7 Things To Shop, Read, Watch, Try, Test, and Buy For February

Did I overwrite about High Sport pants? Probably. So come for my side-eye curiosity and stay for the swooning over Alan Cumming. It's called range people! Look it up.

Once again, I am holding out on you. I meant to finally write about my favorite towels, but for some reason this newsletter foisted itself on the Google Doc instead. I don’t know what to tell you; the fingers type what they type? I have a lot of thoughts on towels—and now a mismatched, albeit luxurious, assortment of giant, white, fluffy options—but alas, that’s getting kicked back another week. Maybe just in time for President’s Day sales? Let us hope.

Instead, today’s installment is about what’s piquing my interest this month, ranging from a meandering discussion of the cult-y and expensive High Sport pants (I caved and bought them, but I’m definitely exploring other options, so if you feel feelings about these pull-on pants, please share in the comments) to the most outrageous reality TV competition show I have ever seen. Seriously, each episode features so many bonkers challenges and twists, it’s like a hat on a hat on a hat. And it’s hosted by Alan Cumming in full Bond-villain Scottish drag; say less, I know. 

As always, if there’s an item you’re shopping for or you need help sorting through the zillions of options out there, please don’t hesitate to drop me a comment and I will add it to my to-do list. (And why am I prompting you to comment? Because while I love DMs and always try to answer you there, my inbox is messy, and comments here are much easier for me to find and use as source material as I’m working on new things. Also, I love comments; they make me feel seen.)

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SHOP: Madewell The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean ($138) in Black Rinse Wash

Personal style changes can be sparked by a range of reasons. My evolution as of late is 100% influenced by recent footwear purchases. Between the Sezane leopard loafers I keep writing about, the red and pink Adidas I bought last week, and an investment pair of studded Khaite mules I bought after several months of dithering, one thing is clear: I am in my flats era. And that means I’m adjusting a handful of things in my wardrobe.

For example, with the exception of a few cropped styles, most of my jeans and pants are hemmed for heels. Significant heels. And I’m not sure I want to re-hem them, so instead I’ve been trying some new pieces that work with my flat shoes. That’s how I ended up buying these black wide-leg jeans, but then I fell in love.

For me at 5’5”, the regular length is perfect for flats. The style is more like a slightly exaggerated straight leg, rather than a serious wide leg. It’s a really good transitional option if you’re used to a slim or straight-leg jean, and just might help your eye adjust to a more voluminous silhouette? Either way, they’re stretchy and comfy enough for a JFK → LAX flight, just saying.

The jeans! Worn with an ancient Bella Freud sweater, ancient Burberry coat (which you can sometimes find on resale sites) and the aforementioned investment mules by Khaite. Lip is an old Armani lipstick in 401, which seems to not be in production?

READ: Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander ($25)

Full disclosure: Jenny and I work together—she is the incredible Digital Director at Marie Claire—but honestly, it has no bearing on the fact that I whole-heartedly recommend her first novel. In addition to having an incredible title, I was hooked from the moment I opened it, and got so sucked in, I finished it 24 hours after starting. So fair warning: It may be your next hyper-fixation read. Certainly was for me.

So what should you expect? The protagonist, Charlotte Colbert, is the editor-in-chief of a major magazine, but also the survivor of a horrific event that was covered extensively in the news, and the book flashes back and forth between present day and the past. That toggling results in a suspenseful thriller (sans gore) with twisty-turn-y psychological elements, an unreliable narrator, and really thoughtful explorations of how trauma can impact mental health and memory. 

Perfect For: Fans of Yellowjackets (but less disturbing), Jessica Knoll’s Luckiest Girl Alive, Memento, and honestly anyone who likes a suspenseful read.

I hope you enjoy Jenny’s writing as much as I do. Which is A LOT.

WATCH: Lisa Frankenstein (film) and The Traitors (TV) Season 2 streaming exclusively on Peacock TV

I first heard about Lisa Frankenstein from my colleague Jess, who has worked for Who What Wear almost as long as I have and now leads entertainment for the company. The way she talked about it hooked me immediately: Written by Diablo Cody, directed by Zelda Williams, starring Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse, and set in the ‘80s. Oh, and one of the leads is a teenager and the other is a hot, Victorian-era corpse. Who could resist? Not me. 

The Who What Wear team was collectively so excited about the movie, we ended up shooting Kathryn and Cole for our January cover, and I think half the team has already seen the movie, which editor Anna LaPlaca called “120 minutes of belly-laughing, jaw-dropping ridiculousness—a guaranteed wild ride from start to finish.” 

As for The Traitors—season two started last month, but there’s plenty of time to catch up—I’d noticed it on social, and my friend Michelle, who I trust implicitly, gave it a strong recommendation when I saw her last week. I can’t tell you about the first season, as I started directly on the second one, but if you are looking for a ridiculous reality TV competition show featuring 21 incredibly memorable personalities (many of whom are reality TV stars already themselves), this show is for you.

The show is a murder-mystery game (like Mafia) set in Scotland, starring an array of folks from my viewing history including: Real World: Las Vegas’s Trishelle Cannatella, RHOA’s Phaedra Parks and Sheree Whitfield, and The Bachelor’s Peter Weber. There’s a big cash prize on the line, plus the group can add more money to the overall pot if they win challenges. But most importantly—to me—is the fact that the show is hosted by Alan Cumming, who is doing the MOST in his role. From his fantastic Sam Spector-styled wardrobe to his over-the-top delivery of lines, Mr. Cumming is an international treasure, and should be protected at all costs.

This is one of my favorite shots from Who What Wear’s most recent cover.

TRY: Roz Hair Root Lift Spray ($42)

As I mentioned last month, I love love love love celebrity hairstylist Mara Rozak’s line, Roz Hair. Her shampoo and conditioner is my favorite, and she just came out with a root lift spray that you NEED, especially if you have fine hair like me. 

I’ve been following the directions and spraying it on my roots when my hair is partially damp, and then doing the last part of drying with my head flipped upside down for max volume. I don’t know about you, but for me, volumizing products might work for a night, but then they feel sticky or oily by the next day. That’s not the case with this one! It gives you volume that lasts, and it feels like it extends my blowout, instead of compromising it. 

TEST: High Sport Kick Cropped Checked Flared Pants ($860) and others

As someone who works in fashion, the brand High Sport has been on my radar since it launched at the end of 2021, as it was founded by Alissa Zachary, who previously worked at The Row and Khaite. Fashion media and industry insiders have covered the brand like crazy, especially the hero piece, which is a cropped flared pull-on knit pant that’s available in neutrals and candy-colored brights alike. The pants are made in Italy, from a proprietary blend of French lycra and cotton, and each pair takes over six hours to produce. The resulting material is serious and reminds me of vintage Alaia knits. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the pants are really expensive, especially for a garment that pulls on, and has nary a button nor a zipper. And while they’re all over the Substack and IG feeds of super chic women I know, almost everyone who swears by them is a size 4 or less. Which made me wonder: Are they really good, or are they just good for smaller bodies with bigger wallets? 

Despite my internal side-eye over what feels like a pant made just for rich, hipless ladies, the hype got to me, and I bought a pair when I was in New York for a work trip. (Net-A-Porter’s same-day delivery in NYC will bankrupt me, I swear.) I also took to social media and asked if anyone who wore a size medium or up owned and loved these pants.

The answers were surprising. I had at least six people message me to say that they took a medium, large, or extra large in the pants and they loved them. There were women who told me they had athletic bodies with strong thighs and glutes who loved them. Women who were 5’6” and loved their size-large pants so much they bought more. And women who self-identify as curvy, stocky, and/or had C-section shelves who gave two thumbs up. I also had some smaller-sized folks who didn’t recommend this style, as they said the pants didn’t hold their shape well, especially when washed them at home. 

Even more surprising: I got a million responses from folks who hadn’t bought the High Sport pants, but had some version of a dupe. Generally speaking, I don’t believe in dupes. Not because I like paying premium prices, but because there is a part of me that doesn’t love when big brands copy independent companies and designers. That said, when the hype surrounding an independent company is stronger than the products they make, I feel less compelled to have high standards about this topic. Wishy-washy, I know. 

Either way, I started compiling a list of the other options, and have a bunch of these High Sport alternatives en route to me now. Top contenders are the Apiece Apart Rene Pull On Pants ($495), which are a viscose and nylon blend, have the much-beloved front-seam detail, and come in black, chocolate brown, and deep red. Donni’s The Rib Kick Flares ($164) also came up a lot; it’s made from a combo of cotton/modal/spandex and has a seam detail too. 

Also noteworthy: Ann Mashburn’s Faye Flare Cropped Pants ($250), which was recently written about in New York Magazine by Yolanda Edwards, who is the creator of YOLO Journal, which I also love. One of my BFF’s, who works for a high fashion brand, told me about Everlane’s The Dream Kick Flare Pants ($98), which I have ordered, and another editor pal mentioned Boden’s Ponte Pull-On Kick Flare Pants ($110). 

Long story long: I’ve got a bunch of these styles heading my way now, and I will update you on which ones are good, which ones are a miss for me, and how they compare to the much-mentioned originals.

Better photos to come, but here I am, trying on the High Sport pants, and trying to create a full-length mirror in my hotel room. And yes, I request a rolling rack in my room because it’s just easier.

BUY: Anastasio Home Teo Catchall ($150)

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of chatting with the founder of Anastasio Home, Gabriela Anastasio, for my podcast Second Life. I’d been following her company for a while, as the brand makes the most incredible marble trays and catchalls, which I recommend without reservations. 

If you haven’t checked out the brand, I suggest you take a minute to peruse their site (where you can shop by color!), or any of their major retailers, like Lulu & Georgia and FWRD, 

I’m also obsessed with Anastasio Home’s new brass pieces, especially the ones mixed with marble. The Small Dot Box ($285) is to die for, especially in emerald. 

I mean, can you resist? I cannot.

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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.