I Spent Hours Sifting Through Crappy Presidents' Day Sales To Find 19 Things You Won't Regret Buying.
Including some Dries Van Noten trousers that can get it. And all the sheets + towels I've ever written about, which are now on sale.
Happy long weekend, to all who celebrate.
Personally, I’m not super interested in throwing a party for American presidents, but I do like a day off and I also appreciate the fact that we have turned this three-day weekend into a sales bonanza. It’s so unserious of us, and so deeply American.
So on that note, I’ve created an edit of some of the essentials that you should definitely consider shopping this weekend. As per usual, I put an emphasis on timeless staples rather than trend-forward pieces. And I would advise you to be strict when shopping President’s Day sales, because there’s a lot of garbage out there right now, but also a few gems to be found.
The way I cut through the cacophony is by looking for brands that I know excel in a specific category (like Dries van Noten trousers, more on that below), and then searching for (relatively) seasonless fabrics. I also love this time of year to scoop up classic silhouettes for fall/winter, like a really amazing wool coat or a fabulous boot that I can wear for decades to come. It requires some patience, but the treasures are out there.
And just to keep this newsletter the weird amalgamation of shopping and random thoughts that you have come to know (and hopefully love), I also wanted to kick things off with two suggestions for your social media consideration. Because let’s be honest: The internet is a cesspool, but when you see folks doing incredible work, I think it’s important to shine a light on them. So, some celebratory love to kick things off, followed by some smart shopping sales stuff for your home and your closet.
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.)
Two Women You Should Know + Follow
First things first: I hate the algo.
Any algo.
I find them annoying, mostly incorrect, and intrusive. For someone who specializes in digging for specific information or inspiration, I find the spoon-fed forced nature of the algo infantilizing and presumptuous. It makes me an angsty teen; just let me make my own choices, algo!
*shakes fist at sky*
That said, from time to time, the stars align, and the wee wizards inside my social apps actually get it right. And those tiny moments of joyful discovery are so powerful, they keep me from quitting the internet all together. For example, I somewhat recently found two accounts that are truly noteworthy, as they are both incredibly thoughtful, insightful, inspiring, and give me hope for the future. Seriously.
Caroline Gaimari / @cgaimari
I cannot believe I’m about to type this, but here we go: Thank you, TikTok algo, for the introduction to @cgaimari. She is one of maybe three people I actually look forward to watching on the app, and I compulsively heart everything she makes, like a nerd.
Caroline—who I absolutely don’t know, let’s hope she’s not reading this—creates wonderful, detailed, thoughtfully contextualized videos, primarily focused on her work and life in Paris, and her account is deeply satisfying. She also happens to be American, which makes her feel accessible-adjacent, even though her dry wit and fundamental elegance (even on her no-gi, seemingly very sweaty, jiu jitsu training days, #iykyk) feels quite European.
To be perfectly honest, though our worlds seem to have some overlap, I haven’t gotten into her backstory in any sort of forensic way, other than to note she is a creative director who appears to be a one-stop shop of writing/directing/producing/editing for sexy-cool fashion and luxury brands like HommeGirls and Vuitton, but that’s not what makes her content so damn good. (Okay, I just searched her for the first time and of course she’s fab; she’s the former Fashion Director + Executive Editor of Purple. Le sigh.)
Caroline’s information-packed TikToks are brilliantly done, stuffed with so many interesting tidbits about everything from Parisian architecture to the adaptogenic drinks she makes in her serene kitchen, and I find myself truly caring about the differences between what American fashion people want to eat in Paris versus French creatives. Will her content be for everyone? No, that’s not the point. But it is for me, and I hope, for you too.
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Tariro Makoni / @tariro.makoni
It started last month, when the algo knew I was open to new content, as long as it was about Ayo Edebiri (and her work with stylist Danielle Goldberg). The next thing I knew, I was 1000% glued to my screen as Tariro Makoni delivered her insights on the actress’s personal style and a “sociocultural analysis of rising fame & clothes as a necessary signal (or conduit),” as she wrote in the caption.
This level of thoughtfulness is everything I’ve ever wanted from social media, and it’s no surprise that I immediately shared her video with everyone I’ve pretty much ever met. She’s just that good. Everything Tariro creates is fundamentally intelligent, wildly insightful, but still funny as hell, which is what you’d expect from the woman who coined the term “puffification” last year (a truly perfect word) and linked it to the “uneasy state of the global economy,” per Bazaar (a truly correct take).
SHOPPING/HOME
TOWELS: As suspected, many of the towels from last week’s story are on sale!
My favorite Matouk bath sheets are $71, down from $110, while my other loves from Brooklinen, the super-plush bath sheets are 20% off (sold in pairs, normally two bath sheets are $119, but this weekend they’re $95, which breaks down to $47 each).
SHEETS: Land’s End 400 Thread Count Premium Supima Cotton No Iron Sateen Bed Sheet Set (normally $210, now $145)
You’re probably sick of me talking about them (ahem, they were one of my best purchases of 2023), but *the sheets* I’m high-key in love with are on sale right now, at probably the best price I’ve ever seen. Again, if you’re new here, they were recommended originally by my friend Annie Meyers-Shyer of @thisoakhouse and I can’t stop talking about them. We have them on every bed in the house, and they feel EXTREMELY wonderful.
MATTRESSES: Naturepedic Verse Organic Mattress (normally $999, now $800)
The incredible Kelly LeVeque-recommended Naturepedic mattresses we have for our kids are on sale right now, and I 11/10 recommend. We also have a Naturepedic mattress—the process of deciding to buy it was laborious and documented last summer for this newsletter!—and I remain extremely happy with it. Also for reference, we liked the 2022 Good Housekeeping winner, which is the EOS Customizable Mattress (also 20% off), but ended up going with the Azure from the Halcyon collection, which aren’t shoppable online.
Parachute Eco Mattress (normally $2400, now $1920)
As a longtime lover of all things Parachute, I was really close to buying the brand’s mattress, as it is excellent. It’s currently 20% off, which is definitely sexy. And while you’re there, you also might want to pick up one of Parachute’s amazing bed bundles, which are 15% off this weekend. I personally love the linen, which sleeps very cool and isn’t scratchy. The bundle includes a fitted sheet, pillowcase set, duvet cover, duvet insert, and two pillows. So basically a starter kit for sleep? Yes please!
Saatva Classic Mattress ($1995 normally, now $1695)
The other mattress at the top of our lists was this trad luxury innerspring option from Saatva. It truly feels amazing, and the customer service experience is really top notch. We liked the Firm and the Luxury Firm.
SHOPPING/CLOTHING
Everlane The Organic Kick Flare Pant ($98 normally, now $69)
If you’ve been considering an alternative to the much-discussed (by me, and other niche fashion people) High Sport culty pants, Everlane’s take is on sale right now.
J.Crew Pre-Spring Event
Right now J.Crew is offering some insane deals on new clothing, shoes, and accessories, and I have a very big cart going. Here’s what I think you should consider.
Pleated Pull-On Midi Skirt ($128 normally, now $89.50)
I own this in navy and black, in both small and medium, and now I’m going to buy a white one. They look so expensive IRL, never lose their pleats, and can be styled up or down, for work or the weekend, and are just dreamy.
Quinn Lace-Up Ballet Flats ($148 normally, now $104)
Ugh, I love these so much. I’m buying them in black, now. They’re so chic, even if you just see the satin peeking out from a pair of wide-leg jeans, though they’ll look great with all your linen dresses come summer, too.
Delaney Kickout Sweater Pant ($148)
Okay this one isn’t on sale, but the price is good, and you all were raving in the comments about this pant when I sent out the story on High Sport pants. In cart, now. I love the idea of having a truly great travel pant, and this feels like it could be the one?
Maisie Ankle-Strap Heels in Croc-Embossed Leather ($288 normally, now $159)
Don’t know if you’re seeing this too, but red shoes are having a moment right now, and this pair in Rich Scarlet is definitely doing it for me. I’m not normally an ankle-strap girl, but I think these would look really great with a cropped flare pant (any one know one? ha) or even my Artizia carrot trousers.
Cutout Tie-Back One Piece ($118 normally, now $93)
If you have spring break in your near future, want a suit that feels secure but not dowdy, and has removable straps so you don’t get annoying tan lines, this one's for you. I buy one every couple of years and it’s never failed me. The design gives you a waist, which is something most one-pieces absolutely refuse to do.
Double-Breasted Trench Coat ($368 normally, now $219)
BUY THE GREEN. I purchased this at full price and adore it, but would have died to snag it at this 40%-off price. DO NOT SLEEP ON IT. I have a size 6, which feels slightly big, FWIW. Not in a bad way! But if you like a closer fit, I’d consider going down a size.
Net-A-Porter Sale
A.L.C. Delfina Asymmetric One-Shoulder Plisse Chiffon Dress ($695 normally, now $348)
You know you will have a summer wedding to go to, or some event that requires a dress. Buy this dress and “future you” will be grateful that your wardrobe for said event is already sorted. This is a classic dress from one of my favorite brands, and it’s truly at an amazing price for the quality.
Aquazzura Nude 85 Raffia Slingback Sandals ($750 normally, now $450)
Fuchsia for life! These are the dream summer party sandals, from one of the best brands in the business.
There are over 160 pieces of The Row on sale right now, which is kind of bonkers. I personally have a strapless crepe bustier maxi dress in my cart right now, which is 50% off!, and a hyper minimalist blazer too.
Khaite Lalita Pleated Cotton-Blend Twill Halterneck ($1980 normally, now $1386)
If I was getting married this year, I would definitely want this dress. It would also look exceptional in Europe this summer, just saying.
Dries Van Noten Wool Wide-Leg Pants ($1095 normally, now $548)
I just bought these pants and they might be the best thing I own? And all the thanks goes to two women—Shiona Turini and Nikki Ogunnaike—who told me (repeatedly) that the best pants in the world are Dries pants. Unsurprisingly, they were right, and I’m converted for life.
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.
Hi! Just dropping a note to say I love your newsletter and read it every week. Going to buy a bunch of these things now 😀
Hi! I bought that J Crew suit last year on your recommendation and it has been a winner on the preschool swimming birthday party circuit. Thank you!