The Shopping List: APRIL
Each month we share the 10 things we can't stop thinking about and the reasons why.
Over the last few weeks, Soph and I have been talking around the edges of something weighty and also hard to pin down: the personal evolution that begins to take place during your late 30s. Or, as Anne Helen Peterson recently references in her brilliant essay Are You In The Portal, “the weird spiritual / emotional / professional / transitional portal that women ages 37 to 45 are in….an experience of transformation, of refinement.”
We both agreed we’re each entering the portal, which is having a not-uninteresting effect on our personal style. What it is precisely still remains to be seen, but while our wardrobes play catch up with the change in atmospheric pressure, consider this shopping list something of a science experiment — a weathervane for what effect entering the portal is having on our taste and style.
Thanks for being here with us.
Sophie & Annie
xoxo
Sophie
OROTON / Tweed Blazer — $599
You’d think I was being sponsored by Oroton the way I am throwing their name and products around at the moment, but I think they are simply meeting me where I am right now: a little bit more grown up but still a little bit cute. I keep saying cute, but what I really mean is a little bit more… something. It is but it isn’t cute, playful, interesting, cool… I’m referring to that little *something* (i’m pulling a little half winky face, one shoulder pop expression). To be continued I guess, I don’t know if you can tell but I’ve been thinking a lot about personal stylist Allison Bornstein’s 3 word method’ again. I’m going to write about what I think my words are soon because my personal style is definitely in a state of flux at the moment and I’ve been exploring why. Having a baby, age, budget constraints, etc. etc.
Anyway, the blazer. I love. I had a mini conversation with friend of the newsletter and ultra stylish new mum Sally Tabart in our DM’s this week about a fleck. I am a huge fan of a fleck. It’s requires less commitment than a print but brings equal the amount of texture and interest to a look while remaining far less divisive a piece within your wardrobe — meaning you can wear it with way more than you’d wear most prints with.
I want to wear this blazer with everything: jeans, trackpants, oversized pleated trousers, belted over a maxi skirt. Everything.
Annie
WITCHERY / Adele Kitten Mules — $199
I am living in a lot of black at the moment (namely these Saint trousers and this black cashmere cardigan) with a pair of Havi’s, but I have a few work things coming up that require me to wear a real pair of shoes. I love an easy heel — something I can slip my hoof into without having to bend over and affix it to, and also something that will do some heavy lifting, style-wise, to my ensemble. Witchery, come thru! I spotted these on Martha last night and instantly purchased. You know when you just know? Intuition, baby. If that’s a side effect of maturing, I’m here for it.
Sophie
ALBUS LUMEN x RYAN STORER / Necklace VIII — $380
This is definitely one of the more fanciful pieces on my shopping list, but ohhh the heavy lifting I know this piece will do! One of my most called upon outfit formulas is to have a mix of extreme casual and extreme ‘opulence’ — even if my wallet requires the opulence factor to usually originate from Lovisa. But here’s a piece i’d splash for.
A tank top with diamonds (diamantes), slouchy jeans with high heels, cardigans with full formal skirts. It’s a big Patricia Field / Carrie Bradshaw move that stuck with me.
I’m picturing this necklace with a cardigan, a tank top, a slinky black maxi skirt and thongs.
Annie
DISSH / Hadley Black Sleeved Knit Maxi Dress — $169.99
This is a goooood dress. I love it when something looks polished but is incredibly low maintenance and flattering. The knit fabrication on this dress puts it in very comfortable and casual territory — I know I could easily wear it with a pair of sandals for an evening work event and still feel like I have my shit together. A real sartorial ally, especially given you can hurl it into a suitcase without so much as a second thought.
Sophie
NELSON MADE / Lou Perforated Flat — $299
I’ve just purchased these and eagerly waiting for them to arrive.
Shoes in winter are a tough one for me. I’m not really a loafer gal, they often feel too stuffy. I haven’t warmed to a ballet flat either. It’s usually a square or pointed toe for me but even those can sometimes feel a little too much. You want them to be interesting without being too much. Elevated without being uncomfortable.
I’ve had my eye on these because of the perforated cut-out element, its interesting but still minimal and chic. It’s been between these and this Essēn pair. I went for the Nelson Made because the suede fabrication feels more in line with my style, the Essēn woven element felt a little too ‘organic’ for me. I may still change my mind though. I will report back. Either way its the texture in the shoe that does it for me, it’s a quick way to add depth to your look.
Yes they’re obviously sheer but when it gets too cold I plan to accessorise with socks, another way to add an interesting element to a look.
I’ve also had my eyes on these and these. These aren’t me but I’ve heard very good things comfort wise, and I like that they’re a quasi round / square toe mix. These too have been in my notes for a long time.
Annie
CAMILLA AND MARC / Juniper Tote — $850
I’ve been carrying around my trusty Rylan small tote for a couple of years now and while I still love it, if I am venturing out of the house now it’s usually because I’m either a) zipping into the car to go grocery shopping (in which case a bag is completely unnecessary) or b) heading out for hours of schlepping/meetings/appointments.
There is no middle ground, and therefore less need for a middle-sized bag. I need, in the words of Tom Wambsgans, a ludicrously capacious bag.
I’ve been keeping my eyes on this one for the restock (tip: add it to your Carted and you should get notified as soon as it’s restocked) but I fear suede and a toddler’s sticky hands are not quite the match made in heaven that you want them to be. Quelle surprise.
I love this croc-embossed tote by Camilla and Marc. It’s warmer than a pure black number and has texture to add depth. The shape is also v good. It’s not cheap, but if you compare it to the likes of Toteme or The Row, it’s pretty reasonable. If I carry it for two years, I’d call that a fair investment.
Sophie
ASSEMBLY LABEL / Cotton Cashmere Pant — $120
I’ve slowly been removing all of the home clothes from my wardrobe that don’t make me feel good when I wear them. I spend probably 95% of my time wearing them, so why shouldn’t I feel good doing it. This has included multiple pairs of trackpants. Those with saggy bums, pointy knees, bally thighs, tight waistbands — they all gotta go. But they do need to be replaced, and I want them to be replaced with trackpants that I can dress up and down, as explored by a favourite style Substacker of mine, Laurel Pantin.
These pants have been mentioned several times in our private Classmates group chat on Instagram so they’ve well and truly been vetted. And they’re cotton cashmere for $120. Sold! I’d be keen to know what the butt and knee looks like after wearing, but i’m willing to find out.
For those of you looking to invest, both these and these have also been vetted by many in the group. These are also a very chic neutral pair!
Annie
DEIJI STUDIOS / Knit Long Sleeve — $205
This may look like just another simple knit top, but it actually ticks a very specific list of boxes for me:
Fabric — it has to feel so soft that it’s like you’ve been wearing and washing it for years. This one is made from a blend of 65% ecovero viscose and 35% recycled polyester with OEKO-TEX 100 certification, which is nice. It’s also got the right amount of sheer that I’m looking for, whereby I could wear it solo with a cute bra underneath if I wanted to dial it up, or (and more likely) I could layer the matching singlet (or even a white ribbed singlet) underneath for a more covered up approach that still feels cool, even a little 90s coded
Colour — warmer than black or white, more versatile than a brighter colour, more easy-wearing than a creamy neutral.
Detail — I like the exposed seams on this, it makes it feel raw and undone while also still being intentional, which is what Deiji does so well
Fit — this is probably the most important factor here: it’s not designed to cling to your skin like a sausage casing. Skims the body with just the right amount of slouch so I can breathe out.
Sophie
SAINT / Classic Leather Belt (Brass) — $220
I’ve found myself putting on a belt I bought recently only to swiftly remove it almost every time. While I adore the belt, I keep taking it off because as much as I believe in mixing metals, the silver belt buckle keeps throwing me off when sitting next to my gold jewellery.
The way I usually balance mixed metals in my work is by adding a second or third silver element to a look so it doesn’t feel so ‘off’ or random next to the gold. But I don’t own any other silver pieces, so the time has come to submit to old school rules and purchase a brass belt. Perhaps i’m more of a classic gal than I thought?
I’d always avoided gold hardware in a belt as I felt it steered slightly too ‘I spend my weekends at the ranch’ or something, but this clean and classic piece by SAINT is perfect.
Annie
BEARE PARK / Thea Mini Short — $360
Yes, winter is coming, but I still want to free my legs from time to time (probably with a pair of tights). A miniskirt no longer feels right on my body, which probably warrants a little more interrogation given before I had a baby a year ago I basically lived in them, but I’ll park that noodle for another day.
I really adore the taffeta fabrication and cut of these by Beare Park. Slightly unsure about that thin elasticated waistband, but I think I could get away with it layered with a slouchy black knit like this one taken 2x sizes up. Throw on a pair of loafers and I think I’ve found my new autumn uniform.
See you next week x