issue #21: wine time!

because wearing it can be just as fun as drinking it (and without the hangover!)

If there is one thing that has started to make an abundance of sense after having a child, it’s the wine memes. Sure, they might be slightly cheugy (are we still saying that?), but they certainly resonate.  The irony being that I can no longer consume more than a single glass without wanting to die the next day.  Whether that is related to getting old, functioning generally on little to no sleep, or the massive crush of anxiety even a slight hangover confers, I am coming to the sad realization that wine for drinking is a lot less fun for me now than wine (the color) for wearing.  Also, it’s nearly fall, and for fall, bordeaux is going to be huge.  Below, some of my favorite iterations out there right now.

problematic? sure. accurate? also sure.

As footwear.

I have mentioned this before and I’ll say it again, a good colorful sneaker goes a long way, and they can often be worn with a lot of what you already have (especially if you lean into uniform/staple dressing).  Try these or these from Adidas, or these from Gola. 

I also think that cowboy boots are here to stay for a while (thanks, Bey!), and I am pretty sure I’m finally ready for a pair myself.  I have my eyes on these classic ones from Stetson (the OG), these Jeffery Campbell ones, these Free People ones (so much bordeaux with blue piping out there, guys), or these that are a bit more affordable (because I understand not wanting to break the bank on cowboy boots!).  Also tossing in this bonus rain boot from Lemon Jelly because everyone needs a good rain boot.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t also link up a few of the flat options I’ve been eyeing. I’m not really a flat person myself, but if I were to go for it, it would be with these from Dolce Vita because I love a textured shoe (but these Margaux flats are great as well), these very demure, very chic ones from Mansur Gavriel, or these much more affordable mesh flats to kill two trendy birds with one stone (although personally I’d go for the Baked Clay color here…for what it’s worth).

As a skirt.

Again, I don’t wear a lot of color. But I do have a very old, kind of stained burgundy silk midi skirt that I have been kicking around for years and am finally pretty excited to wear again.  I honestly don’t know where that specific one is from, but I found a few other iterations out there that I am liking right now, like this linen variation from Baserange, this cashmere one from Quince (a less expensive play on this one from Sezane, although I am very into that Rosewood color), or this very affordable washable silk one (which is very similar to the one I own!), again from Quince.  (I also came across this one on sale at Nordstrom and I NEED someone out there to buy it, please. There is one left and it’s not in my size or budget but it is excellent. It also reminds me of this Sies Marjan dress from one of their first collections that I sadly parted ways with prematurely, and no, I can’t bring myself to buy it back from TheRealReal). Pair with a little boot or sneaker, a big oversize gray sweater or sweatshirt, and a baseball cap and you are good to go.

As a hat.

I recently read somewhere that baseball caps are the tiaras of the states, and I love that.  Except that most people in places that actually use tiaras, the general population doesn’t wear them.  Here, however, baseball caps are almost a requirement. They help you out when you’re having a bad hair day. They instantly make any outfit just a tiny bit cooler.  They help mask sleepless nights.  My personal collection is getting a little out of hand, but I am probably (definitely) going to add a couple more this fall, because I don’t yet have this color and obviously I need it! I am into this one and this one, which are both Harris / Walz corduroy hats, because I love a little texture and a little political statement.  But I also love a good old fashioned Yankees cap, like this one (ask me how many Yankees games I’ve been to). I also recently came across this Negroni one which I mean…fantastic.   

Or a scarf.

I love scarves. I am not as daring or creative as Leandra Medine in how to wear them, personally I stick to either for warmth in the form of a big chunky or style (also warmth!) in the form of a bandana or kerchief.  But really, you can’t go wrong incorporating them no matter which way you choose.  I recommend this one from Zara or this one from Bershka.  I also ended up in an Etsy rabbit hole of old vintage designer scarves and absolutely fell in love with this Givenchy one, this Celine one, this Burberry one, this Bill Blass one, and this Calvin Klein one (are these real? What is this vintage scarf part of the internet that I’m just now discovering?  Have you all known about this?!).

In a detail.

If you’re like me and only slowly starting to incorporate any sort of color, a great way to start is through just a small detail here and there.  I’ve linked this sweatshirt before, but I am obsessed with this one from MoMA - it’s a good neutral with a little bit of a burgundy pop that fits the fall vibe and is easy and comfy but nice enough to not feel like a complete bum when running around the city. Plus, you automatically look more cultured than you probably are (let’s be honest, people), which is cool. 

Also, I am a firm believer that nails should only be painted three colors or left bare - and those three colors are black, bright red, or bordeaux.  This is my go to bordeaux, and this is a close second.  

Unfortunately since having a baby, I don’t often carry purses.  Rather I am bogged down by an endless pile of Stuff that is necessary to have with me in case of emergency and also just to survive. However, I do love this one from COS and if I were to ever go on a date night, or attend a party, or travel without my baby, I would probably carry it. 

Or around the home.

I am home obsessed right now, and am loving playing with color in a way that I have always been too scared to do before. These options do run a little “unexpected red theory” adjacent (hiiii, Taylor!!), which is great!! Bring more unexpected red in! Do it in a burgundy way! Who cares?! Nothing matters!

We are doing what I’m calling a “chaos wall” in our apartment, where we are just throwing whatever we own that can be framed or hung up there. It’s, as named, a little chaotic, but so far everything up there has meaning in our lives, which is a nice thing to look at daily. But part of this has been incorporating fun frames, and I love both this one and this one to bring a little color and playfulness in.

Lamps have also been an exciting way for us to play with color around the home, and I have my eye on this one, this one, and this one…(and if you’re not trying to spend that much, try this one or this one).

I spend A LOT of time in the kitchen. There are always meals to prep, dinners to cook, surfaces to clean. And with that, I’ve starting paying a lot more attention to the things in my kitchen. I’ve recently upgraded to Hawkins dinnerware (love), and Le Creuset cookware (also love). Now, I have my eye on these fancy plates (obsessed) and , as well as these fancy napkins and fancy napkins for when we start having guests over for dinner parties (I swear we will soon…). Also, these all make excellent gifts and the holidays will be here before we know it!!!

happy shopping!

xx,

jen