The 5 Things I Keep Texting My Friends About
Including (but not limited to): The book about Glossier, the perfect forever coat, cords I actually die for, the only clean deo that works for me, and some foot stuff.
Per your many requests, I have a few more deep dive shopping stories in the works—loafers and blazers and edibles (maybe?), oh my!—so keep your eyes peeled. That said, the roundups take quite a bit of time, and that’s something I’m short on these days, so I appreciate your patience in advance.
On that note: 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.)
With all of that in mind, today I have a veritable cornucopia of goodies that will hopefully surprise and delight. They’re all things I can’t stop texting my friends about, and it is my fervent desire that you will enjoy them just as much as you enjoyed my new go-to Gap sweater that is very, very, very delicious. (You all bought over 500 sweaters last Sunday; that’s bonkers!)
TRY IT: Nez Deodorant ($15)
Natural deodorant sucks. I’m sorry, but it’s true. I have tried what feels like every single option on the market, and honestly I’ve been wildly underwhelmed.
Until now.
I finally found the one brand—Nez—that is actually a delight, and also happens to be aluminum, paraben, and baking soda-free, which is great, as I find the latter super irritating. Even better: It comes in a handful of really excellent scents that feel so much more high-end than I’ve found in this category. Truly.
The backstory is also pretty interesting—if you want more, I sat down with the founders for an episode of Second Life recently—but long story short, Nez is a side project from the founders of the celebrity and influencer marketing agency, Blended Strategy Group, Sherry Jhawar and Allison Statter.
They’ve created the only natural deodorant I will recommend, as it’s efficacious, doesn’t irritate my skin, smells great, and comes in portable small sizes too, which is nice if you like having a backup in your car or work bag, like I do.
Try one of the travel duos at Urban Outfitters, go for a full-sized option (I like Board Meeting: Smoky Blend, personally), or get the full assortment of minis to help you find your perfect scent.
BUY IT: A.L.C. Winslet Wool Coat ($1195)
If you are in the market for a new coat this season, I have a recommendation I can make with 100% confidence: A.L.C.’s Winslet Wool Coat.
Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes.
As you know, I swear by A.L.C. for about a million things, and the brand’s jackets and coats are honestly just staggeringly good. Always. Last year I fell in love with an iteration of the Winslet—the Wilson, and which I wore constantly—that is caramel in color and the slightly slouchy, somewhat relaxed coat of my dreams.
That coat sold out really quickly, and I got sad DMs from folks every time I wore it, as they wished they’d bought it too.
So! I am thrilled to say that A.L.C. has a new iteration of last year’s excellent option, an equally luxurious camel coat of similar shape, but not quite as oversized in silhouette. That means it’s a bit more classic and slimmer in style, plus it also comes in an animal print option, if you’re in the market for a standout print.
READ IT: Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Emily Weiss’s Glossier by Marisa Meltzer
There are a million books about men in business, but shockingly few about female founders and entrepreneurs, so picking up esteemed writer Marisa Meltzer’s book was a no-brainer for me. (Spoiler alert: I’m interviewing her for Who What Wear’s podcast, so stay tuned for that episode.)
Vogue called Glossy “juicy but fair,” and I don’t know if I think that’s the best description (how do we really know what’s fair?), but I do think it’s worth your time. It’s not a dry business book, nor is it stuffed with salacious details. As I told a (beloved) fashion journalist friend over text message: Glossy is more of a vibe than I thought it would be.
While I didn’t walk away from the book with a deep understanding of the nuts and bolts of Glossier’s finances, I loved reading about the talented folks that Emily Weiss hired along the way. I also found Glossy compulsively readable, as in: I read it in two nights.
And for the record, if you choose to read it, and want to talk about it, I’m down to chat!
SHOP IT: Gap High Rise Corduroy ‘70s Flare Pants ($63, on sale now) in Sable Brown
Disclosures ahead!
Last week, we published a piece of branded content on Who What Wear that featured me and three looks from Gap. I don’t participate in branded content often, but I made an exception because my first job was working at the Gap in high school (and I’ve always loved it) and the fact that the fall collection is really, really, really good.
The process was simple: I was to pick three “hero” pieces and then style them however I wanted with pieces from my wardrobe. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love so completely, but I did, and ended up buying a number of items after the shoot.
The photo below is from that project, but I want to be clear: While that story was created with Gap for Who What Wear, there were no obligations or expectations that I would include it in my newsletter. In fact, there is zero branded content in this newsletter, nor has there ever been, and if I ever did choose to go that route, I would fully disclose.
ALL OF THAT ASIDE, THESE CORDS ARE ACTUALLY INSANELY GOOD.
You know I’m not team pants, to put it mildly, so imagine my shock when I pulled on these flared cords and just gasped? It was significant! The fit is everything I could ever want. Appropriately high waisted, but not up to your ribs; the flare is a statement, but not so exaggerated that it’s costume-y; and the fabric has just a tiny touch of stretch for comfort.
They remind me of some of the vintage styles I’d thrift in the ‘90s, and they are just beyond perfect for fall. (And while we’re at it, I also think the 24/7 Split-Hem Turtleneck Sweater is also very much worth your consideration. It’s giving Toteme at a fraction of the price.)
USE IT: AmLactin Foot Repair Cream ($10)
Every fall, even before the weather starts to cool down, I begin plotting my post-summer repair process. That usually means addressing whatever sun damage I’ve accumulated. Last year I did a series of CoolPeel laser treatments with Dr. Nancy Samolitis of Facile, which I wrote about for the newsletter (pictures are involved!) and loved, loved, loved. It truly transformed my skin texture and I’m quite keen on booking another round soon.
(PS: I really stand by her products as well, especially the Brighten Serum, which is excellent if you, like me, deal with melasma. Dr. Sam is the melasma whisperer like no other, so no surprise this is a hero product.)
In addition to some laser repair, I’m also still deeply researching Sofwave for a little skin tightening, especially after seeing Dr. Sunder’s Instagram recently. I mentioned this treatment on IGS recently and heard from a ton of beauty editors and journalists who have done it and love it.
But while my face and neck get the majority of the care and attention, I’m also happy to share that I found another key product for refreshing another area of my body, specifically my post-summer feet: AmLactin’s Foot Repair Cream.
My recommendation is to start with a foot peel. Barefoot Scientist’s version was one of my favorite products of 2021, and the results are undeniable (extremely gross photos are available for your perusal here). As for maintaining that smoothness, the most important component is the AmLactin foot cream, which might be all you need if you don’t have intensely disgusting calluses like I did.
The cream came via a recommendation from a friend who battles rough heels as much as I do, and I’m so thrilled she shared. I try to put it on nightly, but let’s be honest, I’m thrilled if I manage to do it weekly. However, upon the rare weeks when I have it together and use it a few times, I really see a significant difference.
My next project will be letting my toenails take a break, as I’ve had polish on them—without break—for at least a decade. Maybe two? Heck maybe three, if I’m really honest. Right now, under the polish, they are rather parched and I’m pretty sure they’re suffering from keratin granulations. But that’s another story for another day!
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.
Can’t wait for the Loafer newsletter. Just bought some from J.Crew, but need more for the “running around Chicago/New York” Fall season.
It’s starting to feel like for me, GAP is going to become J. Crew where 50% of my wardrobe is from staples found there 😁 I have that striped sweater in black. Bought it in a work trip pickle (got asked to stay an extra day in NYC) and am so glad I own it now.
One request: undershirts for sweaters, thin blouses etc. I have some Uniqlo heattech ones and while they were perfect for NYC winters, they’re too much for Atlanta.