6. June & July Finds: Summer, Summer, Summertime
A mid-summer shopping list featuring glass jewelry, grown-up tankinis, and a Mexico City-based knitwear brand
I’ve been so busy enjoying summer that I haven’t actually had time to write or formulate many thoughts about what I’m shopping for this June or July (oops). Thankfully, many of you (lovingly) pestered me about when I was going to release my next newsletter, so here we are.
Those of you who know me know that summer is my favorite season in New York and unsurprisingly also my favorite season to get dressed for. I take more liberties when putting together outfits—playing with color, pattern, and texture. My favorite outfits this summer have been a combination of pieces that normally wouldn’t go together but make sense when you think about them in a straight-forward way. For example, a sarong is essentially a skirt—pair it with a bodysuit and flat sandals to drinks in the city. Or Nylon running shorts are just shorts. Why not, style them with a button down and kitten heels instead of grabbing your usual denim pair? Now is the time to try it all.
Finds of the Month:
Products I’m wish-listing, wearing, or coveting
A. Wearable Sculptures aka Glass Jewelry
$136 | Glass Spiral Necklace | Gimaguas
I love the handmade nature of glass jewelry and the organic, sculptural shapes that can be produced. Translucent glass is an unexpected way to add texture and dimension to a summer outfit. I have this Clear Dot Ring from Jane D’Arensbourg but hope to add a necklace like this glass spiral one from Gimaguas into my rotation.
B. Khaki Mini Skirts
$40 | Michael Kors Mini Skirt | The Real Real
When I was in Paris last month, I was influenced walking in the Marais by a chic French woman wearing a cotton khaki mini skirt. She paired hers with an oversized, untucked white button-down and kitten heels—a perfect look, if I do say so myself. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on a mini skirt (it’s trendy right now and will likely go out of style in a couple of years), so I turned to secondhand websites like eBay and The Real Real to find early 2000s executions from brands like The Limited and J.Crew. I ended up buying this second-hand Michael Kors skirt.
C. Grown-Up Tankinis
$215 | Trentasette Swimsuit | Lido
Fun fact: Swimsuits are my shopping weakness. I collect them like candy and usually buy two to three new suits each summer. This year, I’m looking for a sporty tankini similar to the ones I wore in 6th grade (sans the Hawaiian print). I love this ’90s-inspired, grown-up option from emerging Italian brand Lido.
D. A dress for a wedding in Montenegro
$294 (on sale) | Anje Cut-Out Maxi Dress | Sir. the Label
My partner has a family friend getting married in Montenegro (lucky me!) and I wanted to find a special dress for the occasion. Major department stores have already kicked off their end-of-summer sales, which means I was able to find a dress I’d normally agonize over paying for, for a steal. I love this chocolate-colored asymmetrical dress from Sir. the Label—the tasteful cut-outs and light silk fabric feel perfect for the Adriatic Coast.
E. Delicate Sheer Tops
$158 (originally $316) | Bibi Floral Lace Top | Rejina Pyo
I’ve stayed away from sheer clothing over the years, deeming it too tricky and impractical to style, usually requiring purchasing more pieces to wear underneath. But it’s summer, baby, and if there’s ever a time to be nonsensical, it’s now! What draws me to sheer clothes is the tension they inherently bring to an outfit. Pair a sheer top with a bralette for a modern sexy look or a sheer skirt with bike shorts for a delicate sporty look. I’m eyeing this lacy, lime green, long-sleeve top from Rejina Pyo that I’d style with a black bralette and denim skirt.
F. One-Shoulder Knit Tanks
$20 (originally $38) | Ribbed One-Shoulder Tank | Anthropologie
I’ve wanted to find an easy, one-shoulder knit tank to pair with denim this summer. Perusing Anthropologie’s major summer sale for home goods, a search for orange objects brought me to this ribbed, one-shoulder tank, which comes in unexpected, bright colors and for just $20 each. I snagged the lilac and mango.
What You’re Looking For:
Answers to your pressing shopping questions
Several readers reached out about easy, throw-on-and-go summer dresses you can feel good in all day. In warm weather, I gravitate towards knit or airy textured-cotton dresses because they are lightweight, comfortable, and won’t wrinkle. Here are five I like:
Looking for something? Email me and I’ll share my finds for you in the next newsletter.
Recently Discovered:
Nia Thomas is a slow-fashion knitwear brand founded in New York but designed in Mexico City. I discovered Nia’s brand through a co-worker and fell in love with the neutral, hand-knit dresses and sets in her summer collection. I had the luck of meeting Nia in person at her pop-up with Kalimera Vintage a few weeks ago where I got to try on her beautiful pieces while sipping on mezcal she brought with her from Mexico. Her Rea Knit Top and matching Paulo Shorts in crema are on my summer wish list.
Finds With Substance:
Listen to Muna’s new self-titled album. I saw them open for Phoebe Bridgers last month and could not help but jump excitedly to their fizzy pop songs like the 16-year-olds around me. I’ve been playing “What I Want” (a summer anthem if I ever heard one) on repeat.
Read Vladimir by Julia May Jonas. It’s about women, it’s about aging, it’s about obsession. It’s riveting.