249: I'm locked in site credit jail
Plus Toteme's sale, Tory's summer capsule, and Lemaire's ventes privees go online.
Having site credit is the very best and very worst thing that can happen to you. On one hand, you get something for free or at a nice discount. On the other, the endless possibilities and configurations of how you’ll spend your credit will test you, taunt you, take hours off of your life.
I got an email from The RealReal last week telling me I had earned a $100 site credit for having consigned some number of items during some period. Even though I was in Paris, shopping for Carven at Galeries Lafayette and Azur at a rare popup and waiting in chic lines outside of Lemaire, my mind wandered back to that email anxiously, like if I didn’t get to it soon, I’d miss out on some singular opportunity that would change my entire closet dynamic and…my identity for the better? How can $100 do that to my brain?? I have $100! I’ve spent a lot more much less obsessively, but therein lies the paradox and POWER of the site credit.
Since getting home two days ago, the Chrome window I charged with my TRR autopsy has expanded to upwards of 50 tabs and shrunk back down to two or three, and the decision paralysis has stopped me from doing actual work (hi Thursday news send).
I thought to get this insane vintage Hermes silk tank for an effective 20% discount until I noticed the “no coupons” disclaimer. This knit Celine mini dress is priced fantastically, but feels unseasonal for a 94º day. A Rick Owens skirt set for under $200 would mean getting two pieces for sub-$50 each after the credit—not bad. This Interior leather mini skirt sold out on my watch. Pink Prada heels! But maybe a hair too high. The new arrivals pages sent me down a Vivienne Tam rabbit hole via this sparkly mesh shirt, following a conversation around fun clothes with Aemilia Madden and Rachel Tashjian at my Linnea Lund launch breakfast. (The collab, ICYMI!) From Tam, I’m also very much feeling this Chinese figure tank and this sheer floral/avian mini dress.
And then the fun clothes thread took me to these Cavalli pants. Only $52. My size. Just like a pair I’d tried on in Wasteland in LA and regretted not buying two summers ago. With the leftover $48 in mind, I hit a couple searches I knew to be under-pillaged at the moment, Gucci weirdly being one of them (Sabato’s cooled the name for better or worse). Out of a few bizarrely cheap Tom Ford-y tanks (here, here, and here), I connected with this twist-strapped one with a tiny interlocking G plate on the hem.
With the credit, the two pieces came to $43 out of pocket, the kind of impossible, balkable number that makes me say things like “what will we do when The RealReal finally tanks?” I’m out of site credit jail for now, from The RealReal at least, but a MyTheresa gift card I was just generously, blessedly sent now threatens to upend my peace once again. What do we think…Is it senseless to believe this The Row belt has the ability to change my life?
With News Editor
What’s new
Tory Burch’s summer capsule showcases what the brand does best: Instead of acting as a crucible for a unique aesthetic code, it’s a feat of curation. Burch cribs silhouettes like the Birkenstock Gizeh but presents its version of the sandal canonized in a silver glaze, takes over where Gucci has recently faltered by cooking up tech knit tracksuits, and finally allows us the buoyant triple-hoop-skirted dress that mesmerized on last year’s runway—an elegant, compulsively wearable visual gag with JW Andersonian inflections.
We have been on the Brooke Callahan train for years, so it’s thrilling to see Maimoun hop on, presenting an edit of Callahan’s most iconic cotton poplin creations: the ubiquitous cherry-red tie pants with their ineffably flattering low rise, the relaxed two-tie dress in a hyper-precise shade of off-white, and more selections are a great introduction to Callahan’s shrewd attention toward shape and preternatural ability to suss out colors that feel equally versatile and special.
An astute use of color also defines Eres’ FW24 pre-collection, with bikinis, strapless one-pieces, and more styles of swimwear showcasing colorblock couplets of poppy red plus its more jaded cousin, a dusty sienna, or energetic olive against a prim-hued navy. The shades are also deployed in a tight edit of swim-adjacent clothing, like wide-waisted jersey trousers, and each color gets its moment as exemplar of the still-spawning swim cap movement.
Before Mads Mikkelsen, fashion had Adrien Brody. Now, the original figurehead of masculine elegance is back with a travel capsule for Bally that seems to offer real solutions to summer’s transitory challenges. A perforated, unlined leather blouson matches up to mixed weather across destinations, a nylon crossbody acts as an extra pocket and isn’t over-designed, and a pair of cotton shorts seems to resolve the inseam debate for adult men (“just above the knee”).
Janessa Leone’s HS24 collection feels looser than the brand’s typical edits, with enormous raffia sun hats meant to be styled a little rumpled, a little askew; straw handbags with leather straps game for holding onto a hat, towel, pair of sunglasses, or the like; a fringy black macramé dress that introduces the possibility of a flapper-like approach to beachwear we’ve been overlooking until now.
The foil to the sometimes-overwrought idea of a “going out top” can be found in Eckhaus Latta’s PF24, a truly genderless collection rife with backless knit crewnecks, dragged and distorted riffs on the unimpeachable ribbed tank top, asymmetrical apron-like tanks that tie under one arm and are edged in an architectural knit, and more low-effort-high-reward alternatives to a fussier focal point, especially while the weather’s warm.
Professional upcycler Ian Allen Greer lends his vintage reworkings and natural dye techniques to The RealReal’s “Realcycle,” splicing together salvageable elements from pieces in the TRR archives that couldn’t be sold as-is. From a smartly-dipped, shibori-dyed button-down to a handkerchief-hemmed wrap dress in pink stripes and lace that manages to defy any expectations you may have upon reading that description, many different styles are accounted for in this capsule.
Amid The Row’s jelly-gate (still have yet to hear of a single pair that haven’t broken—hit reply if that’s you), shoe brands are nevertheless continuing to issue their own rubber water-and-land shoe hybrids to meet demand. Ancient Greek Sandals’ was the first—yes, even before The Row introduced theirs—but Emme Parsons’ reimagining of her Bari sandal as a pool slide might be the one to shut down all the rest.
If Coming of Age and Sandy Liang had a love child, it’d come out looking like Hai’s SS24-exclusive bag capsule, featuring deadstock gingham totes, some adorned with plump fabric rosettes, plus five new shades of the label’s simple “little silk bag,” cut in dupion for texture and hardiness.
The no-skips run of collaborations between MM6 Maison Margiela and Salomon continues with the new XT-4 Mule, a slip-on take on the color-conscious sportstyle sneakers the pairing has churned out nonstop the past few years—the yellow and shale colorway with a shock of lapis blue is especially compelling.
A big week for indie fashion brand-meets-indie skincare between Tove’s collaboration with Merit and Leset linking up with Dr. Loretta. I wear two out of four of these names religiously and the other two secularly. I’ve no idea who this crossover model is for, but by all means, let them host their dinners and roll out pretty pictures!
There’s also: Khaite introduces its Lia tote, a spacious, angular bag with a smartly compartmentalized interior and subtly luxurious hardware detailing; Collina Strada put out a pony-shaped tote with Baggu and I’ve already seen three friends wearing it; and the Tekla x Artex bedding collection introduces delicate pattern to the minimalism both brands are celebrated for.
What’s on sale
To cut right to the heart of it, the best pieces in Toteme’s sale are: this pleated wrap skirt I’d never seen and just made me gasp (so meeeee); monogram silk shorts (the logo is stitched, not printed) that I’d buy just for the color name—bloody mary; a very Jalil Johnson-like straw hat; the underrated tongue-embossed loafer; the cotton twill coat-jacket in black and white. If you have the storage and good sense to shop ahead for fall, the attached-scarf coat is IT, as is the leather-collar barn jacket, of which there’s ONE left.
Soon, I’ll be sharing some thoughts on Baserange that will make its Brand Rank stock go up, but in the meantime, if you want to take my word for it, the brand’s hosting a pretty great 30% summer sale. That is to say, dozens upon dozens of pieces hovering around or dipping under the $100 mark. Check out the styling of these satin Dydine pants to get inspired, consider optioning for the Rim sweater I bought this March at Le Bon Marche, or meditate on the Domond pants and wonder like I did why this brand never gets subjected to The Row comparisons, despite exemplifying elevated basics excellence.
Dries Van Noten’s SS24 sale magnifies, with a 40% discount, everything from the sly use of chino to fashion a pseudo-workwear belt to a poplin dress shirt employing jester-style bows instead of buttons on its placket to the lavish beadwork on a pair of disco-style pumps and the way a silk halter dress’ frenetic patterns complicate each other instead of simply clashing—lots of pieces that would elevate a burgeoning DVN collection (before the LAST DVN-helmed womenswear collection, FW24) are still up for grabs.
The private sales at Lemaire that held me back in queues in Paris have migrated online, where there are no lines. Lucky you. The brand’s evergreen twisted pants are under $500, a super flattering lyocell button down looks exceptionally hot on all who wear it, and even bags—like the Ransell top handle—are on significant sale.
Le Monde Beryl put a small handful of its shoes on sale, including the Regency Mule, which only recently hit shelves at La Garçonne, L’ensemble, and Bergdorfs and which I wore in virtually every arrondisement in Paris last week.
There is a distinctly acidlike inflection to the No 6. Store summer sale, with psychedelic dresses such as Julia Heuer’s Kodachrome-colored, pleated, drop-waist Pipilotti Dress down to $735 from over $1k, the chemical spill edged in black lace that is the Fanny Dress by Collina Strada ($438 from $625), and the Serapis Strap Dress with its inscrutably uncanny print and unexpected shoulder details, plus tons of other picks both mildly unhinged and satisfyingly pragmatic.
Few home goods sales are top tier enough to get me clicking as thoroughly as a mediocre fashion sale, but Tekla’s archive opening caused whiplash. There are several linen bedspreads, which at this point I’m practically collecting, linen duvet covers, lambswool blankets, and some 200 or so more smart, soothing, purposeful items for bettering your nest.
The Vestiaire Collective warehouse sale shows off the site’s ability to descend into madness, deals-wise: if you look, you’ll find pieces like a vintage Celine bag for half off, a cashmere Khaite jumper under $200, a tweed miniskirt by Proenza for $36, and more reliably bonkers discounts on everything from Louis Vuitton luggage (sure to be sought after now that the label’s on the come-up again) to Gucci tracksuits back from when they were, well, good.
The Esse Studios archive store is open now for its “Season 1,” offering up to 70% off strapless mini dresses with sheer hems reminiscent of an MNZ Bisou skirt, crisp cotton scarf shirts with a period drama ethos, sub-$100 silk logo scarves large enough to tie into halter tops, and more dignified, steadfast wardrobe staples.
From a stripy seashell dress that Sabrina Carpenter would wear if she were Bugs Bunny (anyone not at that level of online should feel free to forget that phrase ever existed) to a hooded column gown in bravely optic white, Bevza’s summer sale takes up to half off classically glamorous clothing that ranges from retro to romantic—really good options for all players in surprise summer elopements here.
Róhe’s summer sale offers us up to 40% off twisty one-shoulder going out tops (this one’s $150!), creamy satin camisoles sparking with lace appliqués, roughly-hewn knit tanks in sturdy 100% cotton yarn, and other pieces that start at a baseline of “sophisticated” and work their way up to “transcendent.”
Veronica De Piante’s seasonal sale is the most fall-forward sale of the pack this week, with v-neck cashmere sweaters, Catholically-crimson button-down shirts, and silk charmeuse dresses (this one featuring a cinched neckline we’ve already seen echoed in previews for the next season of brands like Commission) on deck, waiting at 50% off for their moment to come.
There’s also: Ahead of its imminent closing, New Classics offers 30% off its entire stock with FAREWELL—tons of Amomento’s off-kilter sweater sets, Flore Flore’s camisole dresses, and more, well, new classics take the cut; something must be in the water because Maiden Name is closing too, offering up to half off its satin camisoles, futuristic button-downs, and more season-transcending comfy-but-versatile pieces; Commas’ end-of-season sale takes up to 70% off its resort-ish summer suits, sheer dresses, merino sweaters, and beyond; the Nonna summer sale adds Cawley and Paris Georgia to its stacked lineup of IYKYK pieces at a 30% discount; use SALE30 for 30% off a selection of Toogood’s canvas workwear, cotton silk suits, and poplin caftans; Saks Potts’ seasonal sale offers up to 50% off a ton of Amy Winehouse-ian polos and mini shorts, plus other aughts-coded staples like cargo pants and logo baby tees; multicolored denim is available for a third of its usual price in the B Sides summer sale; and the Matches sale continues, cutting up to 80% off brands like the insouciant, androgynous Raey and offering a styling goldmine in its product photos.
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I got the same $100 credit and I think it took 3 solid days before I decided on a vintage Loewe bag that ended up at a bargain $200… I “saved” $$??
The Lia feels very old Celine, no?