Saturday Snack: Crowdsourced Shopping
Tops that aren't sweatshirts, curve-fit pants, work bags, essentials that aren't black or beige, and jewelry.
This is something I used to do a lot in my newsletters - the premise is I put out an ask for what you all are shopping for/looking for, and then I find it! Here we go.
TOPS THAT AREN’T SWEATSHIRTS
The request on this one read: “What tops do people wear that aren’t vintage T’s, men’s button-ups, and old sweatshirts! My epitaph will read… ‘One million jeans, no tops’” - which, LOL. Ok! Let’s see.
1. A classic pajama-style blouse! Great with jeans, great with trousers, great with basically anything. Wear it unbuttoned from the top down with a bit of cleavage to make it more casual and louche. Mango, $60
2. A perfect, though luxury tee - I have this in navy and it fits so beautifully, it’s not at all sloppy or overly casual. It is just so, so good. La Ligne, $95 (use the code LAUREL10 for 10% off your first order)
3. Ok, also, how about this? It’s blousey and “boho” but I’ve also seen it look super polished with a more structured bottom. I like this one because of the wide neckline, but this one is the true classic and comes in a handful of colors. Doen, $158
4. I’ve been wearing this cardigan as a shirt lately and I can’t get enough of it - as evidenced by the fact that I wear it in basically every newsletter. It’s preppy and classic and cute and I love it. Almina Concept, $168 (use code LAUREL-AC20 for 20% off)
5. Oh, and may I suggest the Earl Earl collab shirt with Chava Studio? I’ve always wanted a navy tuxedo shirt, and it is perfect. Subtle, sexy, big french cuffs, and ultra-luxurious poplin. A dream. Earl Earl x Chava Studio, $410
6. Last, a super slinky, and extra long viscose henley from Khaite. Suuuuper sexy, I like it ruched and bunched up around the hips like its shown here. So good over an a-line or midi skirt, also great over trousers. Khaite, $580
JEWELRY THAT COSTS LESS THAN A CAR
1. What a nice thing! A very classic dome ring that looks much, much more expensive than it is. This is the kind of thing you can wear every day and never take off. Aureum, $198
2. An all around favorite! Another thing that looks more expensive than it is - this tennis bracelet is made with lab-grown white sapphires and has the look of a diamond bracelet, but without the preciousness. Dorsey, $240
3. A bit more statementy! I love these mother of pearl earrings from Lizzie Fortunato. Great in the summer, but also great with a navy turtleneck and your hair up in the winter. Lizzie Fortunato, $250
4. I’ve recommended this Catbird chain a million times before, and I stand by it. This is a great basic starter chain for your charm collection. It’s thin and dainty, but has a very nice subtle sparkle. Catbird, $268
5. I love these for a statementy moment. They’ll also look great if you have additional piercings that pair with them, and I love that they’re mixed metal. Very pretty! Demarson, $290
6. I love, love, love Completed Works. Everything is very interesting and cool, and sustainable, and not quite minimal but not maximal either. These are a dream. Completed Works, $405
CURVE-FIT PANTS
I love pants, I live in pants, here are some great pairs that come in plus size or are cut to fit curvy bodies.
1. Madewell has a great range of plus-size and curve fit jeans. I love this pair because I feel like it’s relatively rare to find novelty jeans like this (carpenter jeans) that are in extended sizes and cut to fit curves. These fill a real void in the market, and are SO COOL. Madewell, $138 sizes up to Plus 28W
2. Universal Standard carries a ton of essential/minimal pieces in sizes that range from 00-40. I love these simple trousers for their classic shape and super subtle tuxedo stripe down the side. Universal Standard, $145 sizes up to 40
3. Spanx makes pants! And they’re actually kind of great! These pull-on kick flares have some of their compressive fabrication, but are still mega comfortable AND they look polished. Spanx, $148 sizes up to 4XL
4. The! Cutest! I love the flip down detail on these, and that they’re otherwise completely classic and neutral. So, so good. Hanifa, $174 sizes up to 3XL
5. These wide-leg pleat-front trousers are excellent for work with something tucked in, or with a sweatshirt and sneakers for…. not work. M.M. LaFleur, $295 sizes up to 20
6. And finally, an ultra-luxurious pair of silk crepe trousers with no pleats in front for a more streamlined silhouette. These are super special, crisp and precise. Lafayette 148, $898 sizes up to 22
ESSENTIALS THAT AREN’T BLACK OR NEUTRAL
I love this category - another way to think of it, easy colorful pieces to weave into your existing neutrals.
1. Cos always does a great job with color. Most of their assortment is black, tan, cream, gray, etc, but when they do a color it’s usually interesting and kind of off. I like this purple polo shirt because the lavender is a little weird - not quite a pastel - and it would be super easy to style with straight leg jeans or kick flares with very little effort. This is the kind of easy piece than can totally transform your look. Cos, $89
2. Nothing is more essential than an oversized button down, and in pepto-bismol pink? Even better. Again, the color is key here, it’s not so classic as to be boring, but also not so out there that it isn’t familiar. This will look great with khaki. J.Crew, $98
3. What could be better than orange wide-leg pleat-front trousers! Very little. I love these and can imagine wearing them with the lavender Cos shirt and the pink button down. Cos, $135
4. How great is this skirt? It’s in a heavy cotton sateen and it looks so beautiful and swishy and happy. I love it with this grey knit - here’s a perfect outfit idea, all in one. BUT! They also make a matching jacket (same color, different fabric). Me + Em, $385
5. Ta-da! My beloved High Sport pants! The best of all time, in the best colors of all time. I love them so much, I wear them everywhere, with everything. They’re expensive, but cost per wear on mine is like, one dollar. High Sport, $860
6. What a beautiful blazer. I love the way its styled here, with orange trousers. It really demonstrates how easy it is to wear color with color. This is a super special piece, and one that you’ll have for years. Blazé, $1,520
WORK BAGS
I like work bags that have structure (so they don’t just flop around when you set them down, or collapse when you put something heavy in them), don’t have a lot of visible branding, have straps on both ends so it’s not a nightmare to put your computer in and out of them, and are nice to look at/won’t get trashed the second you use them. Here are some good ones.
1. Ok so yes, this is a canvas tote, but sometimes the job calls for a giant bag, and this is infinity times better than something dirty and old with a weird logo on it. I love Kule’s totes. Kule, $198 (use code EarlEarl-20 for 20% off)
2. This is a very thoughtfully designed bag with lots of compartments for all the various things you need to help keep yourself organized. This was truly designed as a work bag that doesn’t scream WORK BAG and is thus very functional. And pretty. Cuyana, $348
3. I loooove Little Liffner bags - I have two and they’re beautifully made and not so ubiquitous that you’ll bump into ten other people with the same thing. This is a great, large tote (it also comes in more neutral colors like black and light brown, etc) and I love the strap detailing and this beautiful grassy color. Little Liffner, $575
4. A very classic, very mature choice! This has beautiful detailing and looks super professional. DeMellier, $608
5. I a huge Loewe fan, and especially big fan of their new puzzle fold totes. They’re interesting, but not too, and not so mega popular as to be an it-bag or anything. Just a very, very cool choice. Loewe, $1,900
6. And finally, the dream of all dreams, the ultimate - The Row Margaux bag. It can hold a ton, looks amazing, ages beautifully, and will never look dated. Simply the best. The Row, $4,990
THE END!
Have a fun weekend!
Your friend,
Laurel
This blog is life-changing. The request for tops that aren’t vintage tees and button ups is so real and your answers are amazing.
I love “Tops that aren’t sweatshirts”!! Sweatshirts and knitwear is basically all I wear in the winter and I am so sick of it haha. And of course I was drawn most to the cardigan on your list. But really trying to get inspired to wear other stuff too🫶🏻