On My Mind
Spring 2024 I shelved my Adidas Sambas and wondered what could replace them. Dries Van Noten’s sneakers filled the gap nicely. I bought the tan pair in January — they were so comfortable that I immediately bought the other two. I’ve posted on the Paris-based Canadian fashion journalist Monica Ainley de La Villardiere for years — I love her personal style and spirit. Her Substack Mon Review is one of my top five favorites. I want to add a white skirt to my fall/winter rotation and I’m inspired by Ms. de La Villardiere’s outfit, also look #7 from the recent The Row Summer 2026 collection images. Finally, the appointment of Maria Grazia Chiuri as Fendi’s chief creative officer makes me want to jump for joy. She designed the Valentino pieces I cherish and the Dior shoes I collect. I am already making space in my wardrobe for the beautiful things she will design for Fendi.
To Read
I’ve challenged myself to read more non-fiction and I’m starting with John Seabrook’s family memoir, The Spinach King: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty, then, True Nature: The Pilgrimage of Peter Mathiessen by Lance Richardson. Kiran Desai’s new novel, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny will be third in the queue since I am going to hear Ms. Desai speak in December. Finally, MoMA’s Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective opened for member previews today and I can’t wait to pick up the accompanying book, The Tamarind Prints.
It Items
I am a wardrobe builder, I buy items with the intent of wearing them forever along with pieces I already own. Ergo grey and brown — they suit me and go the distance. For FW25 I added these High Sport pants, The Row pumps, and Hermès boots below. The Row sweater is from last winter, as are the skirt, booties, ankle-strap pumps, Vince sweater, Carolina Herrera cape, Gauchere top and wrap skirt, Commission pleated skirt and a number of old Celine, grey wrap skirts. All are out and ready for another year.
It Item
On Thursday I caught the first flight back to NYC from Paris to hear the brilliant writer André Aciman talk about his book, Room on the Sea: Three Novellas. Afterwards, I had lunch with an extremely chic friend who was wearing a midi-length skirt with a bit of volume. We are the same height, which made me think, if she can wear and look so sensational in the silhouette, then I should give it a try. The ideal is this skirt and top from The Row’s Summer 2026 collection left. However, until they are available next spring, I cobbled together a look with a skirt and top I already own. I’m wearing a Splendid turtleneck above.
Thanks for the inspiration Dorrit M!
On My Radar
While on my mini sabbatical, I read and loved The Correspondent by Virginia Evans — it is so good. Bottega Veneta’s large Campana is the perfect tote. I just picked up The Row’s ballet flats in pale sage. They are my nod to the white shoe trend. Did you read about the woman who lived to 117? Yep, she ate a Mediterranean diet. This cookbook is on its way to me. When I spied these Belgian-esque loafers in the Celine SS26 runway images my heart skipped a beat.
Collections
In his magnificent debut collection, Chanel’s new creative director, Matthieu Blazy, perfectly synthesized the heritage and codes of the brand with his original vision. Thank you, Mr. Blazy, for infusing a very welcome lightness into the house of Chanel. Hooray!
On my inspiration board
Last fall I bought a pair of Bally pumps in white. I’d been wearing the black and burgundy pairs a lot, so when the white ones went on sale I thought what the heck. This fall I have already worn them a number of times. Same story with the Hermès Picotin in craie. I bought it last spring and immediately had a moment of buyer’s remorse. However, of all my Picotins I carry it the most often. A white accessory is the pop my black and grey outfits need.
The Row Spring 2026, Phoebe Philo ballet flats that I’ve spied a number of times in Paris, me with my craie Picotin, and Nina Garcia’s fab personal style.
On My Radar
And just like that, we are in the final throes of August, that liminal time between the height of summer and September. Labor Day is maddeningly early, which adds to the feeling of a foreshortened summer. You can still catch Diane Arbus: Constellation at The Armory through Sunday. I ran into Brooke Garber Neidich at the show in July. I keep waiting for Brooke to weigh in on my last post about mixing gold and silver — she is, after all, the expert on all-things jewelry, and has flawless personal style to boot. The Thursday Murder Club (I am stupidly excited for this!) debuts on Netflix August 28. My daughter and I are flying to London that day for one of Coldplay’s final concerts at Wembley Stadium and hope I can see the first episode while there. I am looking forward to hearing photographer Sally Mann talk about her new book, Art Work, at The New School on September 10. Above is the handbag from my previous post, and Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Shampoo has saved my hair this summer.
I hope everyone is relaxing before the September madness. xp
On My Mind
A few days ago I found my elusive dream handbag but, alas, it has silver, aka palladium, hardware. This has thrown me into an existential style crisis. All of my everyday jewelry is yellow gold, likewise, the hardware on my bags and shoes is golden. I even removed the white gold bands from two Cartier Trinity rings, and had Fendi swap the silver hardware for gold on a handbag. In my 20s I wore a steel watch paired with yellow gold, but somewhere along the way my steel and platinum pieces fell to the wayside — probably when I reset my engagement ring in yellow gold. I pride myself on staying true to my personal style, but these days it feels too rigid and, frankly, old-fashioned. Younger women are mixing and matching and I am still just matching.
The real question is why do I care so much that things match. I fear I have become persnickety and have challenged myself to loosen the reins on my style choices.
On My Inspiration Board
A roomy cotton dress paired with a raffia hobo has been my go-to outfit this summer — super easy. I usually wear my Gucci 1955 Horsebit bags in the fall and winter, but it looks so good on the two women above that I pulled them out. As a kerchief or belt, the silk scarf is having a major moment this summer. And, I love a pendant on a cord — simply chic.
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