A Skirt, Some Shoes + Other Shopping Thoughts

Early Spring came and went here in New York (tonight we are expecting our first snow of the season), but it hasn’t stopped me from starting to think about (and purchase) some Spring clothes. I spent a short 36-hour period showing my friend Kelley Estes around NYC and while we spent a considerable amount of time looking at art (The Frick, Gagosian, more galleries, a bit of DIA) and eating very well (Lady M cake, dinner at the new Koloman and brunch at La Mercerie), we also did some shopping/sleuthing at some of our favorite stores (we have very similar tastes).

First, we both bought the skirt pictured above from The Row (twinning!) I have been OBSESSED with this skirt since I saw the Spring collection images, because it is a classic knee-length–something almost impossible to come by these days. (You can find it here, it runs a little big, I bought a size 2.) I don’t wear many skirts–I have now have 4 in total, but words can’t express how excited I am to wear it, with a black button-down as shown, a t-shirt, a navy cashmere sweater (this one from Toteme is a nice warm-weather weight). I also bought the Canal loafers, which feel, and kind of look like, I’m wearing bedroom slippers. They have that weird-but-good vibe. So many flats give me blisters, but these shouldn’t. (No one can keep them in stock, so if you’re thinking about them and see them in your size, pounce.)

The next day we went to the new Toteme boutique in Soho. I fell in love with this tailored shirt, but then we started trying on all the shoes. These suede slides and kitten-heeled loafers pictured above are both super chic on. (These are good too.) So good with jeans. So good with my new The Row skirt. (I didn’t buy them yet, but I will). They both feel versatile and different enough to warrant getting them both. (I have a couple pairs of Toteme shoes and happy with the quality.)

Then, my Ireland packing list. I am constantly harping on fewer better things on this site and with The Wardrobe Project, but realized that I wasn’t heeding my own advice when it came to clothing for this trip. I have the perfect pieces for inclement weather: a pair of R.M. Williams Gardener boots and a classic Barbour jacket similar to the Beadnell (but better because it has a hood). What’s wrong with them? Absolutely nothing, except I’ve had them both for over 20 years and they feel tired. But I realized, those are not areas where I want to spend money. They will do just fine. I am still bringing the Nili Lotan jeans, one of my blazers, my tees and turtlenecks and sweaters, but those two pieces are musts. One thing I did purchase which I will bring is this new Frances de Lourdes navy cashmere shirt. And, because I’m happy to share my crazy fashion journey with you and be upfront, those High Sport flared black pants? I bought them, I liked them but was on the fence, I returned them. Kelley showed up on the weekend wearing them and I realized what a perfect travel pant they were. Maybe I need them again. Sometimes it takes a nudge to get me onboard.