Marc Jacobs Has Perfected “Ladies Who Lunch” Style

If you’ve been watching Ryan Murphy’s Capote vs. The Swans, you know a thing or two about “ladies who lunch” style. The series is centered around the lives of real-life Upper East Side socialites Lee Radziwill, C.Z. Guest, Babe Paley, and more—all glamorous figures who ruled uptown New York with their chic, expensive looks, often worn to lunch at institutions like La Côte Basque during the 1960s. While the heyday of dressing to the nines to grab a salad is, well, very much over—leave it to designer Marc Jacobs to keep the spirit alive.

Jacobs’s latest Instagram outfit pic is very much an ode to the elevated-lunch aesthetic: Jacobs struck a pose in an elegant, all-black outfit that paid homage to a few “ladies who lunch” signatures. For starters, a boxy Chanel tweed jacket is a longtime Upper East Side favorite, and Jacobs’s is vintage—very old school NYC. The rest of the look, by Balenciaga, really nails the vibe of dressing like a wealthy socialite. Ballet slippers? Check—you’ll spot tons of them at Bergdorf Goodman during high-tea hour. The super-sleek handbag that’s shaped like a Birkin (but is actually a Balenci)? Also check—his is even decorated with a bunch of charms, which A-listers are known to favor in New York.

All combined, Jacobs’s ensemble is like the perfect 2024 version of a Swan come lunchtime. Forget hoodies and jeans—the next time you’re heading out to grab a bite, consider stepping up your fashion game. And allow Jacobs to inspire you, even if you don’t have grand plans. His hashtag says it all: #alldressedupwithnowheretogo.