Winter Workhorses
A mid-season review of what’s WORKING in my wardrobe (including prices paid!)
Happy weekend, friends! I’m off shortly to meet a friend at Happy Medium for a collage class. Here’s hoping it brings me back into a flow state after what was, ultimately, another intense week as a person in America. For this week’s newsletter, I was torn between three very different topics, but given we’re approaching early February, I thought it appropriate to revisit my wardrobe workhorse post from summer with a timely winter edition that I hope leads you to likewise reflect on what brings you the most value and satisfaction in your own closet.
As a refresher, this mid-season review is for taking stock of what in my wardrobe is working - old or new, these are the items I consistently reach for, and always feel great and perfectly like myself in.
Let’s get into it…
I’ve been a Nili Lotan pants girlie for a long time, with the drop-crotch Paris being my first love. I also find a lot of utility in a barrel style and this season, snapped up a pair of the Substack-favorite Shon in dark umber corduroy. I like a barrel pant because they add structure and interest to a look with very little effort, so I find myself reaching for the Shon constantly. The texture plays well with other items in my closet and the cord is infinitely more interesting than denim. For these, I paid full price (a relative rarity for me) – with tax, that was $490.
Also seen above is another workhorse for the season, Veronica Beard’s Solene Cashmere Cardigan. VB often skews a little preppy for my tastes, but I also know I can count on the Veronicas for well-made, thoughtfully designed staples. This cardigan is the perfect light-to-mid weight knit and the oversized metal buttons add just enough visual interest, elevating a piece that would otherwise be ultra-classic. This is the kind of staple item I would consider buying a backup of at the end of the season, unemployment be damned. I purchased this in store and paid full price, with tax $487.78.
The brilliant Nicholas Kirkwood sadly closed his line in 2023 but for good reason - to pursue a more sustainable path forward, as detailed here in a letter from the designer. Regardless, his elegant, architectural styles live on in my heart. My go-to boot as soon as temperatures drop is easily this sleek Chelsea style with pearl embellishment in the heel – a design hallmark you’ll see in many of his designs, available now at often amazing prices on TRR. These have already been resoled once, and they’ll be resoled again soon - they’re a shoe I’d likewise buy a backup of as I don’t see myself tiring of them anytime soon. Purchased on sale at Ssense in 2022 for $737.09.
Am I really including fleece in my Winter Workhorse round up? I am, my friends, and it’s none other than the Ayr Cushy (no longer available but here’s a similar-ish style at ASOS) featured in my Selectively Shopping “Black Friday” newsletter in November. I’m glad I pulled the proverbial trigger on this as it’s warm enough to wear solo on less brisk days and even layers comfortably under my winter coat when it’s truly abominable outside. I love the leopard print! I paid $195.98 with a BF discount.
Last but not least is my trusty Clare V Midi Sac. Do I have sexier, more expensive designer bags? I do, but they simply do not offer the same utility as this perfectly designed convertible style. It’s the proverbial day-to-night bag Gen X and Millennial women were promised - thanks in large part to the interchangeable straps. It’s kind of wild that so few brands offer this functionality - but leave it to a female designer to understand how valuable a design detail that is. Shown above is the current season Forest Lizard (embossed leather), which is v. similar to the Loden green embossed croc version I purchased in 2020, at full price again, for $435.51. OG readers may remember that I also have this bag in a cobalt rattan perfect for summer:
It is interesting to observe that of my seasonal MVPs, the majority were purchased at full-price - no sale blinders at play here. Designers that show up for me time and time again in terms of cost-per-wear - Nili Lotan, Veronica Beard and Clare V. I hope your wardrobe is serving you well this winter. If you’re so inclined, leave a comment and share what’s working!
Moving on…
This Week’s Object of Beauty (OoB)…
Can we discuss how beautiful these hand-painted martini glasses from Tepotztli are? Each piece from this hand-crafted line of barware is created by artisans in Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains. This elegant martini glass is crafted of hammered copper and then hand-painted with their Mariposa (butterfly 🦋 design). I’ve gifted myself and others pieces from Tepotztli - including cocktail shaker sets and they’re always a crowd-pleaser.
Also Obsessed With…
On non-makeup days (so, uh, most days), I’ve been reaching consistently for Iris & Romeo’s Weekend Skin. This multi-tasker offers just a wash of color as well as sun protection (SPF 50!), time-release Vitamin C and Niacinamide Available in three shades; I use the lightest, “Universal.”
Related, ICYMI:
Parting Words
That’s all for this week! If you enjoyed this newsletter, don’t forget click through and tap the ❤️ button at the top or bottom of the page - that small act of engagement helps others discover my content on Substack.
Stay warm,
Dina
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