5 New Discoveries (Including a $55 Trouser) That I Can't Stop Yapping About.
And a bit of rant/reframe about my intentions for this newsletter. Ominous! Ha, not really.
Last week, I got some reader feedback that made me pause for a moment. The comment—“Your choices are unflattering and too expensive.”—first made me laugh because what a weird thing to write, especially the former bit. It’s interesting to unpack because while unflattering can mean a number of things, in my experience, it’s typically used by older women as code for doesn’t make you look thin. (And yes, I’m assuming this commenter is older because she also asked me to “take her off this list,” indicating that she doesn’t know how to unsubscribe from a free newsletter she signed up for. Maybe this is wrong!)
And that, my friends, was a revelation. As someone who has worked in fashion media my whole career and have been consistently snarked at for not being a sample size, it’s the first time a comment like that just bounced off me. I spent decades of my life trying to look thin and/or hot, and honestly, what a waste. And conversely, what a joy it is to know that when I get dressed these days, I’m thinking about what feels good, not just what “looks good.” And if I feel good, it doesn’t matter if someone else thinks it makes me look thin or not, because that’s not the goal. Finally, that’s not the goal. (And yes, I know this is insane that any of this takes up head space, like boo hoo you’re not a sample size, who cares, you still have so much privilege and to that I say: You are correct.)
However the point about my choices being too expensive did land a little bit, and I wanted to take a moment to discuss. For this newsletter, I’m not trying to do the work that legacy fashion media—like Who What Wear and Marie Claire, for example—do so well. I’m not finding every single piece I own at every single price point because that work is service journalism done by a team of editors for their day job and this is a personal newsletter I write on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons by myself.
I also hope that while this newsletter does cover a fair amount of shopping, it also offers information and inspiration that transcends transactions. That I don’t, for example, expect you to buy a Brandon Maxwell alpaca wool floor-length olive green coat, though it is perhaps my best sample sale purchase ever, but hope you might appreciate the strategy I used when deciding to pack it. (Specifically, that when you are packing for a 36-hour trip and can only take one piece of outerwear, make sure it works with all your intended outfits)
Also, as I’m sure you’ve realized, while I have many investment pieces, I have purchased them over the last fifteen-plus years, and will wear things over and over and over again. So to be totally clear, this is not going to be your destination for primarily fast fashion. When looking for deals, I prefer to thrift, shop sales, and buy vintage whenever possible, though I haven’t always covered that as much here, because people get annoyed when something is sold out.
Anyway, I hope that helps clear some things up. And I hope you know that I love a good Gap cotton sweater as much as I like an investment skirt, and both things are okay. No, both things are great!
Okay, rant over.
And happy Oscars Day to all who celebrate! (We’re watching tonight, right? I’m most excited to see what Cynthia Erivo wears, and Demi Moore, too. And I always like seeing Emma Stone, Elle Fanning, and of course, Selena too. If you have any thoughts or predictions, let me know, below! I have some insider info and might be able to give you hints. Maybe!)
NEW EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS
I have no idea how I ended up cruising American Eagle Outfitters recently—oh wait, yes I do; it was after the Super Bowl when folks were socializing the idea that Kendrick Lamar’s flared jeans were AEO, not Celine—but I found myself on the brand’s site perusing their higher priced collection, AE77. On a whim, I decided to try the brand’s AE77 Premium Barrel Trousers (now $55.20/60% off), since the shape can work for folks with shorter legs, like me. It was a real guess, as the brand doesn’t include measurements for the individual sizes, but I took a swing and friends, these trousers are great and true to size.
They’re a wool blend (to be honest, I don’t love that they’re part poly and part viscose, but it is what it is), and the fit is kind of killer? And for the price, they’re pretty hard to beat. The shape is really nice too; bow-legged, but not too voluminous, and the pleats are subtle too. Those two aspects are quite hard to get right in any fabric, at any price point, and I was very pleasantly surprised. I have zero regrets about owning them, and I think you might find the same to be true, too.
Speaking of trousers, a couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my love for J.Crew’s Trouser Maxi Skirt (now $79.50; normally $148) and the Tibi Tropical Wool Maxi Trouser Skirt ($395) I just packed for my 36-hour work trip to New York, and maybe I have a case of Baader-Meinhof syndrome, but I’m seeing these skirts everywhere right now. Staud is making a cool, belt-loop free iteration, G.Label makes an elevated one, Aritzia has a cool one in their signature crepe, and I’m currently contemplating Helsa’s white version (I feel like this brand is also everywhere right now). And to be honest, I’m thrilled about it because it always feels a little Paltrow doing minimalism in the ‘90s to me, and I love how it looks with non-corporate pieces, like a flat sandal and a baby tee or a slouchy cashmere sweater.
NEW DISCOVERIES
Having a daughter has reignited my interest in hair accessories, mostly for her because she has requested to grow out her bangs, so we are in that awkward, hair-in-the-eyes phase, but also for me, if I’m being totally honest. This new interest led me to order Solar Eclipse’s Hand Painted Cherry Blossom Flower Claw Clip ($28), a brand I wasn’t familiar with until recently. Solar Eclipse which is designed in New York, also has a bunch of darling bag charms that feel truly unique, and I also have my eye on this adorable lucky cat brush for myself, er, I mean, for my kiddo.
When it comes to sunglasses, I’m pretty loyal to my oversized Wayfarers and a splurgy pair of tortoiseshell Thierry Lasry cat-eye sunglasses. But recently I’m quite excited about a new-to-me brand called Sardine (a perfect name, to be honest) that appears to be a side project for the co-founders Danielle McWaters and Lauren Meeker. The shades are made in small batches and limited runs, and I love that they have personality and a point of view. (Can you tell I’m tired of qui_t lux_ry?) With spring break around the corner, I’m currently admiring the Demi Sunglasses ($147) in Verde Palma and the Georgie style is so cool too.
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many requests for an alternative to the long sold-out caramel colored ALC coat I wear all the time, and wanted to say that Rue Sophie makes a wool, cashmere, viscose robe coat that is a similar shade and vibes, and at a sub-$500 price point.
NEW UPDATES
Recently I mentioned that I’ve been trying Dr. Diamond’s newly launched product, which is meant to be the second step in his three-step line. As I’ve mentioned before, I reluctantly fell in love with the brand’s first two products, the growth-factor rich plasma and retinol night cream, and I say reluctantly because they’re expensive as hell, and I don’t love spending that much on products, let alone recommending them. But alas, I love it, and have bought the plasma several times over, because it’s so darn good. Truthfully, the two work brilliantly together, but I stopped using the night cream because I’m trying out prescription tret, so will keep you posted on that. Long story long, I’ve been using the plasma and the new product and all I can say is that I got a ton of compliments on my skin from jaded beauty professionals at a work dinner recently, and another longtime friend who works in fashion mentioned my skin unprompted when we had lunch this week. So!
And last, but not least, an update on my 36-hour trip packing list. Y’all, it was the best packing of my LIFE, and I swear that’s in part because so many of you were honest about the weather. So thank you! I had one extra outfit that I ended up not wearing, but that’s fine! Also, I took my two new Cadence The Parcel Bags ($65 each) for my makeup and skincare and they’re perfect. A mini face cream exploded, and it was completely easy to wipe it off the inside of the bag, and everything stayed closed and put. Totally dreamy and 11/10 recommend. (To be totally candid, I slightly overpacked makeup, but that’s a me issue.) The brand has a limited edition smokey topaz iteration right now—thank you Steph for sending, I love it!— that looks amazing with their cobalt capsules. The new collection is so chic and very fashion, but the products all really work too, which is the best part.
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.
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) ❤️
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!)!