Shopping The Classics - Crowdsourced Requests for Loafers, Trench Coats, Thin Turtlenecks, etc etc etc!
Here we go with another round of Crowdsourced Shopping! It’s been a while, but this time I wanted to touch on transitional dressing - or the things you were when it’s not the pleasant time of fall anymore but it’s not quite full blown winter either. And happily, most of the requests in this letter are also in the realm of wardrobe staples - or things that hypothetically you only need to invest in once. Not trend-oriented or super novel, these should all last nicely.
Here we go:
LOAFERS
Loafers! I get it! They’re the best! This is the kind of thing though that hopefully you only really need one or max two pairs of. The joy of them is watching them get all worn in and beat up and loved. These are shoes to live in.
1. A lug sole version - I have a hard time wrapping my head around a lug sole loafer, but I know they’re very popular - they’re also objectively better than leather soles in bad weather or ice. So I totally get it. I like these because they have the heaviness that you want in a lug sole shoe, but the rest of them looks very very classic. Madewell, $135
2. In my opinion, these are the gold standard of classic loafers. There’s nothing extra about them - just very very simple, beautiful, traditional loafer built to last. Bass, $175
3. A fancy silly gold version! I loved the gold Row loafers from a few seasons ago, but had a hard time paying that much for something so novel. These have a similar feeling, but are also croc embossed, and happily under $250. J.Crew, $228
4. It’s hard to see in this pic, but these have very pretty croc embossing as well. They’re by Emme Parsons, and I love ALL her shoes, but these loafers especially. Very classic, very trad! They also have a very slim profile on top - they don’t have the thick stitching that most of these other options do. Emme Parsons, $495
5. Jamie Haller makes excellent loafers. Very soft, very wearable. These are heaven, and while most of what she makes are very minimal and classic, I like that these have the old school two tone. Jamie Haller, $525
6. I splurged on these in the brown eel skin earlier this fall and I’ve worn them almost every day since. The eel is nearly sold out, but I also love the same shape in leather. They don’t look amazing off the foot, but on…wow, a dream. I literally get stopped in the street because of mine. These also come in black, and I believe a darker brown. These are for-lifers. The Row, $1,198
TRENCH COATS
Trench coats - another area that is theoretically trend-proof, and theoretically, you’ll only ever need to buy one great one. These all look very similar (with one obvious exception) but the differences matter.
1. A very basic, classic version. This doesn’t have the vents and flaps that many do, it’s kind of a streamlined version and at a killer price. The buttons are very subtle, which I like, and it also comes in sizes up to 2XL. Gap, $134
2. I love this one because when closed it doesn’t have any visible buttons. It’s very streamlined and simple, and will truly never be out of style. Cos, $275
3. This one is water repellent, and is made from recycled cotton. It’s a gorgeous option and looks and feels rich without being mind-blowingly expensive. Ayr, $695
4. And now! A silly one - but not too silly. The tiger stripes are definitely statement, but the shape and silhouette is still classic enough to not feel too novel. I love this one, it definitely gives me Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele vibes. Rabanne, $1,569
5. A very serious, very beautiful option by my pal Maria McManus. It is sustainable luxury to the max (the buttons are biodegradable and made from starch) and it is so luxurious, so fine, it is a life-long keeper. Maria McManus, $1,690
THIN TURTLENECKS FOR LAYERING
The request here was for thin turtlenecks to go under other things. With that in mind, I looked for pieces with either unusual colors, or at least a wide range of colors. I love a contrasting turtleneck and a different color knit or button down over it, and it can also keep you mega warm.
1. The classic, Uniqlo’s Heat Tech turtleneck. Super thin, super warm, and it comes in seven excellent colors. I love this one because it adds a lot of warmth without adding a ton of bulk. Uniqlo, $20
2. Similarly, J.Crew’s classic turtleneck is called “tissue” because it’s so thin and stretchy and fitted. I suggest sizing down slightly so that you get a very tight fit and it won’t ripple or make lumps under whatever you’re layering it underneath. I love this cobalt color, but the orange is also super nice and is on sale. J.Crew, $40
3. Another excellent super thin option, this time out of Merino wool. Even warmer! And very very thin, to the point where it’s almost sheer. I love this one, and it comes in a billion colors. Cos, $69
4. Another one from J.Crew, but I had to include a short sleeved version! This one is very great for layering - the color is amazing, and the short sleeves makes it even easier for layering. You can put something over it, and then something (like a blazer) over THAT, and still be able to bend at the elbows. I hate that sausage casing feeling of too many layers, and this gets around that problem. J.Crew, $90
5. And finally, a patterned version from Zankhov, one of my favorite knitwear brands out there. Everything he makes is so cool and beautiful, and I love the idea of this as a layering piece. Zankhov, $595
RAINCOATS
Raaaaain coats….woof. I always feel SO HOT in them, and like every time I move it makes a ton of noise. I feel very 1987 commuter in NYC wearing a gray pencil skirt with white running shoes - in a not excellent way. It’s the saddest, most boring purchase, like I always think of having to put my hiking shell on over my clothes.
But it doesn’t have to be like that! Here are some that don’t make me feel sad.
1. This looks and feels like a traditional trench, but is water resistant. Not ground breaking, but also cute and fun and not sad! Mango, $230
2. I love this brand, Kassl, that pretty much just makes weatherproof jackets and accessories. It’s very minimal, very technical, and always super interesting shapes and colors. Kassl, $525
3. This one is made with waterproof organic cotton, and is so preppy and cute, but with a slightly off proportion, which makes it very cool. I love how sporty it feels, but then with the wider sleeves it doesn’t look to literally sporty. Toteme, $820
4. I just looked at the materials and I don’t actually think this one is waterproof…But still, it’s very cool - a GIANT anorak! Raey, $985
5. Now, here’s one that feels very lady. This is water and wind-resistant and has a very sweet little corduroy collar. The body is waxed cotton taffeta, and it has the feel of a very traditional Barbour coat, but in lady proportions. Toteme, $1050
THROW-ON PANTS THAT AREN’T SWEATS OR YOGA PANTS
This request came in more like - I need pants for school dropoff, that you can roll out of bed into and they’ll look a little better than sweats. Well, well, well if this isn’t a tidy little plug for my mom newsletter…I did a whole post on that very topic!
But still, mom or no mom, we all need softpants that don’t LOOK like softpants.
1. I LOVE these - I just got them, and they’re so comfortable, the red is SO vivid and saturated, they’re excellent. And yes, they look a bit like pajamas, but with some styling (a crisp menswear button down and crewneck sweater) they start to look like real pants. Donni, $168
2. I also have these - they’re very soft shirting cotton and the stripes are so nice - I love how high contrast they are despite being in the same color family. I style these the same way as the Donni pants, typically with a button down and a sweater or blazer, and they look great. Comme Si, $170
3. I know I said no sweats, but these are not normal sad sweats - they are fitted, they are tidy, they are - kind of - fancy. Wear these like the other things, button down, sweater or blazer + loafers and socks and you’re set. Jenni Kayne, $175
4. Here we have a pair of track pants - from Tory Burch. Very sporty, very comfortable, but a little more styled than yoga pants. Tory Burch, $348
5. These are my all time favorite non denim pants - they are essentially leggings, but I wear them so much, they’re critical to my style. They’re like a neoprene legging, with a very simple slit up the front shin. But anyway, you pull them on, they’re comfortable as well, but they’re better than your average yoga pant. The Row, $550
And we did it! That’s all!
x,
Laurel
which of these loafers is most versatile? I’m trying to find one that might go with short kilts & work trousers... might it be the classic gh bass!?
For your next crowdsourced write-up can you do a round up of long sleeve shirts that aren’t buttondowns but would work for the office/dinner out?