My style goal for 2024 is twofold: 1) refresh my existing wardrobe with a few current items and 2) fill some key gaps that do double duty for travel and everyday. Following on last week’s post on lessons learned from packing, I’ll be using the “is it travel friendly?” buy-filter to vet versatility. Doing this seasonal planning exercise keeps me focused style-wise and on budget. It’s like grocery shopping—without a list, you might come home with three kinds of fancy chocolate when you really needed eggs, canned beans and some shallots. (Although there are also times when you just need to get the chocolate!)
Hits/Purchases:
dark brown leather crescent bag: (for more see my post on travel bags) originally I was going to get the black leather version, but at the last minute found the dark brown colorway in the men’s section. Love that the dark brown IRL is a deep brown-black that changes to a rich chocolate brown in sunlight. I prefer colors that have a chameleon effect and a dimensional richness to their tones (oxblood burgundy, midnight navy blue, and British racing green all fall into this category). Definitely adds a nice depth of color to an outfit.
off-white nylon crossbody: (also noted in last week’s post) this fulfills the unofficial “spring/summer bag” niche that I’ve ignored for a good number of years. (I try not to buy things that are too season-specific.) An off-white nylon pouch crossbody works with both f/w (as a ‘winter white’) and airier s/s pieces. I may get a few more in different colors for gift-giving later this year.
(old) Céline trifold tote (a great secondhand deal): January was a solid month for great accessory buys. I’d been searching for one in great condition since last year as I needed a medium size, relatively lightweight minimal leather tote roomy enough for weekday essentials but not too big for weekend outings. The trifold, in my humble opinion, is one of Phoebe’s best designs during her tenure. If old Céline is on your wishlist, there are some great finds at pretty discounted prices on the reputable secondhand market—do your research, and just be patient.
elegant trouser sweatpants1 and slouchy fleecy joggers: (the joggers run big FYI—I sized down.) This is bread-and-butter basic essentials category, but the trouser version is a brilliant elevated take. Sweatpants often get a bad rap, but everyone needs at least one or two completely forgiving, perhaps fleece-lined versions for travel, general convalescing, and days when you’re just not up for, you know, structured pants. Longtime readers may remember my favorite slouchy tapered H&M sweatpants from way back in 2014. (I still have that pair and wear it regularly—a decade later!) Now that we’re in the golden age of comfort-forward design, I’m adding 2-3 additional pairs of the slouchy cuffed style to round out this wardrobe category.
Misses/Things I talked myself out of buying:
chunky heel black ankle boots: this was one of those late night Pinterest-fueled rabbit holes where suddenly I was stalking a pair of Ann Demeulemeester boots on Yoox like it was a national priority.2 Nope, dear reader, I most definitely do not need another pair of glam-goth ankle boots for the apocalypse. (Note to self: now is a great time to do some leather TLC on my boots that have taken me through sidewalks across the world and back.)
denim of any kind: I partly blame noughties-era designer denim hype marketing, but I’m getting off the denim train after a recent closet tidy-up confirmed that I’m well stocked in a full menu of denim cuts and styles for the foreseeable future.
Wishlist:
cropped relaxed chinos that aren’t wool trousers, jeans, or loungewear: apologies for the most longwinded item descriptor ever, but what do we call these? They’re not quite culottes, either. This is the ‘new look’ item I’m considering to remix outfits and give my wardrobe a bit of a current update via a new pant silhouette. That said, I’m seriously side-eyeing the recent revival of skater boy Y2K extreme wide-leg jeans/trousers/pants with puddling hems (lived through that trend the first time around, not interested in a redux). A while back, I bought a great pair of J.Crew wide-leg cropped khakis on sale and they’ve been a reliably comfy alternative to jeans on trips and weekends. I suppose I’m looking for a pair of ankle length pants (somewhere between a boyfriend and a wide-leg fit) in a cotton twill. Something that looks ‘directional’3 with sneakers and nicer flats that I can wear on vacation and weekends.
a phone pouch crossbody: an accessory for your accessories that sounds superfluous but is in fact so, so useful. I saw some designer versions (notably, this adorable Loewe elephant) in the last few years and initially thought it was gimmicky, but my own use-case during travel and other everyday situations actually confirmed that this would make my life easier across the board. Since I always hold my phone in my hand when day tripping (95% of the time my camera is my iPhone) or stash it semi-awkwardly into my back pocket if that’s an option (i.e.: while running a quick errand), this little crossbody keeps my phone close and easily accessible. It fits a larger smartphone with room for a few cards and even a passport. Great for travel, weekends, concerts, walking the dog, etc. Perhaps the most functional iteration of a micro-bag!
a soft blazer for the airport and semi-off-duty days: in an ongoing effort to maximize comfort yet not look like a bum in that unavoidable to-and-from the airport phase of travel, I’ve been defaulting to my various cardigans. Having a laidback blazer as a slightly dressier option would be useful across travel and weekend scenarios.
soft leather slip-on flats: debating between these or the Martiniano originals. I like that both have leather outsoles, which means they can be resoled compared to rubber-soled versions. If any readers have experience with either pair, please let me know in the comments how you like the fit/quality.
classic leather Pumas: self-explanatory. I am firmly on Team Old School Originals when it comes to sneakers. No need for overpriced high fashion versions here.
a proper glen plaid/prince of Wales check jacket/blazer: this was on my wishlist two years ago and…no luck. Not much to say about this except it’s been a real challenge finding the right pattern (that’s not kitsch, too loud, or too stuffy) and quality (apparently a woven textile blazer that’s not primarily a synthetic blend = a unicorn across high and low price points). The search continues.
Repaired/Restored:
wide-leg olive green cargo pants from years ago with a loose closure button: I had the tailor at my dry cleaner’s replace with a riveted metal button; an inexpensive fix that makes this old-but-now-current piece feel brand new again!
two pairs of black jeans finally hemmed to the correct length: I’d been cuffing them for years (!) and sheepishly finally crossed this to-do off my list.
Inspiration:
I visited New Orleans last year and one of my favorite highlights (other than indulging in all the unbelievably delicious food) was a very lovely guided walking tour of the Garden District. The museums (particularly the Ogden Museum of Southern Art) were also excellent. What a wonderfully eclectic and atmospheric city! I’d like to think that I brought back a little bit of the easy relaxed vibes from that trip to my wardrobe styling and weekend routine.
Also really loving the Fforme and Lemaire collections. Such artful layering of textures, elegant silhouettes, and thoughtful hits of color.
How’s your wardrobe planning coming along? What’s inspiring you this season?
Not an oxymoron, thanks to the brilliant person (probably a woman) who designed these.
I like to say that every great deal I’ve ever scored on Yoox has been well and truly earned via ultramarathons of scrolling. Not sure why, but that website has the least user-friendly UX design and functional search tools of any major online fashion retailer.
The fashion speak word of choice for “weird, but not too weird.”
I love the glove shoes - I bought some Essen ones last summer and they are 10/10 for comfort and style.
Phone pouch is also on my mind lately! Probably started with me giving my mom one from Quince for xmas — it’s pretty nice! Simple, soft, nice colors. Then I saw this on IG and gosh very tempting. https://bembien.com/products/porta-crossbody-check