*Image above via Ciao Lucia.
Q: Work bags!
A: Splurge pick is Loewe, which is having a major “It bag” moment right now — I love their Flamenco. I also like the throwback vibes of this Gucci — librarian-chic. I feel like I want to wear it with tasseled loafers and a trench! I also like the Rue De Verneuil totes, which are a bit more casual — but could definitely fit a laptop and would look so smart with a fall wardrobe. Clare Vivier’s simple tote is also a chic pick. I like the navy or the brown with the racer stripes! I still plug my Cuyana tote, too — it’s a workhorse (looks great after years of use), super elegant and understated, fits a laptop and everything else under the sun, and reasonably priced at under $200. If you don’t need to carry a laptop, I still think TB’s Radziwill bag is beyond and this Khaite is ultra-covetable. And if you’re in a more casual/trendy environment, this sherpa-trim Stand Studio would make a serious statement!
Q: Outdoor DC wedding in September.
A: It will probably still be pretty toasty here then — I shared a bunch of chic picks here, but my top picks are this Anthropologie, this Rachel Comey, this J. Crew, and this Ulla.
Q: The outfit in this pic!
A: It is Ciao Lucia! The ties in the front remind me of this Target score.
Q: Attractive mouthwash dispenser for my bathroom. Is there such a thing?
A: Quip makes one that looks aesthetically-pleasing/modern, but another route would be to decant your mouthwash into a glass carafe (look for less with this) and set it beside a matching cup on a tray. That would involve washing the glass a lot more, but it would look chic! Alternately, have you heard about Floris’ mouthwash? The bottle is gorgeous! You could use that and then refill with your drugstore variety when out. Ha!
P.S. More chic bathroom finds here.
Q: Dress for newborn pics that’s not white. A color or floral?
A: ByTimo has a lot of chic floaty options that would work — this blue gingham and this pink floral are gorgeous and figure-skimming (and with sleeves, which someone recently pointed out tends to be good for family photos). A bit bolder, but I love this Rhode or this Tuckernuck. If you’re comfortable with something a bit more fitted up top, I love this SEA dress — for a similar vibe in a looser cut, check out this $136 steal!
Q: A new everyday classic bag, preferably camel leather.
A: Khaite or Loewe will turn heads.
Q: Transitional outerwear.
A: I have a bunch of chic options in this post, but my top pick would be a quilted jacket like this or this. If you are more fashion-forward, this quilted, scalloped coat is MAJ and would go wonderfully with a closet full of Ulla/SEA/Banana’s new season. I’m also drawn to tweed longline cardigans like this or this. I’m also personally lusting after these capes and this reasonably-priced poncho.
A little heavier duty, but this coat…!!!!
Q: Cardigan in neutral colors.
A: I have been seriously eyeing this peplum cardigan for myself (also love this chunkier peplum variation), but the style is a little less versatile than others. A few other favorites are this ByTimo (look for less with this), this Alex Mill, this Gap, these chunky Jenni Kaynes, and this Kilte. Splurge: Khaite.
P.S. More chic sweaters here!
Q: Cotton fisherman cable knit sweater – not wool, nothing funky.
A: Is it funky if it has a funnel neck? I love this style, but they also have one without the funnel neck! I would probably size up and wear it a bit oversized with the sleeves pushed up to the elbow, or maybe order a men’s style in a size S.
Q: Winter bump-friendly dress for Baptism.
A: Congratulations to the baby! I love this Horror Vacui, this Cara Cara (I think this would accommodate the bump but not sure on waistline), the Nesli nap dress (will be launching a few plaid patterns this fall, so keep an eye out — alternately, you could “winterize” the blue with navy accessories/velvet shoes), this chic black LBD (very Jackie O.), and this Chanel-esque shift (would work if bump is small).
Q: A flush or semi-flush mount ceiling light for a toddler boy’s room.
A: This is sophisticated but I think can totally work in a boy’s room. I also like the look of this caned style and this drum style. For something a bit louder, this modern Crate + Barrel or this sputnik style (comes in tons of cool colors) would be fun. Finally, if you’re open to a chandelier, you must check out the fun styles at Stray Dog!!!
Q: Outfit for a 3.5 year old big brother to wear at his sister’s Baptism?
A: Navy blazer with an oxford and nantucket reds or khakis depending on season — timeless, and you can repurpose all of the pieces the entire season! (Oxford looks cute with shorts, jeans, etc; khakis work with polos/tees/etc.). Elephantito or Janie + Jack loafers!
Q: Every day fall maternity looks.
A: My formula was investing in good leggings and jeans as well as in-season statement shoes (clogs! velvet slippers! shearling mules!), buying Gap maternity tees in every color/stripe, and then swapping out trendy long-line cardigans and ponchos:
The great thing about this approach is that you can repurpose the shoes and cardigans when not pregnant! However, I’m also a big dress girl so I would have probably bought a couple of nap dresses in the tartan prints (they should be released in the next few weeks) to layer over maternity tights/turtlenecks. Earlier in pregnancy, I might have worn a sweatshirt dress like this or this with designer sneaks. Also, this on-trend dress would be perfect for a fall gathering (possibly Thanksgiving) and I think would work early in pregnancy.
Q: Black tie wedding dress for September that works with bump!
A: This is so tricky. Black tie dresses tend to be so expensive and I would probably not want to invest in something I know I may never wear again — hence, I’d turn to ASOS. Something like this would look so chic with a glitzy shoe like this, this, or this. These earrings would be great with the green of the dress! Runner up at ASOS: this lace top style in an elegant sage green. Pair with pearls or bows!
Alternately, this black dress MIGHT work with bump and could be worn after.
Q: Fall tops for nursing.
A: Congratulations! I actually think this boxy overshirt/shacket trend could be a chic ticket, layered over a nursing tank — you could go plaid (Isabel Marant started the trend, but get the look for less with this) or do some of the more polished styles from BR or Tuckernuck. Also love this wrap-style top, a timeless RL Oxford, and lots of the tops at Buru, which is a boutique specifically designed for nursing moms!
Q: An attractive or unobtrusive folding step ladder for use in our tall kitchen.
A: This Frontgate comes in great colors and boasts a sleek design. This white or black one also has a sleek architectural appeal that makes it look aesthetically intentional rather than purely functional.
Q: I know you like Kule — any other brands for basic ts, v-necks, long-sleeved ts?
A: J. Crew. To be frank, the quality is not exceptional (I find I retire them after a few seasons), but I love the fit and colors of their vintage cotton essential tee, which I own about ten of in white. I don’t like their “perfect fit” line but their essential / vintage cotton ones are super lightweight and flattering — something about where the sleeve hits on the arm suits me perfectly. I also turn to them for basics like henleys and tissue turtlenecks in fall. I also like Everlane’s box-cut tees in short sleeve and long sleeve, but those are less for layering and more of a statement on their own given their dimensions (i.e., slightly cropped / boxy). Finally, I love Outdoor Voices’ everyday white tee, which is not specific to athletic-wear and can be worn casually, too.