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This season has seen me back to work in an office for almost six months now, living with a partner for over a year, and newly turned 30. Lots of growing up and taking myself more seriously has happened within the past year. I know it’s a trope, but getting older has left me feeling more confident in who I am, and my capitalist obsessions really are a reflection of it. Below is an extensive, but not comprehensive list, of the clothes on my mind as we sink deep into fall 2023.
Now, look at this!
Now that I’m back to working in an office regularly, shoutout Glossier, I only want to wear trousers and other loose pants that look professional and grown up. Cos has the best high waisted wide leg trousers for under $200, but be warned do not put them in the washer. My two favorite pairs have needed some mending after a few (gentle! cold water!) washes. But, if you’re down to dry clean or hand wash, I recommend any of the high-waist wide leg styles. There’s currently some great wool and linen-cotton blend options, and a few on sale now that the seasons are changing. But, my hunt for relatively affordable trousers that can withstand a gentle cycle continues.
As for a less repeatable recommendation, I went to The Row sample sale this past week. I got in line an hour before close, and they miraculously decided to stay open an extra hour so those of us still there could shop. Since I couldn’t morally leave empty handed, the sunk cost fallacy if you will, I spent way too much money on a pair of pants that fit miraculously well. Nothing quite like finding trousers that make your ass look good when you least expect it. For anyone with a tiny waist and big hips, they seem to be sold out everywhere, but for a potential future secondhand find, it’s the Ewan wool pant.
I’m living in Arq tank tops whenever I’m home. The fabric is soft, with just a little bit of stretch, which is just enough to feel a tiny bit lifted without a bra underneath even if you’ve got big boobies. I’ve had them for years and the elastic is still miraculously as good as when I got them.
Comme Si Cotton Flannel Boxer Pants are perfect for a slightly chilly afternoon and much more chic and put together than sweatpants. Expensive, but they fit so well, and the details are so well thought out, I want to take care of them for many years to come. Currently eyeing the above linked camel shade and new linen styles. This is one of my top Black Friday purchases.
FLORE FLORE T-Shirts are the best thick but tight shirts I’ve found yet. The vibes are Carmela Soprano x Caroline Bassett Kennedy, but in the best minimalist kind of way. The colors are mostly muted, but feel incredibly current - no old mauves and early 2010s burnt oranges here. Special shout out to this mint I’m currently eying.
Ok ok ok, I’ve been late to the new Tory train. I was apparently deeply psychologically scared by the medallion logo ballet flats in the early aughts, so it took some coming around, but I love a woman coming into her own and being celebrated for it. And the clothes! The top of my list is currently this mini skirt/belt layering piece, but I’m waiting for it it to get discounted a bit more before I pull the trigger. The skirt that heavily featured in their ads last season is also deeply discounted. Special shout out to this denim skirt reminiscent of panniers that I would pay the requested $1,000+ if I had the funds floating free. Lastly, these loafer ballet flat hybrids in woven leather, also currently on sale for $159. This mid-century furniture color way has my heart and is currently sitting in my cart.
I have been obsessively trolling the internet for the perfect pair of ballet flats and/or Mary Janes that will fit my wide-ish feet. So far the row elastic flats (also in an on-trend burgundy here) seem to the be my ideal option. But, alas, way too expensive at full price. While I search for them at 80% off this coming holiday sale season, a list of a few more that have gotten my gears turning:
The closest I’ve found in shape are the Jacquemus Buckle flats, currently already discounted on Cettire. The Dear Frances Balla mesh in white also have the rounder toe, and are wonderfully combined with The Row’s mesh scuba looking shoes. That being said, while I greatly disliked them approximately 6 years ago at launch, I would now happily wear a pair of the row mesh flats. Oops. Le Monde Beryl is the platonic ideal of a more structured Mary Jane flat. While those sale red velvet ones are limited in sizes, these navy suede or white leather are also classics with better availability. Sandy Liang has made some beautiful ones as well that call to mind actual box-toe point shoes. While they go in and out of stock on her site, they’re starting to pop up on secondhand sites with slight discounts. The Maryam Nassir Zadeh Thelma flats are my current favs. I got them at her sample sale many years ago, and they’ve held up well with extensive use. In looking online for a second color and backup part, I haven’t found them anywhere new or secondhand on the internet, even with my advanced sleuthing. This is my call to Maryam to please bring them back! I need at least one more color! The Aedye Uma flats get an honorable mention, even though they are too narrow for my feet. The color selection is wide and the little round buckle is the type of detail that makes me swoon. And lastly, these Tory Burch elastic ballet flats, which have been seen on Bella Hadid, are a much more affordable alternative to The Row, with their own identity and unique ballet core vibe reminiscent of point shoes. I think they might be a bit narrow at the toes for me, but to all of you with average width feet, godspeed!
I’ve been using the By Far Dulce Long bag, which I originally bought for a wedding, for quick errands or meetups with pals. It reminds me of the beautiful Fane bra bag that has been on my wishlist since they launched. I am still kicking myself over not grabbing one while they were available on last season’s Ssense sale. I did grab my By Far Dolce on sale, and there are now a few more colors that I would get if I had infinite closet space. This brown short one is so perfect for fall, and this Bottega-esque green one is a great way to get in on that color before we collectively tire of it.
There’s nothing quite like snuggling into a sweater you made yourself. Each and every stitch was made by your hands! If you’re a knitter yourself, keep your eyes peeled for a pattern testing call. Highly recommend starting with patterns from My Favourite Things, Petite Knit, Josephine During, or Spektakelstrik in the meantime.
Speaking of both hand knit and crochet garments and The Row, let’s talk about the chokehold the Christa top has on me. While I can forgive them for spelling my name wrong, I’ve taken it as a sign that I absolutely need it, or to make one myself freehand doily crochet. I will keep you posted if I finally overcome my fear of getting too frustrated and failing, and actually make one.
TV Bonus!
The Morning Show Season 3 - I’m ripping through it while my partner’s out of town, and it’s just the amount of serious mixed with interpersonal drama that I want to be watching when I’m home alone.
Our Flag Means Death - It’s gay, it’s pirates, it’s Taika Waititi, and it’s a period comedy. Taika plays Black Beard. It’s the funniest thing I’ve seen on tv in a while. If you need more information to convince you to watch it, know that the second season has 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.
How-To with John Wilson - The other funniest thing I’ve seen on tv. It just ended it’s 3 season run, so now’s a great time to binge it all in one go if you haven’t seen it yet. Please note that the season 1 parking episode very accurately described my brain once I got a car in this godforsaken town.
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