CLOSET SWAP: Meet Katherine Roarty
My former roomie on her daily uniform, athleisure tips, and more <3
Costume Change, it’s time for another CLOSET SWAP! And today is not only the day of a full solar eclipse here in the States, it is also the BIRTHDAY of one of my best g’s and former roommate, the bright and beautiful Katherine Roarty!
Katherine (also “Roar” or “Roarty”) and I met years ago, as little baby aspiring professional dancers at an intensive three-month program in New York City. That summer, we danced six days a week (and sang on Sundays! LOL #BDCGlee), survived the subway system (pre-the arrival of the Google Maps phone app), and wore a lot of American Apparel (yikes). In the years since, we have lived together not once, but twice! That’s a lot of sharing closets! She has since moved to Atlanta (*sob*), where she is killing it as both an actor and choreographer. But the miles do not matter! We’ll be friends for life.
When I realized that a magical alignment of dates was occurring on the 8th (Katherine’s birth, the eclipse, a Monday/Our Holy Day of Costume Change), I knew we had to do a CLOSET SWAP to mark the occasion. Katherine is a ball of creative energy and absolute breath of fresh air, and she embodies one of my personal style aspirations: ease. This week, she is bringing all of that just-in-time-for-spring goodness straight to our inboxes:
Meet Katherine Roarty!
Katherineeeee you’re my CLOSET SWAP guest this week! It’s fate! We’ve been sneaking into each other’s closets for YEARS. Do you wanna start by giving the people a little intro?
Yes! Honored to be here, as I have borrowed from your closet for many years, Yancy!!
I’m Katherine Roarty, and I’ve had the privilege to live with Yancy many times in NYC—my favorite was the Dollhouse, which was, in fact, ONE BIG CLOSET. [Ed note: we called the attic apartment we shared “The Dollhouse” because it looked like one! It was as though, if you split our apartment building down the middle and opened it up, you would see tiny us walking around up there.] Now I live in Atlanta, where I have not one but three closets!!! (One coat closet, one “long outfit” closet, and my main, gorgeously organized closet).
We live for closet organization! Okay, werk. You have such fun IG content of your lewks, so I feel I must begin by shouting out a few:
And now! Obligatory CLOSET SWAP question: in a sentence or two, loosely describe the aesthetic of your day-to-day personal style (right now—style is transient!). Are there any aspirational words/vibes you’d like to throw in the mix?
Fitness-funky, with transitional accents. I’m always doing something active (especially in the mornings), and then midday I usually switch into my go-to uniform: denim on bottom, white t-shirt or sweatshirt, gold jewelry, and a sneaker.
Is there anything fashion-related that you’re really into right now? A color or vibe? A trend that is tempting you?
Lately, I find myself collecting white sweatshirts. Long, cropped, oversized, form-fitting, half-zip, hoodies, off-white, cream, thrifted, Goodwill—you name it! It might be the versatility, or a current vibe I’m feeling. I’m a bit of a klutz (especially when eating pasta with red sauce 🍝 ), so it drives my husband nuts.
TIME TRAVEL. Little Roar at 8. Does she dress the same as present-day Roar, or has a big evolution occurred? Are we dressing for the inner child, or is the inner child giving chaos (or both!)?
Haha, well little Roar had lots of hand-me-down clothes from my cool older sister. Now, with my own closet and bank account, I feel like I get to buy what I always wanted. (But I definitely still love when my older sister sends me her clothes!) A favorite is this bright orange wool J.Crew coat 🧡.
After living in a place with all four seasons (sometimes all in the same day, LOL), you’ve moved to a place that’s relatively temperate all year! Has this changed the way you dress, or is it mostly just less coats?
Fortunately Atlanta still has all four seasons, because I love all my coats!
HOWEVER, I rarely wear my black leather jacket anymore. It was a staple of my NYC uniform, but in Atlanta I find myself gravitating towards this white cropped coat, or my grey “shacket” (shirt+jacket).
Biggest vibe change is that I don’t have to wear my NYC winter gear as much (hats, gloves, scarves), which is for the best, as I would always lose them traveling around the city. RIP favorite forest green jersey scarf 🧣:
Do you feel like being an actor (or a dancer!) plays a role in getting dressed for you?
Haha, yes? I definitely hold onto a lot of wild items on the off-chance I need those thigh-high, white leather heels—with flames on the side!—for an audition. And I have a section in my closet with bright cardigans and business attire, for roles that live in those environments. Highly recommend Goodwill for some self-tape staples (blazer, cardigan, scrubs, etc). Dress to suggest!
Is there any one piece that you find yourself gravitating towards again and again? Anything you never leave the house without?
Definitely my cross body purse, and my NY Yankees hat. I have the bag in three colors (tan, green, black) and the hat in two (brown, white). That’s two pieces, haha. BUT IF I HAVE TO CHOOSE—I would say Frankie, my pup. I always walk her, sometimes nine miles in a day. We love our steps. She’s not clothing, but she’s cute!
You are a fitness queen! Always moving! Any hot tips for fitness looks a person could wear all day?
Layers, and “sweat layer” back-ups. Let’s say you are taking a class/rehearsal in the morning, with no time to come home before your hot dinner date. Do the “sweat layer” change up. The closest items to you—bra, undies, shorts—bring a second set. Luckily those items are small; roll ‘em up!
And I love a white sneaker. You can wear it in rehearsal, and then make the shoe work afterwards with a second outfit. A change of shoes can be tricky because they are bulky to carry around all day—plan around the shoe!
The day we release this post is YOUR BIRTHDAY! And it’s the day of a TOTAL ECLIPSE. Do you have anything fun you’re planning to wear to celebrate (on or around the occasion)?
YES!! I will be watching the eclipse along the path of totality, on the Garden of the Gods trail in Shawnee National Forest, IL. I’m so excited! I am renting a house with some friends for the weekend, at a lake close by. We will be hiking to watch the eclipse, so I will be in prime athleisure. I plan to make a shirt with the words “TOTAL ECLIPSE,” similar to my pickle ball sweatshirt that I made. I love a good personalization, especially when it comes to my minor obsessions—like pickle ball or the eclipse!
Cutie! And I am so jealous of this eclipse plan. I wish could be there! Cannot wait to hear about it. Okay my friend! Any last words to leave the people with? Style inspiration? Words of wisdom? Movie recs? (I know you have good movie recs!)
BIGGEST RECOMMENDATION: Squat test before you buy! If you can’t move in it, you won’t wear it. If you are uncomfortable, you won’t wear it. Jeans, dresses, skirts—they have to be able to move with you.
AND SUNGLASSES—buy them cheap. You will lose them. If someone gives you a fancy pair, great! You will treat those better, because they are a gift. But your everyday sunnies—cheap, baby!
AND MOVIES—The Untouchables (2011), A Taxi Driver (2011, Korean version), Waking Ned Devine (1998), The Best Offer (2013).
Yessssss. Can’t wait to watch. Thank you, LOVE YOU Roar! And happy freaking birthday!
My loves, hope you enjoyed! Have the most wonderful week (get some rest today! Eclipses are good moments for rest and deep reflection). Do something nice and unexpected for someone! Do something nice for yourself! See you next week.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
Costume Change is a styling newsletter (vs. a shopping newsletter). There’s no spon-con in the above convo. Thanks for reading, and reminder to keep those comments kind!