2.26.26
Colorful Suede
Over the past couple of seasons, I’ve really fallen in love with suede. I really like it as a third texture. When getting dressed, I think that mixing three textures together (pick your poison: suede, silk/satin, leather, velvet, or wool) can really elevate an outfit. In the look above, I’m mixing silk, leather, and suede, and love the look. The key is to wear just one suede piece at a time (unless you’re going for a matching set). In the past, I’ve stuck to a more neutral palette (see my suede staples!), but as the weather warms up ever so slightly, I have been crushing on more colorful pieces. Here are a few of my personal favorites.
The RealReal Edit
There’s a method to my madness when it comes to The RealReal, and it usually circles back to jackets, bags, and shoes. My saved searches could send someone into a mild spiral, and on certain days, they absolutely do. As my taste has sharpened, so has my search language, which makes digging through the endless secondhand inventory feel equal parts intentional and thrilling. This roundup leans spring-hopeful, with lighter hues, transitional materials, and pieces that feel easy and breezy without trying too hard. My TRR graveyard is something I cherish deeply, so consider this me finally sharing the wealth. A fair warning: some of these pieces may already be gone, but think of them as a jumping-off point for your own hunt. The select few that I’m saving up for are this Donna Karan trench, this Toteme evening jacket, and this Tom Ford ponyhair tote.
Faux Fur
If I could only buy one piece this month, it would be a faux-fur coat. There are so many great ones out there (refer to the shopping grid below), and they feel very fresh and chic right now. You could go all-out glamour and wear yours with silk or velvet, but my favorite way to wear my own faux fur coats is with easy denim, a white tee, and a few pops of color. It’s just a little less on the nose. There are many beautiful options below, but one brand that has really won me over is Ducie. They have gorgeous, high-quality coats that feel positively sumptuous. I love the fit of my coat; it doesn’t feel too bulky, which can be an issue. The vibe I am going for is a little more nineties Kate Moss, a little less mob wife. More faux fur below . . . also, how fun are these mittens!?
Weekend Reading, 2.14.26
What to say when someone asks you why you are still single. Where to stream James van der Beek’s best performances. New books to read this month. A momfluencer movie I’m dying to see. How to make your lipstick last longer. Spring’s best bag trends. The Samantha Parkington novel. A very clever (easy!) decluttering hack. The best time of day to eat protein. The best Valentine’s Day TV episodes. How Lena Dunham’s cats gave her a reality check. Winter’s best new cookbooks. Plus loads of shopping finds and more
Under $200 Favorites
We are back with our biweekly edit of under-$200 favorites! I am a broken record about this, but if you are new here, I have a “great style under $200” section on my ShopMy page that I update multiple times a week, if not every day. Both Carly and I spend a lot of time tracking down pieces at this price point that feel well-made, special, and fun. I aim to share a roundup like this every two weeks (the last installment is right here) as there are so many great items out there that won’t break the bank. Right now, a few personal favorites are . . .
Don’t sleep on Dolce Vita’s sneakers. They have a great selection that feels very similar to Larroude, at half the price. These and these are both on their way to me.
I really love this oversized denim shirt. I sized up to a large – you want this to be so big that it drapes.
Banana Republic has been on fire with their new arrivals. This green stripe sweater is in my cart.
ASOS for triangle scarves! So cute, so affordable. This fluffy one is on sale and super fun, and of course, I love the cobalt blue. I finally got my paws on these silk chartreuse pants from J.Crew. I missed out last year and won’t make the same mistake twice. I appreciate that they come in petite and tall as well.
Activewear Refresh
There is no better motivation to get to the gym than cute new workout gear. Let it be said: I am 100% pro-leggings. I am seeing all of this anti-leggings nonsense out there, and I wonder how hard these people are working out. I cannot imagine back-squatting in anything other than leggings or bike shorts. The same goes for running or Pilates. Who are these people, lifting weights in baggy pants (or shorts over leggings!?). Fortunately, they aren’t at my gym in Charleston, so I don’t have to think about this too hard. Below are some of my own activewear MVPs.
