issue #26: chocolate, espresso, tobacco.

I love a color in which multiple shade names stem from vices.

I start every day with espresso (ok fine black coffee at home followed by a latte).  I end every day with chocolate (specifically a piece of this which is truly the best).  And though I no longer smoke, I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss it sometimes.  Some of my favorite memories from living in Paris were sitting outside under the heat lamps on the sidewalk in those checkered chairs and tiny bistro tables.  A gaggle of us girls all laughing, sipping wine, smoking cigarettes.  We felt so young, free, and French.  We knew it was bad but we didn’t care, it was what you did there, and we wanted to fit in.  Even now, the smell of a lit cigarette as I walk by outdoor dining gives me a sense of nostalgia and swirls up happy memories that make it tempting to start that habit again.  

A deep rich dark brown has been a fall staple for eternity, so calling it a trend isn’t exactly groundbreaking.  But I have been seeing a resurgence of the color in new and interesting ways, and it makes me feel like we’ll be seeing a lot more of it this year than we have lately.  This post was actually a bit difficult to write because there really is so much good stuff out there - it was truly hard to narrow it down!  But I did my best and below are a few of my favorite iterations out there at the moment (a non-exhaustive list, of course).

As a sweater:

Ok this first one is technically a sweatshirt, but it seems like The Gap is poised for a comeback and I also love a good sweatshirt for fall.  This one doesn’t break the bank and is a nice rich color. Wear under a blazer, with wide leg jeans, a baseball cap and some Chuck Taylors and you’re all set. I absolutely love a hoodie in the fall, and this cashmere one checks all the boxes (ok it’s not exactly chocolate brown but it’s such a beautiful shade I’m including it anyways. Also, COS has a really nice cashmere capsule right now and although it’s a bit out of my price range it’s definitely worth taking a peek at for inspiration, styling, aspiration, lust.  I love babaa and I bought this sweater off Poshmark last year (then subsequently resold it for summer clothes) and plan to do the same again this year.  This deep brown is so rich and lovely, and you’ll want to live in the sweater all winter long.  But if oversize isn’t your thing, this shrunken v neck from J. Crew is really sweet and lovely and slides right into this high waist trouser trend we find ourselves in the middle of.

As a pant:

I am truly obsessed with these Cordera baggy cord pants, but I might have to go for this honestly kind of cute dupe-ish pair from Amazon?  I’ve never really bought proper clothes for myself on Amazon, but are these great or am I crazy? I also really like these Shaina Mote slip on pants that look really put together but also really comfortable.  I see fellow Brooklyn mom’s wearing a version of these around every weekend and I desperately want to get my own pair to fit in. 

As a jacket:

Ok this is more than I would ever spend on a jacket but I do love everything Nili Lotan and this cord blazer is so great. If anyone out there can find a dupe, please let me know.  In general, most of what The Frankie Shop puts out there is too oversized and boxy for me (and my body type), and this jacket is no exception.  That said, I still love it, and on the right person I would LOVE to see this out in the wild - that brown is just TOO GOOD. (Bonus link to this Frankie Shop trench that I am also obsessing over but I am definitely not cool enough for. More accessible and wearable version here.)  MUCH more my vibe is this double face wool overcoat from Soeur, a very cool French brand I’ve had my eye on for a while. This leather one from Soeur is also great. I recently stumbled upon the brand It is Well LA at a trade show and nearly bought the sample of this jacket right  off the rack for myself right then and there.  Every day since I have regretted not doing so.  A pricer version is this Etoile beaut, which is really just the epitome of French girl cool (something I aspire to each and every day). 

As a dress:

I try so hard to be a dress person, and I’m just not.  Give me pants or give me death, am I right?  Jk, jk.  On the rare occasion I do find myself in a dress, I would love for it to be this one or this one.  Not too sexy, not too feminine, comfortable, and chic.

As a shoe:

I think I’m ready to start moving away from a daily sneaker this fall to up my shoe game a bit, and I have my eye on these boots (actually have had my eye on these for over a year now so it feels like it’s time), these clogs (I am trying my hardest to be a clog person), these The Row dupe flats from Amazon that someone else recommend (if that was you raise your hand!), these cowboy boots (because cowboy is still having a moment, just ask Lindsay Sword), these cowboy-lite boots (if you’re not ready to commit to the whole thing), these very cute heels (I love a closed toe and a low heel in the city), and these loafers (again, not technically chocolate brown but just so good and classic).  But, I still love a sneaker!! Especially in New York City where I regularly put in 10- 20k steps without even trying.  These will 100% be making it into my wardrobe this fall, with these and these in the running as well.

In an accessory:

I have been wearing the same brown belt for the last 10 years and it’s still in great shape but it’s probably time to both upgrade and just add a new one into the rotation.  I love this croc embossed one that adds a little shine and fanciness without being fussy.  If you’ve read my posts before, you know I have a thing for scarves.  Again with the designer vintage ones, I know, but this vintage Celine one is really good and does double trend duty in capturing the *equestrian* moment (but have you guys ever really rode horses? I don’t know about you, but I find it decidedly unglamorous). Also a vintage find - this striped number from Fendi. Not vintage but still a neck scarf, I stumbled across this one in my research and I just love the abstract floral print and the fact that it comes in two sizes so you can really choose your own adventure here. Ok I wouldn’t normally advocate for spending $300 on a scarf, but I used to work with Aiayu and have seen this scarf in person and can attest to the fact that if you have the disposable income, it’s worth it to put it here.  It’s super lightweight, cashmere, and just long and wide enough to be the actual perfect size.  Bags are a pretty obvious choice for bringing brown into your wardrobe, so I won’t actually get into them too much here, but two that stood out to me were this suede hobo bucket one from Madewell - accessible price point and again, grabs a few good fall trends at once - and this curved woven one from Dragon Diffusion, a brand that I have been seeing everywhere lately - personally I love this shape, and I am very on board with the woven bag trend.

Around the home: 

I love bringing trends into the home because often it can be done in smaller ways that are easier to rotate out and change up when you’re ready.  These options are not that though.  Instead, I found myself drawn to more investment-y finds here, starting with this vintage set of cookware (ok it’s amber but close enough). Although you can just buy one pot from this series, the whole thing is great, and as someone that is trying to create a more cohesive kitchen, personally I would prefer to splurge on the whole set (I won’t). I also love these pitchers from Sessun that I would probably use as a vase because I think pitchers are generally impractical, but that cord detail is fantastic. I know I’ll have made it when I can buy expensive matching linen sets.  One of the first things I bought for myself when I felt I had a little financial freedom (I didn’t realize at the time it would be precarious at best), was a Parachute linen robe.  I had just moved into my own place for the first time, got a job I had really high hopes for that felt like a great big step in the right direction, and was spending a lot of time at home due to the lingering effects of the pandemic.  I absolutely loved my place, and it was such a special time to really carve out what was mine and feel, honestly, a little selfish for once.  Things have since gotten much, much more chaotic (life really throws some curveballs!), but I think the first thing I’ll get myself when I feel more financially free is another nice lounge set for the home, and I have my eyes on this robe and PJ set from Deiji, The subtle stripe is so good, and the oversized silhouettes are exactly what I want to live in around the house (and I could wear those PJ’s to the curb when taking out the trash without feeling exposed which would be a definite win here in NYC).

happy shopping!

xx,

jen