*Image above via ByDidem.
More answers to your burning October 2020 shopping questions (first installment here), and so many of them around practical pieces for every day wear this fall, from flats to sweaters and comfortable work-from-home knits. (Love the unfussy look above on Didem for weekday uniform — she’s wearing this Zara tee and Toteme jeans). There were so many submissions this go around, I’ve had to split this post into thirds and will answer the final questions early next week!
Q: I’m wondering if you will recommend a planner? I need a week on each page and very detailed.
A: I have liked the ones from Day Designer in the past — especially the hard cover styles because I like to keep receipts/invitations between the pages and it’s easier to write on. More recently, I have been using this undated weekly pad — I find it’s a super simple and unfussy way to keep on top of my to-dos. But for 2021, I am thinking about one of these customizable agendas from Papier. So gorgeous!
Q: For newborn photos, I’d like a wrap dress — preferably not jersey or at least not super clingy (c-section lump — in a color that goes with baby pink but isn’t baby pink – so a darker pink, purple, burgundy maybe even navy? (My son and husband are wearing navy.)
A: Would you consider a print? How darling would this pink polka dot wrap dress be with a pink-swaddled baby girl in your arms? Alternately, this is a little on the trendier/louder side, but this boho print wrap dress is incredibly chic and would look great with navy-clad men and a pink-clad baby. Also adore this navy broderie anglaise style (here is a knee-length variation) if you want something solid, or this in the solid maroon color, which has such fun sleeves — I love the way it looks paired with tall boots as shown in the picture.
If you change your mind and want to coordinate with your daughter in pale pink, this is so elegant.
Q: Shoes to wear with a brown leather skirt.
A: Chic! If it’s pleated leather like this, I would pair with a pointed toe flat like this (#goalz), this, or this. If it’s short, I would wear with brown suede tall boots like these.
Q: Christmas outfits for my 3.5 year old and 6 month old boys.
A: Cute! Love that you’re planning ahead. If you’re into plaid/tartan, there are some adorable ideas here, but here are a few specific pairings:
THESE PANTS AND THIS SWEATER (3.5 YO) AND THIS BODYSUIT WITH THESE SHORTALLS (6 MONTH OLD)
SHORTS WITH COLLARED SHIRT AND SWEATER (3.5 YO) AND SHORTALLS (6 MONTH OLD) WITH MATCHING COLLARED SHIRT
I LOVE THE LOOK OF THESE DUNGAREES (FOR BOTH!) WITH A COLLARLESS SHIRT UNDERNEATH — CHRISTMAS, BUT NOT OVER THE TOP
IF YOU LIKE STILL DRESS YOUR OLDER ONE IN JON JONS, THESE FOR BOTH
Q: A cream colored off-the-shoulder sweater for engagement photos.
A: This one is elegant with the pearl detail! This one ($69!) is also interesting/architectural.
Q: Long-sleeved dresses I can wear while teaching.
A: So much love and gratitude for you and all the teachers making it happen every day. A few dresses I like that have long sleeves, allow for movement, and manage to be both comfortable and chic:
THIS CHIC FIT AND FLARE TURTLENECK DRESS
FASHION FORWARD AND CONSERVATIVE AT THE SAME TIME
ADORE THIS LONG-SLEEVED DRESS IN THE CHECK PRINT!
Q: Lampshades.
A: I actually went down this rabbit hole not long ago and I ended up loving the prints and varieties at Ballard Design, especially in the modern drum shape. Reasonably priced, too!
Q: Mirrored dresser.
A: I love mirrored furniture! We have mirrored bedside tables very similar to these in our master that reflect light and make the space brighter and bigger. I love the clean lines on this mirrored dresser (on sale!) and this is elegant, too, though I might replace the drawer pulls with something else.
Q: A cute belt bag that is reasonably priced and doesn’t look like an athletic fanny pack.
A: I wear my leather State Bags fanny pack more than I ever would have expected. So chic! This classic leather style also looks much more expensive than it is — could be Tod’s or something?
Q: Cute neutral mules! Preferably pointed toe and under $350.
A: My immediate thought was Nicholas Kirkwood’s Beya mule, which are crazy chic but above your price range unless you are willing to go bold with splashy orange! (Let your shoes do the talking! I have bent boldly colored/patterned shoes into my everyday wardrobe countless times…)
I also love these loafer mules and can I convince you that the rust or leopard colorways of this pointed toe mule are “neutrals”???
Q: Tasteful, non-garish Christmas decor.
A: I shared some initial thoughts here, but the short story is that I think you can make a huge impact through holiday greenery in your home tied with enormous striped grosgrain or velvet bows (note that the ribbon colors I picked are not necessarily traditionally associated with Christmas, but if you tie it around mini boxwood wreaths hung over the backs of chairs or in windows, you will achieve a smashing and classy Christmas look. A few other holiday greenery pieces you might consider for the center of your dining room table, your mantel, your sideboard, etc:
MINI ROSEMARY PLANTS — BUY IN BOTH SIZES AND PLACE ALONGSIDE ONE ANOTHER TO PLACE ON A FOYER TABLE/CONSOLE, WRAPPING THE BASE WITH A RIBBON
THESE MOSS “TREES” FLANKING THE ENDS OF A MANTEL
WREATH FOR YOUR DOOR WITH A BIG VELVET BOW
ENORMOUS BOXWOOD GARLAND FOR AROUND A DOORFRAME OR BANISTER
MORE WHIMSICAL, BUT THESE FEATHER TREES (I BOUGHT IN ALL THREE SIZES) TO CLUSTER ON A MANTEL OR COFFEE TABLE SCAPE
MINI BOXWOODS TIED UP WITH RED VELVET RIBBON
Q: A replacement for my favorite (discontinued) Hudson Horrigan booties with a 1.5 inch heel.
A: I feel like you might like the wildly popular Isabel Marant Dicker bootie, or maybe take a plunge with me and snap up a pair of on-trend clog boots.
Q: Vintage furniture and home goods.
A: We have had great luck at Jayson Home, which we first discovered in our Chicago neighborhood, but which ships everywhere. How incredible is this double file cabinet?! Stunning. If you have a good sense of what you’re looking for, Etsy is a treasure trove. (I mean, this vintage peacock chair?!) And One King’s Lane always has an enormous vintage section with one-of-a-kind pieces like this regency-style nightstand.
Mintwood Home also sells beautiful pieces, like this drawered side table, that have a vintage quality to them, though they are all brand-new.
Q: High-rise, wide-leg black velvet pants for holiday.
A: So fun. LOVE a trouser for the holidays — I wore a pair of black watch tartan trousers last Christmas that I loved. Below, some velvet wonders:
BLACK MAGIC BY SLEEPING WITH JACQUES
ASOS SCORE (LOVE THE TIE WAIST)
NAVY INSTEAD OF BLACK, BUT I LOVE THE FIT/WAIST ON THESE
FOR THOSE OF YOU LOOKING FOR A MORE TAILORED FIT — CHIC!
Q: Everyday gold jewelry.
A: I shared some beautiful everyday options here, but I would add to this list the dainty layering pieces from Jennifer Zeuner (I love this delicate cross) and Dana Rebecca.
Q: A long camel coat at various price points please.
A: I love a long camel coat. Obsessed with this, this, and this for a traditional/timeless look.
Q: My 30th birthday celebration — it’ll be outside in early November — the theme is plaid and fur.
A: Happy birthday! This is so fun. How timely, too — I shared a bunch of darling plaid pieces for women earlier today. But mainly — is this not the most fabulous thing you’ve ever seen? I first saw it on fashion plate (and founder of Hill House Home) Nellie Diamond last year and I was dead.
On the fur side, a few fun accessories to consider…
Q: Adjustable/affordable kids’ masks!
A: I have only been using Busy Bees Kids’ face masks with mini because we love them, but they are pricey. I have heard really good things about Gap’s face masks for the entire family — I like these solid-colored ones, and they are reasonably priced.
Q: A chic winter outfit (coat, mittens/gloves, etc) to pair with my new No. 6 clog boots.
A: I’ve seen them styled very stylishly with skinny jeans tucked into them and big sweaters (love) as well as with cropped denim to show a bit of leg between the top of the boot and the cuff of the pant, finished with a slimmer-fit knit. I will probably wear them most consistently with skinny jeans, chunky knits or sweatshirts, and my favorite transitional coat.
Q: I’m 5 feet tall, but want an almost duster-like winter coat with a little structure (not a wrap style), preferably in tan. I’m fine with anything up to $1,000.
A: Love this Gap topcoat style (comes in petite sizes, which may be worth exploring) and this double-breasted Mango reminds of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. And then this Rag & Bone is tailored perfection, though not sure how you feel about the neckline.
Q: Comfy work from home clothes.
A: I hear you! My daily uniform is J. Brand photoready jeans (stretchy but flattering) and a statement sweatshirt or supersoft waffle knit sweaters in cashmere or cotton.
Mango has a lot of great cozy knits designed to be layered out right now — including this dress (almost a nightgown!), this knit jumpsuit, and these joggers (spotted on Katie Holmes!)
Finally, a trendy sherpa overshirt (look for less) with leggings.
Q: Rain boots for toddlers.
A: I love a classic Hunter rainboot in green or yellow, but this $20 pair comes in great colors too (love the pale pink). Also — don’t miss this darling $30 raincoat!
These are my favorite voyeuristic posts – love seeing what people are hunting for & even more so, what you find! Coming out of this browsing session suddenly knowing I abslolutely NEED wide leg velvet pants for the holiday season.
Haha – I know! I was like “um, totally stealing this idea for holiday dressing…”
xx