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Image via Olympia Marie, J. Crew’s goddess-like creative director.
This morning, bringing all of the different trends I’ve been noticing this season into one place — and adding my top picks for each product category.
01. Barn Jacket. Options abound this season. I went with this denim style (only a few sizes left) — it felt cool and different, and I’m even thinking about how amazing it would be with a slip skirt/slip dress. The contrast! J. Crew has a similar style currently available for under $100 here. If I really dig, I realize my proclivity towards a denim version of this look stems from Loewe’s denim swing jacket from last season. My runner up (which I was too late to jump on anyhow) was Alex Mill’s waxed cotton style — wowza! The red is so fabulous. Sign up for the waitlist notification. Other favorite picks: J. Crew’s retro-cool long version (really digging the idea of this with a kitten heel pump — very Alfred Hithcock heroine), Prada’s $$$$ offering, Everlane’s canvas variation, this sleek Rag & Bone (saw this on someone and it looks very expensive IRL), this Mango, and this affordable Old Navy.
02. Brown suede boots. I shared all my top picks recently, but I have my sights set on the Paris Texas Mid-Calf style (will probably pull the trigger this week — worried they will sell out). For a tall boot option, I love Reformation; for an ankle boot, I love J. Crew. For a big statement, Aquazzura.
03. Barrel jeans. I went with Mother’s Half Pipe in ecru and also ordered Madewell’s nearly viral darted option to test.
04. Loafers. I’m in LOVE with my Freda Salvadors, but would be lying if I didn’t say I also envy the cool girls who got their hands on Jamie Hallers this season. And always love a Weejun!
05. Pointelle layering tees. Leset — I have multiples in white but now want all the other colors, too. I will be publishing a guide to all my favorite pointelle pieces for the season soon!
06. Pop of red sweater. I had to have this La Ligne. Other chic picks: Sandy Liang, Good American, J. Crew, Gap boyfriend sweater, Gap cardi.
07. Brown jeans. I’ve written a lot about this already, but these VBs are so good. Other picks: under $200, these wide leg crops, these Madewells.
08. Brown suede handbag and/or bucket bag. So many fabulous options out this season. On the suede front: I love my Parker Thatch Charlie and my beyond spectacular new VB Dash bag. They are yin and yang in terms of styling — Charlie makes things look easier, slouchier, more lowkey; VB adds instant polish and structure to a casual look. I also love all of the Little Liffner suede options, but especially the Mega Sprout. On the bucket bag front, you can kill two birds with one stone with the brown suede bucket options from J. Crew and Madewell. Both are under $200 and very “quiet luxury.” For more of an investment (and neither are suede), I’m still not over this Toteme and have become mildly fixated upon this Mansur Gavriel in seaweed green.
09. Riviere necklace. I love all of Dorsey’s Riviere styles, but their James bezel necklace is so incredibly chic layered with knits, slip dresses, and even t-shirts and jeans this season. Will not be taking mine off. Get the look for less with this.
10. Utility pants. So many ultra-chic options out right now. It started with these Ullas and these La Lignes. Also love the look of this pair from Joe’s Jeans (in trending espresso brown!) and these Old Navys (really good colors and detail). The key is pairing with luxe pieces, like a smart striped button-down, a cashmere sweater, captoe flats, a cropped blazer…!
Some of the key uniforms I’m gravitating toward…
BARN JACKET + SLIP DRESS + SATIN HEEL + RIVIERE
BUTTON DOWN + UTILITY PANT + STRUCTURED BAG + POP OF RED + SUEDE BOOT
BARN JACKET + BUCKET BAG + POINTELLE TEE + BARREL JEANS + LOAFER
POP OF RED + SUEDE BOOT + RIVIERE + BARREL JEANS + BUCKET BAG
Also a heads up that HHH is launching its fall 2024 collection today at 12 EST and I am eyeing a few items…specifically, there is a brown plaid mini dress called The Rennie that turned my head, and I’d also like to take a closer look at some of the cute outerwear and knitwear. They brought back their equestrian toile pattern from last fall — which sold out in a FLASH last go around!
P.S. New denim for fall.
P.P.S. What music do you play at home? (I’m still updating our secret work playlist!)
P.P.P.S. Lessons learned from the kitchen.
I don’t know if you saw Becky Malinsky’s intel that fluffy skirts will be everywhere next year, but just saw the chicest woman in Heathrow. Perfect white tee, beige tulle long skirt with lots of layers, white patent dad sandals, beige curved shoulder bag, slicked back blonde bun, large frame black glasses, small gold hoops, red lipstick. Perfection.
Love this look – thanks for sharing it! Can completely imagine!! xx
Ooh I’m excited to add a few pointelle pieces to my collection this winter!
I *finally* received the Madewell barrel jeans and wrote a review on it here, if you’d like to read! Spoiler: they’re worth the hype. https://zellabit.substack.com/p/review-the-viral-madewell-darted
Also, did you know that our beloved Toteme T Lock comes in a dark chocolate suede?! Definitely on my wishlist. https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/toteme/bags/shoulder-bags/t-lock-suede-shoulder-bag/1647597323453115
Yay! Thanks for sharing your review — I have no idea why but I’ve still not received my pair! It’s been almost a month. I wonder if I ordered while back-ordered and something’s going on…anyway, thanks for the reminder to get that sorted.
LOVE the espresso suede t-lock!!! So chic!
xx
Those Reformation boots are truly gorgeous! For me, though, those would land squarely in the church/date category rather than everyday wear. I’d love, if you (or any commenters?) have seen any, tips on any affordable (ideally, $400 or under) fall boots with lug or rubber soles, either riding style or with a sensible square heel. I’m a professor in a spot where we do real winter, so that means navigating unshoveled parking lots, treacherously icy walkways, wet stairwells, etc., along with the need to stand and lecture comfortably for hours on end. I’d love a pair of good quality boots that could take that abuse but still look sleek enough for professional outfits (which do, in my case, range from blazers and blouses to “nice jeans.” :)) I don’t think they’d have to be officially waterproof, but I’m looking for something with a truly sturdy sole. Thanks to anyone who has recs! I had a pair with lug soles and soft but sturdy black leather that lasted years–from Born, I think, nothing fancy–but they were neutral and classic enough that they read as more polished than their label would have suggested. I’d be so excited to find another classic, sidewalk-safe, tailored option.
Thursday Boots are a great option:
https://thursdayboots.com/collections/womens-boots
Thank you for sharing!! xx
Thanks, Mary Louise! They look like great quality for the price point. My mom is considering a pair, so I’m excited to hear how she likes them . . .
I purchased the Knockout Thursday boots a few years ago and I just love them. I hope your mother likes them as well.
Hi Sara! I would suggest the Freda Salvador Brooke boots. So chic, water-proof, and great with jeans —
https://go.shopmy.us/p-7641777
They are over budget but if you use code MAGPIE15, you can get 15% off, bringing the price down to $420. These boots specifically remind me of this pair from Tods, almost 2x the price: https://go.shopmy.us/p-7641900
Look for less option I’ve heard many people rave about: Sam Edelman’s Laguna —
https://go.shopmy.us/p-7641929
Also waterproof!!
xx
Thanks so much–those Freda Salvadors are gorgeous! I’ve been really hoping for a tall boot, but these just may make the case for something shorter . . . that range of lovely browns could launch a thousand cross-campus outfits . . .
Yes!! Will keep my eyes peeled for something taller, too!
I own these and love them so much I actually have them in both the chocolate brown and black (which I’ve never done before) since I found myself reaching for them so much! I like to go a 1/2 size up and you can sometimes find them for an even better price on Amazon. They’ve got rubber soles so hopefully that works for inclement weather but I’ve never lived outside of California, so can’t speak to their viability in harsher winters! The suede uppers on these feel nice, the memory foam padding is so comfortable, and I love how the narrower shaft looks polished under jeans or slacks.
https://www.nordstrom.com/s/emily-zip-bootie-women/7425037?origin=coordinating-7425037-0-1-SEARCHBAR_CAROUSEL-recbot-recently_viewed_snowplow_mvp&recs_placement=SEARCHBAR_CAROUSEL&recs_strategy=recently_viewed_snowplow_mvp&recs_source=recbot&recs_page_type=category&recs_seed=0&color=BLACK%20SUEDE
Thanks so much, Stacey! These are great, and that chocolate suede with the contrast tab is really catching my eye. Hm . . .
We’re new residents of Washington state after 15 years in the Napa area–it’s a homecoming for me, but still an adjustment from the “winter means rain, we hope” model, and my wardrobe has had to do some real adjusting!