Letter of Rec #084: What an odd, minimalist nook
Jazz shoes as the next viral flat, sock shoes as the ideal suit contrast, a tassel to tie over everything and some thoughts on postpartum minimalism
I came across this brand on social media earlier this week. It’s called Brave Pudding and they make one product: sock boots. They retail for $380 and achieve the effect of a mesh slipper for a colder climate. They’re a good alt to a shoe like this or this (or better yet, this) and should be paired, in my view, with:
tailored trousers and jackets —
Argent brown blazer and navy trousers, No Name is Needed scarf styled as belt, Brave Pudding sock boots and to this point, it’s wild how far a quick accessory change can go. By removing the scarf-as-belt and replacing it with a pair of sunglasses/putting my hair up:
It’s like an entirely different look. But back to other ways you can wear the sock shoes —
with open hem sweatpants/cargos.
Don’t know how much I trust that they’ll feel right with jeans but figuring that out is a matter of trying.
And a skirt (or dress) is not at all out of the question.
Soeur bucket hat (this is a winter equiv, but there is something cool about canvas), Smythe sweater (good alt), Nue Studio skirt (you can basically find a sheer skirt anywhere these days but this printed one from Ciao Lucia carries a similiar vibe w the print and this one from Lingua Franca is, idk, just happy. This is the most elegant alt and this is the most practical)
I love them (the shoes), they excite me but how much longer do you think we’re going to want to look either barefoot or pretty close to it? If the recent shoe drop from Christopher Esber is to indicate anything (!!!)…we have some time.
On the topic of shoes, I’m pretty sure jazz shoes will become a thing. Maybe the Mary Jane’s successor — the next viral flat.
The Row’s got a few pair up for Fall but I’d recommend the ones from Renate Jacob, lest you take it to the Repetto-source.
Hang tight if this appeals to you, I’m thinking to build a subsequent story around it.
Other good things I’ve encountered lately:
My style’s been settling into an oddly minimalist nook — it’s mostly black or navy t-shirts and pants (the Callas ones), jeans (raw denim, mid rise, a little longer than ankle length) and white t-shirts (a little shrunken, but not cropped). It relates to being postpartum, I think, and I get to it in the last line item of this letter but one side effect is that it’s been sending more of my focus to jewelry. I love Le Sundial’s new collection; the Nautilus series is what got me last fall but here for the tassel necklaces and belts this go around. I now in fact can’t stop thinking that every basic outfit just needs a waist-cinching tassel.
To that point, would you ever?
Also going to tease the small capsule I have launching with Audry Rose, a fine jewelry brand from Utah, later this month. We’ve been working on it for over a year and I’m relieved I still find that every piece (there are 4) still captures what I want as winter garnish. Expect to see a wood link chain bracelet, a pinky ring that will occupy at least 50% of the finger’s real estate, chubby huggies and…
The infinite spiral (and a Sea New York blazer) ~this infinite spiral,~ a metaphor for life!, which you can either get on a red string per the above or a silver snake chain.
In the realm of clothes, Amir Taghi’s fall collection finally launched. Have had my eye on this pair of pants since the spring.
Leset’s holiday collection is coming in too. I like it when a quiet brand throws a wrench into their own system. There’s this pink satin collarless coat that caught my eye, and a cropped black jacket (also satin) that I’d love to see paired with cashmere track pants (basically winter gala pants) and this top from the same range. Year of the satin coat has descended upon us: this one (lead image) from Donni is coming soon.
But if you’re still trying to get your field footing: Green Rain Napoli.
Styled with an Aligne sweater, Bode shorts (Aritzia’s $38 alt, Eterne’s for $125 and Leset’s at $130) An extremely new Italian brand (think it literally launched like last month) that makes one product: this field jacket. It is the real deal (water-resistant, great quality waxed cotton), the right shape (just about butt-length, boxy but not overwhelming) and appropriately priced (under $400). It comes with a zip-off collar so you can get freaky by way of this tiger or cow or leopard print. If that appeals to you.
And not for nothing, the sweater under does make for an ideal shell layer…and a solid accomplice to the neighborhood dogs.
Then there’s Datura’s dupion collection. But the boiled wool stuff that just launched is where I’m at right now. Dress to wear with sock boots?
…The winter equiv of last summer’s white Yoko pants? Think these are the ones I’m set on.
From Callas Milano: This line item is part testimonial for these pants but also a case for the leopard car coat, rendered in the perfect image of Milanese style. Length here is so important because it won’t drown the shorter among us.
Another garnish, kind of like jewelry: as we enter our scarves/hats/gloves-as-part-of-the-outfit era, this guy from Tanya Taylor makes pretty good sense if you want for a lift but nothing too risky or cartoony.
To the previous point, there is also this hat from Gigi Burris — exclusive to Net-a-porter and just conceptual enough to make a pointed statement, but not quite as insane (or expensive as) Penelope. Or Tah.
Not a wearable but Edie Parker just launched these absolutely unhinged table lighters. Good gift fodder, I think, or dining room decor!
I’m after the shrimp to burn sage with.
Also flammable but more religious: Susan Alexandra is launching her seasonal menorahs and this year there is an asparagus. It’s very Loewe! Possibly also a good gift, Jewish or not, because those candlesticks are cool and candelabras rule.
Postpartum minimalism: Last thing here is a corporate-email circle back on Aflalo. Chiefly because I’m so drawn to the line and think it might have something to do with a postpartum pattern of wanting to look simpler, quieter, toned down or laid back. Put together but not boring. I don’t know if it’s a vulnerability thing — if you’re still such an open wound after a new baby comes, which makes you want to armor up, or if the growth spurt you endure is so immediate (but insidious) that the first signs of your own transformation postpartum begin to take shape subtly within your primary dialect of self-expression. (She is also a close friend of mine.) Anyway, I’m getting what I crave with these clothes.
They’re streamlined and refined, minimalist by definition but they feel very alive and that seems like the elusive, impossible tension they’ve nailed. Of the garments I’ve wear tested, the two that have entered The Cycle of Top Rotation are the ‘Brein’ shirt and ‘Bradum’ pants. The pants fit like flare sweatpants with give (but no stretch) but are so flat on the front because they close by subtle side zipper. The shirt is just sheer enough to show your bra color, but stiff. This is always the trade off you have to make when you’re going for see-through: must I surrender my wanting for rigidity in order to exhibit sex appeal? There’s one for the journal.
So what are you doing this weekend? If you need a good dish recommendation, I’ve been putting smoked paprika on everything lately. Sometimes it really doesn’t work but the most recent score seasoned this roasted squash-on-bed-of-labne concoction that did really cool things when styled with pumpkin seeds, fennel seeds and the paprika. I recommend.
Have a great one,
Leandra
These sock boots kinda remind me of the Tibi Borgs. The Borgs have a bit more of a shoe vibe but still have the sock thing going on. https://tibi.com/search?q=Borg
I knew I was right to hold onto my early 2010s Topshop studded jazz shoe style oxfords all these years, which were probably last worn with black tights, denim shorts, and some embarrassingly deep v-neck american apparel tshirt.