*Image via.
Q: Patch pocket jeans.
A: Cute – love this look, too. I would try this pair from Madewell — currently 25% off and I have really good luck with their denim (like most Magpies). Also available in a cool off-white/ecru canvas color. If you’re a designer denim hound, these Veronica Beards (25% off as a part of Saks’ Friends and Family sale), these Nili Lotans, and these ASKK NY are both incredibly chic. I feel like Meredith Melling of La Ligne has single-handedly reintroduced the flare into the fashion conversation, and I’m so into it. Remember her in this Canadian tuxedo, maybe a decade ago?! It’s as chic now as it was then. But I digress.
Q: Any ideas for formal wedding guest attire for a June event on Santorini? My 21-year-old daughter and I are both flummoxed searching for the right attire that will also travel fairly well…Thank you!
A: Hi! First, I would suggest bringing a travel steamer. Totally worth the suitcase space for looking fresh as a daisy after international travel. I own and love the Rowenta Xcel. It’s not TEENY, jut a heads up. It’s probably about the size of a pair of shoes in a shoe bag, FYI. There are more compact options (this one folds up) but Rowenta is a powerhouse, known for their steaming technology. (We also own and love their iron at home.). As for formal wedding guest attire…a few favorites I’ve spotted lately:
THE PINTUCKING/PLEATING ON THIS IS…WOW
Any of these would be look fabulous with a simple pair of strappy sandals, like these from Larroude, which I’ve been hearing are insanely comfortable. They go with everything.
Q: Work basics – casual but nice – for teacher in NE. Chilly spring. In 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
A: Congratulations! I would channel the look in this Gap maternity photo: nice denim, oversized button-downs from Rag&Bone, J. Crew, Closed, or Gap, and cool sneakers (New Balances are all the street style rage — see here — but reach for what you love! I personally still love my Golden Goose sneaks and have been flirting with the idea of Converse Chucks). If you’re not a sneaks gal, pick up a chic new pair of flats in a great color. I’m obsessed with these furlanes, these wisteria suede beauties from Margaux, and my Loeffler Randall Leonies, which are quite possibly the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn right out of the box. They are SO soft and forgiving. I feel like a broken record here, but shoes were the key to my fashion sanity while pregnant. I cheaped out on the clothes and wore almost exclusively black, white, and denim from Old Navy, etc, but I brought my A-game with footwear. Doesn’t matter size you are!
But, also – I love a dress that can be worn during and after pregnancy and did make a few investments there. Some possibilities to consider below. I own and adore each and everyone one of these!
Q: I’m pregnant with baby 3, due in June. I’m not investing in any maternity clothing but want some fun earrings for spring to put a little pep in my step. Can you please recommend some pieces for under $50?
A: Congratulations! Wise woman! I own and love these dramatic oversized raffia earrings. They are so fun with maxi dresses / patterns. Also love these, these, and these — all cheerful exclamation points!
Q: My SIL had her second baby about a month ago, and unfortunately it’s been difficult since then as the baby was born with health problems. I’d love to send her something as she goes through this difficult time, ideally a gift that is comforting and/or self-care focused. Do you have any recommendations?
A: I am so sorry to hear. What a tough time. You are so sweet to think of this. My first thought was to have groceries or dinner delivered. It doesn’t sound like self-care, but taking meal prep/planning or a grocery run off her plate would feel like such a luxury. If you aren’t sure what to buy or don’t know their dining schedule, perhaps a meal subscription service (I’ve heard good things about 3 Owls) or a gift card to Uber Eats. I do think some of the restaurant delivery services enable you to calendar the food delivery and give recipients a heads up as to when it will arrive so they can fold the meal into their plans. For groceries, one of my go-to gifts for new parents is a big bundle of fancy sandwich makings — really good bread (e.g., from Bread Furst or a proper bakery), the best deli meat you can find, fancy mayo and mustard, truffle chips, cornichons, bags of dried fruit and nuts, etc. Those kinds of foods go a long way for quick meals, sometimes consumed while standing in front of the fridge.
If you want to give her something just for herself, I will never forget the time I gave a girlfriend who’d just had a baby a gift card to DryBar to treat herself. Her eyes filled with tears! She was excited to just have a little pocket of time to make herself feel more like herself, and be pampered. Same goes for mani/pedi.
Finally, I’ve given nearly every single one of my friends a pair of Lake Pajamas at some stressful point in their lives. There is nothing like a fresh, soft pair of pajamas! I love this style (I own so many pairs/prints!), but they do also have maternity styles!
Q: Trouser jeans – nice enough for office.
A: Love this. I think the key is a really dark wash. I like this pair from J. Crew – imagine with a crisp button-down tucked in. I also think the aforementioned patch pockets could work paired with some smart flats or loafers. And Nili Lotan and Veronica Beard are known for making tailored pieces that work from the office to cocktails — both good places to investigate!
Q: Something chic to wear to high tea in London.
A: SO fun. When? If it’s late spring/summer, I’d wear a pretty, ladylike dress, like this Thierry Colson, this belted lavender lace beauty, or this Staud beneath a cute cardigan. If it’s cooler (sooner), I would wear wide-leg trousers in ecru/white like these or these with a fun spring quilted jacket or cardigan and a ladylike bag. My mood board below.
HAZEN AND CO EARRINGS // CARA CARA JACKET // APIECE APART MERIDA PANTS // STAUD DRESS // FRP COLLECTION BAG // BERNADETTE CARDIGAN // BA&SH CARDIGAN // MARGAUX FLATS // THIERRY COLSON DRESS // MANOLO BLAHNIK SANDALS //
Q: Favorite recent finds under $50.
A: This H&M dress, these $15 tees, and these padded sandals (to channel this vibe). So good!
Q: Outfits for a girls weekend retreat at a lake house this spring.
A: How fabulous! I love all of these trips you Magpies have planned. I’d pack a Beyond Yoga set (cropped tank / leggings) in a color that appeals, an Alice Walk half-zip or Anine Bing sweatshirt, an Ayr early mornings tee, Rose Gold Birks, Splits59 leggings, sneakers, and these matte pastel hair clips. Throw everything into a large Naghedi and namaste!
P.S. Detailed reviews of the leggings and all my other favorite fitness gear here.
Q: Dress for opera, symphony, etc. Simple and can change up the look with various accessories.
A: I’d go with an LBD like this, this, this, or this. You can dress up with black pumps or evening sandals, big earrings, and a clutch, or dress down with flat sandals and a straw bag. SO chic.
Q: Spring trip to Paris.
A: OO la la. You’re living the dream! My brother is there right now and I’m living vicariously. So – I wear a lot of color at home but when I think about traveling to Paris, all I want to pack are navy, black, and ecru. I would anchor around a few of these key pieces, which are versatile enough to style down/up:
WHITE/NEUTRAL JEANS LIKE THESE OR THESE
FULL MIDI SKIRT LIKE THIS OR THIS
SNEAKERS FROM LOEWE, NIKE, OR ADIDAS
A ZIPPERED CROSSBODY – HAVE LONG LUSTED AFTER A CELINE TRIO…THEY AREN’T AS TRENDY RIGHT NOW BUT YOU’LL STILL SEE THEM ON WELL-HEELED NEW YORKERS AND THEY LOOK SO SLEEK AND PRACTICAL
STRIPED TEES FROM WALMART AND KULE
A STATEMENT COAT…LOVE THE CAPES FROM ALICE WALK, BUT, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, AM LUSTING AFTER LOEWE’S NEW FIELD JACKET AFTER SPOTTING IT ON NELLIE DIAMOND
Re: patch pocket jeans – thanks to you I have been trying all the Gap denim lately & really love their high rise 70s flare in basic black, which have patch pockets. I ordered the same style in medium indigo but they’re backordered until late April.
I also saw the picture of Nellie Diamond in the Loewe coat and have been looking into lower priced options – from the LL Bean classic to J Crew embellished collar – would love to see if you find any other looks for less!
Oo thanks for the Gap intel! They are absolutely KILLING it in the denim department these days. Merci.
UGH that Nellie Diamond Loewe moment! She is so fabulous. Honestly, I’m kind of digging the classic Barbour in this case — the original “Bedale” style, which my husband owns, but is also available in women’s sizes (https://bit.ly/42AzFNq). Like, I’m drawn to a silhouette that is boxy and oversized, not tailored/slim-fit, so I can almost channel Nellie? For that reason, I kind of love the J. Crew embellished one you mentioned, too (https://bit.ly/3Z2RC4o) — it has a similar exaggerated length that makes it feel more on-trend.
Will put some more thought into it but that’s my gut reaction!
xx