Hunting the best - Crowdsourced Shopping #7
Shopping for transitional jackets, dress clothes that aren't dresses, silly things that are chic, brown clogs, and everyday bracelets.
Again, and again, and again. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the suggestions for things to shop for - this is all more than any one person could reasonably look for to add to their own wardrobe, so sometimes I feel a bit stumped for inspiration.
I also got an email recently about other suggestions for leggings that are similar to the ones I love most from The Row, but are ideally a little less expensive. And while I have to say the material and quality of my beloved leggings is beyond excellent, they are an investment. The thing I think I love most about my original pair is that they held up beautifully after two pregnancies, and never got weird or saggy. I don’t know if these would do the same, and have the same longevity, but bang for the buck sometimes it must be. Try these, or these, or these, or these, or these or these.
Transitional Jacket
I’ve gotten a lot of questions about transitional jackets - and this is totally just a weird thing of mine, but when I hear “transitional jackets” I think of something kind of packable that you might wear hiking. Which is, of course, not the point! The point is something medium-weight, that is roomy enough to layer under, but also warm enough to wear on its own. Anyway, I have some hangups about fashion and styling and things I can and can’t wear together, which have NOTHING to do with traditional “rules” but more with my own mental roadblocks. That will be the subject of my next 3 Outfits letter - trying to break my own style rules. Which probably only make sense to me, but still.
1. So this is basically the jacket I wear every day in terms of weight and shape. It’s warm, not hot, very comfy, and big buttons, and arms big enough to acommodate a chunky sweater. Cos, $225
2. Double-faced wool-cashmere bomber jacket…on sale! In dove gray! Theory is looking really good lately. Theory, $357
3. Ok so here’s captain obvious - an oversized navy blazer! Bingo! Basically LA winter in a jacket. Wear it with a sweatshirt underneath, or a t-shirt! Easy, easy, easy, and way on the lighter end of the spectrum. Me+Em, $595
4. CHIIIIIIC! This one’s reversible, so the other side is plain khaki. Big ass pockets, big ass sleeves, perfect for layering. Phillip Lim, $1,395
5. I left off one very obvious hit in this category - a trench - but another super obvious one is a leather jacket. Duh! It’s a very spring/fall item, and I love that this one isn’t too motorcycle, it’s very polished, and the crop is perfect. Tory Burch, $1,499
Fancy alternatives to dresses
Last week I did a roundup of dressy shoes that aren’t heels, and this is kind of a follow up. I got a good question about what to wear that’s dressy but isn’t a dress. And something you can then re-wear and not feel weird about it. I’m also not inclined towards dresses lately, and every time I’ve needed to get dressed up, I’ve gone for trousers, or a skirt and top. So here! Behold! Some ideas.
1. A super basic building block - a one shoulder black top. Basically all of these things I’m going to say to style back to these pants, or these pants, but you could also do this skirt. Anyway, keep those in mind, but this could also go with some slouchy trousers for a more casual feel. Helmut Lang, $63
2. Another one shoulder top, but this one is a little more unusual and would look great with all of those things, but also I’d wear it with my men’s AYR pants and a pair of fancy flip flops (or even honestly not fancy ones). Tory Burch, $279
3. This set! I know it wouldn’t work to wear to a wedding, but god it is so good! It’s bonded satin, so it has a bit of structure and weight, and it is perfect. The top also comes in black, which would also be so nice with the white pants. Theory pants $345, and top $345
4. Ooooooo a perfect oversized button down in stretch shantung. Gorgeous - it also has structure - a key element in taking something everyday and making it feel more special and dressy. This looks like the kind of thing that would basically stand up on its own if you took it off and set it on the ground. What a dream. AND! How nice would it be with a pair of jeans? Kallmeyer, $395
5. And then! To go with all these things again, a pair of Tux pants! These have a contrast satin cuff and are fancy enough for black tie with the right top, but also look amazing with an oversized knit. Goop, $565
6. For any of the trousers, or any of your jeans, this perfectly tailored and sculpted blazer by Christopher John Rogers. I struggle to wear color, and things like contrast buttons usually feel gimmicky to me, but this is so beautiful and the buttons are so special, it is a treasure. Christopher John Rogers, $2,595
Goofy things that are chic
Say no more! It can’t be all minimalist and navy all the time - right? Snooze!
1. I used to love the Animainiacs, and I saw this the other day on Etsy and it has really lodged into my brain. I think if I wore it until the hems were fraying and it was nice and faded, and then paired it with pants like these - SILLY and unexpected and weird and fun. Etsy, $35
2. I bought these little hemp plastic clogs after seeing them on a model I worked with recently, and I bought them while still on set. I haven’t taken them off, they’re kind of ugly, but not in a super fashion way. I just love them. They run BIG. Salter House, $62
3. Cutie pie little mix stripe cardigan! I’d wear this with structured pleat-front trousers instead of jeans to keep it from looking too juvenile, but it would be great with them under a big double breasted blazer. Alex Mill, $295
4. A pretty easy to wear polka dot knit! This one I’d also avoid wearing with jeans so that it doesn’t feel overly casual, but these dot appliques are also reflective! Very fun, and very intentional. I also love this extremely silly Tory Burch cardigan. Tory Burch, $398
5. I have this bag in black and it could not be more useless or more wonderful. I wear it ALL THE FUCKING TIME despite the fact that it doesn’t even really hold my phone. It makes everything better, and is the most correct dose of offbeat to make something else that’s boring feel fun. Also, it’s an Alaïa (an A-whatta?). Mine’s in black, but I love the brown so much. Alaïa, $1,170
6. ASHISH! ASHISH! ASHISH! For everything! I love Ashish, the most beautifully made things, fully sequined, classic silhouettes, crazy colors, SHITLOADS OF SPARKLE, ugh, I love it so much. If I actually did have a fancy thing, and I could buy whatever I wanted, this is what I’d wear. Ashish, $2,530
7. And then this ridiculous bag, I don’t know why I love it so much it’s so NOT me, but I love it. It’s very then, it’s very now, it’s like the accessory version of getting a tattoo to remember a very specific moment in time. But it would also look great with 90% of my clothes! I think! Can you tell I’m trying to justify this purchase? Balenciaga, $2,550
Bracelets to wear every day
And never take off. As much as I love jewelry, I don’t buy a ton - I don’t like to buy things that I can’t imagine myself wearing every single day and never taking off. I like to sleep in my jewelry (except earrings, because that will make your piercing holes stretch out), shower in it, exercise in it, etc. I have a chain bracelet from Sherman Field that I literally never take off (unless she’s cleaning it for me) and it has done so much to enhance my personal style, it’s basically a part of me at this point. And it was mega expensive, but I bought it for myself to celebrate something kind of major, and one day my kids will have it and say Mom wore that every day. So it’s worth it!
1. I also wear my Dorsey James necklace almost every day - I love the bracelet version. These are lab grown sapphires, and it’s such an excellent concept. A big look, but not unbelievably expensive, and totally classic but also cool. Dorsey, $200
2. A super dainty little bracelet with a peep of green. This is the perfect summertime bracelet - it would look so great with a tan, but also would be pretty effortless to wear with your watch or another bracelet. Gigi Clozeau, $230
3. I love the unusual links on this one, and that the clasp is part of the design. I very much dislike obvious clasps, so this is super satisfying to me. It’s also made of 14 carat recycled gold. Melissa Joy Manning, $540
4. Another version of a tennis bracelet - this one in sterling silver and green onyx. This is a very very personal style thing to wear every day. I love it so much. Nakard, $675
5. A simple, classic, statementy but not too, gold chain bracelet under $1000 - bingo. This is the kind of thing you’ll truly wear every day and never ever get sick of or feel like it clashes with what you’re wearing. EF Collection, $895
6. One of the other things I wear almost every day is an antique watch chain necklace that has a T-bar. I get asked about it all the time, but it’s kind of a specific thing (that I occasionally help source for people) and can be hard to find. I love that this has a similar vibe, but the T-bar is diamonds, and it’s a bracelet rather than necklace. It has a sort of menswear feel, except the diamonds are silly, and the overall effect is excellent. Zoë Chicco, $1,650
7. A dream, very statement bracelet. I like the two different chains and again, that the clasp is part of the design. Milamore, $2,300
8. Fancy pink sapphires in a tennis bracelet, so beautiful. Mateo, $5,381
9. And finally, the Sherman Field bracelet - mine is the bigger link, but I have pretty big hands and am on the taller side. A smaller link is just as gorgeous, and likely easier to wear if you’re petite. Sherman Field, $6,800
Brown and tan clogs
I’ve covered black clogs in the past, but never brown. I got a specific request for brown and there are SO MANY GOOD ONES. If you’re a real clog gal, there’s definitely a case to be made for having a pair in black, and one in brown or tan.
1. These are as stripped back and classic as it gets. They’re handmade in Sweden and sold on Etsy. If authenticity is your thing, here you go (aside from Hasbeens). They’re also very similar to the Celine ones, minus the branding. $59
2. Another super plain option - these feel a bit crunchier in my mind, but are still very chic. Andre Assous, $164
3. A lovely, simple clog! I love the deep cognac color. YOUYOU, $234
4. A darker chocolate brown with a slightly higher heel. This looks like it has a cushy foot pad too which is so nice with wood soles. I really love how tonal these are. Rag & Bone, $276
5. A light tan version of a black pair I highly recommend. Again, very happy with the tonal quality here! Aeyde, $375
6. I love the all-suede-ness of these. Especially the suede-covered nails. I actually almost bought these before I found my black ones I wear all the time. They’re VERY comfortable, and on sale. They’re also on sale in black, and in greige. Chloé, $456
7. Whoops! I forgot to link these at first! These are Re/Done! $525
7. Hello, lover! The ultimate! Hermès! Clog! Hermès, $1,275
Hunting the best - Crowdsourced Shopping #7
Hello! If you haven't done this already, would you consider tips/tricks for shopping the men's departments for clothes?
Inspired by several of your posts, I finally got the Jenni Kayne cashmere cocoon cardigan but ended up returning it because it had no pockets. I didn’t realize that was a deal breaker for me until I tried it on. So - any thoughts on chunky/ oversize cardigans with pockets? So far, they’ve been surprisingly hard to find.