201: Basically SkyMall

Plus Miu Miu's surf-rat SS24 collection arrives, Moda Operandi opens up the NYFW runways for pre-order, and an extra 25% off Net-A-Porter's big sale.

I’m writing this fresh off my second of six flights this month. Having just packed and repacked my personal-item bag—my vintage Bottega Veneta intrecciato hobo—twice in the last four days, I’ve realized that my in-air system has gotten to a point where I’m actually pretty comfortable…as comfortable as one can be typically traveling economy.

Before I fly, I get into my travel fit: Lauren Manoogian alpaca sweats, the softest Kye Intimates tee, a Banana Republic cashmere polo fancy enough to wear in “real life” (I went one size up), and a splurge pair of Rosie Sugden “bed socks” I don’t regret for a second buying; I wear the comfiest underwear I can, most recently Skims boxer briefs and a Branwyn bralette in sweat-wicking merino wool. I’ll throw on one of the coats I plan on wearing at my destination, in this case, my Studio Nicholson Denali trench, and sensible shoes that go with whatever, as with these Jamie Haller loafers.

Once I settle into my seat, I get my charger handy and plug in my phone. If there isn’t an outlet for some reason, I have my battery pack as a backup. A year ago, I did a bunch of research on external batteries for iPhones, from which I retained zero technical information, but ended up buying a really reliable, long-lasting brick at a great price that I carry with me at almost all times, especially during fashion month.

I might mess around on my phone for a bit—play the NYTimes crossword or listen to a podcast. If I want to watch something on the seatback screen, I stick the very clever Twelve South AirFly device into the headphone jack so that I can listen with my own Bowers & Wilkins over-ear headphones or pair two headphone sets at once. When meal service starts, I’ll take a Zzzquil or some Juna melatonin gummies to give them time to kick in.

After dinner (if I’m curious enough to say yes), I sanitize my hands with a portable Evolvetogether mini spray. I then spray Lesse’s Regeneration Mist over my skin (this is crucial), follow up with Dieux’s Air Angel Gel Cream, and seal everything in with Dr. Pawpaw Original Balm. I rub the excess product from my face routine onto my hands, but if they’re still feeling dry, I dot some Aesop hand cream on them.

I swap out my Rosie Sugden socks for Vim & Vigr compression socks that have a gentler hold than the Comrad ones I’ve tried while still preventing that leg-rot feeling. Next, I take out my contact lenses, pop in Loop earplugs, and cover those up with the Bowers & Wilkins headphones, which are also noise-canceling. I wouldn’t have heard Krakatoa with this combo. I slip on my Lunya silk eye mask and say bye.

When breakfast service comes around about 40 minutes to landing, I come back to reality. I drop in a few Lumify eyedrops (the best) and rehydrate my dry nasal passage with Xynase saline spray. I sanitize my hands again and repeat my skincare regimen from above. Then I’ll head to the bathroom to put in new contacts and brush my teeth using bottled water (Whole Foods sells mini Himalaya Botanique toothpastes I like).

Most of these odds and ends, by the way, are kept in a Cuyana leather makeup bag (it’s impressive how much it holds) tucked inside my Bottega, as are some miscellaneous items: Prince of Peace tea bags because I like white tea and no one seems to offer it, especially airlines; GoHydrate electrolyte packets; Emergen-C for good measure; a small pen; a silk Slip scrunchie; and a plug adapter so that I don’t forget one when I travel (otherwise I always do).

I try to keep my bag on the edited side, since I don’t like the feeling of schlepping. Otherwise, I’d add an Ostrich pillow to this list, as I’ve heard it’s just incomparably superior to other U-shaped neck pillows. For this same reason, I don’t carry a reusable water bottle with me and instead just buy two of the biggest-size Smartwaters or whatever right before boarding (sorry, earth). Lastly, and this is less of an on-the-plane packing hack, but I’ve enjoyed the trick of bringing a portable steamer and using it to open up and clear out pores once you’ve reached your hotel/Airbnb as a traveling self-facial—you set it on the bathroom counter and hold your face a safe distance from it—I just rarely have the suitcase space to dedicate to one.

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With News Editor

em seely-katz

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What’s new

Miu Miu SS24

• Miu Miu’s SS24 collection is here, each piece looking ready to slip on with still-wet hair after a swim—satin, color blocked bermuda shorts beg to be layered louchely over logo-forward swimsuit bottoms; navy mohair and suede offerings further the brand’s thorough domination over the miniskirt-as-concept; and it still feels apt to pair a long-strapped, cinch-closure purse and the cord-strap sandals that defined SS24 footwear with strategically-placed neon band-aids as per the big-brain runway styling.

• The slightly perverse, “nerd who gets some” aesthetics of both Martine Rose and Clark’s mesh seamlessly in their new collaboration “Coming up Roses,” where the iconic Wallabee is given a sole thick enough that the long-dormant creeper comes to mind, hewn in glossy faux snakeskin, as are puffy heeled loafers, oxfords in the same vein as a sculptural Yohji pair, and cushy double-strap sandals, with most styles also available in steadfast black or caramel leather. 

• Moda Operandi’s FW24 pre-order “trunkshows” have begun, with Ludovic De Saint Sernin pushing both its fetishistic proclivities and romantic sensibilities further than any past seasons—mesh tops and slip skirts are printed with tender shadows of naked lovers and flowers bending their stems toward each other while silver grommets strung with leather laces dominate a halter-neck mini dress and bustier/maxi skirt hybrid—and as is protocol for the brand, everything is conspicuously designed to screw with gender.

• Diotima’s FW24 is also available in a Moda trunkshow, the brand known for its pieces in weblike crochet seeming to situate itself more comfortably amongst its contemporaries this season—alongside its signature, doily-like dresses are striped, beaded tanks that touch upon Wales Bonner levels of sportiness, and this season’s convergent evolution of fringey bubble hems here and at Alaïa deserves to be studied by sartorial scientists.

• The last Moda trunkshow to report is Khaite’s accessories—we have another instance of snakeskin this season, here in the form of a furry-handled clutch plus matching belts, boots, and pumps; some sculptural ear cuffs like this one in the shape of a grasping hand; and a selection of pieces studded with drops of silver, most notably a pair of shapely sock boots.

• COS’ PS24 arrivals seem to resist Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of an early spring, with a cold-weather color palette; trench coats in both their full-length nylon and ultra-cropped, scarf-attached iterations abounding; rib-knit wool sweaters trimmed in leather with drapey matching maxi skirts; and metal chokers boasting smoky quartz and Tiger’s Eye in a shape that nods to Sophie Buhai’s collars (for less than 3% of their price).

• Much to consider re: Paula Canovas Del Vas’ SS24 collection on SSENSE—is the currently prolific bubble hem actually at its best in the form of a silky capri pant? Or at the bottom of a gray twill gown with similarly bubbly ruffles skimming the neckline and shoulders like nascent wings? The Molly Goddard-goes-to-REI vibes of pink skirts with red cargo detailing and semi-sheer black trousers like freakier MNZ dance pants invite even more analysis.

• The latest collection from Proenza Schouler’s more casual “White Label” is just as fastidious with its use of color as the main line—shibori-dyed sweatshirts in vivid indigo and chartreuse patent leather totes are immediate eye-catches—but its more neutral pieces are just as compelling, like a white faux-leather pleated skirt and a comfy-looking knit dress with buttons that trail from the hem to behind the neck. 

• As of this week, Sephora has begun to offer products from cult classic Dieux Skin (some of which are already out of stock, but the fiended-over ​​Air Angel gel cream full of peptides and collagen has been replenished) and Soft Services, known for technically-minded products like a buffing bar that exfoliates away ingrown hairs and the dread keratosis pilaris.

• The pendulum has officially swung away from chunky in terms of spring/summer shoe M.O.s: everything’s low-profile, from the zig-zagging leather straps on a pair of minimalist slides in Emme Parsons’ first SS24 delivery to the v-shaped vamps and babouche silhouettes that characterize Le Monde Beryl’s offerings this season.

• Extreme Cashmere’s edition 27 has its fill of par-for-the-course spring knits in dusty grays and docile creams, but it also has a few wild cards: a cardigan sweater-vest with the fitted, armor-like shape of a breastplate; a seamless belt/skirt/bandeau all-purpose tool; and shrunken ringer tees in cotton-cashmere with colorways ranging from camp uniform oatmeal-and-orange to a very “come to Brazil” green-and-yellow option. 

• The main feature of DISSH's new collection of neutral-toned, vacation-oriented business-casual is its trove of vests in every conceivable orientation: an asymmetrical top with a row of curved buttons and a waist tie, a longline tunic with golden buttons and pockets, an easy v-neck shift dress, and more.

• Almost everything in the comprehensive new Zara Home collection rings up under $200, from adjustable oak-and-steel stools to marble table lamps, the few exceptions being thoughtful investment pieces like woven, lounge-style chairs by award-winning Belgian designer Vincent Van Duysen.  

• The coats and jackets that usher in Cawley’s SS24 season situate the label in conversation with brands like Bode—if the mustardy patchwork suede vests with hand-sewn pearl buttons and floral quilted oilskin jackets aren’t in your precise vision for springtime outerwear, you can order a set of oilskin swatches to help you dream up a bespoke piece with the same amount of homestead-y charm.

• There’s also: From collarless tweed jackets to herringbone polo shirts, all in pink and red, Maje SS24 is on the Chanel[le Woods] tip; Strongthe SS24 is at SSENSE with new neon and gingham takes on its knotty, spiky streetwear; Dover Street Market features the Mulberry x Stefan Cooke capsule of four pre-loved bags, recontextualized with Celtic knot-like embellishments and detachable tassels; the Miaou x Giaborghini capsule is six pairs of heels, from mules to boots, all with cowboy-ish stitching or piercing details; Alex Mill and No.6 both introduce new denim collections, the former a slew of straightforward blue jeans topping out at $225, the latter some light- and dark-wash options, plus a few matching jackets; Sézane's Clyde trench coat returns, bucking its 30k-person waiting list (for now); Ganni x Ace and Tate’s 20+ sunglass designs range from ‘70s retro to 2020s Balenciaga-esque futurism; Chet Lo’s Lovestruck collection for Tinder is a handful of novelty tees and beanies with the designer’s signature spikes in graphic form and finished with emo catechisms like “no one’s type—could be urs tho”; and Diptyque Paris’ Do Son limited edition collection celebrates the creator’s childhood memories of Vietnam with candles, perfume, and shower oil in a spiced tuberose scent.

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What’s on sale

Net-A-Porter Sale

• Net-A-Porter is taking an extra 25% off a selection of its already-on-sale styles with EXTRA25—a tomato-red, ruffled peplum dress by Molly Goddard is $518 down from $2,300; The Vampire’s Wife has its share of gowns, like this one in velvet and golden lace, for rare sub-$1k prices; a navy taffeta skirt from Renaissance Renaissance feels very in-line with FW24 showings by designers like Sandy Liang but costs $203, and more.

• Christopher Esber’s R24 sale is still on, with 30% off rippling, ruched tops that take a page from Di Petsa’s book in their Aphroditic energy, asymmetrical minidresses with built-in tulle shawls, and dozens of other pieces that embody the evanescence of sea foam, but the weirdest/most compelling piece is a pair of cream thong sandals that have two vestigial toe straps in addition to the usual one.

• Take an extra 30% off Donni’s season-spanning sale styles at checkout, from matching pants, dresses, and scrunchies ($18!) in turquoise organza to eco fleece funnel-neck tops for $55 and corncob-yellow wrap tops for under $60.

• Rosetta Getty’s winter sale offers discounts up to 50% off of safety orange cardigans in wool-cashmere blends, structured bell skirt dresses in very Ghesquière “stretch wool scuba suiting,” bias-cut maxi skirts in 100% silk, and more retro styles. 

• Puerta Negra’s winter sale is just five items, but from the shrunken, bare-elbowed Libra Blouse with its 12 businesslike buttons and festive collar to the handcrafted Vision dress with a wine-red colorway and ballooning sleeves that feel like they fit into the new Romantic aesthetic we waxed on about the other week, each piece is uniquely, quietly gorgeous.

• Lulu & Georgia’s sale takes up to an extra 25% off items already marked down, depending on how much you spend—the discounts span dinnerware sets by NYC’s current favorite ceramicist, Eny Lee Parker, already down to $124 before the extra percentage off; hand-knotted wool rugs; velvet pillows; quartz mortar-and-pestle sets; and dozens more well-priced home goods. 

• Get 40% off selected items from Tekla’s archive with FEBRUARYARCHIVE—bathrobes (both striped and solid) are going for $159, French flax duvet covers for under $200, poplin pajama top and bottom sets for a combined $267, and more.

• There’s also: With BGFEB, participate in the Bergdorf Goodman Gift Card Event, earning up to $1,500 for future shopping depending on how much you spend now; take an extra 20% off the Dear Frances end of season sale with EXTRA20, bringing pairs down to as low as $180; and enjoy 40% off at checkout for Kitten by Kate’s farewell sale sending off its Collection One.

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