5 High Resale-Value Fashion Finds That Are Currently On Sale + The Perfect Airplane-to-Office (Or Like, Whatever) Pant

Future collectables, FTW!

Hi everyone, I’m so glad you’re here.

Today will be a short one, as I’m currently somewhere over America, flying back from my husband’s home state of New Hampshire. I don’t have a great deal to share, as the last two weeks have been a shock. My one-of-a-kind father-in-law passed away unexpectedly, a heartbreak and loss our family is still processing and grieving. If you have a moment to honor someone who meant so very much to us, and was beloved by his community, you can find a tribute to his life here. 

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This past week, we had a long-planned trip to stay on Lake Winnipesaukee with my husband’s family, which was wonderful, albeit bittersweet. It was the longest trip I’ve taken with the kids (both in travel time and days away), and as I am wont to do, I completely overpacked for everyone, which bothers me exactly zero. That said, I did two things right, in terms of packing. 

#1: Matching for the win.

I put Clark and Wilder in colorful matching outfits for the flights. While this was less critical on the way home, I flew the kids out to Boston solo, and it felt good to have this visual identifier while traveling. My friend Eva Chen was the one who told me to dress them in bright colors, as it makes it easier to spot them in the airport or in crowds, and she’s definitely onto something.

#2: Trusted Nikki Ogunnaike’s travel outfit recommendation.

For the flight back east, I did something unusual and wore a new pair of pants. (Not a jean, not technically slacks, sadly, and not trousers; they’re truly pants.) Specifically: Nili Lotan’s Shon Cotton-Blend Twill Tapered Pants ($375) in Black, and then again most of the days in New Hampshire, and then again on the flight home. (Best part of the return flight? Running into the amazing Annie Meyers-Shyer of @thisoakhouse on the plane, who is just the best, best, best, as you know. Thank you forever, Annie, for sharing the sheets. And just for being you.)

Back to the pants: They’re the the best thing I’ve purchased this summer, and also the least me thing I’ve possibly ever bought. The pants have been on my radar for years because they’re one of Marie Claire Editor-In-Chief Nikki Ogunnaike’s favorites. Most recently, she wrote about them for 2023’s MC 50, a roundup of the editors’ favorite finds across fashion, beauty, and culture and then again recently in her newsletter Self Checkout, as part of her travel uniform. 

I thought: Hard pants? For travel? C’mon, that can’t be true. So I asked Nikki about them in person, and she gave me a Capricorn schooling that frankly was delightful. So I bought a pair, still secretly assuming they’d be a no, but friends, they are most definitely a very strong YES. (Nikki, I am so sorry I didn’t blindly trust you; that won’t happen again.) I’m currently wearing the pants with my favorite The Great t-shirt, my go-to field jacket (love that they’re having a moment again, but also they’re a lifelong staple for me), and black Chucks. I wore them with an annoyingly perfect Doen striped bateau t-shirt and paint splattered The Great x Birkenstocks all week long, and I will absolutely wear them with a loafer and a blazer come fall. 

As for sizing, they run quite big, so size down. I wanted them to be very slouchy, and the 6 is perfect for me. And the length is too; it just hits at my ankle in a nice way. Also, I should mention they’re bonkers soft? And lightweight. Yet warm? Honestly they seem like a miracle. No wonder they’re bestsellers. And yes, the shape is more directional than I usually go, but they’re not too much on. Please trust me; they’re so so so so so so good.

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As for the main part of today’s newsletter, I know there are lots of Labor Day sales already going on, but as per usual, many of them are just kind of noisy. For me, these sales are excellent for a few things:

1. Finding really incredible deals on last season’s coats,

2. Sourcing a timeless evening gown ahead of party season, and

3. Making some strategic investments (this year, in particular).

Regarding the latter, as you may have noticed, the fashion world is playing a bit of musical chairs right now, and that means this is your last chance to get future collectable pieces from key designers at key brands before everything shifts. (Like when Phoebe Philo left Chloe in 2006, there was a run on the brand’s stuff, a pattern that repeated itself when she left her job at Celine many years later.) Considering that Net-A-Porter and Saks Fifth Avenue are both having up to 70% off sales right now, it’s a really good time to find these strategic pieces, and many more excellent purchases. Here are a few that caught my eye.

Taller Marmo Ubud One-Shouldered Feather-Trimmed Crepe Maxi Dress ($1155 on sale, 50% off)

So here’s the thing: You are going to have some sort of black-tie event in the not-so distant future. And you’re going to freak out because you don’t have anything to wear for it, and end up buying something you don’t love, won’t wear again, and you will be sad. Fuck sad. Instead, might I direct you to a universally attractive, totally classic dress that you can wear for decades?

I’ve seen this dress on a range of different women with different bodies and personal style, and it always looks amazing.

Valentino Off-The-Shoulder Feather-Trimmed Wool-and-Silk Blend Gown ($5100 on sale, 40% off)

If you like the Taller Marmo dress, but prefer your timeless black dresses to be strapless and you have deeper pockets, please consider this stunner from Valentino. It’s one of the brand’s last offerings from former creative director Pierpaolo Piccolo, and is definitely going to be considered collectable. According to The RealReal’s 2024 Resale Report, searches for Pierpaolo Piccolo’s Valentino pieces went up 20% since the announcement he was parting ways with the brand. Personally, I’m keeping an eye out for anything from the all-black Le Noir collection PP debuted right before the split. These pieces are not likely going to get as much celebrity wear, as the brand gears up for the work of their new creative director, Alessandro Michele, which makes them even more valuable IMHO. (Also, they’re just stunning.)

pppiccioli

A post shared by @pppiccioli

Dries van Noten Grosgrain Trimmed Pleated Pants ($537 on sale, 40% off)

Speaking of future collectables, there is no doubt that Dries van Noten pieces will be going at a premium in the future, as the beloved designer announcing his retirement in March. Thanks to Nikki Ogunnaike and Shiona Turini, Dries has been my go-to for slacks (can we bring this word back please?) for ages, and these grosgrain-trimmed slacks in particular are superb. Also worth checking out: this navy pair, this sleek black pair with a folded waistband, and these stunning blue gabardine wide-leg slacks. Unrelated to pants, I also love this abstract crane-print blazer, which is truly so special. 

Valentino Carry Secrets Small Nappa Bucket Bag ($1260 on sale, 40% off)

There are a few great Valentino bags on sale right now at Saks, but I think this is the one I’m most excited about, as it’s incredibly relevant right now. Between the slouchy boho shape and the strong, sleek bangle handles, it will be a luxe purchase that will elevate your ‘70s adjacent looks for years to come. Also, while the price is still high, it’s pretty reasonable compared to most other bags on the market right now. 

Wardrobe.NYC Double Breasted Trench Coat ($450 on sale, 70% off)

To be honest, when I saw this classic trench—available in classic tan or my preferred olive— from Christine Centenera’s line Wardrobe.NYC, I audibly gasped. The price is great, the style is divine, and Christine is a legend. (She’s the EIC of Vogue Australia and Wardrobe is beloved by ladies like Hailee Bieber.)

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Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.