issue #18: seeing stripes.

If you’re new here, welcome!  Although I write a lot about motherhood and that journey, in the other part of my life I am a buyer in the fashion industry, so I also like to write about things I have my eye on, things I’m buying, and things I’m liking and seeing out there in the market.  

One thing that has been coming up over and over again as I look through what’s releasing now and on the docket for Spring/Summer 2025 is stripes. Literally, they are everywhere. And I am HERE FOR IT. 

I’ve never considered myself a particularly colorful person, in personality nor style (jk jk on that first part), but something about life has recently gotten me *very excited* about color, boldness, patterns, stripes. Now to be clear, I haven’t totally broken out of my comfort zone in terms of dressing or even decorating, although I’m starting to take baby steps in both departments (I wore burgundy today, it was a big deal).  But as I’m seeing stripes, again, *everywhere*, I am becoming more and more excited about trying to incorporate them into my life. Here, a round up of a few iterations I am absolutely loving at the moment.

A Classic Breton Shirt

This Breton Stripe shirt from Buck Mason. Let’s call it “entry level stripes” because it is the absolute most classic way to do a stripe, and honestly just a closet staple.  And there are good ones everywhere!  Try this slightly cropped version from Everlane (bonus, some colors are on sale), this lovely and affordable red and white one from Old Navy, or this brown one I’m loving from La Ligne (although it appears to be sold out, sadly). Also The Great just released this one which is more of a sweater and slightly out of my budget but you bet I set Poshmark search up for it!   And of course, there is the absolute OG, Saint James.

a classic.

A Good Old Fashioned Striped Button Down

I’m a sucker for a cotton poplin button down, and have been really into striped ones lately.  Some of my faves at the moment are this one from The Frankie Shop (and with those shorts, love). This one from The Gap is honestly great as well (are they making a comeback?? Should I write one day about my experience working for a certain young designer they recently hired? Spoiler alert: it wasn’t great). Burgundy is going to be huge this fall, so I have my eyes on this one from Pistola as well. And I love a camel, so this one from Sezane is high on my fall shopping list.

can't go wrong!

Shoes & Accessories

Nearly everyone is wearing stripes these days in the form of Adidas, which is a great way to do so.  I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, go for the fun colors here!  A bright shoe is a really fun way to bring in some color, especially if you’re a neutral leaning New Yorker like myself. I love these and these and these.  I am also unreasonably obsessed with these HAND PAINTED Amalfi stripe pieces from Lindquist.  Lindy, the owner/designer of the company, is both wildly talented and also a Really Nice Person, so I will always encourage folks to splurge on her products.  Also, that imagery. Incredible.  I’ve mentioned this before and I’m sure I’ll say it again, but my postpartum hair situation is truly miserable.  It fell out, and now it’s changed texture, and overall it’s just been a true headache trying to figure out what to do with it.  So, most days I just wear it up, and hair clips have become my go to.  I am loving these striped ones that offer a tiny bit of color and playfulness in a really accessible way. So easy. And last but not least, I discovered these market bags from Spencer Devine recently, and they are amazing. They weigh nothing, come in an array of colors and patterns, and add an instant boost to any outfit.

Home Accessories

A great way to incorporate bold stripes into your life is in the home - it adds a little bit of color, and if done through accessories like pillows and throws it’s easy to change them up when and if you tire of them, and of course you can go a little crazy with colors you might not be as open to physically wearing!  If you’ve been here a minute you know that I’m in the process of decorating my new apartment (ok fine we moved in April, it just takes forever to get done on top of work, side job (s), raising a baby, managing my partner, trying to stay sane, etc.) and I’m incorporating stripes through striped sheets for the baby’s room reading nook (or these less expensive ones), some throw pillows and a bold blanket for the yet to be purchased because we are having decision paralysis couch, a neutral but fun striped throw for winter like this one from Maison Deux, and through some fun kitchen accessories like these from Dusen Dusen. One day! I also am obsessed with these woven lampshades and would love to try to find a way to use them.

Paper Products

Something I saw a ton of while walking the home and gift trade shows this season was stripes and color being incorporated into paper products such as calendars, journals, and planners.  I love this so much.  As a total nerd that still needs to hand write everything and keeps a daily planner, these really speak to me!  Also, everyone needs a nice pop of color to brighten up their work day, no?  Some of my favorites are this recipe book and matching finance planner from Papier, this family planner from A. Journal, and also from A. Journal, this notebook.

xx,

jen