Habiter got a little NYTimes shout out this week! This nearly made my head explode with excitement. I am feeling oh so legitimized — freshly christened by legitimate media. To the many of you who are new here, welcome.

Of course, I missed last week’s letter (and I’ve been so consistent lately!), but it was for a very good reason — my little brother got married. Welcome to the family to my new sister, Kelly.

This week I spoke to Tahni Bouhadana, a Melbourne-based artist and sculptor. Her playful style is certainly summer-friendly, but I think many of her picks will last you well into September. I learned about a lot of new brands from this one!

Here’s what Tahni has been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?
Reminiscent and playful. During the day I’ve been living in these vintage sport shorts with a Fruity Booty bra, sheer top and Relaxe slippers from Carmen Amsterdam. I also stick by my Leoni Ivory Camisole. At night I wear silk dresses with my Katt Fore heels paired with my vintage navy Bottega Veneta pouch to hold only my evening’s essentials.

How often do you shop?

I don’t find myself shopping excessively, I try to buy only the pieces that are unique and essential. Especially when traveling, I don’t allow myself to slip into an obscene amount of shopping, but to purchase the special item of clothing, accessories, books and homewares here and there.

Where do you shop the most?

St Agni, PDA, Fruity Booty, Libertine Parfumerie, Henne, Deiji, Juem, Home of Hai, Venroy, Yohara Vintage, Carmen Amsterdam, Reyem Shop, Antiquariaat Brinkman, Nue Memoirs

TAHNI’S MOST WORN

Repetto Cendrillon flats bought from Entremains

YSL high waisted straight leg jeans

Relaxe slippers

Lié Studio Eva Weekend Tote in black croc

Henne Orla white tank

Sessùn Divilio Miel bag, Marta pumps, Maemi shirt

Turn Paris Culotte in white

Fruity Booty underwear

St Agni heels - Multi Strap heel for summer, Suede Cylinder Pump for winter

Best buy of the last year?
I love my Santa Maria Novella Melograno scented terracotta for my room.

What are you currently searching for?

Martiniano Glove flats

Isabel Marant Eneidala frayed denim shorts

Anything from Cou Cou Intimates

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

Rag & Bone straight leg jeans, slippers, singlet and a shirt either wrapped around my waist or on. I’ve been wearing my Noble Label shirts recently.

Does your style change when you go to work?

In my ceramics studio, I put something on that I don’t mind getting covered in clay and without long sleeves. Hair is always up! When working with resin, I cover myself head to toe and wear two pairs of safety gloves, masks etc. all the safe PPE! Not very stylish but it does the job.

What’s your go-to outfit for a night out (whatever that means to you)?

On a night out in the summer, a comfortable pair of heels, my St. Agni ones always do the job, a glamorous fitted top and my YSL jeans. I also stuff a shirt or silk scarf in my bag to cover up if I get cold later. I just got a sarong from the CARMEN x Fruity Booty sarong collaboration that I am going to carry with me this summer.

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

I always travel with my sunglasses - LIE Studio and Bottega Veneta. Even though it may not be an accessory, I also always have hand cream on me.

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

I love my rotation of accessories - silk scarves, gold bangles, small gold hoops. I also hold my grandma’s brooch and pearls close to my heart! I also adore all my special LIE Studio jewels and accessories. Mixing hair clips into my clothes is a fun element of texture and contrast.

It would be easy for me to recite the contents of this week’s newsletter by heart. They belong to one of my dearest friends, Alexandra Gurvitch.

Alexandra and I met more than a decade ago, when we were fashion assistants in the old Condé Nast building at 4 Times Square. Even then, I was struck by her confident opinions and her discerning taste (which seemed so rare for a 22-year-old). Naturally, she found success in magazines, primarily at Vogue, where she was for 8 years.

Now she is the senior creative director of The RealReal. Luckily for me, a seemingly significant part of her job involves sending me links to things she thinks I should buy :)

Alexandra has a sticky brain and a near indiscriminate appetite for culture. She thrives at the nexus of high and low. She reads more than anyone I know, but can also speak passionately about Love Island, and obsesses in equal measure over Phoebe Philo and Los Angeles Apparel. Alexandra wears only black (and has since the day I met her) but her style is always dynamic and surprising.

Here’s what she’s been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?

What’s funny is in my first attempt at describing my personal style, I forgot to mention one key thing that Christina pointed out: I only wear black. This doesn’t define my style but I guess it is a key element. I like to have a fashion boundary - the options are endless so a single color helps with refinement.

I find my style to be a touch grungy, slightly goth and somewhat low key. I like to look a little off and not completely put together - not being tethered to a time/place, not overtly trend-leaning. I’ve been wearing all black strictly since I was in college (rarely I wear a white shirt or animal print). I’m somewhat of a control freak so having that restriction makes me feel in control of how I dress and not floating in the wide world of fashion. To thine own self be true, I guess.

How often do you shop?

Every day, whoopsie.

Where do you shop the most?

The RealReal (duh) , MyTheresa (she shops the primary market as well, don’t you worry) and Los Angeles Apparel (I bless the day they relaunched).

ALEXANDRA’S MOST WORN

Christen Wedges and Margiela Tabi Sandals

Black denim capris

Flore Flore tank and long sleeve

Phoebe Philo Gig bag

Best buy of the last year?

The Phoebe Philo Wedge Thongs - I stupidly missed them the first time around but snagged a pair when they re-dropped. I feel like they are me as a shoe…

What are you currently searching for?

I am always searching for great jeans, always. Currently eyeing this pair from Dresen and this pair from 6397. And there’s always a great vintage Levi’s out there!

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

My typical dog walking outfit is a rough and tumble mix of athleisure because it must be mud, slobber and paw friendly. I typically go with a tiny top and big bottoms vibe. My go-to top is usually a mix of COS/Los Angeles Apparel tanks or tees, paired with bottoms from Uniqlo, Adidas, or Los Angeles Apparel. I accessorize with classic black square sunglasses from Thistles to go incognito (it’s typically before 9 a.m.), a nylon sling bag from Lemaire, and Nike Air Rifts and a vintage bandana or scrunchie for wrangling my curly hair.

Havaianas flip flops

Vivienne Westwood tee and cardigan

The Row Astra bag

Front General Store belt

Nike Air Rifts

Does your style change when you go to work?

I would say it leans a bit cleaner for work - I’ll mix in tailoring like a nice black trousers, more modest/higher-neck shirts and always a heel. When I am on set for a shoot, I dress more casually and pared down so I can move easily, leaning more towards my classic jeans, simple knits, and nice flats.

What’s your go-to out for a night out?

For a night out, I like to dress a bit sexy: a low-cut shirt, low-rise jeans, and heels. Nothing new to say here but I love my Flore Flore Dewi tank, it is the most flattering and looks great, I’ve been wearing these ultra low-rise vintage Levi’s I got from The Consistency Project, my PP Gig bag and Christen wedges. I can traipse around comfortably in those wedges, even after a few drinks - verified and tested.

I've also been consistently wearing a pair of little black jean capris with a Brandy Melville cardigan out - if you've seen me in this outfit, no you haven't (yes you have).

Phoebe Philo jeans or Vintage Levi’s

J.Crew cashmere sweater

Bottega Veneta hobo

Los Angeles Apparel shorts

What do you always travel with?

Cashmere sweater, slides, MASSIVE tote, and sunglasses. I tend to buy ceramics, so I need an extra large tote for my purchases.

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

I rarely change my bag, mostly switching from a large one for the day to a small one for the night. I’ve been in a place of bangles so that has been my recent addition per occasion! I’m afraid of accessorizing too much (see first answer).

The first time I met Ash Rucker, we were sitting on the floor at Bomi. She was leading me, and a dozen or so women, in a meditation. Post-trance, she instructed us to write letters to ourselves, which we received in the mail a few months later. Honestly, it was a pretty magical experience. Ash is a pretty magical person.

After a few years of working in beauty, Ash fell into her current role as a movement director. She uses her background in dance to help people move on set. You might recognize a few of the names, like Olivia Rodrigo, Jake Gyllenhaal, Bad Bunny, Robert Pattinson, and groom-of-the-year, Travis Kelce. Ash also runs Therapart, an organization that offers movement, meditation and art therapy to incarcerated youth.

Ash’s life is filled with synchronicity. You should really read her interview on Into the Gloss, which I found both inspiring and fascinating. She seems to live by the laws of chance and gut feelings. Her approach to getting dressed is equally intuitive. She talks about being interested in clothes that have energy. “I’m not really searching for anything right now,” she says. “I’m more interested in letting the right piece find me when it’s supposed to.”

Here’s what Ash has been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?

My style is pretty minimal. I’d describe it as uniform dressing with a mix of high and low pieces. I tend to wear variations of the same thing over and over again: blue Zara jeans (because they somehow just hit every time), a Prada belt I found on The RealReal, and either a white tee, black tee, or tank.

You can also almost always catch me in my Adidas track jacket or my black Orseund Iris sweater.

I like wearing the same things because it makes getting dressed easy. There’s something comforting about having a personal uniform. And somehow, even though I’m essentially wearing the same outfit over and over again, it never feels boring to me. There’s always a slightly different energy, mood, or way of wearing it that makes it feel new each time.

How often do you shop?

Not that often. I’d say maybe once every three or four months. I’m not someone who shops constantly but when I do, I really go for it.

For the most part, I only buy vintage. The exception is probably my jeans. I love finding pieces that feel special and have a story to them. I was recently in Greece and found some incredible vintage pieces that I’m excited about.

Where do you shop the most?

I have a handful of vintage spots that I return to over and over again. In New York, I love Lara Koleji and James Veloria. In both New York and LA, I’m always stopping into 194 Local.

My approach is usually to find something I genuinely love and then wear it over and over again until it feels fully lived in. Over time, you end up building a wardrobe that feels collected rather than accumulated, which is much more interesting to me.

ASH’S MOST WORN

Most of what I wear is pretty basic, but I’ve found that when you have a few pieces you genuinely love, they start to become part of your identity.

Margiela Tabis, I wear them on almost every movement direction job.

Prada belt

Blue jeans

My gold tooth - ed note: I’m not going to try to shop this one out!

Jacques Marie Mage glasses, they’re actually my everyday prescription glasses, but I had custom tints put into them, so they double as sunglasses.

A rotation of simple tanks and tees

Adidas track jacket

Witchy Prada boots

Black trousers

Oversized Orseund Iris button-down

Best buy of the last year?

I’m not really sure I have a best buy.

But one of my really good friends gifted me an original Michael Jackson Beat It t-shirt and I lost my fucking mind.

I think I get more excited about pieces with stories than I do about buying something new. Especially with vintage, there’s something magical about knowing a piece has already lived a life before it found you.

I tend to get attached to certain brands once I understand how they fit and feel on my body. Jean Paul Gaultier is like that for me. Comme des Garçons is like that too. But more than brands, I’m interested in pieces that have energy.

That shirt is one of those pieces. It feels like a little piece of music history, and I’ll probably keep it forever.

What are you currently searching for?

Honestly, nothing.

I’ve found that the minute I decide, “I’m going shopping today and I’m going to find something specific,” I never find anything.

I’m a big believer that clothing should speak to you a little bit. If I’m on the fence about something, I’ll usually leave the store and let it sit. If I’m still thinking about it hours later—or the next day—then I know it’s probably meant to come home with me.

So I’m not really searching for anything right now. I’m more interested in letting the right piece find me when it’s supposed to.

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

Tank top, oversized button down, blue jeans, Prada belt, and either Tabis or sneakers. Hair up. Scrunchie on wrist. Nothing too complicated.

Does your style change when you go to work?

Not really. I pretty much wear the same uniform whether I’m working or not.

On set, you can almost always find me in blue jeans, a tank top, and this black Orseund Iris sweater that my friend Lala gave me. It’s become one of those pieces that feels like a second skin.

I’ve always been drawn to uniforms. I like having a few statement staples that I can return to over and over again rather than constantly reinventing myself.

What’s your go-to outfit for a night out?

A vintage Jean Paul Gaultier sheer top, always. I joke that having my titties out is basically an accessory at this point.

Usually I’ll pair it with black trousers and my Prada riding boots, which is probably my most reliable night-out uniform.

If I want to switch it up, I’ll wear the same top with a pair of structured leather shorts layered over my Live The Process flared leggings. The flare peeks out over the boots and creates a really interesting silhouette.

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

I always travel with a prayer notebook. Every day I write down my prayers, reflections, and things I’m calling into my life, so it’s one of the first things that goes into my bag.

I also always have a scrunchie on me.

And my gold tooth. It’s technically not something I pack, but it’s become such a part of me that it feels worth mentioning.

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

I pretty much wear the same accessories all the time.

I have two chunky silver bracelets that I rotate between. One of the things I love most about them is the sound they make when they move. There’s something really soothing about that little bit of noise throughout the day.

My gold tooth is always part of the equation. I also wear a Céline “A” necklace and a beautiful pendant that my friend Diane made for me in Greece.

And then, arguably the most important accessory of all: a scrunchie.

As someone who writes and thinks a lot about fashion, I have a voyeuristic fascination with the world of interior design. For me, interiors are lasting – less ephemeral than clothes and the hamster wheel of trends – while being even more rigorously focused on aesthetics, material, and craft. Most of my favorite rooms strike the same balance between refinement and personality that I often try to achieve with my outfits. Right now, as I prepare to move apartments, I have a small pile of interiors magazines on my coffee table that I’ve been referring to often. And my Pinterest board, of course, is stacked.

This week, I spoke with interior designer Sarita Posada. Through her studio, Sarita Posada Interiors, she has created some of the coolest rooms in the world for clients like Aimé Leon Dore, A24, and Palm Heights. Sarita describes her style as practical – she often finds herself contending with drywall and dust on construction sites. But her taste still shines through, as she deftly mixes tomboy separates, like button-downs and baggy shorts, with vintage Prada loafers and ALD.

Here’s what Sarita has been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?

Practical. I’m often on the move and/or on construction sites, so I try to dress simply and function forward.

How often do you shop?

I’m not a big shopper. I try not to accumulate too many things and only get items that are versatile. The rule is: one in, one out.

Where do you shop the most?

Vintage, when possible.

SARITA’S MOST WORN

Vintage Prada loafers

Haruta mules

Margaret Howell or vintage trench coats

Loose jeans: Ossou Rider jean or Levi’s

Best buy of the last year?

A vintage Ferragamo paneled-leather jacket that’s suuuper soft (and easy to pack which is a bonus!)

What are you currently searching for?

A textured bag! Something for daily wear that works for a walk with my dog but also versatile enough to wear out

ALD fisherman sandals

White tees (Still on the hunt for the *perfect* one)

Cotton button-ups: Uniqlo, Matteau, Lady White Co, hand-me-downs from my friend Liz Paulson when I’m lucky

Sneakers: Dries Van Noten suede sneakers or Nike v2k Run

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

Mules, a sweatshirt, and jeans.

Does your style change when you go to work?

Not unless I have a meeting, and even then it’s fairly consistent. If I’m on site, I have to wear closed-toed shoes and anything I’m comfortable getting paint or drywall dust on.

What’s your go-to outfit for a night out?

Also fairly consistent with my day to day, but I might mix in a nicer trouser, shoe, or coat.

Cutler & Gross glasses

Long shorts: Sandro, Agolde, Uniqlo

Winter jackets: I run cold! Vintage Prada puffer and Toteme leather

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

A coin signet ring from Colombia, which belonged to my grandmother, and my Tank Française

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

I generally keep the same ones on, but occasionally add in an extra ring or bolder earring since my day to day is pretty minimal.

You don’t need to know this but, since you’re reading, I’ll share that I am really, really bad at subtraction. Phenomenally bad. In elementary school I was the last person in my class to pass the subtraction test – it took months.

This is strange, not only because I think I’m good at math in general (I passed multiplication and division on the first go, ok?), but because my whole style philosophy kind of hinges on subtraction. I am an ardent believer in Coco Chanel’s “take one thing off before you leave the house” rule. I take my role as a fashion editor literally. I’m always refining – less, less, less.

Last night my friend told me that I’m too much of a minimalist for Phoebe Philo. Ahem, what? This friend, like many Habiter subjects, has been thoroughly Phoebe-pilled and I haven’t. I’d argue that this is more of a budgetary issue, but she was correct in her observation that many of the Phoebe pieces have extra bells and whistles – a buckle, zip, or embellishment, however subtle. “You don’t like that,” she said, “you like reeeeally simple.”

Correct, again. I’m very attracted to clothes and accessories boiled down to their essence – vintage Levi’s, well-cut tees. But I like a little dose of eccentricity, too. Especially in the summer. Colors and prints appear (on the right shapes), as do accessories (worn sparingly).

Summer is a good time for style subtraction. Not only am I physically wearing less, but I’m worrying about it less too. It’s a season to relax and play a little. Partially because it’s too damn hot to take anything seriously and partially because my schedule, and my mind, are more free.

Recently, Margaux approached me about a collaborative post – an exploration into my summer most-worns. I picked out two pairs of shoes and incorporated them into my everyday wardrobe. It was very easy, as the shoes are very “me” – no extra bells or whistles to speak of.

When you’re wearing less, the pieces you keep around need to be really good. Here are the ones I’ve been living in lately.

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MY SUMMER MOST WORN

The Shoes

The shoes are the impetus for this post, so we’ll put them right up top. I selected the Deia and the Selene from Margaux and I’ll start by saying, they are both incredibly comfortable. Really – I was shocked when I tried them on. The soles are downright cushy. I care a lot about comfortable shoes because I am a girl-on-the-go™, and I absolutely despise sitting in Ubers. I picked the Deia because, as I’ve stated before, this summer is all about the thong sandal, and the Selene because it is elegant and flattering on the foot. Between these two, your summer shoe wardrobe could be sorted – mine actually is. The flats have been getting a bit more use, I’m more of a flats girl and I can wear these with every outfit, but the heels are very chic – reminiscent of a 90s Manolo. I channel Charlotte York when I wear them.

White Pants

I’ve been very obsessed with white this summer. Not sure why, it just feels nice and light and fresh? A girl needs a bit of levity. The obsession began with a pair of white Levi’s sourced by my guy in Paris. He’s not really “my guy” – we’ve only met twice and he doesn’t remember me – but he sells perfectly-fitting 501s for €80 a pop and, in my book, that’ll promote you to friend status. Next, I bought the Brooke Callahan pants at Bomi. I was in a bad mood and wanted a little treat to lift my spirits. Impulsive, yes, but I have zero regrets. These are the summer pants. I capped off the trifecta with a pair of baggy, white shorts from LA Apparel. You’ll find them in the men's section. I took a size small.

Summer knits

Knits in the summer – crazy stuff, I know. Like many offices, mine is a frozen tundra (the Times can’t convince me otherwise) and I refuse to leave the house without a lightweight knit in my bag. In the midst of a vintage Hermes kick I experienced this spring (more on that below), I bought an orange sweater with a perforated H that has become my favorite. I’ve also been reaching for a jade Ungaro set that I bought a few years ago at Sorbara’s, back when it was called Chickees.

Hermes Garden Party

So, yeah, about that Hermes kick… I bought a Garden Party. Mine was sub $900 on The RealReal because it is in “sub-par” condition which, in my opinion, makes it infinitely cooler. I have absolutely no interest in pristine bags – too precious, pretentious even! I can confirm that this is an excellent work tote. It easily fits my laptop, planner, book, yoga clothes, and all of my other bits and bobs. It is subtle and understated, but IYKYK. A ride or die bag for me.

Tees and tanks from Flore Flore and Cou Cou Intimates

Well-made basics bring me a palpable joy. I bought a few Flore Flore tops after writing about them in my 100th newsletter – in the name of research, of course. The shapes are flattering and the fabric is high quality. And yes, they are thick enough to wear without a bra. The Cou Cou tanks, which I think are inspired by this Kate Moss image, simply needed to be mine. I reach for one of the four tops below almost every day.

Prada Skirts

Like I said earlier, prints appear in my wardrobe but they need to be the right prints and they need to be on the right shapes. Knee-length skirts designed by Miuccia Prada will do the trick! I’ve had both of the above, found on The RealReal, for 3+ years, and they’re still in regular rotation.

Black mini skirts

Why not have a little summer fun in a little summer mini? The nylon version was a gift from Still Here, worn to Habiter’s 100th birthday party and many times since. The slip is from Zara, of all places. I bought it for a photoshoot I styled and found it charming enough to keep. Look, I don’t typically advocate for fast fashion, but I won’t deny myself a $30 employer-subsidized indulgence. The cost per wear is looking good.

Extra accessories

I’ve been searching for a new pair of sunglasses ever since I irreparably snapped my Khaite x Oliver Peoples in half (it was time for a change anyways?). Right now, I am really loving the Chimi Note in black. And the tiny pearl earrings I found in a corner shop in Hong Kong — they’re a bit Ted Muehling, no?

Phoebe Philo Club slippers appear, alongside Levi’s and other sturdy basics, for the second week in a row in today’s edition of Habiter. It’s the third Phoebe mention this month. Indicative, perhaps, of a late-blooming Philo-ssance that I didn’t quite expect when the first collection debuted back in 2023.

I enjoyed reading Cathy Horyn’s analysis of the top (or only, in her opinion) three luxury brands turning people on at the moment – Blazy’s Chanel, Vitale’s Versace, and Philo’s namesake. Lots of great nuggets in the article, but I especially like this line about what links the 3 designers: “People are drawn to their work because the vision is personal with a complexity and weirdness that can’t be faked.”

This made me think about when Love Story came out and everyone suddenly wanted to dress like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Then the wise ol’ internet critics pointed out that you can’t successfully copy the clothes without embodying the sensibility behind them. It’s true that Carolyn wasn’t performing minimalism, her wardrobe was an expression of who she was inside. Really great style requires authenticity.

For this week’s newsletter I interviewed the beyond-lovely Joanna Halpin who says as much: “If you feel authentically you, it shows, and that’s attractive.” Well, amen!

Joanna is a model and multi-hyphenate creative who I often bump into out and about. British-born and based in NYC, she is as kind as she is elegant and effortless (very!). Here’s what Joanna has been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?

I would say my style is pretty simple and consistent — and hopefully timeless, chic. I am drawn to the same pieces, keeping my wardrobe to a minimum so I really know my style and it stays authentic. I am often in navy, black, cream, occasionally a little colour, rarely print or pattern. I love tailoring, elegant shapes and simple effortlessness. I am always in navy tailored trousers, white tees, button-down shirts, navy jumpers, vintage Levi’s, — it’s what I feel comfortable in and has been the premise of my style for as long as I can remember. I like wearing familiar pieces because it makes me feel truly comfortable and like myself. That, to me, is important. I think if you feel authentically you, it shows, and that’s attractive.

How often do you shop?

So rarely because of my job — both jobs, modeling and content creator — I am constantly surrounded by clothes and trying things on, so the idea of shopping isn’t often appealing to me. On the content side of things, I am so incredibly lucky to receive beautiful, gifted pieces, so the need to buy clothing for myself is minimal. When I do shop, it’s either for something very special I’ve been eyeing for a while, or if I’m wandering around the LES and stumble across something in one of the vintage shops that I’ve fallen in love with, I’ll take it home with me.

Where do you shop the most?

These days, vintage — I love Desert Vintage and Sorbara’s. I sometimes go through phases of browsing TRR (very intermittently), or I’ll walk to La Garçonne or Luisaviaroma if there’s something I’ve been eyeing and thinking about for a while.

JOANNA’S MOST WORN

Navy cashmere jumper from Casola

P. Johnson trousers ed. note: sadly it looks like P.Johnson is not shipping to the US at the moment so I found some similarly-priced and cut trousers for stateside shoppers below…

Burberry trench — I’ve had this same trench for probably about ten years now and still wear it so often

Phoebe Club slippers

I have so many of these simple white J.Crew tees

Vintage Levi’s

Best buy of the last year?

I (like everyone else) bought the Phoebe Club slippers last year and I must say I am so glad I did — I wear them so often, they go with everything, and they were comfortable from the first outing, which is a must for me. I hate having to break in a pair of shoes. New York is such a walking city and I love walking everywhere when possible, so comfortable shoes are non-negotiable.

What are you currently searching for?

There is actually nothing that immediately comes to mind when I think about this -- but I am very fortunately planning to spend most of this summer in Europe, so I guess if I were to start searching for something it would be with a Greek island in mind.

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

I always get my first coffee of the day after my morning workout, so I am one of those people in workout clothes at the coffee shop, sorry.

Does your style change when you go to work?

My main day job is modeling, so 100% yes — I’ll turn up to work and spend the entire day in someone else’s vision for their brand, which is very fun and means I’m constantly wearing different things and styles of clothing. What I wear to and from work will always be something I feel good in. I’ve also learned to wear a dark-coloured tee to avoid getting makeup on my white clothes.

What’s your go-to for a night out?

I’ve reached the point in my life where a ‘night out’ is dinner with friends and ideally still home and in bed by 10, and I love it. My style remains similar to what I wear in the day, but maybe with a nicer top or a slip dress or a more elegant shoe.

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

There will, without a doubt, be a white tee, navy jumper, a pair of tailored trousers, and a pair of Levi’s. I also recently launched my own substack, Just So Jo, where I wrote about everything I always travel with — you can read it here if you so wish!

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

I mostly wear the same accessories. In terms of jewelry, I have many ear piercings on both ears and 99% of the time keep in the same gold sleeper hoops, occasionally swapping out the first holes for something different. Same with my rings — and I always wear the same gold anklet and tiny gold chain around my wrist. And then with bags, sunglasses etc I have a small rotation I switch between depending what I need to carry with me for the day, where I’m going etc.

Last night I attended a dinner at Bottino celebrating the 5th anniversary of Frederic – a gorgeous, oversized interiors magazine to which I regularly contribute. At the end of the night each guest walked away with a slim, red Elsa Peretti pen, which is probably the chicest party favor I’ve ever received. I’ll work on increasing the budget for the next Habiter soirée :)

Otherwise, I’ve been completely consumed by apartment hunting lately and therefore have little desire to spend extra money (this market, whew) or stray from my typical uniform. Readers, feel free to send any high-ceilinged one or two bedrooms my way.

The subject of this week’s newsletter is Jennifer Hook, a woman whose devotion to denim and t-shirts rivals my own. She is a Los Angeles-based art director who works with brands like Nike and Rimowa. I discovered her work, naturally, on Instagram. Like many of the most effortless dressers, Jennifer easily pairs worn-in basics with the occasional, understated designer treat. I am adding her Phoebe Philo slippers to my post-move wishlist.

Here’s what Jennifer has been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?

I definitely don’t have it all figured out but I feel most myself in things that are easy, vintage, and a bit boyish. The nineties influence is strong too—I’m so drawn to the look of fashion editors like Tonne Goodman, Camilla Nickerson, and more currently, Lolita Jacobs of L’etiquette. Everyone looks so great in those limited colors and simple shapes IMO.

I have two pairs of jeans that have been on heavy rotation the last few weeks. One are the perfect medium blue 501s I wear slouchy and low waisted, the other are the Phoebe Philo classic jeans in black. They take turns sleeping at the end of my bed. Since it’s spring I’ve moved away from heavy layers and leather, and towards lightness!

I pair my jeans with all cotton tees, tanks, or worn-in poplin shirts. The best tees are vintage deadstock from any army surplus place. I prefer their single source materials and the necklines were just better then. Jeans and a knit are my go-to usually so I’ve been doing that with my Auralee or &Daughter crewnecks with the added ease of a flip flop. If I want to dress it up, I’ll wear trousers instead of jeans and a more elegant shoe.

How often do you shop?

What I would like to tell you is I’m a woman of steel nerves and discipline. That the hundreds of emails and performance ads and marketing do not affect me. That I’m immune to the tasteful work of Talia Chetrit, photographer behind the many recent Phoebe Philo campaigns. But the reality is I’m not, and they do (damn an Instagram ad!!!).

All this to say, I am always shopping but I’m pretty choosy when I buy. I like to play editor and practice seasonal shops as the weather turns over. What this looks like in practice is making my list noting any gaps, then slowly, deliberately assessing the market, looking at every possible option of a thing, being really strict and discerning, trying on (this is SO ESSENTIAL!), but only purchasing and picking up the very best I can afford. It’s so damn hard getting rid of clothes, so I’m really learning my lesson, i.e. being more deliberate.

Where do you shop the most?

The RealReal lately because I’ve learned how to play that game. When it’s good its SO GOOD! However, I’m a sucker for a charming sales person and can’t say no when presented with a fizzy drink and inconsequential specs about a thing. Scout and RLT in Los Angeles are frequent favorites. Dries, and Mohawk are fun when hunting for something special.

JENN’S MOST WORN

I’m a California girl through and through so I was basically born in Levi’s. Vintage 501s are easily the most worn in my closet. They’re like wine—I have many different flavors and ages but I stick with that shape. I like to wear mine slouchy and relaxed so I buy them two or three sizes up. I recently picked up a light-medium wash with a long inseam at RLT, the way it stacks over my shoe is perfect. I love a medium blue wash with light whiskering, or a crisp black. I have one pair of pale blue that are trashed with holes at both knees. I call them my Kurt Cobain jeans.

I’m rotating between a few tees right now—the softest army surplus cotton baby rib tee (I add my Dries Van Noten v-neck sweater over), a vintage black single stitch tee (I’m eyeing this with a similar mood next), and a Flore Flore boxy long sleeve. I also love a kooky vintage tee over sweatpants when I go on my morning walks. Great deadstock tees, tanks, and more here.

If I’m not in a tee, you can most times catch me in a worn-in poplin shirt or knit.

I’ve been living in club slippers and flip flops too.

Best buy of the last year?

Phoebe Philo club slippers. I throw them on with almost anything.

What are you currently searching for?

A high-v neck sweater in a light wool or cotton, and a little white glove flat. If you’ve got any ideas for cool every day shoes that aren’t sneakers or loafers or too cutesy ballet flats, my inbox is WIDE OPEN.

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

Jeans, flip flops and Rayban wayfarers to hide behind.

Does your style change when you go to work?

I can get away with pretty casual looks since I mostly work from my office at home. Shoot days on a production look a little different but depends on the job! I’m probably still in 501s, a button up over a tee and shoes I don’t mind getting a little beat. If we’re on-location sun protection is KEY and I will bring a cap or sun hat always.

What’s your go-to out for a night out?

I’m not one for much make up or jewelry so I might throw on a leather jacket and swipe something red across my lips!

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

Always black trousers and a big cashmere sweater to wrap around my neck on the plane.

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

I never take off my wedding band and I’m pretty consistently carrying the same bag and sunglasses—a slouchy Bottega hobo I’ve had for years and classic Rayban wayfarers. I’ll add my watch if I need a little extra polish and I swap my bag for something tiny and shiny if I’m going out. Oh! I picked up the most beautiful ring from Anna of Santangelo a few weeks back at Grace’s stunning home and feel so special when I put that on. Meeting Anna then was sweet — she carries both a groundedness and lightness that I deeply admire.

Hi readers, and happy heat wave to those of you on the East Coast. I am sipping an iced coffee in the air conditioning to counteract today’s languid daze and it is NOT working.

This week I spoke with Leigh Batnick Plessner, a woman whose style meshes well with my dreamy summer mood. Leigh is the Chief Creative Officer of Catbird, a company she’s been with for 20 years. I live in Williamsburg, so I’ve made a few trips to the Bedford Avenue shop, but I’ve known the brand since 2013, when I used to stack their signature knuckle rings high on every finger. Leigh oversees the branding and design of Catbird’s in-house collection, and her own style feels inseparable from its delicate, antique-meets-minimalist aesthetic. She describes herself as “soft” and “floofy,” and her taste as “spare and ornamental.” I think her airy lace skirts and nightgowns are a compelling option for dressing through the heat. Here’s what Leigh has been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?

I love the tension of spare and ornamental, threadbare and grand. I’m not sure others would see it this way, but I like simple and clean lines, albeit in my own way.

How often do you shop?

Always, all the time, and almost never at all.

Where do you shop the most?

eBay, The RealReal, antique malls and thrift stores, estate sales, Poshmark, via Gem app, Stella Dallas Living, and H&M for sort of anonymous-ish pieces that I wear for ages

LEIGH’S MOST WORN

Dôen black lace skirt

Simone Rocha black dresses

Nightgowns

Best buy of the last year?

I bought myself new old hair - my black hair started turning silver when my mom died almost 15 years ago. It felt like me but over time the balance of black to silver started to change, it grew more wild, and as my face faded like a petal I thought more and more about dying it. And so I did. It was a shock to me, and to anyone who had known me with what they thought was light hair.

Someone on Instagram told me that I was a human version of hydrangea and Queen Anne’s Lace which, as a hydrangea devotee, was one of the loveliest compliments that I can imagine. I hope my new old hair has not washed that floofy softness away.

So perhaps my new old hair is the most significant buy of the last year. It’s the best because I did something I had been thinking about - and I can always undo it.

My husbands old t shirts, the more busted, the better

Housecoats

Black flats, preferably patent - Miu Miu and Repetto

Old evening bags - my daughter calls them walking purses

Boat and totes

What are you currently searching for?

I’m always looking for black dresses - I love Simone Rocha, particularly the more pared back styles. It suits me and my body which is growing softer over time, though it was never not soft.

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

A nightgown (Loretta Caponi or old/secondhand), my oldest Repetto slippers and either a Simone scalloped trench, a black velvet 1950s opera coat or a housecoat, a basket for groceries and miscellany, and a small black evening purse that is fraying at the edges. I need to replace it but have been loathe to spend the asking amount on eBay for the only substitute I’ve been able to find.

Does your style change when you go to work?

I try to be sure that my clothing is a bit less sheer, and I wear good walking shoes since I walk two miles from East Williamsburg to the Navy Yard. Aside from that, no, I’m always me.

Enormous Marks and Spencer black underwear

In the summer: a Horror Vacui dress from a Matches sale and Nike running shorts that I never run in

A very short Dôen dress with long sleeves - I have 5

Crumbling black winter coat with fur trim

What’s your go-to out for a night out?

To celebrate my twenty years at Catbird the design team was commissioned to make a parure - a convertible diamond rivière necklace with swan hooks, and a pavé rococo shell - and baroque pearl and diamond earrings, that can also be worn on the necklace, all set in white gold. So I’ve been wearing that, with a bit more eyeliner and lip liner than I’d wear during the day, an extra spritz of perfume (Portrait of a Lady) and Rochas black lace kitten heels that look like a mask. I love rhinestones but I clipped the tear rhinestone off of it to let the shape sing. Also the foil backing on them was gold, which I love only for jewelry. Oh, and then a black dress or a very sheer nightgown tucked into a Dôen lace skirt.

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

My jewelry, small little lingerie bags and coin purses from antique malls to tuck my cords and bits and bobs into, a slim rhinestone headband, a pile of black dresses, nightgowns to layer, and a leopard house coat. One pair of flats, Nike Air Rift (though I miss the mesh ones, I don’t love these new ones), sometimes paper thin black Prada slides.

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

I switch my earrings out a bit - Catbird and antique diamonds from Spain throughout 7 piercings - and sometimes wear bracelets that belonged to my mother and grandmother stacked with an Apple watch to help nudge me to walk a bit further. My rings are always the same, always Catbird. I do test and borrow samples from work so that will ebb and flow over time.

I always carry a monogrammed Boat and Tote to work and layer the same evening purse with a black Simone Rocha/H&M bag for the weekends, sometimes with an enormous Longchamp folded down inside to fill throughout the day. Occasionally I’ll switch out my walking purse for a Maryam Keyhani handbag. A black pedicure always.

This week I spoke with Lynette Nylander, a writer, podcast host, creative consultant, and Executive Digital Director of Harper’s Bazaar. I first met Lynette almost a decade ago when we both worked at Teen Vogue (she was the Deputy Editor, while I worked in accessories). Even back then, Lynette was that girl. She had recently transplanted from London, where she worked at i-D magazine, and already seemed like one of the coolest people in New York City.

Lynette is a serious, capital-F fashion girl. She buys the best and, from my perspective, never says, does, or wears anything boring. I love following along with her punchy perspectives and shopping confessions on her Substack, lynettesaid, and on The Good Buy. Here’s what Lynette has been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?

I struggle to answer this question most times because my style feels very all over the place. It’s really an amalgamation of where I’ve been in my life and all the different things coalescing in my mind at a particular moment. It’s a little bit London, it’s a little bit Brooklyn, it’s a little bit West African. I’m always highly inspired by what and who I see on the street. I would never want to look too polished, even when I am trying to look polished.

How often do you shop?

Going out to a shop for me, in the traditional sense, isn’t really a thing because I tend to not really have the time to do it the way I want. But I am always scouring and looking on social. I love all the people who sell stuff on Instagram, like Fantasy Explosion, Akhra Lova, Jake Burt, though Jake’s is mostly for inspiration because you gotta be in London on a Saturday to shop there. I do love shopping online. I love The RealReal like everybody else does. So, it’s not ever really a big trip out. It’s more like an overall holistic practice that is part of my everyday.

Where do you shop the most?

It really depends on what I’m trying to hunt down. Usually I know what I’m looking for and then I take it from there. I’ll try and find the best place that has my size. I’m a big stickler for things fitting me the right way or the way I intend it to fit, like if I want something to fit more oversized, which requires a little more shopping around. I mentioned that I like these smaller e-shops. I find a lot of unique, younger designers on Instagram every week. Right now I love this brand Gui Rosa. Me and Giovanna Flores have been trying to set up a time for me to do a studio visit for weeks now. I’m going to visit Emily Dawn Long’s showroom soon. Readers of my Substack will be hearing more about that. When it comes to brick-and-mortar stores I like Scout—I go every time I’m in L.A. I like La Garconne and Outline in New York. I like The Row townhouse. I like New York Vintage. I like Desert Vintage. I want to go to Surrender Dorothy. I like the coolness of the BODE women’s store on Worth Street and Simone Rocha. Women’s History Museum is great. I like vintage fairs like A Current Affair.

ed note: Lynette has visited Giovanna Flores, Emily Dawn Long and Surrender Dorothy since submitting her answers! Read more on her Substack here and here.

LYNETTE’S MOST WORN

I feel like I wear my crocodile leather Chanel bag almost every day. I paid an arm and leg for it, so I have to really knock down that cost-per-wear.

I scored an amazing Prada sleeveless leather vest at the sample sale. I’ve really been giving that a good wear.

Some of my really threadbare vintage t-shirts from Scout LA are really getting up there, particularly this one that says Minnesota on it. I'm scared that I can't really wear it that much longer. It's really falling apart.

I wear my Levi's 505s all the time. When it comes to jeans, I’m a purist for vintage Levi’s. I have other jeans, but nothing beats them.

My cotton t-shirts from 45R. I have quite a few of them in different colours.

Best buy of the last year?

My Phoebe Philo Floral brooch. It’s so ridiculous. One of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever bought. I love it. It gives me so much joy and people love it.

What are you currently searching for?

I have this Dolce and Gabbana dress from the 1995 Spring/Summer collection. Nothing snatches me more than this dress. I need more dresses from that collection. I would never buy new Dolce, but old Dolce is fine. I’d love another pair of Prounis earrings. Jean’s designs are absolutely stunning. There’s another pair of earrings, that Lisa Eisner put on her website recently that I’ve been trying to get in touch with them about. There’s a Jimmy’s Corner vintage t-shirt at Fantasy Explosion that I really need to have.

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

It’s a vintage T-shirt. I have a special place in my heart for my Wigstock ’87 tee. And usually the Suzie Kondi ‘Lito’ flare pants in velour. I have them in two colours, black and red. If it’s a little chillier, I will throw on my YEOHLEE Cardigan.. YEOHLEE is the eponymous brand of Yeohlee Teng—Sal from Desert Vintage put me on. Teng is no longer working because I don’t think she’s very well and her archive was recently sold. Her clothes are impeccably made. If you come across any YEOHLEE, you should buy it. I bought my jacket on The RealReal for almost nothing.

Does your style change when you go to work?

It’s definitely a little bit more polished. I’m very conscious that I’m at work, so I try to emulate some level of put togetherness. I’m probably a little bit more casual in my day-to-day life. When I get ready in the morning, I’m very conscious of what I’m doing that day, in a way that I really don’t think about so much on the weekend. Whatever outfit I decide on really has to travel because a lot of time I’m doing things after work or seeing people. So I’m always conscious of how the outfit can fit into the different contexts of my day. In the past, I’ve worked at places where I felt like I had to be someone else at work or dress in a certain way and I’ve always said that I wouldn’t do that anymore. So now I’m always conscious of being myself, whatever that means.

What’s your go-to outfit for a night out?

It kind of depends on what I’m trying to do on my night out. There’s a thing in the UK, of the ‘going-out top and a pair of jeans.’ I have some form-fitting tops that I definitely only wear in the evening. I have some old Vivienne Westwood corsets that are fun. I like a good mini. I have a couple of Prada minis that I really love. If I’m doing a mini, then I have to cover the top up. It’s either legs or boobs. You can’t have it all out. Accessories-wise, a really good earring or a necklace is key. It depends what I’m doing with my hair. I love a statement earring with an up do or a bun. But if my hair’s down, like I had really long braids for the first part of this year, then it’s a different tease, a big necklace or a fun bracelet.

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

I always have a cashmere sweater on the plane. It seems kind of obvious but it makes the difference. Another maybe obvious one: I always pack The Row Gala pants because you can fold them up so small that they take up no space. They are incredibly versatile. You can wear them in a formal setting. You can wear them in an informal setting. They always work. And they wash amazingly. All I ask, people, is that you don’t wear them with some basic top. With the space you save, you can pack something really fun to wear with them.

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

It depends. Sometimes I get a bit lazy and just wear the same things all the time. In general, it’s really outfit specific. If I’m going out or something, I want to make more of a statement. I really want more jewelry in my collection. I recently spoke about this on The Good Buy, the podcast I co-host — you don’t really appreciate jewelry until you get to a certain stage in your life. I’m at that stage in my life, where I have a much greater appreciation for what jewelry can add to a look. Jewelry is the flourish and you need that.

For this week’s letter, I spoke with the singular Ruby Redstone. I met Ruby a few weeks ago at Mess, the hot pink and leopard print packed store she owns with her husband in the West Village. I bought a limited-edition doll named Miss Mess for my best friend’s baby, but was tempted by plenty of other items too—Leorosa knits, leopard-lined baby tees (a Mess exclusive with By Signe), and a pair of yellow short shorts whose designer I can’t remember. (Mess, charmingly, does not have an online store, encouraging an in-person experience.)

Ruby, an NYC native, is a writer and fashion historian. She’s known for her distinct personal style, which is, by my own estimation, part Marie Antoinette, part punk, and part retro coquette. I get the sense that Ruby’s style is so innate it can’t help but seep into everything she touches—from her store to her home to the way she writes and speaks. Ruby is a pure delight, and she has a lot to say about shopping and fashion. I’ll leave her to it. Here’s what Ruby has been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?

I feel like I always struggle to answer this question, which is funny because I overthink clothing professionally! My style is very much grounded in my love of history, especially my penchant for 1930s and 1960s silhouettes. I love color. I love strong contrasts: vintage dresses with contemporary silver shoes, streetwear with super-feminine skirts, and surf shorts with sequins. I’m very dressy, but I like everything I wear to have a little bit of a sense of humor.

In the past year I turned 30 and opened my own business, and it was also the first year in a long time that I wasn’t pregnant or immediately postpartum, so I finally felt like I settled on a formula of what I like to wear every single day. (I’ve never had a problem dreaming up outfits for big occasions). My everyday look is a dress and Mary Janes. Of course, I play around a lot within this formula–sometimes it’s a long silk slip and velvet flats, sometimes it’s a babydoll frock and red patent leather heels, sometimes I bring in bright red socks or tiger-print tights–but I know that it reliably feels polished and like myself.

How often do you shop?

Literally all the time. I’m the buyer for my store, Mess, so I am shopping for work all day long! And then I’m also shopping for leisure in the mornings and evenings and basically any spare moment, hunting for Prada on eBay and digging through racks of ratty old t-shirts.

I come from a long line of pretty epic shoppers. When my sister and I were little and our grandmother would come to town, we would skip school to go to Barney’s or Saks with her for the day, and it was the biggest treat. We wouldn’t buy anything, we’d just walk around admiring clothes, then sit down in the cafe for lunch and talk about what we liked over Caesar salads. My mom is an incredible shopper who has kept a mental tab of every sample sale happening and the gifts everyone is lusting after for decades.

I think a lot of people, especially women, feel a lot of guilt and shame about shopping, but I just love it. It makes me feel open and porous to the world, and nothing compares to the rush of feeling inspired and invigorated from a fabulous find. Of course, there’s a huge difference between shopping and spending money. I love walking through a department store and simply feeling the fabrics just as much as I love grabbing keychains and stickers at the Japanese deli by my house. I’m in it for beauty–not greed.

Where do you shop the most?

Not to be a shill but…Mess! I’m biased because it’s my own shop, but we really do have the best stuff. The RealReal and Poshmark are close seconds.

RUBY’S MOST WORN

My Repetto Mary Janes with a 3cm heel. I have worn these shoes almost every day since I was in college, including on my wedding day! They are simply the perfect shoe: the right amount of toe cleavage, a comfortable and leg-lengthening heel height, and durable patent leather. I think it helps to have a signature shoe when you experiment with clothes a lot. I can wear anything, and as long as I have my Mary Janes on, I feel like myself.

Hair clips! I wear a clip in my hair every single day. Typically it’s this one from Simone Rocha, which I actually also wore on my wedding day. It’s imbued with special happy powers because of that.

Old Miu Miu and Prada pleated skirts. Bonus points if they are in a strange material like metallic leather or water-repellent nylon. Perfect with a cardigan and the aforementioned Mary Janes for meetings, and just as good with a t-shirt and Converse for my kids’ soccer practice at the weekend.

My 16-inch strand of pearls, which I wear with gowns and t-shirts alike. My first fashion mentor wore pearls every single day, and when she died a few years ago, I started doing the same. It makes me feel connected to her and, in turn, also connected to this long line of women who have built the fashion industry. There’s also something so special and intimate about the way pearls are warmed by your skin as you wear them all day.

Anything and everything Cecilie Bahnsen. I’m not typically one to buy into a designer’s whole world, but I cannot get enough of everything Cecilie makes. Her vision of clothes that make you feel like a princess but are also comfortable to run around in all day is sublimely aligned with my lifestyle. She also made my wedding dress, so I guess I’m revealing that I want to dress like it’s my wedding day every day…?

Best buy of the last year?

Recently it’s been these red Miu Miu sporty sunglasses. I don’t often buy new designer items, but I tried them on and fell for them hard. You know when the addition of one small accessory suddenly makes every other item in your wardrobe feel fresh and exciting?

What are you currently searching for?

How much time do you have? I’m after a perfect 1950s gingham fit-and-flare dress, a Prada S/S 2012 car clutch, a pair of trousers that I don’t hate, a pink vintage basket bag, a 1920s drop-waist dress that I can wear to run errands, a Prada S/S 2011 striped strapless gown, a Claire McCardell playsuit, a classic Chanel flap bag with graffiti on it, a keychain shaped like a realistic frozen yogurt…

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

If it’s warm out, an If Only If nightgown, suede flats, and a little vintage Jane Birkin basket. If it’s cold, a sweatsuit from Madhappy, my pink Saks Potts fur coat, and Moon Boots. A fur coat and a sweatsuit is a divine outfit permutation.

Does your style change when you go to work?

I try to always wear designers that we sell at Mess if I’m working in the shop or heading to buying appointments, which is easy because we really only stock things that I have tried, tested, and loved myself. The only true difference is that I make much more of an effort to do my hair nicely and put on a bit of makeup when I’m headed to work.

What’s your go-to out for a night out?

I hate changing my clothes, so if you see me out on the town, I’m definitely in that dress and Mary Janes combo. If it’s a real party party, I’ll put on my beloved Paco Rabanne paillette top, because what’s better than being your own disco ball?

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

Our Mess exclusive organic cotton tees from By Signe because they’re warm and lightweight and easily layerable and have a hint of leopard. I also like to take a selection of hair clips because I can do the same dress every day and as long as I switch my clip, I’m good.

On Wednesday I threw a pregame for the NBA finals 100th birthday party for Habiter! The team at Still Here graciously allowed me to host it in their sleek Wythe Avenue store and provided the perfect mini skirt for the occasion (reacquaint yourself with brand founder Sonia’s interview here). Chandon and Ketel One helped me create a martini and brut sparkling wine bar, and the evening’s predicted thunderstorms never arrived. I did, in fact, join the rest of the city in screaming my head off for the Knicks afterward.

When my social battery comes back to life, I’d love to host more Habiter events with a shopping focus and, ideally, with more of you. Let me know if you have ideas.

I’m especially excited about this week’s interview with the writer and director Durga Chew-Bose. She has been on my dream Habiter list for quite some time, since I became aware of her adaptation of Bonjour Tristesse, one of my favorite summer books. The film stars Lily McInerny and Chloë Sevigny and is set in the South of France. Its stylish and subtle, but not shy—visually bright, colorful, and clean, but not squeaky; it’s sun-washed and lived-in.

Durga’s personal style is similar. She wears jeans, sneakers, colorful vintage sweatshirts, jerseys, and tees—it’s simple but it’s not boring. I love not only what she wears, but the way she describes it in single words and short phrases: “handsome, purple, recently less black.” This week, she emailed me individual photos of a few more looks. One message, blank except for the subject line “Blues,” contained a photo of her t-shirt alongside her son’s light eyes. Here’s what Durga has been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style.

Smart? A little boring? Handsome? Intuitive. Purple. Ratios. Personality in the form of a souvenir t-shirt or color combinations inspired by my 4-year-old or Disney. Worn-in but also never worn. Jackets. Lemaire. Recently more blue. Recently less black.

What are you living in right now and why?

Jeans and Nikes. Cream socks. A baseball cap from The Frick, a beaded Santangelo necklace layered with a gold necklace from my husband. A variety of golf jackets and Harrington jackets (in faded, frayed reds, handsome blues, brown, and one that’s a weird yellow). Vintage jerseys. Old t-shirts that have length, never boxy. Sometimes stripes.

How often do you shop?

Not as much as I used to. I have things I search for, but… I don’t know, for now, shopping has lost its appeal.

DURGA’S MOST WORN

I have a whole pile of black cotton ¾ sleeve tops with varying necklines. I love my Commission track pants. I love my old sweatshirts that look kid-sized, some of them from Scout, some of them from Etsy. I love my father’s sweaters. I love when I’m not thinking about it and a teal or, I don’t know, pale yellow t-shirt sneaks out from under the collar of a sweater. I love sneaky color, a slice of cotton, mistake-layering. My very old denim Polo men’s shirt has accompanied me throughout pregnancies and postpartum and travel and morning drop-offs and weekend walks to the bakery.

Best buy of the last year?

A ribbed Still Kelly zip sweater that I wore in colder months. It’s thick but not bulky, flattering at the shoulders, never pills, and has a high collar. It’s a shade of navy for people who know themselves. I also got this black vintage Armani blazer for my friend Ross and Nina’s wedding and you know when you can tell, just from a photo, that a jacket will fit your proportions perfectly? It did. What luck.

What are you currently searching for?

I need a new bag. But it can’t feel like a new bag. It can’t draw attention to itself but maybe the material is risky? Like suede? Of course I don’t need a new bag at all.

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

A hat! A harrington jacket! Pants that fall on my hips! A fresh pair of socks!

Does your style change when you go to work?

It’s fun to dress for who you are seeing. On set, in a meeting, across from you during an interview. It’s fun to be seen and invisible at the same time.

What’s your go-to out for a night out?

Removing a piece of my everyday jewelry. Wearing all black. Tossing three things maximum in a purse that rarely gets used. A pant leg that falls perfectly over a boot: Dries! Crepe! Trousers! Men’s tailoring, especially these Cobra S.C. silk shirts that don’t feel like silk at all. Lipstick that I wipe off before leaving my house. I have this Kiko Kostadinov leather jacket that feels really stiff. The jacket is Night, I don’t know how better to explain it. It’s arriving and looking around for your friends. It’s texting that you’re on the way, etc…

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

A sun-faded, paper thin black t-shirt. A pinstripe car coat if I’m going somewhere with cooler evenings. A bangle, a boot with a low heel, a baseball cap. A thick-tooth comb.

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

Sometimes I mix metals. But weeks and months pass and I just…forget.

Happy Friday, readers. We are back to our regularly scheduled programming this week. I’m glad you all appreciate my dad’s very dad-like sense of humor.

I am serving Guilty-Remnant-realness lately – wearing the white Levi’s I bought in Paris and white t-shirts on repeat. Remove one vow of silence and insert one pair of metallic Prada flip flops and you’re there. This glorious weather is inspiring a real lightness of style and spirit. I wonder if this is what it’s like to live in LA?

I’ll continue to wonder because I can probably speed walk 20 blocks faster than I can parallel park. Instead I will outsource some west coast energy this week. Meet LA native, Arielle Eshel.

Arielle is a creative brand consultant working in the beauty space. Her latest project, a luxury longevity skincare line, launches this fall. From 2023-2026 she curated Affection Archives, one of my favorite substacks (no longer active but still an excellent reference)! It’s a collection of over 100 letters on fashion, art, film, objects, photography, etc.

A longtime fashion-lover, Arielle told me that she inherited her connection to clothes from her mom. “On the weekends she’d bring me around all the classic spots – Ron Herman, Maxfield, Kitson on Robertson, Barneys. We’d always end up upstairs at Freds for Arnold Palmers and their classic crackers with cream cheese. She definitely formed my taste early on.” I love Arielle’s easy, elegant style – “relaxed with a bit of ballerina,” she says. Here’s what she’s been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?

Los Angeles relaxed with a bit of ballerina and downtown New York.

Sheer, lacy, layered, before-dance-class comfort.

Classic Americana colors – mostly black, navy, white, red, grey, beige.

Lately it’s slips, ballet flats, Levi’s, sweats, vintage tees, men’s button downs, and a trench when it’s cooler completely hiding the whole thrown together ensemble.

How often do you shop?

Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible for me to leave my house without driving by Scout, my favorite neighbor. I stop in around once a week.

Where do you shop the most?

Scout, TRR, Ending Soon, Denim Revival, Lara Koleji. My mom’s closet.

Oh, and the sweetest, coolest sisters Sonia & Ari have one of the most special boutiques in Los Angeles – Mameg. I won’t tell you anything… and their web presence won’t tell you much… Just go.

ARIELLE’S MOST WORN

Ballet Flats

I wear ballet flats 99% of the time. For my 30th birthday last January, I was given a pair of black flats from The Row by my girlfriends. I’ve never felt so seen. Before these, I was always wearing my worn Chanel black flats. I especially love ballet flats paired with the opposite vibe – sweats, Adidas shorts, socks, and even leggings, which feels very 12 year old me.

Tom Ford Gucci 2002 Trench

This spring I’ve been wearing this short vintage Gucci trench with a slip or Levi’s. I love the exaggerated collar.

Pearly Clutch

I bought this tiny pearly clutch from Scout years ago and use it constantly despite the fact that it’s a game of Tetris to use practically.

The Row Sunglasses

I become obsessed with one pair of sunglasses at a time, and right now I love my Row ones.

Slip Dresses

I live in slip dresses in the warmer LA months (practically the entire year). They’re the perfect base for an outfit. Layered with a button down, oversized sweater, vintage tee, jacket, shrug. Even a sweatshirt. I mostly get them at Mothfood, Decoys, and Scout.

White Chanel Bucket Bag

She holds it all.

Button Downs

Vintage Dior, Jil Sander, Calvin Klein, etc.

I wear the below striped one all the time — stole it from my mom. She used to wear it when I was a kid. She’s going to read this and ask for it back… my worst nightmare but I had to show you.

Burberry Trench

I wore this vintage Burberry oversized trench everyday over the fall, and when I was in NY earlier this month. It’s a navy so dark it is almost black. I love wearing it with layered sweaters.

Levi’s

Best for last - most days I throw on my Levi’s without really even thinking. My favorite pairs are from Denim Revival, another neighbor of mine.

What are you currently searching for?

There’s a ring I want… it’s vintage… and I’m scared if I share it here someone is going to get her before I get the courage to pull the trigger myself. A pair of dark wash jeans from DLR.

I’ll tell you about some of the items that aren’t vintage that I have had my eyes on: these Phoebe off-white heels. Anything by Colleen Allen, but especially this jacket, this dress, this skirt, this bra – have no idea where I’d wear this to, but woah look at Lily Allen.

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

Vintage navy sweats with my red Relaxe flip flops from Carmen.

Levi’s and a hoodie.

HORSE pant (fair warning I surgically altered mine - pockets removed and waist dropped) with ballet flats and a black long sleeve Flore Flore tee.

Does your style change when you go to work?

Not at all, which is actually something I really value. I split my time working between my home and the home of the founder of the skincare brand I’ve been building over the past few years. I start to feel really off if I don’t dress like myself.

What’s your go-to out for a night out?

Depends which part of town, but there is definitely a shift from my daytime Levi/tee look to something a bit sexier at night.

Eastside: slip skirt or dress. Maybe with a tee. Little heel or ballet flat.

Hollywood: button down or blazer with a silky vintage bralette. My Armani trousers. Prada or Chanel pointed black heel.

Valley: jeans and a sweater. The beauty of the valley.

What do you always travel with?

Winter travels: my trench and a huge black cashmere scarf blanket for the plane.

Warmer vacations: a black Eres two piece I got from L’Ensemble. It’s the most perfect suit to exist.

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

I sprinkle in here and there, but I think compared to others I don’t change it up too often. Love my Sophie Buhai Tahitian pearl earrings. And a ring I bought from Pilgrim in NY when I was 21 — wear it everyday.

Welcome to the 100th issue of Habiter! We’ve come a long way, baby. Not to be dramatic, but I viscerally remember pressing send on letter 001. It was, frankly, terrifying, and asking people to participate was equally fraught. I am eternally grateful to those who did, especially at the beginning when all I had was a good idea and zero proof of concept. Over the past 100 letters, I think we’ve built something pretty cool!

I say “we” because this has, by no means, been a solo effort. Habiter simply would not exist without the stunning/stylish/smart people who agree to share their most worn with me each week and without you, my cherished readers! Your support and enthusiasm literally mean everything to me—thank you :)

Ok, enough sentimentality. Let’s cut to the cold, hard facts. In the process of creating Habiter, I have accidentally collected quite a lot of data. From 100 newsletters, I have culled almost 1,500 product recommendations—from pedestrian (over 80 tees and tanks) to peculiar (in a good way!). I think this information is really valuable. I’m certainly not the first to observe that authentic, tried-and-true product endorsements are rare on today’s internet.

For the next 100 newsletters, I’d like to push Habiter in different directions. My interviews with stylish women will continue to be a weekly centerpiece, but I’m going to introduce some new concepts, too. Specifically, I want to muck around in this rich most-worn archive. I have 81 mentions of jeans, almost 200 shoes, 112 bags—a lot to organize and explore. For now, I’m envisioning category-specific deep dives and analysis but... let’s just see what works.

To celebrate my centennial issue, I thought we could start with a little preview of what’s to come. The following is a short list, curated by me, of Habiter’s most worn and shopped items for great summer style. It’s a mix of foundational basics and pieces with personality, which feels right. Real style can encompass staples and statement pieces—in fact, I think it’s all about finding your own symbiosis between the two.

This list is simple, and some of you might even find it obvious. I’m fine with that! This is not a frothing trend report, but an honest assessment of items that work. I hope you find it helpful and fun. Let’s get into it!

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THE T-SHIRT

Apparently the Flore Flore t-shirts really are that good. After assorted vintage varieties (which we’ll get into next time), these pricey tees are the most worn on Habiter—called out by Faith, Jenna, Sandi, Jackie, Grace, Clémence, and Nadia. I bumped into my Vogue editor, Maddy Fass, last night, who happened to be wearing a v-neck version. She agrees that it’s worth the investment—sleek and form-fitting, but thick enough for her to wear without a bra.

The most-shopped t-shirt by you is Everybody.World’s Boxier Trash Tee, worn by Lizzy and Chantal. I have this one too—it’s perfect if you’re looking for a longer, and well, boxier fit. It is also less than half the price of Flore Flore.

THE BAG

We’ll definitely be doing a deep dive on bags. With over 100 bags mentioned in the most worns, spanning from Marlowe’s mid-century brass to Erin’s Hermès Kelly, this is a vast category. We women have a lot to carry! The top recommendation is... drumroll, please... the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote. Groundbreaking? No. But, objectively, a perfect bag for summer. For travel, the beach, work, whatever—the Boat and Tote is an excellent ally. I am partial to the all-natural colorway, which feels more anonymous.

I’d argue that the Boat and Tote is a distant cousin of our most clicked-on bag. Also in cotton canvas, it’s the Hermès Fourre-Tout. Introduced to Habiter by the Sorbara sisters, this style has already caught fire in certain circles, though it’s still plentiful and well-priced on The RealReal. My bestie Tyler (one of the most stylish people I know) carried a Boat and Tote exclusively for years. He has since upgraded to the Fourre-Tout—which he now owns in two sizes. Just an observation!

THE LITTLE BAG

This one is interesting to me! After the Boat and Tote, most Habiter girls are carrying a Fane Bra bag. Neada, Michelle, and Katie are wearing it (they’re not the only ones). It seems like you could own a Fane for evening, plus a canvas bag for day, and call the bag wardrobe complete.

The Fane is subtle and shape-shifting, soaking up the style of its wearer. That’s probably why it works on so many.

THE SANDAL

This wouldn’t be a summer list without sandals, and I can confidently declare that this is the summer of the thong. I’ve been commissioned to write ten thousand (ok, three) pieces about flip-flops just this month.

At least 40 interviewees say they’re living in sandals—the vast majority are thongs. Most are humble perennials, like Havaianas (the top pick). I’d also like to point out that the prophetic Sonia is wearing Rainbows.

THE OTHER SANDAL

As I noted earlier, on Habiter, the personality picks are just as essential as, well, the “essentials.” Your most-shopped sandal is a festive and colorful Manolo Blahnik flat, worn by Krissy. Fun! Again, lots of great options on The RealReal.

THE SUNGLASSES

Speaking of personality picks, I am glad to see the ladies listing sunglasses among their most worn. Eyewear might seem like more of an extra, but it’s actually a powerful tool. Sunglasses are armor for me—when I’m tired, when I want to be glamorous, when I don’t want to say hi to someone. And they can really bring a look to life. We’re picking pairs that suit our personalities here—from Michelle’s pink Chanel, to Diamond’s tinted Bottega, to Doria’s Selima Optique (which she was wearing long before the Carolyn craze).

THE BUTTON-UP

Undeniably a great summer staple, nearly 50 women listed button-ups among their most worn items. Over half of respondents are buying these resale or second-hand, with Charvet ringing in as the most recommended. These Paris-made shirts retail for $500–$900. They can be found for under $200 on The RealReal, but the masses have caught on—they’re getting harder to find. Vintage Brooks Brothers shirts come in second, and the options are abundant. I recommend searching eBay, Etsy, or your local vintage store.

The most-shopped button-up by you is also from Brooks Brothers, but it’s the new one. How cute. These were recommended by Amanda, who said they last forever and are the perfect fit.

THE VINTAGE

One last note! Everyone is wearing a lot of vintage. It’s the most worn “brand”—from no-name thrift finds to vintage designer pieces. Vintage Prada, Celine, and Chanel came out on top—no big surprise there. I adore this data point, and I think it reflects the way that certain women are collecting clothes. And, let’s be honest, I take any excuse to shop for great vintage. Here are a few things in my RealReal saves.

Ok, that’s it for now…. more to come! Thank you all, again, for reading and for sticking with me through 100 issues. I hope you’re having as much fun here as I am.

Christina xxx

On Wednesday night, I stopped by a party to celebrate the designer, Lanier Hicks. It was a distinctly New York summer evening. On the cusp of a thunderstorm a stylish, if slightly sweaty, group packed into Lanier’s brand-new cellar-level studio. Guests spilled into the hallway for pictures and spilled wine into plastic cups. At least while I was there, they avoided spilling on each other (can’t speak for later though).

I like these raw summer parties that authentically capture the city’s youthful spunk—far from the claws of hype-y TikTok/corporate stuff. The hostess thanked me later for coming to her “steamy little grotto.”

Lanier, of course, is the subject of this week’s newsletter. She is a designer and illustrator working on interiors and events. She also pens the substack Dado Line (such a great name). Her friend and Habiter all-star, Amanda, introduced us and described her style really well: “Lanier has never followed a trend and turns out outfits like a big, beautiful sneeze.”

I love Lanier’s playful curiosity and her appetite for beauty and global style. Here’s what she’s been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?

I dress with different sensibilities depending on mood, situation, environment. Sometimes I want colors to speak the loudest, color and form, focusing on the shapes they create. Sometimes I want to wear costume pieces where I am playing with iconography, leaning into the symbolism or directly defacing it. I love things that feel like common nouns: silk blouse, red pants, navy bodysuit, batik skirt. I like when the lines have a common expression and aren’t too directional in their point of view. I like to be the one inserting the point of view on my clothing.

I have always loved global textile design techniques, be it printing, weaving or ornamentation. Ukrainian embroidery, Indian block printing, West African beading, Mexican woven jackets, Vietnamese áo dài, Japanese kimonos, Tibetan fur hats, Thai silks, Brazilian seed jewelry. I love it all! There are so many treasures in these traditional fabrication techniques that to not appreciate them feels criminal.

I grew up in the south, in northern Florida, where color and pattern are a part of life and style. There must be something about the heat that makes dressing boldly feel so natural. A tomato red dress and massive bug eye sunglasses feel so right under an oak tree in 90 degree weather. My mother has always been a fabulous dresser with such a natural eye. She has an appreciation for color and form that I love. She was always the best dressed person I knew growing up.

I feel like I’ve been wearing all of my clothes for so long now which is a beautiful thing about growing up. You know what you are waking up to every morning and aren’t surprised with what you are faced with in your closet. I typically wear a long sleeve cotton shirt or body suit with a skirt or pants to work and move in and ballet flats. In the summer, a long, comfortable dress is typical. I am usually in silk or cotton.

How often do you shop and where do you shop the most?

So infrequently, and buying things of any use even less frequently. I shop a lot when I travel, going to antiques stores for accessories, vintage stores for clothes. In the city, I shop at Beacon’s, Los Angeles Apparel, or my favorite silk store. I like to buy true one of one pieces or nameless solid color items with utility.

LANIER’S MOST WORN

Olive silk mandarin colored quilted jacket

Blue French workwear chore coat and matching pants from Front General - great for laboring in or travel days!

Navy and white stripe long sleeve t-shirt - go through about three of these a year, my mother always buys them for me for some reason. Just an unspoken tradition.

Best buy of the last year?

I love dresses. Dresses always feel like a complete form and expression so when you find a great one it feels so total. It is the whole look! It is just you in this dress! They are probably the things that have the largest impact on me. Zipping up a dress and looking in the mirror, there is no question of “what bottoms do I have that would work with this?” I mostly buy vintage dresses so when I bought an SC103 dress for a friend’s restaurant opening and it fit like a GLOVE, it was a pretty special moment. They have such a fabulous color sense.

My other favorite dress of last year was actually something I made. I have started a tradition of sewing my own birthday dress on the day of my birthday and this year’s creation was one of my favorites. It was a red and beige block Indian block printed strapless mini dress with a corresponding poncho? Cape? Topper? Thing! that gave it length at the front in the back but not the sides. I felt like myself in that.

What are you currently searching for?

Shoes! My shoes are looking back at me saying, “give me a break, lady!” I want the perfect, non-blister-inducing pair of 2.5 inch block heels I can walk 50 blocks in. I want them to be Prada-like in form and go with everything. I’m a 37 and open to new or vintage. Please send me any leads.

Green Silk Flats from 100% Silk - I’m on my second pair. Oddly goes with everything.

My grandmother’s gold charm bracelet

Vintage ankle length batik skirt

2010’s Marni Leather double zip coat - 2010’s Marni is my favorite to shop on TRR

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

I love a Mexican embroidered cotton dress with ballet flats and big sunglasses in the summer. I had a bright orange one I wore constantly as a child and now I have one just the same, just a larger size.

Does your style change when you go to work?

I used to be an interior designer working from a desk everyday wearing pretty dresses, often a heel. Now my design is much more multidisciplinary, including event design and styling, where I have to be able to move and carry things. To be honest, it has really put a damper on my vibe as so often I have to think about practicality. Standing for 12 hour days on site. No kitten heels. Crawling on the ground in. No silk. Picking up heaving boxes. No fabulous, long skirts. It is a bit of an ongoing battle.

Vintage Carrera bug-eye sunglasses I put my prescription in with a 20% tint

White Dansko clogs

Woven raffia basket I’ve had since 2014

What’s your go-to out for a night out?

There are certain outfits that I have been wearing for years now that just continue to do it for me. A night out is when you need those formulas to feel good and true to yourself. The last thing you want is to hate the way you look, maybe be a bit rushed, and then have to go face a full evening. Mine has been the same since graduating college and I still like the way it makes me feel. An oversized silk mandarin collar shirt, a vintage creme mini slip skirt, a pair of kitten heels, deep berry lipstick, gold hoop earrings, and my hair in a lumpy bun on top of my head.

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

I always fill a dust bag with accessories and keep it in my medium Boat and Tote I use as my personal item. It becomes a little goodie bag of treasures that I pepper in throughout a trip: brass collars, glass beads, a broach in the shape of an iris, sashes made of silk, a silver cuff from New Mexico, shells I string on gold chains, bandanas. It is the play part! Dress up but it all fits in a dust bag!

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

A bit of both! I have my base accessories and then bring in large, sculptural items as needed. I wear gold hoops, a gold collar necklace, my grandmother’s diamond and emerald ring as well as her ‘W’ signet ring. These are the items that remain on, especially the rings.

I love things that feel high impact and really don’t love a dainty thing. I want FORM. Big brass belt buckle in the shape of a bean, collar necklace in the shape of two fish kissing. I love my Gogo Jewelry pieces modeled off of seaweed.

I am embarrassed to write this but—there’s a TikTok that I think about a lot. When my style is feeling lackluster, I remember this clip from Yola, a cool gen-z whose videos always seem to start in the middle of a soliloquy. Here, she’s speaking about style ruts—how if you’re really living and existing in your style, you’re bound to look a little bland sometimes. I thought about her last night when I attended a party full of chic, young things and felt like my look wasn’t hitting. Yola’s advice is to chill out, don’t add to cart or try to force ideas, just wait for genuine inspiration.

I think she’s right. True personal style has room for a flop, or two, or twenty. Getting dressed should be a fun experiment, an exploration! Not a race to perfection. Those who follow their own nose won’t always sniff out the latest trend, and that’s just fine. Anyways, this is my current mantra.

For this week’s letter I spoke to Christene Barberich, the brains behind the substack bestseller A Tiny Apt. Christene, as many of you may know, co-founded Refinery29, where she served as the editor-in-chief for 15 years. On her substack she writes about living in small spaces, thrifting, and micro wardrobes, alongside more intimate topics like debt and infertility. Christene is the real deal—a creative visionary who isn’t afraid to take the road less traveled, and graciously tell you all about it. I really admire her and I’m excited to share our interview. Read on!

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Describe your personal style.

A mashup of vintage + modern/utilitarian. I love flair but it has to be wearable and high functioning. My days of wraparound nonsense and too-high shoes are O.V.E.R.

What are you living in right now and why?

A million different interpretations of the above. I love wearing jeans or men's carpenter pants with sneakers but then it has to be paired with a cinched Romeo Gigli blazer, a big brocade coat, or something sparkly/iridescent. I will never leave the house, even for coffee or paper towels, w/out a little something weird/frou frou going on.

How often do you shop?

It really comes and goes. There’s no rhyme or reason for it, just being in the right place/right time/heeding the CALL, you know? Seeing something/reading something that inspires me, like spotting a big metal rosette on a museum poster on the street, and then I have to immediately dive into eBay to find something similar in a brooch, etc. I must admit I also love irresponsibly buying vintage or something on the pricier side when I travel…when I used to go to the Paris shows, I would always carve out time to buy something small and special from Thanx God I’m a VIP or a pair of shoes at (Phoebe Philo) Céline or JW Anderson…when I went to Tokyo I bought a bracelet at the Prada store that looked like a planetarium! I would never do that here at home :)) ...for some reason traveling makes me more susceptible to buying these totems, like mementos of the experience/that moment in time. Fashion isn’t just clothes but memories for me, I think.

Where do you shop the most?

It’s always a mix of The Goodwill, some random Church thrift shop, and eBay for basics like Levi’s, vintage tees, and old Bloomingdale's cashmere sweaters with contemporary brands I love like Rachel Comey, Jamie Haller, No. 6 Store and Prada/Miu Miu and Dries Van Noten. I do occasionally buy a special thing from Zara from time to time, too.

CHRISTENE’S MOST WORN

A now vintage Rachel Comey coat (I loved it so much I got it in a different print/fabric when she remade it a few years later…with matching pants!). She makes different long statement coats every season and they are just indispensable and flex/age so well over time. A great lightweight long coat makes everything underneath it feel more special.

A pair of GAP high rise barrel jeans that are….kind of perfect. I wear them a few times a week…like a sweatpant. They’re so comfortable and versatile. What a jean should really be.

I’ve been wearing this white tee from Rachel Comey a lot as a layering piece over vintage striped Charvet button-down shirts, of which I own/wear many. It’s boxy and a heavier weight and just feels really beautiful. The shape of the shoulders is really flattering, too.

Track pants track pants track pants! I collect them second-hand (mostly) whenever I stop in at the Goodwill and have even been known to get the waist tailored if I love the length and flare of the leg. Lately I’ve been wearing these from NO.6 a lot…they have such a gorgeous shape/cut, more like a trouser/track pant hybrid!

I bought two pairs of these silver hoops in different sizes by Annika Inez and they are amazing and so beautifully made. Fun story, back when I lived in a microscopically small studio apartment on the Upper East Side in the early/mid aughts, Annika had a slip of a jewelry storefront nearby (I mean, it was like a closet actually off the street!), and whenever I had even a little bit of extra money, I would go over there and buy myself something. Back then she was making jewelry out of the most amazing industrial materials, metals, textiles…what she does now is quite different but I admire her artistry and craft so much.

Best buy of the last year?

It’s a tie between this long vintage Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo coat I found on eBay and a pair of Finnish Karhu sneakers I found on sale at Hatchet Supply around the block from me. They are seriously the most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever worn…I can’t stop wearing them and they’re oddly/mercifully affordable, too. (The coat and the sneakers actually look good together, too!).

What are you currently searching for?

I’ve had a gray menswear style tropical wool pantsuit on my list for about a decade. I like that styled in the right way you could wear it grocery shopping or to a formal wedding…sky’s the limit. I haven’t been able to find a fit that’s slightly oversized in the vintage Armani sense but not too trendy. So far, all the suits I’ve tried have just been too ordinary or just trying too hard to be cool. I’ve got my eye on this one by Jamie Haller…it’s sold out but I heard a rumor she’s going to restock it in the fall. Fingers crossed.

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

Track pants (I’ve been wearing the No.6 Store pair a lot, but most of mine are vintage), white Birkenstocks, and a long vintage Charvet striped menswear button-down with my Freaks hat. But, who am I kidding, I wear this outfit everyday.

Does your style change when you go to work?

A little bit. I mostly work from home unless I’m on an advisory assignment at a client’s office, but I have to say, I like to get a little dressed for meetings, lunches, and such. Even if it’s just a special belt or handbag or pair of shoes I don’t wear as often, I like to pull out something special that I still love a lot that doesn’t get as much everyday play. Meetings are for dress-up!

What’s your go-to out for a night out?

If I’m really simplifying here, it’s basically what I wear during the day but with a sheer silk or chiffon slip over/under it (slip can either be sheer off white or black). I love having some chiffon or lace peeking out someplace unexpected. I have about 20 different length slips I wear in a variety of ways, both new and vintage and it’s one of my favorite things to thrift for, too. I am both annoyed and delighted that this is kind of a trendy move now, but who cares! It’s a great way to play with contrast and give a closet staple some kookiness. Also, I love a giant earring for evening and wearing my hair in a slick topknot/bun (mostly so I don’t have to think about it). The earrings can’t be heavy because my lobes can’t take that anymore, but I have about four or five pairs of supersized earrings that make a favorite blazer and lacy bra feel baller.

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

One or two slips, an oversized blazer that I can wear in a bunch of ways, a vintage t-shirt, lightweight slouchy jeans (nothing too tight ever), a BIP crossbody bag in silver or red, and my favorite red lipstick by ILIA.

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

I tend to be pretty lazy when it comes to changing accessories. I should really get rid of most of my handbags because I only use like four of them regularly…but you know, it’s always the possibility of that ONE event of a lifetime that has me hanging on to that bonkers clutch covered in pearls! I guess the short answer is: I occasionally change out my earrings or a necklace, sometimes a big vintage cocktail ring for dinner/a party, but I wear the basics like my name-plate, vintage gold chain and vintage pearls all the time. I wear two rings on my left hand always: a diamond band designed by Suzanne Felsen in LA and a gold band on my middle finger in the shape of a huge V that my late mother in law gave me from her collection before she passed away (I heard it’s bad luck to wear a ring on your middle finger, but I’ve worn this ring for so long on this finger, I’d feel weird w/out it). And a sterling and Lapis signet ring on my right hand.

I had an especially hectic work week, so I’m writing this intro from bed in the wee hours of Thursday morning. I tend to find a packed calendar energizing, though, and I got to do some fun things too, like attend the launch celebration for Matteau’s photography book, WARM. Everyone there was impeccably chic and tousle-haired in the humidity, and I’m sure I found a few future Habiter subjects in the process (I’m out here pounding the pavement for you, dear readers).

I also saw The Devil Wears Prada 2 with my mom, my childhood best friend, and her mom. The four of us saw the original together too. Even though all of my favorite podcasters and media personalities were disappointed by this film, I liked it! I wanted the fashion to be campy and insane. And, as it happens, I was actually working at Condé Nast many years ago when senior staff were told they’d need to start taking taxis instead of black cars. Ah, memories…

For this week’s newsletter, I spoke with Erin Kleinberg who, speaking of nostalgic media, was one of the original co-founders of The Coveteur back in 2010. She later launched her own creative agency, Métier, as well as the fragrance brand Sidia, named after her grandmother, with scents titled after states of being: Wired, Braless, Soaked. Personally, I want the solid perfume.

Erin’s style strikes a wonderful balance between comfy and luxurious. “It’s either totally schleppy or quite fancy,” she told me. Here’s what she’s been living in lately.

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Describe your personal style. What are you living in right now and why?

When I was younger I was a full on fashion plate. Whatever trends suited my body type and felt authentic I tapped into. I was typically quite early to the trends and I loved, loved, loved fashion. As I’ve gotten a bit older it has definitely become more formulaic and wardrobe-esque. I’d say my style is kind of like if Phoebe Philo Celine had a baby with Hugh Hefner’s pajama-style dressing.

My outfit formula revolves around coats, accessories, and texture. I am usually wearing boring pants (wide leg or jodpurs in velvets and silks), but my jacket game is my pride and joy. Whether it’s vintage leather, a killer trench, or a leopard topper, I live for jackets. And I’m big on jewelry. I’ve collected so much over the years and don’t feel like myself without my yellow gold armor, especially pieces passed down from my grandmother, Sidia.

How often do you shop?

Not that often, but when I do, it’s quite sporadic, like exclusively on vacation or while traveling for work.

Where do you shop the most?

The Frankie Shop

ERIN’S MOST WORN

Trench Coat

Vintage Kelly

Sunglasses

Perfect White Tee

Best buy of the last year?

Vintage Diamond Pendant for my 40th bday. I love that its N in color has a perfect champagne hue. Or the The Row White trench I got on mega sale.

What are you currently searching for?

A vintage Hermes So-Kelly, anything Khaite leather from The RealReal, and a vintage Chanel tweed that I can afford.

What’s your go-to bodega/coffee/grocery-run outfit?

Quarter zip with a majorly high neck to hide in, barrel leg sweatpants, Salomons, Chanel 25 and Khaite sunnies.

Does your style change when you go to work?

No. But I have this thing where there are only two gauges of my style; it’s either totally schleppy and cozy, or quite fancy and elevated. Somehow I don’t know how to pull off the in between!

Velvet or Silk pants

Chanel Flats (or sneakers)

Acne bag

What’s your go-to out for a night out?

Thin v-neck tee shirt, leather jacket, blazer, my grandmother’s gold statement earrings, jeans or silk pants, small Chanel classic flap, Toteme heels, fur coat!

What clothing item or accessory do you always travel with?

My jewelry :)

Do you change your accessories or wear the same ones?

It’s always cyclical. I’ll just be feeling a certain vibe for a few months and then totally switch it up.