Carly’s Substack

Birkin & Kelly Etiquette: Yes, There Is Such a Thing

Carly Jordan — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 01:32:53 GMT

I spend an unreasonable amount of time around Birkins and Kellys, and somewhere along the way I developed a fairly strict set of rules about which sizes belong where.

Are these rules written by Hermès? No.

Will I still judge a Birkin 35 sitting next to a martini at dinner? A little.

Here is my completely unofficial Birkin & Kelly etiquette guide.

What I’d Buy Before Fashion Month Gets to It

Carly Jordan — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 17:13:27 GMT

We are officially entering the most dangerous shopping period of the year.

It’s still 85 degrees outside, your brain is technically in summer, and yet suddenly every good jacket, bag and shoe is appearing online whispering, you’re going to regret not buying me.

And unfortunately, sometimes the jacket is right.

I shop for a living, which means I spend an unreasonable amount of time looking at new arrivals, hunting down sold-out pieces, watching what clients are suddenly asking for and noticing when the same very specific thing starts popping up everywhere.

There are a few things happening right now that I have a feeling are going to feel very important in approximately three weeks.

So rather than sending you another 47-page “Fall Trend Report,” here is what I would actually buy now.

And, equally importantly, what I would absolutely not.

Paid subscribers, welcome to the group chat.

How Robotics Somehow Led Me to Fashion

Carly Jordan — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:07:48 GMT

I always get asked how I got started in fashion.

The short answer?

By accident.

The long answer involves robotics engineering, investment banking, a denied U.S. visa, and a suspicious number of Chanel shoes crossing the …

Soft Launching Fall...

Carly Jordan — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 01:15:00 GMT

I’m not saying summer is over…

I’m just saying I’ve seen enough linen.

We’ve officially reached the part of August where buying another summer dress feels unnecessary, but putting on a sweater would be medically concerning.

So, I’m soft launching fall.

Nothing too aggressive.

Just a few things that work now and will work even better once the weather finally gets the memo.

How to Take Your Outfit From Cool to It Girl

Carly Jordan — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 22:24:47 GMT

I know most of you love wearing all black and treat color like it’s a mildly dangerous activity.

I get it. Black is easy. Black is chic. Black has never betrayed us.

But whenever I’m styling a look and it feels like it’…

The End-of-Summer Piece I Can’t Stop Wearing

Carly Jordan — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 21:48:15 GMT

I know summer is technically winding down, but there is one thing I am absolutely not done wearing:

long shorts.

They somehow make everything look a little more intentional than a mini, a little cooler than denim cutoff…

I spend an unreasonable amount of time finding things for you to buy.

Carly Jordan — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 20:34:10 GMT

I spend an unreasonable amount of time finding things.

The sold-out dress. The Birkin in the exact combination someone swears doesn’t exist. The vintage piece hiding on page 47 of the internet. The $100 top that looks suspiciously expensive.

It’s literally my job.

And somewhere between sourcing for clients, styling, traveling, shopping, and my own question…