The Shopping List: August
10 things we want to add to cart this month, including the perfect graphic tee and a birthday dress to let loose in.
Between ‘collagen yarn’ face wraps and $13,000 microplastic cleanses, it sure has been a week for things with dubious benefits. It makes the quiet familiarity of a nice item of clothing feel oddly comforting. We’ll take our kicks via cute printed tees and sweet charm necklaces any day. Benefits of wearing include feeling generally happy!
For anyone new here, these monthly Shopping Lists are our guide to all the things we’ve got our eye on at the moment, along with some stream-of-consciousness style thoughts on why. Our hypothesis here is that shopping (or, at least…browsing) can be a form of mindful therapy (as long as you commit to the actual mindful part, hehe) because when you’re consciously interrogating your desires, you get a little closer to building a wardrobe that really serves you, your life and your taste.
So, let’s get into it.
Annie & Sophie xx
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Sophie
ALÉMAIS / Contessa Disco Dogs Tee — $190
I haven’t been wearing graphic tees much recently, which is very unusual given they used to be a daily. I’ve spoken previously about how my style has changed since having a baby and buying a house — budget and lifestyle changes are going to have an unavoidable effect on what we wear, but i’ve been trying to work out what exactly has changed and why the hell it would mean I wouldn’t be wearing graphic tees like I used to. I’ve figured it out using Allison Bornstein’s ‘3 word method’. Annie and I have been discussing this method of defining your personal style regularly over the past couple of months and have both found the process to yield multiple unexpected benefits.
We’ll be doing a whole newsletter on the 3 word method so I wont divulge too much here, but defining these words has helped me realise what is lacking when i’m getting dressed at the moment and in turn why I don’t quite feel myself. I’m missing a playful element that i’ve always loved to include in my dressing, hence this item on my shopping list. We all need a little More Joy right now and i’m starting with this Alémais tee ♥️
Annie
POSSE / Grace Shift Dress — $489
It’s around this time of year that my mind starts to drift towards fantasies of spring and summer and all the associated trimmings: sunshine, a warm breeze, sunsets after dinner and easy-does-it dressing. I have a brief holiday planned in September when I’ll be escaping north — and this sweet little number by Posse is just the thing to roll up into suitcase for slow days and quiet nights alongside a pair of leather thongs, a cardigan (I like the shape on this, but it’s very pricey; I have two of these and can vouch for them as a very affordable cashmere option) and a straw bucket bag (I’ve had this in my Carted for so long, it keeps selling out … but I think I will commit on its next re-stock).
Sophie
ELVIS ET MOI / The Rouge Initial Necklace — $215
Speaking of playful. This is just the type of piece I’ve been craving to give my current more clean and polished outfits a little joyful kick.
Annie
LIE STUDIOS / The Betty Necklace — $660 AUD (approx)
Even though I self-describe this way, I’ve never totally gelled with the style label ‘minimalist’. Why does the current-day version of Pinterest-fuelled minimalism feel somehow like a cop out from dressing with any kind of distinctive personality?
But I do love when something isn’t trying too hard to be anything other than the perfect version of what it is. Clothes that don’t feel overly ‘fussed’ over. I also (equally) love design that tells a story — clothes that feel artisanal, hand-crafted.
So, basically, I just need The Row and Bode to spawn a love child and I’ll finally be satisfied. Everyone taking notes?!
I’ve been looking for a long, chic silver pendant to anchor down my more fluid, relaxed silhouettes ever since I started following Selena Mual and feeling an attraction to her particular brand of non-boring minimalism. The long pendant necklace feels like a chic, more grown-up iteration of the 90s cord necklace trend that bubbled up a couple of summers ago now, and definitely nods to a more bohemian vibe that I’m drawn to once more (thanks, Chloé).
I like the organic shape of this one by Lie Studios (a brand out of Denmark), but for a more affordable option, I’m looking on Etsy for a beautiful silver pendant of some kind (even this by COS is cute??) and attaching it to a long silver chain, or even silk rope.
Wait a second…could I be someone who does arts and crafts?!
Sophie
BASSIKE / Mini Pleat Pinstitch Skirt — $420
We’ve reached August, which means next month is September, which means winter is nearly over, which (fingers crossed) means the end of endless daycare sickness and the dropping of layers. This skirt feels like my light at the end of the tunnel — I (almost) feel the heat of the sun and the slap of my Havaiianas on my pale heels just looking at it. Is it just me or does this skirt also give the essence of Skeet Ulrich in the naughties? Horny as. The raw hem is doing it for me too.
Annie
CAMILLA AND MARC / Paloma Mini Dress — $550
Guys, I am about to turn 38 and, contrary to what popular culture tells me I’m meant to feel about ageing in my late 30s, I actually feel pretty good about this. I’m reminded that ageing is a privilege and every single year we’re given is something we should be grateful for.
Here’s the other side of that thought: I have never felt so haggard in my whole damn life.
Now, I know everything is perception and perspective, but it feels like the first year of motherhood sort of…ravaged me? And not ravaged as in the fun way. No. Ravaged as in hair loss, dull skin, severely depleted iron stores and a generally soft mid-section. All pretty par-for-the-course, I’m aware… but I’ll be damned if I can’t do something about this feeling just for one night of celebratory birthday fun. A slinky Revlon-red dress that’ll hide toddler bite marks on my arms and drape just so around said mid-section? Feels like I am onto something there. Stay tuned.
Sophie
THE HOLD / As Always Pouch — $260
I really want to purchase a pouch purse. I adore this piece by The Hold, I love everything by The Hold really. They make stunning heirloom pieces that make any outfit feel so much more special. This one also comes in a soft blue which i’ve previously styled with a casual outfit collage and is how I would wear it. I’m really craving something special and unique and almost artisanal in my looks right now.
Annie
MATTEAU / String Triangle Top — $150
I feel mildly panicked about the prospect of putting a swimsuit on while on my aforementioned holiday. A string bikini does feel like the black belt level of this particular activity, but hear me out.
I was browsing for a one piece (and there are loads of cute, good options out there, like this, this and this) but I started to get this niggling voice in the back of my head that told me to stop ignoring the fact that what I really want to wear is a black string bikini top under a black crochet maxi dress. So, that is what I plan to do.
I love the simplicity of a perfect black string bikini top. It’s chic, understated but impactful…a classic for a reason. Not sure my confidence will extend to the matching bottoms (these are more likely to be where I end up) but never say never (especially after a 3pm margarita, poolside).
Sophie
LEE MATHEWS / Elliot Pant — $590
We were lucky enough to be gifted some pieces by Lee Mathews! We are both such huge fans of LM and we know you guys are too so i’m excited to share it all and how we’ll be styling.
I picked these pants up from the post on Thursday and i’ve already worn them three times. They’ve got that playful element in spades while remaining neutral and polished. They’re a thick (but not too thick) and rigid Japanese cotton (but not too rigid), so they maintain a very cool sculptural silhouette when upright and bring a lot. I wore them with the below very monochromatic look for a lunch, and more casually with my Beare Park long sleeve. I can also see myself living in them in summer with baby tees and sandals, and pops of colour.
Annie
LEE MATHEWS / Allegra Zip Cardigan — $499
As Soph mentioned, we were both very grateful to Lee Mathews for gifting us a few pieces from their beautiful new collection. One of the pieces I have been living in (and I mean I have reached for it almost every day since I tore it out of its packaging) is this zip-up knit. Most of the zip-up knits I’ve seen have been a little too chunky for my liking; Lee’s is beautifully warm but not heavy or thick (it’s primarily composed of wool with some cotton in there). I also love that it looks a little like television static? Very cosy.
I’m wearing it here for a day of errand-ing and toddler-ing over this baby tee and with these trousers (excuse my invisible hand). As spring pokes its head out from behind the clouds, I plan to wear with very long silk skirts (or zipped up over a very long silk slip dress) and leather sandals. A less ‘prim’ alternative to a cardigan to add a little more grit to the ensemble. Love.
Til next week!
Sophie and Annie
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