You Asked, I Shopped (Again, Again)
Navy cashmere, work-friendly tote bags, party outfits, sunglasses, and caps.
Here we go! Once again, I asked, you told me what you’d like me to find. Again, it’s more basic wardrobe building blocks - and things I rely on heavily…until the last category and then it’s a bit of a stretch.
I understand that back home in NYC it’s very cold, but these are all slightly more transitional. Hopefully it starts to get warm for y’all soon too. This is all so much fun - thank you for playing the game with me. And as always, DM me, reply, comment, do whatever it’s called on TikTok, you know - ask me if there’s something you’d like an edit on. Without suggestions I’d just write about my Wranglers, my New Balance, and my sweater vest all the time (the sweater vest actually makes an appearance in this letter). I’m getting a little second-hand shopping thrill out of this exercise.
Sunglasses.
Sunglasses! These (like most things) are very personal. Depending on your face shape, hair style, skin, etc. - essentially, what works for me might not work for you. However, these are some of my favorites. I tend to go towards the less novel end of the spectrum. I enjoy a cat eye and a round lens, but for the most part, these are eternal styles.
1. J.Crew, $55 - Minimal! Clean! Not going to look crazy if you have a small face, or a big face. These are pretty easy to wear. I typically like ones with thicker frames, but these are very chic.
2. Nike, $49 - Ok, I really love the sports glasses thing. I’m not personally sure I can pull it off, but I’d like to try! These have minimal fuss - just a white swoosh on the sides, so might be a little easier to wear.
3. Bottega Veneta, $317 - One thing I think about sunglasses, it’s like beauty, there’s a chance to get something from a brand or designer you really love without having to shell out multi thousands of dollars. I love Bottega, and weirdly, I love a white cat eye. These are excellent.
4. Lapima, $379 - Lapima is a small Brazilian brand I adore. I have a pair in this color, but a different shape, and I get asked about them all the time.
5. Celine, $480 - Ok. These are the glasses I wear nearly every day. Over the years I’ve bought a second pair of these. They’re so flattering and also so easy to wear. There’s very little visible branding and they’re not tricky or statementy at all. They go with literally everything. I don’t tend to lose sunglasses, however I don’t keep them in a case. I feel OK about buying two of these because they’re so useful, but I definitely have one pair that’s all scratched and another that’s fairly pristine.
6. Vada, $496 - I also have a pair of Vadas - these same shape in black. They’re beautifully made, and really special. Not the thing that everyone has. I’ve really loved mixing these into my Celine rotation.
Baseball caps.
All in navy - ha! I love a solid baseball cap, Surprise! With minimal branding. Or if there is branding, it’s very 90s preppy. I wear a cap all the time, both with more polished looks and with things like leggings and a navy sweatshirt.
1. Amazon, $12 - This is the one I wear most. It has a little metal slider on the back for adjustment, and it looks better and better with wear.
2. Getty, $20 - I also wear this one all the time. I love it.
3. Uniqlo, $30 - This has UV protection! Very useful.
4. Polo, $51 - So cute, exactly the bitchy preppy 90s High School look I’m going for.
Navy cashmere crewnecks.
Ok, I’ve gotten SO MANY requests for navy cashmere crewnecks. And honestly, it’s been very hard for me to choose! There are so many types - ribbed, not ribbed, cropped, oversized, thick, thin, yadda yadda. The other day I was with Delphine, talking about clothes, and she said - you only need two sweaters. One that’s fitted, and one that’s giant and oversized. And that really struck me. You don’t need 800 knits, you need one that’s smaller, and one that’s oversized. So that’s how I decided to look at it. Also, not all of them are cashmere, but all are navy, which is (IMO) the best neutral color because it’s less harsh than black, but has more personality than beige.
Fitted:
1. Theory, $265 - A very great essential. This is a layering piece, fairly lightweight, and would look excellent with a tissue turtleneck in a contrasting color under it.
2. LaLigne, $295 - This is thicker. I have this one and I love it. It’s very warm, but sort of cropped and boxy. It’s fitted, but not form-fitting.
3. Vince, $395 - This is a silk/cashmere blend and is ribbed. It’s perfect for high-waisted trousers or a skirt if you want to tuck it in. It will be form-fitting.
4. Joseph, $425 - A relatively sheer, thin knit, this would be great year-round.
5. Altuzarra, $495 - Lastly, a thicker knit, this is ribbed and cropped. It’s in a cotton blend, so warm, but not overly. This also would be cute with high-waisted bottoms if you don’t want to tuck in. Wear it with a belt.
Oversized:
1. J. Crew, $65 - Ok, this is 100% cotton, but it is SO GOOD. I was with Danielle the other day and she was wearing it and, man, it’s like everything you want in a men’s sweater. Nicely oversized, but with structure. Real cuffs, a perfect neckline, and not itchy.
2. J.Crew, $138 - This is a really great men’s cashmere sweater under $150. It comes in a billion colors. Order it larger than you think you’d like, it’s the perfect oversized knit, and not too thick.
3. Closed, $245 - This is a cotton/cashmere blend, so kind of the best of both worlds! I love the width of the sleeves and body and the tightness of the cuffs.
4. Lisa Yang, $432 - I LOVE Lisa Yang cashmere. I have a couple of her pieces and they don’t pill. They’re perfection.
5. The Row, $890 - And hello! Can’t talk about perfect navy knits without talking about The Row. This is a wool/cashmere blend, so will be slightly more durable, which is good at this price. It’s also the chicest thing in the world, and if you are living by the only two knits concept, this is one you’ll have for the rest of your life.
Party clothes.
So this is one I know less about. This is a stretch. I’ve been going out a bit more, but still I am extremely introverted and prefer to spend time with people I don’t need to dress up for (but can if I want!). So again, these are party outfits filtered through that lens.
However, I’ve gotten so many requests for this topic, which makes me thing yall are all going out and getting dressed up, which makes me VERY happy.
1. Tove, $285 - Perfect little sexy dress! This is massively on sale. It has sweet ruching and is SEXXXXXY.
2. Saks Potts, $269 - Ok, this is a little more Gen Z than I am, but I fucking love this dress.
3. The Row, $550 / Closed, $275 / Toteme, $560 - My favorite Row pants, I’d wear them with a sweater vest (Closed) or with a fancy top (Toteme), and little loafers.
4. Cos, $225 / Cos, $150 / Frankie Shop, $235 - I have to buy this suit, I go on about it every time I write one of these. Would be so sweet with this pink vest and flip flops.
5. Khaite, $440 / Mango, $50 - GOING! OUT! TOPS! Say no more, friends in my cohort. Memories!
Tote you can put a laptop in.
Needs no further explanation, except that these could also all double nicely as a diaper bag!
1. LL Bean, $40 - I’m running out of space, so I’ll be brief! The BEST bag, I’ve used mine for years. I prefer them without monogram.
2. Mansur Gavriel, $645 - One of the best totes I’ve ever owned, the bottom holds its shape so if you have a ton of heavy shit in there it won’t collapse. An icon.
3. Cesta Collective, $695 - So beautiful! This is a very snazzy work bag.
4. (Old) Céline, $1,400 - NOTHING BETTER! THE END! I stand by Old Céline being the best bags of all time. Twisted Cabas is my #1. Lots more good ones here.
5. Métier, $1,950 - Métier = luxury. So thoughtful, so many compartments for all your doodads, perfectly made, and timeless. This is a bag you’ll have and use forever.
6. The Row, $2,400 - If you’ve just gotten a very fun, fancy new job and need a fun and fancy work bag, this is it. It doesn’t get better or more elegant than The Row Park tote.
THAT’S IT! I love you!
Love, your friend,
Laurel
*PS Some of these are affiliate links and if you make a purchase I might earn a small commission, which I appreciate!
Sometimes I’m like “does laurel live in my head??” Thank u for always giving us what we need!!!
Hi Laurel! Love your newsletter!
Any recs on the best knee high boots, not chunky but comfy with maybe a little heel that are chic and also casual but are not the wonderful Khaite Davis? Thank you :)