*Image via.
Q: Cool girl sneakers like Sambas, but not because they’re sold out everywhere.
A: New Balances continue to dominate (see above!). It has come to my attention that MyTheresa carries the best colors/styles and size runs. I like the 327 style (I actually found them on sale in a fun pink/blue option for $59) but it feels like the street style favorite is the gray 574. Personally, I’m working up the sartorial energy for Chucks. I love the way Sylvana Durrett styles them (she even layers them with socks — she is SO cool). For something slightly sportier, check out Autry!
*Recreate the look above with this $40 shirtdress, a Parisian net market bag, and a trunk bag.
Q: Wide-leg jeans? I’m short like you so don’t want them to look silly.
A: Personally, I favor cropped or ankle-length so that they show the narrowest part of your ankle and can be worn with flats. (I don’t know how to wear wide-legs that skim the floor with anything but heels, and I just know I’m not going to reach for them regularly if they require heels!) I would suggest trying the styles from Gap (I’ve been having such good luck with their denim lately), because you can order them in a petite size and not need to have them hemmed/tailored. I like this style in black. I also have a pair of Madewell wide legs in the Perfect Vintage style and they fit wonderfully — love these with the patch pockets. It looks like they don’t have any petite inseam ones anymore, so you’d need to have them tailored. Finally, I’m obsessed with the wash and fit of this under-$50 pair from Banana! Even love how they styled it — with a denim button-down and loafers! (Also available in petite.)
If you’re more of a designer denim hound, I like this pair from AMO and this pair from Nili Lotan. The way they fit at the hips affords a flattering silhouette. Again, you’d need to have them tailored to fit properly!
Q: A ques for a future Ask Magpie installment. This year I decided to set one personal goal a month for myself, whether big or small. This month my goal was to apply for a passport, which I’ve never had! In about 11 weeks it will arrive and I’d love to find a chic passport holder. Preferably one that I can monogram. 🙂
A: I love this provocation! Such a manageable, progress-oriented approach to 2023. I would spring for Smythson. Just the most beautiful, sophisticated leather accessories, and monogrammable. Somehow their passport cover is 50% off right now! You can get the look for less with this Etsy steal. I also love the slightly sporty option from Clare Vivier with a hand painted monogram, and — while not a passport cover exactly — have been eyeing this “travel wallet” from Neely and Chloe (holds passports, tickets, credit cards, etc) ever since I saw Nan with one.
Q: Tropical formal wedding guest dress.
A: Oo la la – fun! Splurge: something from Agua Bendita, like this, this, or this. To accommodate the the formal dress code, I would pair with high heeled sandals and big earrings. More reasonably-priced: this beauty reminds me of the styles from Aje, and this Cleobella, which I again think you can dress up with glitzy accessories, like a fabulous clutch like this or this, or big earrings.
I also keep coming back to this wisteria-colored Aje. It mesmerizes me.
P.S. More recent wedding guest dresses here.
Q: White denim shorts. The Agolde ones have brown stitching and are off white.
A: Gap or Citizens (<<on sale)!
Q: Neutral sandals/slides that are polished but can actually walk and play with toddlers.
A: I know what you mean — most of my slides are kind of ungainly for running after toddlers in. I have a few pairs of sandals that actually buckle onto my foot and stay in place / you don’t need to grip them with your toes to keep them on. One of them is by Ancient Greek. I can’t find the exact style I have because I purchased years ago, but they have lots of options. I love the look of these. I also have a pair of fisherman sandals that stay put. Mine have an espadrille sole that frankly was too heavy for running around with littles, but something with a lighter sole, like this gorgeous pair from Emme Parsons, or this trendy pair from Freda Salvador, might be ideal.
If you’re game for something trendy, dad sandals are very fashionable and have the added bonus of being strapped to your foot. I like the options from LR and Chanel, and some of the past-season options from Gucci (available on The Real Real).
Q: Easter dress for toddler. Everything feels too busy this season.
A: I love this Little English and this gingham Il Porticciolo.
Q: Not see through, petite friendly tanks in multiple colors. Not a cami. Ideally not racerback.
A: Sometimes Old Navy has the best basics for this kind of thing. Are you OK with bodysuits? If so, this one checks all the boxes: opaque, comes in petite size, available in lots of colors, non-racerback, non-cami. Price is right, too! This Boden also looks nicely opaque / polished, but doesn’t come in petite sizes, so you’d need to order to assess fit. This Gap style also looks promising, and comes in petite.
Q: Chic cover up for Miami beach party.
A: The first two things that came to mind were one of the Sunshine Tienda pareos or this Missoni-esque steal I saw on my friend Stephanie. I also like the Sasha cover-ups from Poupette St. Barth (very popular among the chic women at our pool last summer, and this one is on sale) and pretty much anything from Juliet Dunn — this fun pink one and this blockprint one are on sale. Personally, I mainly wore one of Julia Amory’s “husband shirt” and this Lake Pajamas “patio dress” as cover ups last summer. Last but not least, J. Crew has a fabulous voile tunic top in a Liberty floral that would be fun to reach for.
Q: Easter dresses for hot weather in Guam.
A: Sounds lovely! Happy Easter! I love this with these sandals, this Agua Bendita, this Reformation, or this Hunter Bell.
P.S. More Easter finds here!
So glad to hear the look in that photo is considered stylish, because that is 100% “me heading straight to some casual drinks after physical therapy in the summertime when I forgot another pair of shoes and I’m hoping they won’t notice how sweaty I am under that airy dress”
LOL – well, it’s chic too!
Hello! I have a WAYSF question. My oldest of four children will be graduating from high school this spring and I’m wondering what I should wear? I’m looking for something to wear to the graduation ceremony, something for the baccalaureate ceremony and then a third option for his graduation party at our home. We live in a smaller community in the Pacific NW countryside {think wine country, lots of apple orchards, etc.}, so nothing too fussy or over the top. I’m a traditional girl at heart when it comes to clothing choices. Thank you ahead of time for any and all ideas you might have.
Hi Libby! Early congrats to you and your child! I’ve added this request to my “Ask Magpie” list!! Will aim to answer in an upcoming post.
xx