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.
It Item
When I spied the T-shirt right in a Sidney Garber email, I reached out to Brooke who shared that it is Toteme. When a Maria McManus email with the one left popped up in my inbox yesterday, I couldn’t order fast enough.
On my Radary r
It’s been a hot and humid July — Alex Mill linen shirts and shorts, plus this linen florawear.co slip dress have been a godsend. I’ve gotten over my aversion to linen, always thinking it makes me look like an unmade bed was silly. It’s the ideal fabric for these scorching temps.
Brooke Garber Neidich sends the best emails for her jewelry line, Sidney Garber. The length of the cord necklace above is perfect for yours truly. A long necklace with a pendant on a significant bust is not a good look. I have my eye on the Mariner bracelet, it’s perfection.
In a Bits & Bobs from August 31, 2023 I posted on Kristin Scott Thomas’s directorial debut titled North Star. The film, which is about three sisters who return home for their mother’s third wedding, debuted at TIFF, but was not released in the United States. It’s been renamed My Mother’s Wedding and will be in theaters August 8.
Yes, I picked up Michael M. Grynbaum’s Empire of the Elite: Inside Condé Nast, the Media Dynasty That Reshaped America. And, yes, I would have landed a job at Vogue in the ’90’s according to Michael M. Grynbaum’s quiz in The New York Times. Before I delve into my ancient history, I want to read Perspective(s): A Novel by Laurent Binet. A well read friend recommended it. I loved Michelle Huneven’s Bug Hollow, but I’m struggling to get into Among Friends, Hal Ebbott’s new novel. Let me know if you read and liked it.
Hope everyone is having a splendid summer!
Collections
From a show attendee wearing the scarf that wrapped the Celine Spring 2026 show invitation as a belt, to the bag, rings, and socks in look 56 and the styling of updated classic pieces in look 12 — I love the vibe of Michael Rider’s debut collection for Celine. Rider respectfully mined the house’s codes without veering into redux land. I’m excited to see where he goes next.
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