5 Great Things, November 2023

The best faux fur, a two-fer top, distressed denim (!?!?!), a sparkly satchel, purple sneakers

Astrakhan faux fur is the best faux fur

I went out to dinner Wednesday night and the conversation at one point turned to fur. “Do you still wear fur?” someone started. And everyone kind of looked at the other before daring to answer. Some wear vintage only, some said not anymore and some said they still take out their family heirloom for special occasions. There was a brief mention of faux to which I delighted in declaring, the best faux fur is clearly astrakhan! The short, wavy haired, velvety look translates easily to synthetic fibers. It’s almost like a crushed velvet to those who have no interest in fur. And to those who still love the idea of a fluffy outer layer, it looks and feels glamorous.

I’ve had a faux astrakhan from Max Mara for about ten years. It’s from their ‘S Max Mara line (honestly can someone please explain all the different lines, even I can’t keep them straight!) which I think means sport? It’s lined in a windbreaker and wraps like a robe. Probably one of my warmest, coziest coats but gives off insanely stylish “this old thing” vibes. Much to my delight, I happened to scroll past it on the World Wide Web last week and squealed! It’s back!! Therefore…it kicks off today.

There are many good options though. I’ve been thinking about the Tory Burch jacket below with that little coral button since March. And CO makes a brown floor length version with an incredible belt. Faux is even trending at the highest echelon of price tags…how great is this Versace one!?

Faux Fur. Real Coats. From left: ‘S Max Mara coat which is a newer (and better because it has buttons!) version of the one I’m wearing below. CO coat in brown with the most beautiful belt!, Tory Burch Fall 2023 Runway coat.

My old but hasn’t aged a day ‘S Max Mara “astrakhan” coat

Don’t you just love the vibe of a “fur” when you look like you just woke up!? Very representative of my daylight savings mood today…anyone else been up since 5am with their littles? UGH. With my 501s and penny loafers. Fin!

The Tory Burch jacket (runway picture at top) which is a perfect pairing for dinner with black jeans or a mini. And will be extremely beautiful peeking out of a big wool menswear coat come January.

Here is what I wore to dinner on Wednesday night. Tory Burch “fur”. Kallmeyer skirt which appears to be sold out again, so if you haven’t committed yet try the Theory. Emme Parsons belt. Socks. Loafers.

A four season holiday bag

This little sparkling stunner from itty bitty California brand Jeana Sohn is such a delight! Doesn’t she look like the perfect holiday accessory that doesn’t yell “I’M A HOLIDAY ACCESSORY”!? I like the slouchiness and the simple drawstring. I imagine you just hold it by the strings or grab it haphazardly like a child would if it was filled with all their favorite Hot Wheels. Really I like that it feels minimal and special at the same time. It would be great with a plain black dress for a holiday party, but also super cute with jeans and a sweatshirt (maybe the Jeana Sohn Big Sur sweatshirt!?) for meeting a friend for coffee any time of year. And as we all know by now I love pouches because they allow you to wear the rest of your crazy fun fashion-y stuff without making the whole thing feel garish or too showy. All about the balance.

Jeana Sohn bag

Distressed jeans for distressed jean haters

When The Row’s Spring 2024 lookbook went up a few months back the group text immediately delved into the preemptive self-annoyance for needing that extremely specific ($$$) pair of distressed jeans. And as someone who has mostly shunned the look for the inauthenticity it promotes, I found myself shocked at how often I was thinking about them. Needless to say, this ramble has a happy outcome, because ladies (and gents) I think I found the answer. I ordered this pair on a whim after friend of 5 Things Tanya M. told me she was pleasantly surprised with the quality from this little Australian label Dissh. They hit all my “baggy jean notes” - baggy but not too long, tight in the hips so they aren’t unflattering, with a gentle slope outward. And the distressing juuuuust at the knees where it might plausibly happen on its own one day. A good wash. A good price! Just one note though, that they run small. These are a 4 and are…tight! If doing it over again I’d get a 6, but I already took off the tags so I guess I’ll just do some squats.

Dissh jeans (SIZE UP!!!!) Prada jacket. Frances de Lordes t-shirt. Here is another great big sleeve tee too. “Vintage” Marc Jacobs bag. Margaux ballerinas.

As a non-native distressed jean wearer, I’ve found they kind of need to be “dressed up” to feel like myself in them. And this doesn’t mean they need to be paired in a way to look dressy, but with nicer fabrics. So my really nice cropped trench that looks like it has a sheen. Or my little Prada jacket above to give them some tropical wool sharpness. Still figuring them out to be honest. But super into the challenge. Loro Piana cropped jacket (this one is spectacular, and look at this TRR find!). Donni shirt. Frances de Lourdes t-shirt. Dissh jeans. Birkenstock Bostons.

A double layer tee that feels like a complete top

While technically this is just a long sleeve tee, it is so much more! I can wear it on it’s own and feel totally dressed (which I did for a dinner amongst intimidatingly chic women on Wednesday night) or wear it as a no brainer layer under a blazer.

Tops are the hardest category, which I have long lamented about. Non-sweater, non-button down shirt options are just few and far between at a price point you feel comfortable wearing hard. Designers, take note!

It’s very clearly a riff on this, but I am forgiving it because it is truly so easy to wear while feeling special at the same time. It’s one shirt, but appears to be layered long sleeve tees with a hint of sheerness, letting the white whisper through. It makes the whole thing look styled when really I just threw it on. It’s so so soft. It’s extremely flattering - a term that I wouldn’t usually use to describe a simple black long sleeve t-shirt because there’s not much to it. Something about the slinkiness and how it drapes but doesn’t cling in my proper size really is doing it for me. Anyway, endorsed!

Vince top. Kallmeyer skirt. Emme Parsons belt. Socks. Loafers.

Vince top with corduroy pants. Have your gap cords started to arrive!? How are they? Khaite boots.

A designer sneaker (I know. I KNOW.)

I know I always tell you to get the classic version. It’s ALWAYS better than the collab or the designer version. But I guess we should all know by now that every rule has an exception. I also said as recently as two years ago I’d NEVER in ten billion years wear purple! So here is a two-for-one lesson in keeping an open mind. I’m sorry but I just love these Loewe x On sneaks. All the color options are so good. The all-over-ness of the color on the sole, upper and laces. The weirdness. The comfort. The complete un-matchiness to literally anything else I own. I just can’t get enough.

Loewe x On sneakers. Muji socks which do not appear available anymore. Try these from Birkenstock. Caron Callahan pants.

Madewell sweater (yes I know it’s wrinkled from sitting on my chair all week!), Caron Callahan pants (These are a size 4. If in between sizes, size up so the pockets don’t pull at your hips.) Sneaks.

Loewe x On sneakers. Cashmere in Love sweater. Long sleeve tee. Jeans.

All for today! Until next week,

Yours TRULY,

Becky