An Acquired Taste

In honor of the newly-announced PRINT ISSUE 004: GLOSS, I present to you: a celebratory fashion feast!

Fine food has always accompanied high fashion, model diets notwithstanding. As visually engaging and sensuously tactile, it makes these two pillars of an idealized luxury lifestyle go hand in hand.

From Padma Lakshmi and Nigella Lawson to Tina Chow and Gabriette, people who know food often also know great style. I mean, who isn’t intrigued by the gowns Nara Smith wears to make bubblegum from scratch? That’s why I asked Bella Castillo, the phenomenally talented cook, baker, and master hostess, for her sartorial grocery list.

I asked the gorgeous gourmand Isabella Castillo about what she wears while cooking, hosting, and enjoying a good meal:

Extra Dressing by Bella Castillo

When it comes to best enjoying food, there are certain rules involved. I wouldn’t store a gorgeous summer tomato in the fridge. I wouldn’t eat caviar off a metal spoon. And I most certainly wouldn’t wear a corset to a multi-course meal. This is my unofficial guide for how to dress for every (or at least a few) culinary occasion.

The best apron for cooking:

Let’s begin in the kitchen. The last thing you need to do is ruin your clothes before you’ve even made it to dinner, so you need a good apron. I like something sturdy, like a Hedley & Bennett or anything made with denim.

The best apron for hosting:

While something utilitarian is great for everyday, I also like to have something a little cuter (and cleaner) for when I’m both the cook & the host. I recently thrifted the sweetest Battenburg lace apron for $2, which I love. Though it’s hard to match that deal, a quick search of eBay or Etsy will yield plenty of options.

The best outfit for indulging:

Whether you’re going out for a big plate of steak frites, or you’re on vacation and you want to try a pastry from that one cute bakery, followed by the quiche at that 100 year old cafe, and the pizza at that buzzy new spot later — you want an outfit that can accommodate the natural way your body changes throughout the day. Flowy and backless are your friends here. I love this top or this dress from Tae Park, this darling mini dress from Ganni, or this blouse from Belle The Label.

The best outfit for eating al fresco:

If you’re going on a picnic, or having a BBQ, something lightweight and easy to move around in is nice. This set from Sculptor Worldwide, or this one from Peachy Den are perfect for sitting criss-cross applesauce or swinging your leg over a picnic bench.   

The best outfit for brunch:
Unlike grabbing a plate of hash browns after a night out, a brunch invite usually carries the subtext: look cute. I’m not sure how a $17 avocado toast with pickled red onion and pepitas signals a certain dress code, I just know that it does. For such occasions, I recommend something dainty, like this slip dress by Cou Cou Intimates that says: Yes, I rolled out of bed with a natural rosy glow and threw on a kitten heel to be here, and no, I’ve never had bedhead in my life. Or this dress from Sandy Liang that says: Maybe I’ve come from church, or maybe I just have a Sailor Moon phone case and an alt account called @bunnygirl444. 

Some of my fave moments in food inspired fashion looks:

Forever inspired by fine dining muse Tina Chow, the supermodel, jewelry designer, and wife of restaurateur Michael Chow:

Peter Greenaway's background in painting is clearly evident in 'The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover'. It is the most gorgeous food movie ever, and that is a TOUGH competition:

Every Lisa Says Gah adjacent fashion/food influencer today owes their life to Chloe Wise and those bread bags she was making back in 2014:

STAR⟡MAIL contributor Walden Green wrote this great piece on luxury food trends for Dirt:

Cannot get over this Rae Swon fascinator that baking blogger and cookbook author Abi Balingit wore to the James Beard Awards last month:

Love this article by Elizabeth Goodspeed on why food images are everywhere in fashion advertising:

And, lastly, Tampopo Full Movie on Youtube!!!