Vestiaire collective: A Luxury Resale Gem
When you have champagne tase and a bb budget to back it up, you opt for getting your luxury designer style fix through resale. Just as gorgeous and usually a fraction of the full retail price, resale is my favorite way to buy designer. Imo, this method feels very intentional because it opts for recycling special, often rare, pieces and lowers the demand for further production of new goods (f fast fashion).
I have recently fallen in love with shopping on Vestiaire Collective (not sponsored bc I haven’t figured out how to make them sponsor me lol) and here is an itemized list why:
Authentication: Every item is throughly vetted by experts through their authentication service before being shipped to you. I bought a pair of “Chanel” flats that turned out to be fakes and Vestiaire prevented me from losing out. This can't be said for the “Gucci” boots I bought on eBay…
Variety of rare finds: I have seen more of my “treasure” finds on this site than The RealReal or Tradesy or Posh. Just look at the picks above, like wow. You have access to sellers across the globe so there is a higher probability of coming across finds that were only sold in particular regions.
Negotiation: You can professionally negotiate with sellers and buyers on item pricing.
Aesthetic browsing: I don't know about you, but just the act of being on an ugly website (hi Posh) makes me not feel confident when buying expensive items. Vestiaire is well designed and aesthetically pleasing to scroll through. It may not matter to most, but it is a huge deal to me.
Valentino Haute Couture Spring '23
With flirty textures and colors reminiscent of a Ladurée macron, the Valentino Spring ‘23 Couture collection brings feminine energy into the forefront.
The fashion trends of the past few years have seen a rise in minimalistic looks with an emphasis on neutral tones and tailored silhouettes. Coming out of a traumatic time frame meant that fashion was generally geared toward practicality and comfort rather than experimentation and playfulness. My own style seemed to focus on all black palettes and yoga pants for days on end. I have greatly missed dressing like a birthday cupcake but the times have not been right for it yet. Until now!!!
Spring 2023 Paris Fashion Week was filled with the most epically gorgeous combination of soft but vibrant colors, voluminous fabrics, and feminine details. Bows on bows on bows. Pink pink pink. For a former power-pop girly girl like me, this was a very exciting moment in fashion. This fashion escapism is exactly what I have been needing more of in my life - a breakup with all black, dull, safe outfits that do not make me feel vibrant and beautiful. Taking cues from PFW 23, I plan on putting together more looks full of color and life, ruffles and fuchsia.
Dear Santa...
Every year I make a Christmas wishlist and email it to my family. This year for ~quismois~ I would love to add to my collections of ridiculous coats, vintage vinyl, and coffee table books. I also need to replenish my favorite beauty items like my beloved perfume and moisturizer.
Record Town albums - I have my eye on a few specific albums, but just digging in the bins is an adventure.
Charlotte Simone puffer coat with pink Mongolian wool - That coat is what dreams are made of, no? Baby pink Mongolian wool on a puffer jacket I die.
Dieux Skin Eye Masks & Instant Angel Moisturizer - The best of the best for my sensitive skin.
Glossier You Perfume - I genuinely have been stopped multiple times and am asked what I’m wearing when I have this on. It was not my fave at first but totally grew on me and now I’m on my 4th bottle.
Luke Edward Hall “Greco Disco” & Luke Edward Hall “A Kind of Magic” - The maximalist artist/classical genius is laid out in two gorgeous books - its a need.
Aspen Fits
When your very best friend in the world gets married in the chic city of Aspen you don’t sleep on prepping rad outfits. You show up looking like Elizabeth Taylor who knows how to knit (more on that topic).
One of my recent obsessions has been learning how to knit handmade sweaters. For this special trip, I really wanted to make a custom sweater with my initials on it. I ordered a sweater kit from Wool And The Gang and it knitted up like a dream. I went for a gray alpaca sweater that I customized with my first and last initials and paired it with a floor length nude tule skirt. I also knit (knitted?) a pink balaclava to channel my inner Audrey Hepburn meets Miu Miu.
In a snowy city like Aspen, outerwear definitely takes the main focus. I went for lots of fur coats + knits and then really leaned in to the “extra-ness” with accessories feat. Celine. 3 out of the 4 coats pictured above are from Zara - The long coat was such a lifesaver in the snow and as a bonus it provided some padding when I slipped and busted my a** in the snow. Between the snow boots, wool sweaters, and fur outerwear, I’d say my packing job was a 10/10 for all that we got into an Aspen!
Zara long coat / Tulle Skirt / Ski Pants / Rubber Boots / Celine Triomphe Bag
Aprés Ski
Baby pink ski suits, iridescent puffer jackets, fur boots, and knit balaclavas - these are what snow babe dreams are made of. In preparing for an upcoming trip to Aspen, I shopped around for snow gear that I would want to wear again and again. I fell in love with the Miu Miu ‘21 winter show and all of the pastel, puffy glory. The balaclavas really stole the show for me and I had to try my hand at knitting one for myself. I have a pic of how it turned out in the next post + all the outfits I planned!
All outfits courtesy of the Miu Miu FW 2021 show
NYC Packing List
I’m traveling to NYC with friends next week and here is what I’m bringing to wear. The weather in New York in early May hovers around the mid 60’s so I plan on bringing layers and sleeved items + pants and longer skirts/dresses. I’ll probably be cycling through a version of this outfit since its easy + chic and I’d rather spend my time enjoying the city rather than dealing with a fussy outfit!
Crispy cotton or linen button downs
Black Gucci loafers
Comfortable pants, dressed up athletic slacks (these are Club Monaco)
Black velvet hair accessories
Large bag/tote (this is my own design)