A VISUAL FEAST
In my headphones: The Lemon Twigs—I Wanna Prove to You, Goldspot—Rewind, and John Prine—Summer's End
No one has been able to explain to my satisfaction what, exactly, defines beauty, but I think we can all agree beauty is a kind of visual immersion, a feast for the aesthetic conscious, a bath for the senses. Fashion and design are tactile, pleasing both to the eyes and the fingertips, and sometimes too to the mind, like when a piece allows the wearer to be subsumed by a character or embody a particular persona.
Fashion, tactile though it is, carries with it a kind of aura. Below you will find a list of pieces that entrance, enchant, delight me…. pieces I cannot necessarily afford but which satisfy my specific kind of tactile itch nonetheless.
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First up is Lié Studio, founded by twins and models-turned-founders Cecilie and Amalie Moosgaard, who have near-perfect taste. Their visual curation is impeccable, as is their jewelry line. My favorite of their rings is this one (the Sofie Ring), but this one (The Victoria Ring) comes a close second. Sticking with jewelry, I am, as ever, into the classic Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff. Tiffany & Co. recently released the classic cuff as a ring, which I don’t like so much. It looks too much like a Oura Ring for my taste. Price-wise, I am into this cuff from Spanish brand Susmie’s. New York City jewelry brand Agmes also makes beautiful cuffs.
For hyper-feminine silhouettes with a handmade touch, shop My Mum Made It. In fact, they’re having a 50%-off sale right now. Though I’m not sure if the whole bloomers-in-public thing that they’re so good at is my cup of tea, they have excellent basics that look really, really soft. I’ve had my eye on this set for months: the Lace Puff Sleeve Crop top and the Lace Mini Skirt in white. I also love the Frill Tank Dress in white, though it looks like it might be a little see-through, so choose your intimates accordingly.
A lot of the brands on this list are on the Moosgaard twins’ recommendation, and the Swedish Toteme is no exception. This Pony Hair Coat in Leopard, for example, is at the tippy-top of my (really expensive) shopping list. The same goes for Danish brand Tove. Their pieces are strikingly beautiful, highly structured, and reminiscent of something an ancient Greek woman would wear on the Mediterranean coast while making elaborate pottery. I’m rounding off the Moosgaard twins’ list with St. Agni and Berlin-based Aeyde. I especially like the latter for its footwear, which is streamlined, edgy, and elegant all at once. I like the Melia Leather Kitten-Heel Pumps and the Fedora Leather Slingback Flats, but what I like most of all about Aeyde is its hardware. I mean, the buckles on the sandals manage to combine the sculptural quality of Elsa Peretti jewelry with the daintiness of Lié Studio at the same time. I also really like the Riva Leather Toe-Post Sandals–they’re heeled flip-flops (sue me), but I think they’re cute. I also like their boots. And their Darya Leather Ballet Flats. In cranberry patent red? They’re so cute I could cry. Basically, you could buy me any pair of their shoes and we would immediately be best friends. What’s a girl got to do to afford something so aerodynamic?!
Now back to Australian label St. Agni, which is practically perfect in every way. Example one: They make the sexiest sheer tops–see this stripe top in black with the most beautiful neckline, a t-shirt here, and this pirate-inspired open-front top with great tailoring—perfect for the beach. They’re tastefully sheer without being overtly transparent; they cover you up and dress you down at the same time. St. Agni designs are all about deconstruction and reconstruction, and basically they never miss. They even made a collection of three metal bra tops in collaboration with Agmes once! Just look at this dress to find a cross between an after-shower towel wrap and an exquisitely tailored suit. I mean, come on! And the shirt version here.
I also love Soeur, which is having a big sale right now. They’ve got cool shirts like the Chance Blouse, and plush, unfussy sweaters like the Virginia Cardigan here. One of my favorite fashion bloggers, Leandra Medine Cohen, formerly of the Man Repeller blog and now of Cafe Leandra fame, did a collab with Soeur, and I like the Claire Dress. Aaaaand they’re also having a sale right now–up to 50% off!
The German brand Closed makes the best denim maybe ever, and they make beautiful outerwear, too. Their designs are grungy but tailored, and my sister and I have been fighting tooth and nail over my mom’s Closed leather jacket for years. The exact style she has (we have) is probably long gone by now, but they have plenty of other great options available here.
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On the topic of cute bottoms, I can’t afford Dôen’s Sebastiane Skirt, but a friend recommended the Brandy Melville Olive Skirt instead (thanks Kit). I am ridiculously into Dôen’s blouses and dresses in particular. I’m downplaying my Dôen lust here because if I think about it too much I’ll get too invested, but I’m just saying… Dôen’s clothes are beautiful and feel really good on. And they’re having a sale! So shop that if it’s in your price range.The Nandy Skirt is sold-out, so this won’t help anyone, but I’m including it here to prove that Dôen is not just for buying dresses you can wear to twirl around in a field. As shown by the brand, for late summer/early fall transition style, wear a bright lace midi skirt, cropped neutral cardigan with the sleeves rolled up and bottom few buttons undone, and a pair of heels with contrasting socks.
At the very top of my list sits Ciao Lucia. If I could, I would wear something by Ciao Lucia every moment of every day. You woke up on a lazy Sunday and need to get dressed for breakfast in the kitchen? Throw on the Vera Pant in Vienna with a white tank top and slippers. You need to get changed and head out for errands? Slip on the Gianluca Dress in Check and you’re ready to go. It’s time for tennis? Put on this matching white set–this is the best tennis skirt I’ve seen to date (and trust me, I’ve looked at a lot of tennis skirts), and the Tennis Tank in Ivory looks great with it. You’ve got dinner plans? Wear this looks-good-on-everyone cut, this perfectly tailored dress, or this Jane Birkin-inspired knit mini-dress.
Last but not least, I also look to Damson Madder for flamboyant cuts and eye-catching prints, With Jeán for flattering staples (see this business-on-top, party-on-the-bottom dress, for example), Faithfull The Brand for summer vacation dresses and other linen pieces, Rouje, Musier, or Sézane when I want to feel French, and Réalisation Par for classic, romantic dresses when I don’t know what to wear to a party.
All of that is to say that my birthday is coming up in less than a month; I’m an August Leo, which will surprise exactly no one. This means I have no shame… All I’m saying is that these are my favorite brands, and wouldn’t you know it? I really, really like clothes. Happy shopping!
Absolutely nailed it. Every single one resonates👏🧘♀️
Very insightful/resourceful. Love it.