The Workhorse & The Showpony: Sophia Chabbott

How a true New Yorker gets dressed every day!

Hello and happy weekend! We’re back with another installment of this series, which is all about highlighting the duality of our wardrobes, and how we can glean wardrobe harmony, if you will, from the dynamic & stylish women around us! Today, I’m thrilled & honored to feature entrepreneur Sophia Chabbott. Sophia and I met when we were both just babies starting out in the fashion industry together. She was a sharp yet friendly accessories editor at WWD and I was a doe-eyed fashion publicist trying to push my clients’ wares for coverage. We instantly bonded over our love of fashion - with a hearty dose of reality - and have been close friends ever since.

Recently(ish), Sophia began the next chapter of her career when she founded celeb & influencer go-to beauty brand Testament. If you’re not familiar with her brand yet, you’re truly in for a treat because it’s some of the most well-considered skincare I’ve ever tried. Testament focuses on simple garden-grown, skin-loving ingredients that are familiar, efficacious and reveal natural radiance at every age. She calls it the Mediterranean Diet for your face—which is brilliant and true. In fact, she has been gracious enough to offer a RARE discount of 20% off her entire site for Another Fashion Newsletter readers - just enter code SOGOLE at checkout!

Ok but I digress! We’re here to chat with Sophia about her workhorses and showponies. These are the pieces in her closet that are the true wardrobe staples she wears day in and day out alongside those special, almost unicorn-like items that punctuate her incredible style with that unique ‘Sophia touch’. Let’s get into it!

About Sophia

1. What are your three style words? Quiet, nuanced, and surprisingly sporty.

2. How do you decide what to wear every morning? Ever since I started my own company, I’ve been wearing jeans every single day, so it’s all about elevating a denim uniform in fresh and luxe ways.

3. Do you find getting dressed enjoyable or a chore? Turning 40 completely shook my wardrobe game. I used to live in all-things Isabel Marant and suddenly, the mini dresses and pouf-sleeve blouses no longer worked for me. I kind of panicked, went into a button-down shirt uniform mode (which got really boring really quickly). I eventually found my groove again with some more luxe, grown-up brands focused on tailoring and high quality materials, such as Blazé Milano, Celine and Ralph Lauren.

4. What’s your favorite thing about fashion? Least favorite thing? My favorite thing about fashion is that your look begins to tell a story before you open your lips. My least favorite thing about fashion is trying things on in a dressing room (albeit a necessary evil).

5. Your fashion life motto? When you are confident in your look, you are confident in your day. Even during the Covid WFH days, I got dressed and did my hair and makeup every single day. It was for no one but me.

6. What do you prefer in your wardrobe, a workhorse or a showpony? Do I have to choose? You kind of need both for balance.

7. What role do you think each type plays in your wardrobe? The workhorse is the “I don’t have to overthink what I’m wearing tonight” piece — this is peace of mind.  Fashion shouldn’t be stressful, but when you’re unprepared, it definitely is. The showpony is that last little piece of sparkle that puts some pep in your step. That excitement makes you feel good, too.

8. If someone on the street gave you $1000 and told you it could only be spent on fashion, would you buy a workhorse or a showpony and why? I’d buy a pair of custom optical Lindberg aviators in dark burgundy. They’re super lightweight and I’m basically blind, so I can always use new glasses. A workhorse, for sure. 

9. Anything else to add? I love your Substack and am so proud of you!!!!!! Love you dearly!!! (Awww thanks Soph!)

The Workhorse

she’s right - these shoes make the outfits! LEFT: blazer is old, here is this season’s version, jumpsuit, vintage Chanel bag, Nina Runsdorf baroque pearl ring - here is similar-ish, sandals. MIDDLE: jacket, i also love this version and here is similar for less, top (i own this in the stripe can confirm it’s an excellent layering tee), belt, jeans (Soph warns these stretch out a lot upon wear but she still loves them), boots, bag is sold out (a sneak peek of her showpony!). RIGHT: jacket (worn as top) and coordinating pants but as a side note I’ve also been eyeing these which look great, bag & sandals as before 

1. What is your go-to workhorse item in your closet? Any shoe from Celine. The loafers, the boots, even the heels—they just work with all my silhouettes. They’re comfortable and they last season after season.

2. Why is this such a workhorse piece for you and your lifestyle? The silhouette of your footwear just grounds everything you’re wearing. The right lug sole boot can complete an outfit without even being super noticeable. The wrong one can wreck it from head to toe.

3. What do you look for in a workhorse? Does it look like something I already own and am shocked that I don’t? Then it’s a yes.

4. How do you generally style this piece? I cheated and told you that I’m in love with all Celine shoes, which is true, but I’ll get specific. It’s the Celine Margaret boots which I wear with jeans and minis, the Margaret loafer, which I wear with a High Sport cropped pant or a Haikure jean and the Triomphe sandal for evening (they are comfortable, sexy, look great with dresses or trousers, and you can dance in them – cannot recommend these enough!)

5. Was it a splurge or a save? I found the Triomphes on sale at Bergdorf’s — so, save? 

A closer look at Sophia’s workhorses:

Leave it to the true New Yorker to go with shoes as her go-to workhorses! From left: Celine Margaret boot, Celine Margaret loafer, Celine Triomphe sandals

And bc not everyone has a Celine shoe budget- some close-ish dupes of Sophia’s workhorses above:

boot, loafer, heels

The Showpony

surprisingly sporty is right! in the best way possible. LEFT: blazer is old Blazé Milano, try this or this for less, or go for this season’s version here (on sale!). jeans, showpony bag with a burgundy version of this scarf, Chanel ballet flats, baseball hat. MIDDLE: jacket (how good is this?!), shirt, jeans, belt, shoes & bag as before. RIGHT: same blazer as far left, jeans, boots, of which these are an excellent dupe

1. What is the go-to showpony piece in your closet; an item that feels particularly unique or special? My black suede Margaux 10 bag from The Row.

2. How do you usually style this piece? With EVERYTHING. Day, night. I all but sleep with it at my bedside.

3. What do you look for in a showpony piece? I lusted after this bag for months and months. Suddenly, it became an “it bag” out of nowhere and I couldn’t get my hands on it. Luckily, a special friend hooked me up with it and I am obsessed. I’m not one of those people who can do the tiny bag thing, but I also don’t want to look messy with a huge bag. The 10 fits everything but the kitchen sink and still looks tailored, but not too prim.

4. Was it a splurge or a save? Splurge, for sure.

A closer look at Sophia’s showpony. It’s of course sold out everywhere, but if you’re so inclined, call your SA and put your name on the list for one as you never know when it might pop back in stock! Or try a sourcer like Gab Waller.

a workhorse AND a showpony, you could argue!

I have to say, I’m digging the black suede. We’ve seen so much brown suede this season that suddenly black feels fresh. Here are some great options since Ms. Margaux is sold out:

cutie little black suede bags at all price points! left, middle, right

A huge thanks to Sophia for taking the time out of her very busy beauty CEO schedule to speak with me today! I absolutely love how timeless both her workhorse and showpony are - even though it appears her showpony is well on its way to being her new workhorse! You guys - seriously go check out Testament and use that special 20% off with code SOGOLE to stock up for yourself or for holiday gifts. The Rose Face Oil and Turkish Coffee Mask are both divine but honestly - all of her products are incredible, so you can’t go wrong!

Thanks again for reading, supporting, commenting and being here! Hope you had fun learning about Sophia - although now I think I need some Celine shoes….til next week! xx

I use affiliate links where applicable throughout my posts, so I may receive a small commission from things you buy (but at no cost to you!) Thank you for supporting me in this little way so I can keep writing every week!