Online Returns Hate To See Me Coming, But Not This Month!
AKA: I'm wildly geeked about 7 things I recently bought and honestly I think you might swoon for them as much as I do?
As an avid, longtime online shopper—I’d guess that less than 5% of my wardrobe purchases are made in store, at this point?—I return more stuff than I’d like. It’s not the roughly 40% return rate that is standard to most fashion shoppers; perish the thought! But I absolutely am that person who takes advantage of free shipping and no restock fees for the ease of trying things on in my own room, with my actual full wardrobe at hand, to ensure that the outfit concept in my head can actually be executed with the pieces I already own. You feel me?
Unfortunately, I’ve been on a hot streak lately, where everything I’m buying is working. A good news/bad news situation. So I’m sharing because I’m actually so happy with what I’ve purchased, and figured you might like some of it too? Also: Am I the only one who goes on streaks like this? Where there’s a month when everything in stock looks good and then works? And then cold months when nothing looks good and when I do deign to buy something, it’s an immediate return?
[Also, this probably goes without saying, but the ongoing situation in LA remains challenging, to put it mildly. Marie Claire and Who What Wear are reporting on various ways to help.]
PS: Would I even be me if I didn’t first quickly point out that J.Crew is having a yummy sale right now? If I skip, that’s how you’ll know I’m a replicant. Anyways, I am a recent die-hard convert to J.Crew’s 100%. cotton sweaters, and while the men’s 1988 rollneck isn’t on sale, the Heritage Cotton Fisherman’s Crewneck ($64.50, on sale) IS and is fully stocked in black. Added to cart. My beloved Classic Mariner Cloth Boatneck T-Shirt in Stripe ($29.50 on sale) in Perfect Black Stripe and Ivory Navy are wardrobe essentials to add right now and wear forever. The outrageously easy and surprisingly elegant Strauss Pants in Textured Satin ($129.50) are on sale too; I have a M, which are slightly too big, and recommend possibly sizing down. Cashmere Blend Trouser Socks ($44.50) are available in a wide range of easy neutrals and everyone’s favorite Delaney Kick Out Sweater Pants ($99.50) are the most on sale I’ve ever seen. Also all cashmere is up to 50% off, which feels unhinged, but great.
Loeffler Randall Carmen Bow-Embellished Leopard-Print Velvet Sandals ($350)
Look, I know I have a leopard-print shoe problem. I am very aware. My favorite present last year was a pair of leopard Alaia flats, and I’m still wearing the hell out of my Isabel Marant leopard kitten heels, and you know that my Jamie Haller leopard loafers (other sizes here) were one of my 19 Things I Don’t Regret Buying In 2024. It’s a sickness, I know. I know!
But hear me out: These ridiculous, delightful velvet leopard sandals are also a no-regrets purchase. The block heel is a very walkable 55mm, they’re enough of a statement that they will elevate an otherwise straightforward jeans-and-t-shirt outfit, but also look great with a buttery Japanese brushed cotton Jamie Haller pant (I have the olive and the black) for work, and I definitely would wear them with a leather midi skirt and subtly sheer Negative long-sleeve t-shirt (still a favorite!) for cocktails or dinner.
And if you’re worried because you still think of velvet as being a holiday fabric, to that I say: Fuck the rules, who cares? Not me.
Rare Beauty All Of The Above Weightless Shadow Sticks ($22)
Did I take advantage of last week’s HILLARY15 (which is LIVE until February 8th!) 15% discount code on purchases over $30 on the brand’s website? Duh.com. So you know I’m a fiend for the brand’s Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil ($22) which is incredibly moisturizing and gives you a long-lasting hint of tint, which I covered last week. I went back and bought another tube of Joy, and also Happy, which might be the perfect your-lips-but-better color/what I’d want to wear as a bride.
I also picked up a few of Rare’s All Of The Above Weightless Shadow Sticks ($22), and when I beg you to RUN, not walk, to buy them, I am saying that with my whole chest. So soft and creamy, flexible so you can use it for eyeliner or shadow or whatever, and it has a water-resistant formula that truly lasts for a long time, even though I never wear primer. I love them so much I want to scream. It’s makeup that anyone, at any skill level can use, and the colors are just ridiculous. I bought Contentment, which is a rose taupe that lightly gives me Stila Kitten vibes, but more grounded, and Adventure, which is a delicious bronze that’s great for evening but can be blended for daytime too. Friends, trust me on this. The sticks are damn good. Truly.
Doen Elowena Polka-Dot Silk-Blend Midi Skirt ($330)
Was this skirt engineered in a Hillary Kerr laboratory? Not no. Let’s examine the facts: It’s polka dot (done), Doen (of course), silk (yes please), ‘90s in vibe (always), and will look great with a black thin wool sweater and kitten heels for work or with a t-shirt and loafers or chucks on the weekend. IMPOSSIBLE TO GO WRONG, at least for me. Mine is a medium.
BETTTER Leather Waist Belt ($230) in Army Green
Founded by Vogue Ukraine’s former fashion director Julie Pelipas, Bettter uses lots of upcycled materials and is carried by some of the most beloved stores in the world. I personally fell in love with the brand’s elegant waist belts, and just bought one in khaki in a small, and I have a hunch it’s going to be my new go-to option for adding a little point of differentiation to my mostly black outfits.
High Sport Petra Cotton-Blend Jacquard Midi Skirt ($940)
As someone who has more pronounced hips, I sometimes struggle with pencil skirts. It takes a lot for me to find something that accommodates my body and still fits at the waist. And when I find a pencil skirt that works, I will wear it for approximately 1000 years. (My favorite one is a piece from Roksanda that I bought over a decade ago.)
Given all the hype and love around the High Sport kick flares, I was curious about what a skirt in the brand’s signature, elite Alaia-esque material would be like. I’m sorry to report, it’s awesome. All of the heavy, stretchy goodness that you’d expect, plus it’s wildly supportive and comfortable. I don’t want to love it, but for my body and wardrobe needs, it’s an absolute yes for me.
Jamie Haller The Kitty Point Heels ($595) in Maroon Suede
Approximately 38% of my personality at this point is my maniacal love for all things Jamie Haller. But that’s fine because I truly swear by the brand’s magic. My latest hyperfixation is JH’s low suede heels, which have just the right amount of toe cleavage (a weird phrase to write, but it matters!) and sweet, small heel.
I bought them in black leather at my normal size (38), but am in the process of sizing down for the suede ones to a 37.5, which I plan on wearing with my other favorite new possession: Jamie Haller’s The Accordian Skirt ($550) and a gray cashmere J.Crew cropped crewneck.
Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops Dewy Skin Tint ($68)
This week I tried Westman Atelier’s skin tint, which I’ve heard about for ages, but never bothered to use because I still have PTSD from Glossier’s version, which felt like a product for people with already perfect skin, which I found annoying. Yes, I’m still bitter. Anyway, after all these years, and having fallen in love with so many of Westman Atelier’s products over the years, I decided to try the brand’s skin tint, and I’m so glad I did.
For me—at my big age, living in a low humidity climate, with combination skin—it has been phenomenal. Yesterday, I put some on ahead of recording an on-camera podcast, went to a shoot for Who What Wear, and finished my night at a birthday dinner for a friend. I set my under eyes, nose, and chin with my favorite One/Size blurring translucent powder early in my day, and then didn’t have time for any other touch ups. Everyone, everywhere I went, commented on my skin. Like, blurted out that my skin looked amazing the moment they looked at me. This is not normal. I was shocked, pleasantly so.
The formula requires you to really shake the shit out of it, and then it’s a little oily when you first put it on, but what I like is the fact that the formula quickly changes into a more skincare-like serum when you blend it into your skin. The coverage is on the lighter side, but it also makes you glow, even without any highlighter. An absolute yes for me.
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.
Hillary I’ve been following you since you launched WWW (I was a college student then) and have continued to follow you ever since. It’s SUCH a delight to see you on this platform! Keep up the great work (and the exceptional recommends - carting alllll of the rare beauty).
Thanks for this. Hope this week has been at least slightly better than last week. Sending you, and everyone in LA, good vibes and hugs. 🤍