Favorite Things in 2023
What I got good at, fell in love with + more.
I was trying to think what I wanted to post as a roundup of 2023 and the more I sat with my thoughts, the more I realized I didn’t want to talk about clothes, at least not in the typical sense. I don’t think you need a highs and lows trend report from me. (In a nutshell that would be Barbie Pink—gag, red—fantastic. But then I don’t know why red is ever a trendy color. It reminds me of the time I went to a Calvin Klein show, cannot remember what era, and the press notes read “brown is the new black”. I almost fell of my seat laughing. Fashion can seem ludicrous on occasion.)
Travel + Packing Right.
I did not travel extensively this year, but almost each trip—to Ireland in March, Italy in July and California in October, was stellar (not stellar, the 3 times I went to CA, because my stepfather was in the hospital). In fact, a friend keeps asking me to repost my Italy roundup here because she loved it so much, which I will figure out. Beyond creating an itinerary that met the needs of our family (or my husband and I) and allowed for adventurous and fulfilling experiences, I also got really good at packing. Ten days in Italy with a carry-on. I did it! And I shared my packing strategy on Yolo Journal (scroll down to bottom of post) and made a coinciding video (and yes, my shoes went in dust bags).
My Ireland packing is here, on my old site. Can I manage with a carry-on only all the time? No, but I have learned to create succinct travel wardrobes that maximize options. I do think traveling and packing well is an art. I recently read this from Diane Von Furstenberg in Air Mail and I couldn’t agree more.
“I travel the lightest of anyone you’ve ever met. That’s also because I make clothes that take no room, are extremely packable, and easy to mix and match. My best design ideas have always come when I pack. One of the famous things that I say is “You know how to pack, you know how to live.” If you pack lightly, you live lightly.”
Maybe you’re lucky enough to be heading someplace warm now and this helps. I also feel like there might be more to add on this subject and I am working on travel plans for the new year so stay tuned.
This year, I finally got it on paper: my guide, The Wardrobe Project: Commit to Clean Out + Sharpen Your Style. (Note if you’re a paid subscriber and haven’t purchased this, go to this post to find a discount code; it’s normally $30, for subscribers with code, $20.) Last winter I didn’t have much to clean out of my closet because I’d whittled it down so much. In a couple of weeks, I need another round, so stay tuned on more thoughts. Also, I have a few more topics I want to cover so look for a short addendum soon. In the meantime, if you have an issues you would like addressed that I haven’t covered, please send ideas my way! I’m always interested in feedback, as this is a continuing evolution of learning to live with less and working towards fewer, better things.
I fell in love with silver jewelry again. I never get tired of gold jewelry, but silver jewelry had not been on my radar for a long time (beyond some vintage Navajo pieces I’ve collected over the years). But once I started adding silver Mariner Link pieces to my collection, I became more obsessed. For spring, it will be even more integral to my wardrobe. It also means I am slowly adding a few more designs….one iteration in early January so stay tuned!
Carven colors. I know that Phoebe Philo, Prada, Miu Miu, Bottega and Loewe have become the harbingers for what’s next in fashion, but the biggest game changer for me was the SS/24 Carven collection by Louise Trotter. The off colors, the tailoring juxtaposed with sheer softness and femininity struck a chord for me. I know I already talked about it, but I haven’t been this excited by a collection in years. I am going to watch every space closely to see where it is sold and share it with you, because I think the pieces will go quickly. You can sign up for their newsletter here, which might help. (I hope it is not insanely priced like PP.) It is the only thing (beyond some a couple of good basics) I have my eye on for Spring.
Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy New Year. Some Peace on Earth would be ideal, too. (Forever the optimist.)
See you in 2024!
xx Jennifer
Follow me on Instagram @theflairindex. Some links are affiliates, and I may earn a small commission from them.
amazing DvF quote, thanks for sharing!
I loved the Wardrobe Project. I refer to the printout often, it lives in my nightstand, right near my closet. Thank you, Jennifer!