{"id":7972,"date":"2026-10-01T19:03:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T19:03:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=7972"},"modified":"2026-10-01T19:03:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T19:03:32","slug":"a-week-of-outfits-claudette-zepeda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=7972","title":{"rendered":"A Week of Outfits: Claudette Zepeda"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\u201cWhile working, I\u2019m in an apron and Blundstones, clothes that I can get dirty,\u201d says Claudette Zepeda<\/a>, the award-winning chef, competitor on the new TV series Bobby Flay\u2019s The Line<\/a>, and author of the beautiful cookbook, Cooking the Borderlands<\/a>. \u201cBut I love dopamine dressing, and if the day allows it, I want to look girly, fun, and whimsical.\u201d Here, Claudette shares five outfits she wore in a week\u2026<\/p>\n

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Blazer: Zara, similar<\/a>. Bodysuit: Amazon, similar<\/a>. Skirt: Amazon<\/a>. Boots: Sam Edelman, available secondhand<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone once asked me, \u2018How do you choose what to wear for special occasions?\u2019 and I said, \u2018Well, I\u2019m <\/em> the occasion.\u2019 We\u2019re told that certain clothes belong in certain environments, but I don\u2019t believe that. I choose to wear my special-occasion clothes on a Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Blazer: Zara, similar<\/a>. Necklace: Zara, similar<\/a>. Top: Amazon, similar<\/a>. Pants: Zara, similar<\/a>. Heels: Steve Madden, available secondhand<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI also have a goth heart, for sure \u2014 there\u2019s a little Wednesday Addams in me. Mexicans embrace death. It\u2019s a conversation we start having as children. So, I think black is beautiful, although I do like to throw in a pop of color, like these candy heels.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cMexican culture has some of the most beautiful, outspoken women in history. I grew up adoring Alejandra Guzm\u00e1n<\/a>, basically the Madonna of Mexico. Also, the women in telenovelas, where everything is dramatic \u2014 the dresses are flowing, and the accessories, good Lord! We have an entire mall in Guadalajara for cocktail jewelry. We LOVE an accessory moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Dress: Ada & Edith<\/a>. Boots: Amazon<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMy friend made this dress \u2014 she owns the fashion line Ada & Edith<\/a>. As for the silver boots, I viscerally remember watching Pretty Woman<\/a> as a teenager and thinking Julia Roberts\u2019s thigh-high boots were so powerful. When I put on these boots, I feel so sexy, like I can take on the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019ve worn prescription glasses since I was 17 and can\u2019t see beyond a foot from my face. I beat up my glasses pretty badly, so I look for pairs that aren\u2019t super expensive, around $30. Recently, I\u2019ve found some fun styles at Zeelool<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cDressing to turn heads is a part of our culture. And even when we\u2019re \u2018dressed down,\u2019 and going out to grab tortillas from the molino down the street, the nails are impeccable and the red lip is bold.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Jacket: Zara, similar<\/a>. Top: Zara. Jeans: \u201cFrom my mother\u201d, similar<\/a>. Boots: Jessica Simpson similar<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis shirt has Mr. Snuffleupagus vibes. It reminds me not to take myself too seriously. If I walk into a meeting, where everyone else is wearing suits, I\u2019m immediately out of place \u2014 in the best way possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cAs a kid, I had gumption. One day in the fourth grade, I decided, \u2018I\u2019m gonna run for student council\u2019 and was voted in as treasurer. But I lost that confidence over time, especially during early motherhood. Nowadays, as a mom of a young woman, I\u2019m constantly thinking, What am I teaching her? If I\u2019m insecure, how is she going to attack the world and feel confident herself?<\/em> Whenever I need a boost, I call on my spirit army \u2014 my grandmother and ancestors. They give me strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Bandana: Zara, similar<\/a>. Hoops: Hoodland Bazaar<\/a>. Top: Zara, similar<\/a>. Shorts: Zara, similar<\/a>. Socks: Amazon, similar<\/a>. Heels: Steve Madden, available secondhand<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an outfit that I also would have worn as a teenager, while hanging out with the homies. I have pictures of me as a kid wearing ruffle socks like these.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI art directed all the photography for my cookbook<\/a>. During shoots, I wore what I call \u2018business mullets\u2019 \u2014 the top half is polished, and the bottom half is sweatpants.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cMy favorite chapter in my book is called \u2018From My Mother\u2019s Hips,\u2019 and it\u2019s an homage to the recipes I grew up with and the women who showed me how to be a woman<\/em>. All the women in my family are divas and fully themselves; they taught me how to take up space. The recipes I\u2019m proudest of are throwbacks to my childhood, like Bananas Foster<\/a>, which was iconic in my household.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thank you so much, Claudette<\/a>! Check out her cookbook here<\/a>, if you\u2019d like.<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. More people share their week of outfits<\/a>, including a nutritionist who worked on her stutter<\/a> and a professor with a pink power suit<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(Photos by Valeria Metz<\/a> for Cup of Jo.)<\/p>\n

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