“While at work, I’m in an apron and Blundstones, attire that can get messy,” says Claudette Zepeda, the acclaimed chef, contestant on the new TV series Bobby Flay’s The Line, and author of the stunning cookbook, Cooking the Borderlands. “But I adore dopamine dressing, and if the day allows it, I want to appear girly, playful, and whimsical.” Here, Claudette reveals five outfits she donned in a week…
Blazer: Zara, similar. Bodysuit: Amazon, similar. Skirt: Amazon. Boots: Sam Edelman, available secondhand.
“Someone asked me once, ‘How do you decide what to wear for special events?’ and I responded, ‘Well, I’m the event.’ We’re often told certain outfits fit certain settings, but I don’t follow that. On a Monday, I’ll wear my occasion-specific clothes.”
Blazer: Zara, similar. Necklace: Zara, similar. Top: Amazon, similar. Pants: Zara, similar. Heels: Steve Madden, available secondhand.
“I definitely have a goth heart — a bit of Wednesday Addams in me. Mexicans accept death. It’s a dialogue we start as kids. Hence, I find black beautiful, yet I enjoy adding a color splash, like these candy heels.”
“Mexican culture boasts some of the most striking, vocal women in history. I grew up admiring Alejandra Guzmán, essentially Mexico’s Madonna. Also, telenovela women, where drama is everything — the outfits are flamboyant, the accessories, oh my! In Guadalajara, we have an entire mall dedicated to cocktail jewelry. We LOVE an accessory moment.”
Dress: Ada & Edith. Boots: Amazon.
“My friend crafted this dress — she owns the fashion brand Ada & Edith. Recalling Pretty Woman as a teenager, Julia Roberts’s thigh-high boots left an impression. Wearing these boots makes me feel so empowered and ready to conquer the world.”
“I’ve needed prescription glasses since I was 17 and can’t see beyond a foot. I tend to be rough on my glasses, so I seek affordable ones, around $30. Lately, I’ve discovered some fun styles at Zeelool.”
“Standing out is part of our culture. Even when we ‘dress down’ for a quick errand to the molino for tortillas, the nails remain perfect and the red lip bold.”
Jacket: Zara, similar. Top: Zara. Jeans: “From my mother”, similar. Boots: Jessica Simpson similar.
“This shirt has Mr. Snuffleupagus vibes. It serves as a reminder not to take myself too seriously. Walking into a meeting where everyone else is suited up, I stand out — and that’s perfect.”
“As a child, I had courage. One day in the fourth grade, I decided, ‘I’ll run for student council,’ and I was elected treasurer. But over time, I lost that confidence, especially in early motherhood. Currently, as a mom to a young woman, I constantly ponder, What am I teaching her? If I’m unsure, how will she face the world and feel assured? For reassurance, I call on my spiritual army — my grandmother and ancestors. They bolster me.”
Bandana: Zara, available secondhand. Hoops: Hoodland Bazaar. Top: Zara, available secondhand. Shorts: Zara, similar. Socks: Amazon, similar. Heels: Steve Madden, available secondhand.
“This ensemble is something I’d also have worn as a teen, hanging with friends. I have childhood photos of me sporting ruffle socks like these.”
“I directed all the photography for my cookbook. On shoots, I sported what I term ‘business mullets’ — polished up top, sweatpants below.”
“My treasured chapter in my book is titled ‘From My Mother’s Hips,’ a tribute to recipes I grew up with and the women who guided me in womanhood. All the women in my family are divas and wholly themselves; they imparted lessons on occupying space. The recipes I’m most proud of harken back to childhood, like Bananas Foster, a staple in my home.”
Thank you immensely, Claudette! Explore her cookbook here, if interested.
P.S. Others share their week of outfits, including a dietician who overcame a stutter and a professor sporting a pink power suit.
(Photos by Valeria Metz for Cup of Jo.)
