How to get through the rest of winter. Mental exercises that can help ward off dementia. Paige Desorbo’s bedrot empire. Why you should look at creative play as a form of wellness. Solid decluttering advice. The best TV shows and movies to watch this weekend. Solid decluttering advice. The best new books by Black authors. How to get velvet skin. Pasta and breakfast toast recipes. Where to travel this spring. Plus loads of shopping finds and more!
I am pretty particular about my luggage and travel pieces simply because I (and Delta) can be hard on them. Four years ago, I splurged on Rimowa’s cabin carry-on and checked baggage. The carry-on remains my favorite small roller (I feel so polished carrying it, that never gets old!!), but the larger one got destroyed. I would not recommend aluminum bags if you are checking. It has significant dents and distortions, and I’ve had a corner piece detach twice now. Rimowa is very good about repairs, but it’s just not worth the hassle. When I am checking a bag now, it’s almost always this larger-sized roller from Antler. Extremely durable and still in great shape after numerous trips.
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.
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.
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!?
The Stripe is a lifestyle blog for the stylish bookworm. Since its first post in 2010, it has aimed to be a daily source of inspiration for the modern woman. Written by Grace Atwood, The Stripe aims to leave you feeling like you just had coffee with a great girlfriend: savvier, more confident, and always learning something new.
