Chasing Away Winter

It is finally above freezing here in New York and forecasted to be in the 40s for the next week, and I couldn’t be in a better mood. I don’t have a thematic post this time, but going to share random ideas I have been thinking about and getting inspired by.

First up, don’t forget, I will be having a trunk show with Emme Parsons and Heirlome in Tribeca this Tuesday and Wednesday. If you want to come, please DM or email me and I will send details. (It’s a private residence.)

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I think about the purpose of this newsletter often and feel that I have to reiterate this and expound on the topic. I love style, I love clothes, but I don’t love overconsumption and buying something “just because”.

I want this newsletter to focus more on style and less on “fashion” and shopping. If I made it the latter, I would make a lot more money from it. But, in what might seem like a bad business move, I care more about being authentic and using TFI as an extension of my musings on things I love. My jewelry is my business. Or that is how I want it to be and am working my ass off to make it a reality.

Daily, I receive many opportunities to make money by sharing links to brands or writing about products people want to send me. On occasion, I take them up on it—if it is something from a brand I do like or if it something I am curious enough about to consider. That makes up about 15% of what I am offered. This means I ignore the major majority.

Mostly, I write about brands and founders I personally like and admire. There are plenty of other newsletters who do a bang up job creating looks and covering brands in a way I do not have the time, energy or interest in doing. I thoroughly enjoy reading them and constantly get inspired and discover new things.

Here is a short list of favorites (in alphabetical order): A La Carte, The Cereal Aisle, Consider Yourself Cultured, Five Things You Should Buy, Heidi Wynne, Jane on Jeans, The Love List, Magasin, Objects of Desire, Shop Rat, Tuesdays, Uniform.

I know!! I forgot someone. I apologize in advance.

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Ok, after all that a bit of (affordable) shopping, followed by thoughts on luxury shopping.

Two brands that recently caught my eye are Still Here New York denim and Roucha (which I found on an IG ad).

I am sure someone else wrote about Still Here which I how I heard about them, then I signed up for their emails and walked past their Nolita store last Friday with time on my hands and popped in. It’s definitely geared towards younger people, but nothing intimidates me if I want to try on clothes (nor should it for anyone). The denim fits well….I liked the Subway jean and the Cool (shown below) in Brick is quite good. I had red jeans a long time ago (anyone remember that phase?)….and am tempted. (I tried on 27s which fit but were loose, might need 26). Then, I am having a lemon yellow moment (more on this later and how it ties in with my Spring theme)….and this sweatshirt with the pale denim? Plus it’s super reasonable. Tempting. I know that when it is 65 and sunny and I’m wearing my Levi’s I will wish I had this so….

Then Roucha…and specifically this rain jacket, which looks similar but different enough from The Row version which I am obsessed with but would never spend the money on. (I am sure that has something to do with how it ended up in my feed.) So, Roucha for 10% of the cost of The Row. They are currently out of size small so I ordered a medium (as shown on model), but I like the boxiness. Maybe they will restock all sizes at some point.

This makes me wish I had done the same for The Row jellies shoes last summer—that I had bought the dupes instead of the real thing.

One area I am ok with spending money on The Row is tailoring, shoes (not the super trendy ones) and handbags. I read that a rumor was going around that they were going to stop producing the Margaux bag—one I snagged early on when they relaunched them a couple of years ago. Apparently, they are not discontinuing the bag, but are making it more exclusive by selling it only through their own boutiques. Ultimately, I think that this is a good idea.

While I understand that it limits the availability to those who don’t live in proximity of their 4 stores which isn’t fair (maybe they will be available online, they have some up but are all sold out), I do appreciate the scaling back to make it feel special. By continuing to produce it at a slower pace, it also puts the Margaux in a “classic” category, which is where it belongs. A classic is something that you might have to wait for. Even for years. But you know it will be there when you’re ready to make the pilgrimage to finally acquire the it, and…most importantly, you buy it with the intention of wearing it often and taking good care of it.

Expensive, beautifully crafted designs should feel thrilling to purchase and worth their value; I think online retail has flattened the uniqueness that used to be part of this experience. Basically there is little to no experience involved in shopping anymore and I hate it.

Me and my Margaux

When we were traveling to Mexico, I walked into a Bulgari duty free store at JFK. I love the Serpenti watch (I love watches in general). But then I thought, does a $30k diamond-encrusted Bulgari watch (I know it sounds a bit much but it was gorgeous) feel special if you can buy it at the airport?

I think that as major luxury department stores and etail sites struggle, it will be those brands that make quality products and have their own boutiques, and smaller multi-brand luxury boutiques who have dedicated sales people that know how to take care of their clients, that will hopefully bring back that elusive aura of buying something special. And that the service and attention to detail includes buying the least expensive $30 item these places have.

There is a glut of very expensive stuff out there in the world, much of it feels like hollow hype. Today, buying expensive items can also feel transactional (as do so many other things), because so much of it is purchased for the wrong reasons (mostly wanting to show off, keep up with someone, etc.)

I know there are plenty of people who appreciate quality and craftsmanship and don’t want what everyone else has. I think it the reason bespoke and made-to-order when it comes to classic design—whether it’s jewelry or clothing, is the future for luxury.

And I am cognizant that this isn’t a level of spending most people can do, but that is also why I think labels like COS and even Uniqlo, which has some good things right now, (and the small brands such as those above), can offer refined, affordable alternatives. Which makes me think I need to do a COS/Uniqlo edit next!

x

Jennifer

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