5 Great Things, Feb. 2023

A sailor stripe cardi, the ultimate ballerina flat, fever-reducing robes, cropped black pants for boot wearing, and winter white. Read all about it.

Had grand plans for a big story on heeled boots this weekend, but fevers have taken down the whole house. So until next week, here are five fantastic things.

1. This Breton cardigan. A great weight. A good layer for when you’re ready for spring but it’s not quite here yet. Good with skirts, jeans, etc. etc. Looks like a very fancy one I’ve had my eye on (iykyk) but not so imitation-y that I wouldn’t dare.

   

   French sailor stripe cardigan, Attersee satin pants, Chanel T-straps

   

   Here’s a close up so you can see its texture. With my favorite zoom earrings (I mean, they’re not just Zoom jewels but they’ve been adding a nice bit of sparkle to distract from a fever sweat on video calls this week.)

   

   A better shot of it

2. French Sole ballerinas…but specifically the Zoe. I saw these on a woman in a parking garage and stopped her to ask about them. She passionately told me they are French Sole, but specifically the style that does NOT have a left and right foot, and is GASP, discontinued! So I bought two pair. Can’t wait to wear them. They are an actual perfect ballerina. Apparently, they will mold to my feet and create the left and right as I wear them. And the bottom is slightly squishy which is a must for me…being annoying about my feet and all. The upper leather super soft, nothing scratchy on the inside. I bought a 39 which fit great. I am a true 38 generally. Size up!

   

   The French Sole store on Lexington Avenue. It’s the size of a….shoe box. :)

   

   French Sole Zoe

   

   A better look at this chocolate brown color. Delish.

3. A four season black pant for work and play. This tropical stretch wool pant with a cropped kick flare from Maria McManus is so great. Its comfy (stretch), and a perfect length for boot season. I do not want my pants dragging in the winter muck (or summer muck for that matter.) I love that I can get down on the ground at a client’s home and roll their hem in these as if they’re leggings. And that they look great with boots and sneakers alike. I am wearing a size 4 because I like them slightly loose. More on these soon-ish in an upcoming “work pants” letter that’s not quite ready for pub yet.

   

   Maria McManus kick flare pants. Alex Mill polo knit. The Row boots. Here’s similarly great pair.

   

4. The flannel robes getting me through this week: A really nice flannel that does not pill after three washes brings me immense joy. I rotate through two in the winter and have been wearing them 24-7 this past brutal sick week. My first love is a Celestine robe from Peress on Madison Avenue. If you live in NYC please go and support this local business IRL, its a joy from another era. If you don’t live here, add it to your list of stops to visit when you are uptown on your museum tour. It’s a feast, especially if you love pajamas. The other equally delicious robe I’ve been wearing is this guy from the Sleep Shirt. The dark colors have been graciously hiding coffee and tea stains and the fabric washes nicely.
   Why do I insist on flannel you say? Its the perfect weight for a robe (too hot of a fabric for PJs IMHO.) It’s fuzzy and cozy without being bulky and getting in your way. You can wear it around the house, or just crawl straight into bed with it if you’re chilly. It can be thrown in the wash so you don’t need to be precious about it, and it doesn’t require three rounds on dry. It’s part throw blanket for when your “I’m just checking email real quick” turns into a full day of WFH in the bedroom. And it looks more elegant than a hoodie, obviously.

   

   Celesiten robe (left) The Sleep Shirt robe (right)

   

   My flannel robe I’ve had since postpartum, and look, still not pilled! I bought this from Peress. Here is a video of the owner (who inherited the business from his parents!) giving a tour of the shop. Enjoy!

5. A winter white skirt. Ok, kind of cheating because we talked about it two weeks ago. But I’m really loving it, even more than I expected to. With black tights. Peeking out of coats. With bright sweaters. etc. etc. etc. If your size is sold out, this one Leandra has is a great alt. Thinking maybe I want that one too!?

   

   Jil Sander skirt, a BRIGHT red cashmere sweater, the best white tshirt, Officine Generale coat from last year. Here is a similar version tho.

   

Wishing you all “whatever it is that’s going around” free week. Until next,

Yours TRULY,

Becky

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