getting dressed.
Beyond excited to share Melissa Ventosa Martin’s Fall Uniform. Melissa is a stylist and consultant whose work I have always admired. She built her career in magazines working at T, Glamour, and Departures. She founded Old Stone Trade, a very tightly and perfect curated site of apparel and accessories from artisans and independent ateliers’ from around the world.
She has amazing taste that is classic but never boring. She has a deep knowledge of fashion history, sustainability, fabrics, photography and culture. She is one of my favorite people to shop with - she wants to see everything and know about each item. I have so many fun (and too many expensive) shopping days with Melissa in Paris and London. She truly knows where to find the best of the best.
Melissa Ventosa Martin Fall Uniform:
Fall is my favorite dressing weather because I can wear my uniform of jeans, sweater, blazer everyday. I love that I don’t have to hide it all under a heavy coat, and the mild weather lets me play around with different shoes.
Maybe it’s the 13 years of Catholic school in me, but I’ve always been drawn to the look of a classic school uniform. I find comfort in this timeless style, and I love incorporating that sense of structure and layering into my everyday wardrobe. Since I often work from home, I usually opt for a pair of jeans, a button-down shirt, and a crewneck sweater—an outfit that feels both comfortable and put-together.
When I have meetings or need to be out and about, I simply elevate the look by adding a tailored blazer, a special pair of shoes, and some thoughtfully chosen jewelry. It’s my way of maintaining that balance between ease and sophistication, no matter what the day brings.
Dark Raw Denim
Lately, I've been really into a 90s style, raw denim jean that has a straight leg. It feels sharper and more dressed up. I’m wearing the Premium selvedge by FEEL, but here are some similar styles I love.
The Blue Blazer
The main attraction here is the blazer. I think a hand-tailored, navy blazer in a lightweight wool is an essential wardrobe piece. Lately I’ve been into a more oversize silhouette and this one was made for me by Greenfield Clothiers in Brooklyn.
Crewneck Sweater or Vest + Blouse
A mens button down shirt is my typical go-to but a more feminine blouse with a peter pan collar gives a nice balance to an otherwise boyish look.
Sensible Shoes + Sheer Stocking Socks
Maryjanes or other “sensible” shoe. I have a thing with “nun” shoes. I can’t walk in heels anymore and I love shoes that feel a little old lady in the best way. Give me a square toe, a block heel, a loafer, or some gold, granny hardware any day.
And I wear all my shoes these days with sheer black socks from Wolford. It’s a great way to look more dressed up with jeans and it gives a sexier touch to a granny shoe.
Heirloom Jewelry
A nice piece of heirloom jewelry really adds an old world touch to a boyish look. I’m wearing earrings that were handmade by an artisan in Rome that uses antique coins and I like wearing my grandmother’s pearls – call it the Miu Miu effect.
Loved all theses details and ideas from Melissa so much. See you next week,
xo
ali