The TEll// By Thrift & Tell
Welcome to THE TELL//BY THRIFT & TELL: a celebration of fashionable women who dress as smart as they shop.
This week’s guest on THE TELL// is Alex Toccin, founder of Toccin and LDT. I starting following Alex and her husband Michael on Instagram several years ago and loved not only seeing how they styled their clients but also enjoyed getting a glimpse of daily life in New York City. Alex and Michael’s brand has continued to evolve and grow from styling to the launch of their fashion brands Toccin and later LDT at Dillards. (I had a chance to see Toccin before the pandemic at a trunk show and loved their classic, flattering silhouettes.) As you’ll see below, Alex has a beautiful style that is tailored yet fun. She is no stranger to the world of consignment shopping either and often shops and sells on sites like The Real Real and local New York City consignment shops. It is great to have Alex be part of this series and stay tuned for more interviews to come. Enjoy!
Photo Credit: Holly Haffner Photo
//Your style in 3 words: Classic, modern, joyful
//Staple Outfit: @toccin.official cocoon coat belted over a white bodysuit, and a pair of jeans. You’ll always see me in a pair of heels.
//Style Icon(s): Rosie Huntington Whiteley
//Your First Big Purchase: A pair of gold Gucci mules
//Do You Still Have It? Yes I do!
//Best Fashion Advice You Ever Received: Carry yourself with confidence
//Types of clothing you invest in: Accessories (shoes and handbags) and outerwear, including blazers
//Types of clothing you save on: Loungewear and activewear
//Your greatest extravagance: Handbags and jewelry
//Brands That Will Stand the Test of Time: @toccin.official , Chanel and Hermes
//Favorite Affordable Brands: @ldt.official
//Favorite Designer Brands: Bottega
//Favorite High-Low Brands to Mix: Zara with any contemporary to designer brand
//Favorite Places to Shop Consignment: The RealReal
//Favorite Places to Consign Your Own Closet: The RealReal and Linda’s Stuff
//Currently Collecting Dust in the Back of your Closet: My skinny jeans because I was pregnant for the past 9 months
//Your Closet Tried and Trues: L’Agence jeans
//Your Most Prized Possession: The designer bags that my husband Michael has gotten for me as gifts over the years
//Best investment you ever made in your style: Of the moment shoes. You can always style them back to your basics in the closet.
//Style Choice From Your Past That Haunts You: Cargo pants, Rocket Dogs, and Juicy Couture sets!
//“It seemed like a good idea at the time” a.k.a Purchase you most regret: I don’t have any!
//Closet From Which You Would Like to Borrow: There are so many closets I would love to borrow from and can’t just say one person!
//Last Time You Splurged? Christmas time
//Currently Saving Your Pennies For: Some new spring shoes
//Advice to someone looking to define their own style: If you are uncomfortable with trying out a trend do so with an affordable item and if you really like it then you can invest in it further.
//Trend you wish would go away? The paper bag pant
//You feel great. What are you wearing? A @toccin.official dress
//Occasions when you splurge: A destination trip
//Occasions when you save: Loungewear for around the house
//Home Decor Style: Modern, contemporary
//Favorite place to hunt for home decor: Restoration Hardware
//Go-to for unique items, whether it be clothing, accessories, home or art: FarFetch
//Your fashion motto: There’s no better feeling than feeling put-together
//Your life motto: Everything happens for a reason
Fill in the blank:
//A woman should invest in- shoes. //You’re never too old to—dress in style. //A woman can never have too much- handbags. // Bury Me In: Toccin and my jewelry. //True or False: More is More- True. //Fashion is- always changing but stay true to your own personal style. //Style is: how you express yourself.
Currently Loving:
//Music: Anyone by Justin Bieber
//Food: An artichoke and parmesan salad
//Drink: A skinny margarita
//Podcast: How I Built This
//Instagram Handle: @toccin.official, @ldt.official, @alexandmichaeltoccin
ABOUT ALEX
Alex met her now husband, Michael Toccin, as a freshman in college and the two have been a creative team ever since. After moving to New York, studying at Parsons, and establishing her career in the fashion industry, she and Michael decided to launch their own business together — a digital platform helping women talk about fashion and trends in an approachable way. This inspired the launch of their first lifestyle collection of “get-it-together” pieces in September 2019, TOCCIN, currently available at Toccin.com, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and specialty stores nationwide. Inspired by the enthusiasm for Toccin, Alex + Michael launched a new collection in January 2021 exclusively with Dillards, LDT: A fresh take on American Fashion. Named after their daughter, Liv Dakota Toccin, LDT takes the signature “put together” aesthetic for which Alex is known and celebrated, and infuses it with a bold youthful joy. Alex shares an authentic look into her no-day-is-the-same life as a wife, mother + entrepreneur on the @alexandmichaeltoccin channel.
FIND ALEX
Photos used courtesy of Alex Toccin
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