*Image via.
Q: That Toteme fuzzy sweater but for less.
A: You are in luck! H&M to the rescue!
Q: Dress shoes for an almost 3 year old boy. Is he too old for t-straps? Saddle shoe? Blue v brown? The amount of consideration I’ve put into this…
A: Personally, I prefer a loafer at this age — Elephantito or Target. You can do knee socks with them if you’re pairing with dungarees (that’s what I did last Thanksgiving with the most precious set from Luca and Luca, similar to this current season one). Saddle shoes are timeless but I must admit something: I’ve bought my son a few pairs over the years (Footmates is a classic brand for this style of shoe) and they always felt just the tiniest bit stuffy? Like, I’d put them on him and it felt “correct” but it just didn’t match my aesthetic/style as much as a pair of loafers? I do think it depends on circumstance — saddle shoes do feel right for a formal wedding or very traditional setting. I would do navy in the saddle shoe.
Q: Halloween party for a 30 year old.
A: This Mme Mink mask and an LBD. I’m not big on costumes so I prefer to dress more “general Halloween vibe,” and that fits the bill for me. Alternately, a top like this with embellished flats like these. Have fun!
Q: A fashionable dress under $1000 for a black tie wedding in November.
A: I’ve been swooning over this Alexis. The palette skews a little summery for the November date but I think if you pair with, like, topaz jewelry, you can winterize it. Also adore this Andres Otalora — it’s so fun to wear a big pattern to black tie since it feels like most guests wear, well, black. A few black dresses that I think would be spectacular for the occasion: this Anna October, this La Ligne, this Ulla J, and this Ulla J. I would wear a big, sparkly earring with any of those. This rust colored Veronica Beard would be spectacular, especially with an updo and a feather jacket. Finally, this Reformation is fetching and I love the colors and pattern. Imagine with these earrings! Oh! And if you are willing to go a bit over budget, people rave about the flattering fit of Chiara Boni La Petite Robe dresses. Apparently they flatter nearly any body type!
Q: My daughter is getting married in December. White bridal shower dress and mother of the bride dress.
A: Congratulations! For the bridal shower dress, I love this La Ligne, this ladylike Staud, and this gamine Six Penny shift (pair with statement heels like these). If she’s on the more romantic/feminine end of the spectrum, this lace mini is adorable. And if you are open to a splurge, anything Emilia Wickstead is…iconic. As for you — !! Mother of the bride!! I am in love with Markarian for special occasion. This would be breathtaking for a winter wedding. I also love this navy Amsale — elegant and sophisticated! — and this ML which has just the right amount of joy/playfulness for such a happy occasion. Finally, this Cartolina jumped to mind — so sophisticated and interesting with the flounce hem and puff sleeve.
Q: Starting a new work from home job and would love work essentials — supplies, snacks, etc!
A: Good luck with the transition! Exciting. (I want to echo my dad’s words: “You’re gonna love it.”). I shared some favorite WFH items in this post back when I was literally squatting wherever I could in our NY apartment during the pandemic. Since then, I’ve added a couple of other desk must-haves to my repertoire:
THE BEST PENS, KEPT IN A JULEP CUP ON MY DESK LIKE A BOUQUET
THESE DOCUMENT ENVELOPES — KEEP MY LIFE IN ORDER…LOVE HAVING SEPARATE ENVELOPES FOR DIFFERENT UNDERTAKINGS, E.G., APPLICATION MATERIALS, DOCTOR’S FORMS, LEGAL DOCS, ETC
THIS UNFUSSY PLANNER – I’VE USED SO MANY DIFFERENT ONES BUT THIS IS MY FAVORITE
LEUCHTTERM NOTEBOOKS AND TONS OF NOTEPADS
On snacks — one surprise treat for me with my husband and I permanently WFH is that we often sit down to a proper lunch together midday, at the dining table. Because we eat a full meal together, I find I do not snack nearly as much, if ever? I like the idea of leaning into being at home in order to sit down to a true meal! But in general, I like to snack on hard pretzels, extra toasty cheez-its, those Italian taralli crackers (especially the fennel or spicy ones), or a piece of good Parmesan.
Q: Chic fitted rain jacket.
A: Mackage! I learned about this brand from one of the moms at my daughter’s NYC Montessori. She was fabulously stylish and wore Mackage rain and winter coats — she always looked very pulled together, even when it was a snowstorm or torrential downpour. J. Crew also has a good one! Don’t forget chic rain boots!
Q: Dress for my son’s Baptism — October 22nd in North Carolina. Not too fancy.
A: I would do a pretty fall print dress like this, this, this, or this.
Q: Comfy chic lounge pant that you can wear outside IRL.
A: The NYC brand Sold Out specializes in this — check our these or these. You could pair either with a ballet flat, loafer, or dressy sneaker and a turtleneck or long-sleeved tee and look completely pulled together. I love this brand’s boucle jacket, too — it looks cozy enough to be a sweatshirt but the shape is fashion-conscious.
Q: Toddlers’ cold weather gear — mittens, hats, etc.
A: I love the knit hats and mittens from Blueberry Hill. Such cute designs and great colors — but they are much more reasonably priced than other knit pieces for littles I’ve considered, which is kind of essential for me, as hats/mittens are so likely to get lost or mucked up with use. I also always buy a pack or two of these inexpensive H&M gloves — they are simple, stretchy, come in good basic colors, and you won’t cry when they get lost.
Q: Afternoon tea outfit in swanky NYC hotel — beginning of Dec.
A: Oo enjoy! I used to do tea at the Plaza or Whitby during the holidays. Fun! The first thing that came to mind was a fabulous coat like this, this, or this worn over a simple black shift, possibly with flocked/patterned tights? That’s actually what I am wearing to dinner tonight and it really made me think of my NYC days. I also love the idea of patterned trousers with a jacket/cardigan. Obsessed with the idea of wearing the matching top with those trousers, but you could also do a plain black or cream turtleneck instead. Another option: cableknit sweater dress with a velvet headband and suede boots. Oo. La. La. Finally, Maxwell and Geraldine is launching a bunch of adorable winter dresses in tartans and dark florals on Sunday (October 9) and I feel like any of those would be perfect beneath a cardigan.
Q: Traditional (preppy?) male wardrobe building blocks.
A: For fall, corduroys from Ralph or Todd Snyder, cableknit sweaters, a great checked blazer, these waffle crewneck sweaters (great layering piece — Mr. Magpie has a few of these), Barbour coat, bomber jacket, dark wash denim, cashmere scarf, fisherman sweater, RL oxfords, button-downs from Sid Mashburn, a cashmere beanie.
Q: Back tie dress under $350.
A: This Cleobella or this Reformation. Have fun!
Q: 40th birthday outfit. Resort in Mexico with my man!
A: Something FUN from Farm Rio like this or Celia B! Have the best time! Happy brithday.
Q: Quilted black tote – under $400.
A: I love this one from Clare Vivier. If you’re looking for more of a diaper bag, I’ve loved my MZ Wallace but I don’t know I’d wear it as much if not toting my children’s stuff around. The CV feels a bit more elevated for everyday wear. Finally, not quilted, but textured in a similar way: Naghedi!