1. February Finds: Is Winter Over Yet?
Foundational pieces, winter boots under $300, and mohair textiles
Hi —
Welcome to the very first post of Material Finds!
Each month I’ll share an edit of things I am shopping for - priced low and high from the lens of a discerning customer. As a professional buyer, I wanted an outlet for sharing what I’ve come across as I scour the internet daily for work and frankly, myself. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had friends and family ask me what I’m wearing, shopping for, and if I have any idea where they can find “x”. If you subscribe to Material Finds you’ll get:
A curated list of items I’m loving, with styling tips and options for where to buy them.
An opportunity to have your shopping questions answered. You can shoot me an email, tell me what you’re looking for, and I’ll answer it in the next newsletter.
A first look at emerging brands, trends, and shops you should know about.
A miscellaneous brain dump of everything else on my mind.
Now that we’ve gotten to know one another, let’s dive in…
February is a strange time for shopping. Most retailers are on markdown, with new full-price-collections trickling in — teasing us with dreams of warmer weather when it’s still 15 degrees outside. I find myself shopping for things I can wear right now but also future trips, events, and not-yet-realized versions of myself. That said, this month’s newsletter doesn’t have much rhyme or reason much like my in-the-thick-of-winter shopping behavior. It’s focused on foundational wardrobe pieces because that’s all I can convince myself to spend money on these days.
Finds of the Month:
Products I’m wish-listing, wearing, or coveting
A. Tailored Pleated Pants
$99 | Frankie Shop | Etienne Pants
I don’t know if it’s going back to the office or being in a pandemic for over two years but I’ve been on the hunt for tailored clothing — most importantly pleated plants. I love this high-waisted version from Frankie Shop. I would wear them with lug sole boots, a white turtleneck, and a cropped cardigan or jacket.
B. Knee-High Riding Boots
$229 | Mango | Leather Boots
If you watched the Prada SS ‘22 show you know that skirt hems are getting shorter. While I’m reluctant to embrace the mini skirt trend, this means that boot shafts are getting higher which I’m down for. I’m seeing flat knee-high riding boots everywhere and got these from Mango recently. These from Vagabond are good too!
C. White Denim
$178 | A.Golde | 90s Pinch Waist Jean
I believe in wearing white denim 365 days a year and in an effort to channel The Row Fall ‘21, I just bought this straight-leg fit from A. Golde. I like that it’s more of a bone color than a pure white. Of course I’m going to style it with a black belt, white tee, and a white button-down and pretend I’m an Olsen. You can also find a more affordable version at Levi’s.
D. Banana Bag
$2,060 | The Row | Crossbody Bag
The banana bag from The Row is on my wish list for a new season I’m calling “winterspring”. It’s the perfect hands-free and chic purse for schlepping around the city. NEOUS, COS, and Madewell make similar bags but they don’t quite measure up. One day!
E. Ballet-Inspired Activewear
$71 | Manola | Crop Top Long Sleeve
I will never let go of my childhood dream of being a ballerina. Despite not doing ballet for 15 years I still take styling cues from the costumes, leotards and tights I wore throughout my adolescence. I’m going to a yoga retreat in April and am looking for ballet-inspired activewear. I love a low back and have been eyeing this top from Manola (it reminds me of the Chiquito Gil Rodriguez top I’ve been wanting but in a fabric I can sweat in). Here are some other ballet-inspired options from Bloch (sometimes it’s ok to be literal — Low Back Leotard, Long Sleeve Leotard), Live The Process (Wrap Top), and Alo (Flared Leggings — trust me on these).
F. The Perfect Button-Down
$59.50 | J.Crew | Men’s Secret Wash Shirt
The perfect oversized button down exists and it’s the J.Crew Men’s Secret Wash Shirt. It’s so good, I have it in three classic colors: White, Blue, Blue / White Stripe. Wear it buttoned-up over a turtleneck and then throw an oversized V neck sweater over it. Pro tip: Buy a size up or two from your normal size!
What You’re Looking For:
Answers to your pressing shopping questions
Winter boots under $300
I was recently asked about “winter / warmish” boots under $300. For a more classic boot I like the Blundstone 510’s or a lace-up Doc Marten. For more of a fashion boot I would do these by Staud (currently on sale).
A long down puffer that is the opposite of boring
The collections coming out now might signal that warm weather is on its way but let’s be real — we have at least three more months of winter. When a friend asked me for a long puffer coat that she’ll still be excited to put on in April I recommended these: Rodebjer Sandlar Coat (on sale), Proenza Schouler Padded Puffer Coat (on sale), The Arrivals Turbo Sleeper Coat.
Looking for something? Email me and I’ll share my finds for you in the next newsletter.
Recently Discovered:
Is a mohair throw a practical purchase when you have a 6-month old puppy? Probably not. Do I want one anyway? Well of course. I am pining over Decima by Grace Atkinson which I stumbled upon the other day. She designs hand-woven mohair textiles “to cover your bed, to drape over your couch, to sit on the floor.” They are deliciously graphic and cozy-looking.
Finds With Substance:
Read Evicted by Matthew Desmond. A shocking, beautiful, and enlightening book about low-income housing.
Listen to Caprisongs, FKA Twigs’ newest album. My favorite so far is Jealousy — I love when Twigs embraces an afro-beat.
Watch this charming video on Gap-Toothed Women (aka me)
Love all things curated by Kristine 🤍 thanks for sharing!
Love this so much! Can’t wait! ❤️