Reader Poll: What Was Your Favorite Purchase of 2023?

In a comment on the previous post, Laura asked “Preston, do you ever poll your readers and ask them what their favorite purchase of the past year was?” Great question and I hope everyone will weigh in. I, obviously, failed the buy-only-five-new-items-in-2023 challenge, but I was mindful of my purchases and there were things I took a pass on with the challenge in mind. Above are my six favorite purchases and I posted on each of them, except for the navy Comme des Garçons dress. I suspected that you would think I was off my nut for buying a dress with smocking and a Peter Pan collar — which were indeed not me — so it just hung on a rail. Once the collar was removed, I wore said dress to numerous events and received a shocking number of compliments. It’s great with both the Celine boots and The Row pumps. The Saint Laurent bucket bag is hands-down an all-time favorite purchase, not just from 2023. And, the Gauchere and Phoebe Philo wrap skirts are comfy and cozy — a win-win for sure.

Your turn.

Looking Forward To Spring

At the risk of sounding scrooge-y, I am happy that the holidays are in the rearview. Having the girls home — this year included a fiancé — and getting together with friends, are always wonderful. However, the onslaught of holiday gift guide emails that inundated my inbox was overwhelming. A funny aside: as a child we never used the word “gift” in lieu of “present”, a gift was a talent or aptitude or even, divine. Scented candles and cashmere socks did not fall into the gift category… Don’t get me wrong, I love finding the perfect present, but now that my girls are grown it’s harder — they buy whatever they need and rarely have a list for me. Instead, my younger daughter is meeting me in Paris next week and we will roam the city, and a ski trip with my older daughter is in the works. While I’m with each of them, I hope to find a few things that they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves.

And, this brings me to spring. Now that we are post winter solstice, the day-to-night ratio will start to shift and the daylight hours will microscopically get longer. Just knowing that one day soon I will not wake in total darkness and that the sun won’t seemingly set moments after lunch, gives me hope. An upcoming trip to Los Angeles to see family is also fueling this spring fantasy. New sandals and a crossbody bag are on my spring wishlist, and I’m going to try these at Soeur next week.

Happy New Year!

Let’s talk about resolutions. I stopped making them — the very same two, year after year — when I could never hold fast. Run more and eat less sugar would rollover from resolution list to resolution list. Now I make intentions —  more like hopes, less like goals. Last year’s were to read even more and start pilates. I’ve benefitted tremendously from both and will happily keep doing them ad infinitum. Because I want the most from pilates, I eat less sweets, and with increased reading/listening, I run more often — the unexpected and happy byproducts of effortless intentions. On the drive to Boston yesterday, my daughter and I struggled to come up with personal hopes and dreams for the new year. It’s early days yet.

Happy New Year!

Last evening we watched the Boston Common fireworks from the roof of my daughter’s building.

Want vs. Need

Quite simply, I need black, low-heeled, knee-high boots. The Celine pair is everything I’d wanted, just not ideal for long-haul walking. While searching, I was reminded of these Khaite pumps and how much I’d loved them in a Khaite Resort collection post last June. Do I need them? Absolutely not. I’m staying on task (for now).

“The understanding that there is so much more to life than looking good, but also understanding that looking good is a worthwhile pursuit.” -Karen

The title of this post is from a comment that resonated with me — Karen articulated perfectly a sentiment that I hold dear. The theme of Bay Garnett’s new book, Style and Substance: Why What We Wear Matters, dovetails nicely with Karen’s words and the two warranted a post. In WWD ‘s review, writer Samantha Conti noted “… Garnett says she was “amazed by how deep people were when they talked about fashion. That was a revelation to me. They opened up their wardrobes, and their thoughts, and their hearts around the way that clothes make them feel. It reinforced my own love of clothes, and it kind of made me care more about what I wear as well.” After Ms. Garnett had interviewed a number of  style-setters for this book, she told WWD that she was surprised by “… how “un-superficial” fashion is.” 

Thank you, Karen, for your thoughtful comment —  I am in total agreement that there is more to life than looking good, yet, making an effort and considering what we wear are important, too.

‘Tis The Season To Say Thank You

The liminal period between the holidays and the new year is a welcome week of calm before we ramp up again. The shopping pressure is off, returns have been sent, and now it’s time to settle in and write thank you notes. Thank yous to the hostesses for holiday lunches and parties, for the presents from family and friends, and a virtual thank you for all of the kic comments. I’ve chosen a comment that resonated and will post on it tomorrow.

Smythson Correspondence Cards in Blue and Nile Blue

Fun Tights: Fishnets

Fishnets are once again in fashion and look good to my eye this time around. Ann Mashburn posted the above pic of Brigitte Bardot trimming a tree wearing fishnets, and FT did a solid round up on the fun, and somewhat sexy, hosiery du jour.  Fishnets come in a wide range of weaves and I prefer the wide weave below.

Two For The Snow

Just when I was thinking about corduroy, my favorite ski brand Perfect Moment released a wide-wale version of my go-to ski pants — whoop whoop! My daughter permanently borrowed said ski pants, which is a good excuse to get the ones above. Last winter an English woman told me in no uncertain terms that the Penelope Chilvers Incredible boots were no longer chic and I could not wear them in London. Well, I’ve worn a grey pair for years and, ignoring her advice, just bought a pair in brown oiled suede. I love Incredible Boots and don’t honestly care if they are out of style.

Spectacular Coats

This season I’ve thrown a Max Mara parka or ancient wool duffel coat over my sequined Commission skirt holiday party outfit. However, the Valentino PF24 coat left and the Chanel Métiers d’Art right make me want a spectacular coat that is as important as the outfit underneath.

Friends Make The Holidays Shine Even Brighter

Fashion week September 2019, my friend Charlotte announced that she was putting together a book club of ex-Vogue colleagues along with a few models and fashion execs. We were at a memorial for the hairstylist Oribe when she hatched this brilliant idea, reasoning that a memorial should not be the only occasion to see each other as a group. We all worked together in the ’90s, an extraordinary time in fashion, and share a history that is unique to a relatively small number of people. Many of us still work in the industry. For the most part, we only see one another at club meetings. One year a member flew in from Rome, and this month others came from LA and Palm Beach. Over time the club has grown, but we keep reading and meeting. I am eternally grateful for this phenomenal group of women, women I love, respect, and know that they have my back. We missed you Charlotte Wagster, Amanda Ross Bacon and Fabiana Lima Ramirez, and an enormous thank you to Juliet (with her youngest daughter upper left) for hosting.