I absolutely always love your content and so so so look forward to this hitting my inbox this week. In response to the comment another reader left you, while we most likely do not have the same budget, I am never thinking ‘oh all of these items are so expensive’. You do a wonderful job of mixing high and low price points, but for me that’s not the point of your posts! You are a fashion girly who is sharing what YOU love and often detail at length WHY it’s hitting so hard for you. If someone was turned off by a price, you provide plenty of specific things/notes about the garment that others could try to find on their own time in another piece. Sometimes it’s just inspiration or a point of reference, like a fashion magazine. Keep doing what you’re doing. The ones who love it, love it! (And there’s probably a lot of us) ❤️
Giving this comment a resounding YES!! HK, anyone who reads your content knows that you are such a very thoughtful and intentional consumer which is why you are my holy grail substacker. So grateful for the time you spend sharing your knowledge.
For what it’s worth, I’d love to hear more about your sample sale/ vintage purses—so fun to live vicariously through others on that front (especially since I’m buying less anyway!)!
We're all here because we want the fun peek behind the curtain from an industry insider that feels like a chat with your girlfriend. I'm not a fashion person and had never heard of Brandon Maxwell - and I LOVE that. It's so fun to make new discoveries and see what's piquing your interest (also you will be a forever follow for me because we have the same hard to fit feet). I love finding new to me designers. We all know how to shop JCrew or plug your Brandon Maxwell into an image search to find a dupe and I think I probably speak for many of us when I say we're not that interested in fast fashion anyway.
Actually I meant to comment on last week's post that I am looking for a coat a lot like that Maxwell one- something long and really warm but not down. All the great wool and cashmere ones I find are more of a shoulder season weight. If anyone has recs please share!
Not to be self promotional, but the very first episode of the Who What Wear pod is an interview I did with Brandon! I had followed his career forever because he was Lady Gaga's stylist, then started his own line (I wore a dress of his at my wedding), and now he is *also* the creative director of two of Walmart's in-house clothing lines. He's also very kind! In just adore him and his work. The pieces are truly next level.
I abso-f*ckin-lutely love your substack and the mix of budget friendly and investment/aspirational pieces. I look forward to every single post of yours and find your sense of style to be the epitome of class. Thank you for being you.
Oh Kate, well now I'm deeply in my feels. Thank you! This is the only place I've ever written about my personal style & choices, so it feels vulnerable, and I appreciate the support.
I so look forward to your Sunday newsletter! And while I may not be able to purchase a lot of what you wear, I’m here for inspiration, your unique voice, and the eye candy of it all. How boring would everything be if we were all just copy+paste? Thank you for sharing so much with us ❤️
Thank you for giving us a unique vision that doesn’t involve the male gaze! I haven’t bought the negative pants yet but I did get my first Doen pieces, a skirt and shorts for an upcoming trip to Hawaii.
It has been a struggle to uncouple myself from the male gaze and I appreciate that you see me working on it! So excited for your upcoming trip too! I hope the Doen serves you beautifully.
Love, love all your recommendations! Your newsletter is like advice from a trusted friend. It helps me when I am down about negative feedback to read the one star reviews of National parks @subparparks on instagram is a good place to start. I mean if people can hate on Yellowstone who are we to compete.
Thank you for your amazing recommendations! I love the variety and especially loved your Recs on how to pack for a 36 hour trip. As an almost 60-yr old you help keep me dressing stylishly and chic. I’m frequently getting compliments on my wardrobe grace a vous and reading your posts each Sunday is a highlight and treat! Thank you!!
I love your FREE newsletter! You do a wonderful job of mixing high and low price points. You’re also giving us ideas to hopefully better use what we already have, so while I appreciate that you link to the items (or similar) I don’t particularly care if the trouser you wear is too expensive for me. Maybe I have one like it or I can keep the silhouette in mind if I think it’s something that would fit my needs. And not flattering? What?? I can’t even with that nonsense.
The "flattering" thing feels very much a part of my mom's generation (Mom, I love you, this isn't a criticism!) which is much more centered around appealing to the male gaze, I think? Which is not their fault; it's society's fault, IMHO. Flattering is a little bit like "photogenic" to me, which is one of those weird backhanded compliments. Like, wow, you look better in photos than you do in real life. Which is not what it means but I am SENSI sometimes! Ha.
I agree. I loved my grandmother so much but I never went shopping with her without her commenting “you could do to lose 5 lbs” and my mom rules out clothing brands as being “for tall & skinny women” meaning not us short chonks. Lol. Petit sizing and tailors do exist, Mom.
Oh my god my grandmother and her comments on my weight!!!! I of course am a brat and when she complimented me one time on looking thinner, I said: Thanks, the bulimia is really bad right now, but I'm glad you can tell it's working!
I subscribe to many different fashion and beauty newsletters. Some are more aesthetic, and some are exclusively high end. I might consider unsubscribing to these. Some are more OOTD and high/low. Some are more lifestyle. But it’s not on the creator to change for me, it’s about me finding the creator I agree with. lol at “take me off the list”, tho.
I think about this a lot with cookbooks. It's incumbent on me to find an author who makes sense for my palette, skill, and the level of effort I have time for now...and that changes! And that's okay!
Hillary- it’s such a tough balance to strike between “affordable recommendations” alongside pieces you just love, wear and have invested in. All I can say is you do an incredible job of sharing a glimpse into your world with us here and that’s ultimately what this newsletter is about!!! 🩵
For those looking for a winter coat now is an incredible time to find one on a deep discount. Mackage and Soia&Kyo both make fantastic and WARM wool coats and puffers!
I have a lot of work travel coming up and am curious about the cadence bags. I see how they are better than drugstore brands but I still blanch at the price. Sigh
I get it! I also literally use ziplock bags too, and have a Tory Burch case from a thousand years ago. I love my Cadence bags, but truthfully the small containers are even more revelatory to me. They don't leak and that's harder to find than a bag, IMHO. I've been writing about the bags because they're new and I like, but long term I've written more about the containers because they're truly game changers. Just my two cents!
I love getting your weekly emails!! I realize that some things are more expensive but I love seeing your looks and picks and suggestions! I’m in my mid sixties and have come to accept that I will be a size 14 even though I work out every day and eat right..there is nothing that will miraculously make a person look thin like these people are seeking. And you always give options on prices! So the hell with them, Hillary! You keep doing what you do and a great job at it!! I still love fashion and to be as edgy as I still can pull off. And man, I’m loving those green Sardine sunglasses-I have the website pulled up-like I need another pair of sunglasses-lol. You’re the best!
As someone who has been many, many, many sizes over the years, being in a period of relative body acceptance feels like a gift, even if I am not the "fashion norm," which has never been the case for me anyway! The Sardines are so cute though, right? I love how Italian and full of life they feel...a little cheer in these weird-ass times.
I second (third, fourth, fifth!) all of these comments - yours was one of the first Substacks I followed and I remain a fan. I know a lot of (lol, most?) of what we see online is smoke and mirrors, but you seem like a real person working it out. I don’t mean to be stalkery but to say: it sounds like that’s the tone you’re going for, and you have nailed it. I hope you see that as an accomplishment as a writer. I also give you big props for letting that comment roll off your back. I’m going to be 50 (wtaf)this year and honestly, let’s all just keep it moving. 💓💓
Ps: also, I appreciated your response about how rarely you feature gifted products and that, when you do, you mention it. To me, that makes you more credible. There is *so much* content out there, I appreciate knowing what’s a paid/ sponsored mention vs what people whose style I admire truly love.
I've done exactly *one* sponsored story with J.Crew at the end of last year and I disclosed the shit out of it. But also: I like J.Crew and they let me pick whatever I wanted to wear/write about, which felt like the best way of doing it. Organic alignment + writing freedom! Also: Trust is all we have with our readers, so I try to run on the overdisclosing side of things and will say: Someone sent me this, and I used the whole thing and then bought more with my own money.
I absolutely always love your content and so so so look forward to this hitting my inbox this week. In response to the comment another reader left you, while we most likely do not have the same budget, I am never thinking ‘oh all of these items are so expensive’. You do a wonderful job of mixing high and low price points, but for me that’s not the point of your posts! You are a fashion girly who is sharing what YOU love and often detail at length WHY it’s hitting so hard for you. If someone was turned off by a price, you provide plenty of specific things/notes about the garment that others could try to find on their own time in another piece. Sometimes it’s just inspiration or a point of reference, like a fashion magazine. Keep doing what you’re doing. The ones who love it, love it! (And there’s probably a lot of us) ❤️
Oh this just made me rather emotional. Thank you for seeing my heart and intentions in all this.
Came here to say exactly this - couldn’t have put it better myself 💖
In the Sea of Substack, I always remain loyal to yours and look forward to reading it, Hillary!
❤️❤️❤️
Totally agree! I love your posts Hillary! Ignore the naysayers!
So much yes to this comment!!!
Giving this comment a resounding YES!! HK, anyone who reads your content knows that you are such a very thoughtful and intentional consumer which is why you are my holy grail substacker. So grateful for the time you spend sharing your knowledge.
For what it’s worth, I’d love to hear more about your sample sale/ vintage purses—so fun to live vicariously through others on that front (especially since I’m buying less anyway!)!
Agree with this! Maybe even some tips/tidbits on how to effectively shop vintage/sample sales!
Also *purchases not purses but those too haha
On it!!!
This!
We're all here because we want the fun peek behind the curtain from an industry insider that feels like a chat with your girlfriend. I'm not a fashion person and had never heard of Brandon Maxwell - and I LOVE that. It's so fun to make new discoveries and see what's piquing your interest (also you will be a forever follow for me because we have the same hard to fit feet). I love finding new to me designers. We all know how to shop JCrew or plug your Brandon Maxwell into an image search to find a dupe and I think I probably speak for many of us when I say we're not that interested in fast fashion anyway.
Actually I meant to comment on last week's post that I am looking for a coat a lot like that Maxwell one- something long and really warm but not down. All the great wool and cashmere ones I find are more of a shoulder season weight. If anyone has recs please share!
Not to be self promotional, but the very first episode of the Who What Wear pod is an interview I did with Brandon! I had followed his career forever because he was Lady Gaga's stylist, then started his own line (I wore a dress of his at my wedding), and now he is *also* the creative director of two of Walmart's in-house clothing lines. He's also very kind! In just adore him and his work. The pieces are truly next level.
ah I can't wait to listen. Thanks!
Just posted below - my mackage wool coats are seriously warm and very pretty! The Elodie is awesome if you like the military inspired vibe.
I abso-f*ckin-lutely love your substack and the mix of budget friendly and investment/aspirational pieces. I look forward to every single post of yours and find your sense of style to be the epitome of class. Thank you for being you.
Oh Kate, well now I'm deeply in my feels. Thank you! This is the only place I've ever written about my personal style & choices, so it feels vulnerable, and I appreciate the support.
I so look forward to your Sunday newsletter! And while I may not be able to purchase a lot of what you wear, I’m here for inspiration, your unique voice, and the eye candy of it all. How boring would everything be if we were all just copy+paste? Thank you for sharing so much with us ❤️
Thank you Lexi; this truly means so much to me.
Thank you for giving us a unique vision that doesn’t involve the male gaze! I haven’t bought the negative pants yet but I did get my first Doen pieces, a skirt and shorts for an upcoming trip to Hawaii.
It has been a struggle to uncouple myself from the male gaze and I appreciate that you see me working on it! So excited for your upcoming trip too! I hope the Doen serves you beautifully.
Love, love all your recommendations! Your newsletter is like advice from a trusted friend. It helps me when I am down about negative feedback to read the one star reviews of National parks @subparparks on instagram is a good place to start. I mean if people can hate on Yellowstone who are we to compete.
Ahahahahababahabhahabababaha amazing!!!!
Thank you for your amazing recommendations! I love the variety and especially loved your Recs on how to pack for a 36 hour trip. As an almost 60-yr old you help keep me dressing stylishly and chic. I’m frequently getting compliments on my wardrobe grace a vous and reading your posts each Sunday is a highlight and treat! Thank you!!
Awww thank you!!!!
I love your FREE newsletter! You do a wonderful job of mixing high and low price points. You’re also giving us ideas to hopefully better use what we already have, so while I appreciate that you link to the items (or similar) I don’t particularly care if the trouser you wear is too expensive for me. Maybe I have one like it or I can keep the silhouette in mind if I think it’s something that would fit my needs. And not flattering? What?? I can’t even with that nonsense.
The "flattering" thing feels very much a part of my mom's generation (Mom, I love you, this isn't a criticism!) which is much more centered around appealing to the male gaze, I think? Which is not their fault; it's society's fault, IMHO. Flattering is a little bit like "photogenic" to me, which is one of those weird backhanded compliments. Like, wow, you look better in photos than you do in real life. Which is not what it means but I am SENSI sometimes! Ha.
I agree. I loved my grandmother so much but I never went shopping with her without her commenting “you could do to lose 5 lbs” and my mom rules out clothing brands as being “for tall & skinny women” meaning not us short chonks. Lol. Petit sizing and tailors do exist, Mom.
Oh my god my grandmother and her comments on my weight!!!! I of course am a brat and when she complimented me one time on looking thinner, I said: Thanks, the bulimia is really bad right now, but I'm glad you can tell it's working!
Yours is the newsletter I always open, no matter what! You have such a great mix of price points!❤️
I try to be thoughtful about it and also that's just how I shop, so I'm glad that resonates.
I subscribe to many different fashion and beauty newsletters. Some are more aesthetic, and some are exclusively high end. I might consider unsubscribing to these. Some are more OOTD and high/low. Some are more lifestyle. But it’s not on the creator to change for me, it’s about me finding the creator I agree with. lol at “take me off the list”, tho.
I think about this a lot with cookbooks. It's incumbent on me to find an author who makes sense for my palette, skill, and the level of effort I have time for now...and that changes! And that's okay!
Hillary- it’s such a tough balance to strike between “affordable recommendations” alongside pieces you just love, wear and have invested in. All I can say is you do an incredible job of sharing a glimpse into your world with us here and that’s ultimately what this newsletter is about!!! 🩵
Thank you so much SK; I really appreciate it.
For those looking for a winter coat now is an incredible time to find one on a deep discount. Mackage and Soia&Kyo both make fantastic and WARM wool coats and puffers!
I have a lot of work travel coming up and am curious about the cadence bags. I see how they are better than drugstore brands but I still blanch at the price. Sigh
I get it! I also literally use ziplock bags too, and have a Tory Burch case from a thousand years ago. I love my Cadence bags, but truthfully the small containers are even more revelatory to me. They don't leak and that's harder to find than a bag, IMHO. I've been writing about the bags because they're new and I like, but long term I've written more about the containers because they're truly game changers. Just my two cents!
I saw them at the container store - you put your liquids in them, like face wash, shampoo, etc? Thank you for sharing your experience!
Yes I also use it to decant my larger Makeup By Mario foundation too.
I love getting your weekly emails!! I realize that some things are more expensive but I love seeing your looks and picks and suggestions! I’m in my mid sixties and have come to accept that I will be a size 14 even though I work out every day and eat right..there is nothing that will miraculously make a person look thin like these people are seeking. And you always give options on prices! So the hell with them, Hillary! You keep doing what you do and a great job at it!! I still love fashion and to be as edgy as I still can pull off. And man, I’m loving those green Sardine sunglasses-I have the website pulled up-like I need another pair of sunglasses-lol. You’re the best!
As someone who has been many, many, many sizes over the years, being in a period of relative body acceptance feels like a gift, even if I am not the "fashion norm," which has never been the case for me anyway! The Sardines are so cute though, right? I love how Italian and full of life they feel...a little cheer in these weird-ass times.
I second (third, fourth, fifth!) all of these comments - yours was one of the first Substacks I followed and I remain a fan. I know a lot of (lol, most?) of what we see online is smoke and mirrors, but you seem like a real person working it out. I don’t mean to be stalkery but to say: it sounds like that’s the tone you’re going for, and you have nailed it. I hope you see that as an accomplishment as a writer. I also give you big props for letting that comment roll off your back. I’m going to be 50 (wtaf)this year and honestly, let’s all just keep it moving. 💓💓
Ps: also, I appreciated your response about how rarely you feature gifted products and that, when you do, you mention it. To me, that makes you more credible. There is *so much* content out there, I appreciate knowing what’s a paid/ sponsored mention vs what people whose style I admire truly love.
I've done exactly *one* sponsored story with J.Crew at the end of last year and I disclosed the shit out of it. But also: I like J.Crew and they let me pick whatever I wanted to wear/write about, which felt like the best way of doing it. Organic alignment + writing freedom! Also: Trust is all we have with our readers, so I try to run on the overdisclosing side of things and will say: Someone sent me this, and I used the whole thing and then bought more with my own money.