Whenever I’m home in Indonesia, I always make a point of visiting my favourite clothing store, Biasa. They make the most beautiful, ethereal clothes, and their kaftans are to die for. I’ve got three of them now, but the last one is the best yet—it came out of a collaboration with an artist, where his paintings became kaftans and dresses. It might be the most beautiful piece of clothing I own (second only to my wedding dress!).

Not long after, I came across an article by : 10 times designers quite literally turned art into fashion. I loved it, partly because I’d just seen it happen in real life, but mostly for the reminder that inspiration doesn’t have to come from other clothes. In a world where everyone draws from the same few places and ends up dressing the same, isn’t it more fun to look at everything else around us?

That’s exactly what Rachel does, and it’s why I’ve been so drawn to her saves. She finds beautiful things in places you wouldn’t expect, and I can’t wait for you to see where she’s been looking.

How would you describe your taste?

I would describe my taste as considered, ever-evolving and inconsistent. My taste is a gathering of everything and everyone that has inspired, delighted or challenged me. An artful accumulation, perhaps, is a more joyous answer.

Visually that may take the form of a statement coat or shoe paired with the simplest essentials. A vintage red moto jacket paired with Levi’s; a bright sapphire coat buttoned to the top; an oversized blazer with a brooch I found on Etsy. I love to mix masculine and feminine silhouettes, and to play with and against my own body through proportion — I find this practice really important for self-love and growth.

My taste is still evolving, but I’ve always found myself looking to the avant-garde as inspiration. Rei Kawakubo, Vivienne Westwood, Elsa Schiaparelli, Issey Miyake, Ann Demeulemeester, Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen, Rick Owens, and so many others. Anyone who stands firm in their rebellious spirit is a sort of guiding deity in my creative life.

Fashion was never woven into my upbringing. It’s been something I’ve had to really seek out and hone in on as a creative practice. I think that’s why I write what I write, in order to understand it.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

This collection of Aussie brands is my latest edit. The high calibre of design talent across Australia’s fashion industry is unmatched1, and I believe we need more voices in Australian media championing, collaborating with and exploring them.

I began my career by launching a small clothing brand alongside hosting a podcast on sustainable fashion, and became deeply passionate about independent, slow fashion and the brands that have really leant into this ethos.

A few of my favourite Australian designers and labels include the incomparable Alix Higgins, whose collection of tender yet vivacious digital designs offer something completely unique; Ashiya Omundsen’s Par Moi, which launched in 2019 and refusing to play by industry rules; and all is a gentle spring, founded by designer Isabelle Hellyer, creating chic, sensual garments in natural fibres.

My edit really leans into nostalgia and colour. My favourite pieces I’ve saved so far are a blue coat from Albus Lumen, a vintage-inspired midi skirt from Par Moi and a chic lace beanie from Sir.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

Gosh, there’s so much! I’m a lover of beautiful, unique bags and have seen saving my favourites in this edit here. I’m particularly obsessed with this beaded fringe handbag saved by , whose own bag edit is truly divine.

Favourite save so far?

I am recently engaged and so have begun the journey of finding the perfect wedding attire, though I’m not entirely sure what that will manifest into. My recent saves, the Aura Outer Dress and the Nami Gown, both from Perple (a made-to-order womenswear brand in Melbourne) are each delightfully whimsy.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

Ulla Johnson. I have really fallen for this green satin pencil skirt, originally saved by . The texture really gives the fabric an almost hand-painted quality. I am familiar with the New-York based designer, but after learning she is the daughter of archaeologists, I can really understand her unique eye for depth, movement and admiration of the earth’s organic textures.

You’ve got two invites to give away. Who are you giving them to, and why?

I am inviting the lovely , whose style is as much a weapon as her pen, and who has the kind of stamina required to tear through 30 vintage stores with me in a single day in New York City.

You can see everything Rachel saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

Reading has always been one of my favourite things to do. I read a lot of fiction growing up, but somewhere along the way I stopped. I got into business and start-upy books and popular science, and for a while that was all I was reading. I’ve realised now that I’ve been craving a different kind of read—more fiction—but it’s hard to even know where to start when it feels like there are endless options.

Enter . I came across Emily’s Substack recently, and I was very excited to find her talking about Past Lives (I just adore this movie! The first time I watched it I was bawling my eyes out by the end.) She’s one of those writers who gets you sucked in, and before you know it you’re five articles deep. That’s how I knew I could trust her recommendations.

What I didn’t expect was that her taste in fashion would be just as good. Emily’s got a way of moving between subjects naturally, and I think it’s the thoughtfulness with which she goes about things. Not just in the way she writes, but also in the way she dresses.

Emily’s saves on Woven have definitely been some of my favourite, and I can’t wait for you to see them!

How would you describe your taste?

My taste is classic yet experimental. I’m influenced by the creative arts. I’ve always loved watching film, theatre, and music videos, going to art exhibitions, reading magazines and novels. I find inspiration all around me from colour palettes, to my mother’s 90s wardrobe, to nostalgic silhouettes from decades past and characters in films.

Growing up in London and Sydney, my taste borrows from both places, as well as my travels. I love discovering new brands and designers all around the world.

I’m drawn to the experimentation and street style of London fashion. Walking through the streets of Soho, the sneakers, blend of high low, statement pieces, and personal approach to styling makes fashion extra exciting.

Relaxed fits, neutral palettes, and organic fabrics are what I gravitate towards for hotter weather in Australia. When I’m in Byron Bay or Sydney, I’m constantly inspired by the Aussie brands that are making it overseas. I love featuring Nagnata, Deiji Studios, St Agni, Bassike, and Venroy on my Woven page.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

Shifting seasons is my latest edit. Whether you’re in the northern or southern hemisphere now, we’re in a transitional season. As we shift between summer and winter, here is my edit of what I’d like to be wearing and layering. This includes the Sezanne sweaters I’ve got my eye on, the coolest Adidas Tokyo’s I’ve found, ballet flats, and Aussie designers. The Isabel Marant Oskan Suede bag is particularly beautiful.

The base of my style is a capsule wardrobe of good cuts that never leave my side. I love a pair of jeans that fit perfectly, a beautifully made jacket, cotton basics, and a versatile yet unique bag. Then, I have fun with shoes, styling, and accessorising depending on the season. This edit features all of the above, as well as upcoming trends.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

I’ve always been a lover of ballet flats and I’ve discovered some beautiful ones on Woven.

These flats from The Row saved by are unlike any other I’ve seen.

Pink Gimaguas ballet flats, say no more! I loved this save by .

I was also recommended these Adidas Tokyo sneakers by Woven and added them to my edit. I love how organically I can discover new and niche pieces.

Favourite save so far?

I love all my saves but a particular favourite of mine is the Iro Jelly shoes from Ancient Greek Sandals. I’ve worn them for the last two summers and they add a fun touch to both casual and polished outfits.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

saved a coral dress from the Barcelona brand Attega which lead me to discovering them. I’ve since saved pieces from Attega too, like their Amelia top. I’m enjoying how colourful and fresh their collection is.

You’ve got two invites to give away. Who are you giving them to, and why?

Every week I look forward to seeing what is wearing and to reading her wonderful articles on fashion, taste, and styling.

I enjoy reading Grace Michelle’s thought pieces and following her on Instagram, and I’d love to see her on Woven too.

You can see everything Emily saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

The Woven Report is a trend report based on the recent saves from users of Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.

It’s been over a month since our last Woven report, and since then we’ve had six new entries in our Saved by series in July, with my husband as a special guest(!!).

If June was about getting through the heat without losing the plot, July felt like a wardrobe with one foot on holiday and the other already in September. The warm-weather pieces were still there: flat sandals, satin ballet shoes, little tanks, cotton skirts, slip dresses, swimwear, woven bags, and headscarves.

The most specific part of the month was the tension between simplicity and decoration. People saved clean cotton tees and narrow tanks, then paired that mood with lace hems, organza, satin, beads, fringe, sculptural jewellery, and shoes with buckles, rings, or unusual heels. The formula was timeless basics + interesting finish and texture.

Ballet flats, mules, and sandals with more personality

July kept the practical shoe mood from June, but the shoes themselves became more tactile and a little more interesting, shall we say. Ballet flats appeared in satin, suede, patent, woven leather, and soft nappa. Sandals stayed flat or low, but hardware, texture, and sculpted heels did more of the work.

The recurring references included Reformation’s Amelia Flat Thong1 (a favourite for a while now on Woven!), COS satin ballet flats2, Ballerette’s suede flats, Le Monde Béryl’s ivory satin Olympia Slipper3, Tory Burch’s Multi-Buckle Monk Strap4, AEYDE’s Olenna thong sandal5, and St Agni’s zebra-striped Opanka Slide6.

There were still wedges and proper heels—St Agni’s High Wedge7, JUDE’s Lucille wedge, and Khaite’s Bordeaux Colt Mule—but even those felt useful rather than red-carpet.

The July shoe was the piece that could make a plain tank and skirt look put together.

Small tops became the anchor of the wardrobe

The most dependable July layer was close to the body: baby-rib tees, raglans, tanks, Henleys, camis, and neat little knit tops. Cotton and jersey came through repeatedly, often with a square or scoop neck, contrast trim, picot edging, or a slightly cropped line. (This resonated completely with me! I, too, bought a baby tee from Leset last month).

Los Angeles Apparel was especially visible across baby-rib T-shirts, long sleeve fitted t-shirt8, spaghetti tank9, and wrap tops. Cou Cou Intimates @ appeared through the Rina long sleeve10, Baby Tank, Raglan, and simple cotton tees.

We saw more tanks and singlets from ÉTERNE, St Agni, and Uniqlo, and Reformation (Reformation truly has been everywhere recently!).

Gimaguas pushed the idea in a more graphic direction with slogan tees, layered long sleeves, and a pink halter with a sequin strap. The common thread was not minimalism for its own sake. These were straightforward tops with enough shape, trim, or colour to carry an outfit.

The two moods of skirts and dresses

July’s dresses and skirts had a very clear day-to-night split. On one side were cotton voile, poplin, linen, drawstrings, and easy volume: Toteme’s cotton-poplin midi11, Venroy’s silk-linen shift minis, and J.Crew’s scallop-trim ramie mini12.

On the other side were pieces that caught the light or showed a little skin. Gimaguas’s black semi-sheer skirt13, SIEDRÉS’s printed chiffon midi with a lace hem14, and Sau Lee’s beaded, velvet, and cheongsam-inspired dresses15 all appeared in the month.

This did not feel like separate daytime and evening wardrobes. The more useful signal was how easily the two could mix: a sheer skirt with a cotton tee, a satin dress with a flat shoe, or an organza top with relaxed trousers. The dressier pieces we saw last month were saved in a way that still looked wearable.

Swimwear, swimwear, swimwear!

The swim saves continued the idea from June that beachwear should belong to the full wardrobe (hear hear!!). Monday Swimwear appeared with a navy crinkle bikini16, crochet wide-leg trousers, a printed headscarf, and sunglasses. Frankie’s Bikinis mixed string bottoms and one-pieces with satin swim shorts and a pointelle mini skirt17.

The direction was less about a matching bikini set and more about building the outfit around it: scarf, skirt, loose trouser, small bag, and a shoe that can leave the beach.

Bags moved from beach texture into richer leather

July’s bag mood was a little deeper and more polished. Chocolate brown, black, cream, navy, suede, satin, and woven leather all appeared across the month.

The strongest examples included The Row’s navy satin Cecily top-handle bag18 and tan raffia Estelle tote19, Dragon Diffusion’s woven tote20, MANGO’s beaded handbag21, and Atorie’s top handle bag.

The wider direction was toward tactile bags that could work past the holiday itself.

Jewellery and small accessories became more sculptural

July’s accessories were less delicate background detail and more like small objects. Cuffs, chokers, bold earrings, gemstone necklaces, rings, headscarves, sunglasses, belts, and patterned tights all showed up.

The jewellery references included Simuero’s ring22, Heaven Mayhem’s Clarke cuff, and multicolour gemstone necklaces from Dipua23.

New brands worth knowing about

• Los Angeles Apparel had one of the clearest July pockets, especially around baby-rib tees, cotton-spandex shorts, halters, and fitted dancewear-like tops.

• St Agni stood out across woven leather bags, soft slides, a high wedge, and clean organic-cotton layers.

• POTTERY appeared through striped cotton shorts, sheer skirts, straight denim, classic tees, and an oversized lambskin jacket—quiet clothes with a sharper silhouette than the word “basic” suggests.

• Cortana is worth watching for fluid trousers and dresses in linen, wool, silk, and deep green tones.

• Ballerette and Le Monde Béryl both made a case for softer shoes: coloured suede ballet flats from the former, satin slippers, kitten heels, and curved mules from the latter.

• RENGGLI appeared through a pale organza cami and indigo workwear jacket, while Sœur Jumelle brought a more sculptural jewellery language through cuffs, chokers, pendants, and hand-cast forms.

tldr…

The core wardrobe: small cotton and jersey tops, midi skirts, mini and slip dresses, relaxed trousers, tactile flat shoes, and bags in woven leather, satin, suede, beads, and raffia.

The strongest styling signals: ballet flats with texture, lace and sheer layers, satin, organza, fringe, sculptural jewellery, and swimwear treated as part of the full outfit.

The Woven Report is a roughly-monthly look at what’s actually being saved on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

writes her articles the way I like to read them. She weaves in small moments of life that make you think about your own experiences as well as hers.

The first article of hers I came across was her things I found chic. Hers read a little differently from the other versions I’d come across. They were less about things and more about small moments. Don’t get me wrong, I love things, and I love shopping. But I also love getting to know someone through what they do, and the little routines that make up their days. A well-loved leather bag, she wrote, and carrying a notebook everywhere. Maybe it’s because I love the look of worn leather and I carry a notebook everywhere myself (does this make me chic?!), or maybe it’s just that it all feels real.

The second was about her grandmother, which got me thinking about my own.

Velvet Journal

The Woman Who Taught Me Elegance

by Lyo, July 2026…

Read more

a month ago · 7 likes · 2 comments · Lyo

My grandmother and I have plenty in common (a love of fashion and shopping being one), but Lyo’s piece made me think about the other smaller, less noticeable ways she’s shaped me. Mostly by showing me how big a heart can be, and how much the small things you do for other matter.

Both pieces carry the same throughline: noticing what lasts, whether that’s an object, a habit, or a person. That instinct carries straight into what she saves, and I’m excited for you to have a look!

How would you describe your taste?

I think my taste is less about fashion and more about curation. I’m fascinated by beautiful objects, timeless design and pieces that tell a story. I rarely buy something because it’s trending. I fall in love with things that feel enduring, whether it’s a perfectly cut coat, a leather tote that will age beautifully or a pair of trousers I’ll still want to wear years from now. A lot of my inspiration comes from cinema, independent magazines, old editorials and women whose style feels effortless and lived in. I love clothes that blur the line between masculine and feminine: oversized outerwear paired with delicate silhouettes, simple basics elevated by texture, and accessories that quietly make a statement. My wardrobe mostly revolves around black, white, cream, brown and olive tones because I love how calm and versatile they feel.

And if there’s one thing that’s become my signature, it’s definitely oversized sunglasses. They somehow end up with almost every outfit.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

My edit is called Autumn Capsule. Autumn has always been my favourite season, so creating this edit felt almost instinctive. It’s my vision of the perfect autumn wardrobe: timeless, intentional and built around pieces I know I’d reach for year after year.

I wanted to bring together everything I associate with the season: soft knitwear, structured coats, oversized leather bags, knee-high boots, relaxed tailoring and warm fragrances. I love a palette of black, chocolate brown, cream, taupe and muted olive because it feels calm, sophisticated and never goes out of style.

For me, getting dressed isn’t just about clothes. It’s also about the little details that create a feeling, like the scent I’m wearing or the leather journal I carry with me. Those things are just as much a part of my personal style as the clothes themselves. I think every edit tells a story, and this one tells the story of the season I always look forward to the most.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

One of my favourite discoveries has definitely been Sœur Jumelle (which I believe is founded by another Woven user/Substack writer !). I’d recently had the realisation that silver jewellery suits me much better than gold, which felt like a tiny identity crisis after wearing gold for most of my life. So I’ve been slowly rebuilding my jewellery collection from scratch.

While browsing Woven, I came across the Odin’s Pendant by Sœur Jumelle completely by chance, and I instantly fell in love with it. That one save ended up sending me down a rabbit hole exploring the brand and all of their jewellery.

Favourite save so far?

The Marlo Leather Tote by The Row. It might be a classic, but it’s probably my favourite save so far.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

Definitely the Knit Pointelle Godet Gown by Connor Ives. I discovered it through ’s saves, and it immediately caught my attention. I love how romantic and effortless it feels. It’s the kind of piece that stays in your mind long after you’ve seen it.

You can see everything Lyo saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

If you want to read about what everyone else has been saving…

Who influences your style the most? A few names might come up immediately, some models with chic off-duty looks, or maybe some influencers you’ve been following for years. That would probably be my first answer too. But if I really think about it more deeply, it’s the people you hang out with the most who have the biggest influence on you. Duh, seems like common sense, doesn’t it?

Interestingly, the fashion influence these people have on you seems to be more subtle, seeping through your life in a much more gradual way. I’m specifically talking about your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/spouse. Before you know it, he’s wearing more black and you’re window shopping at the Brokedown Palace (if you know, you know).

So it’s only right that we’re doing a Saved by Sam—my husband!

I wouldn’t describe Sam as a fashion enthusiast, but he’s a man of good taste. He carries that taste through everything he does. He’s a designer who knows exactly what he likes and what he doesn’t. If you live in London or New York and have come across a Granola billboard or two... that’s his baby! I’m also obsessed with our apartment, and a big reason for that is Sam’s taste. Believe it or not, my Rothy’s clogs were actually inspired by his Bedrock clogs. I got jealous of how comfy they looked!

Anyway. All of that to say, this is a particularly exciting one for me to do. Let’s get into it!

How would you describe your taste?

Questionable. Casual, all the time. I don’t really know any other way. I love travelling and being outdoors, so I think most of my clothes buying habits are shaped around that. I’m used to buying things for being outside, and then that turned into just liking the aesthetics of outdoor brands.

Six years of living in a city and I’m getting more accustomed to buying stuff that’s just regular clothes, as opposed to everything from an outdoor shop.

I like well made natural stuff. I like when things have an interesting story behind them, or were made by somebody interesting. Evan Kinori1, for example. The whole company’s a couple of people in San Francisco who have really nice taste. Everything’s made by hand with high quality fabrics, and they have limited runs. It feels like a lot of attention to detail went into every piece.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

Outdoors but desirable is pretty typical of the shit I save. I like outdoor brands that also care about design and aesthetically pleasing things. It’s a hodgepodge of random things that I like, some of which I own, some of which I don’t. I like how understated it is—it’s minimal without looking too technical.

Are these things you wear in the great outdoors?

I’d like to think I wear them in the great outdoors. The reality is I don’t go in the great outdoors very much these days, so I wear them in the great indoors instead.

I’m also a bit of a geek for backpacks. There’s a couple of backpack brands that are all one person operations. 1733, the tote bag I have, is just one guy in Chicago. Similarly Cimoro is also one dude in London, who used to be a Savile Row tailor.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

I found Paynter on Woven through Jordan. I found out that they’re a small company in London. Again, the reason I like them is because they all seem to be a bunch of nice people, and their stuff is well made with good materials.

You might notice a pattern here… I guess I just like the feeling that someone put a lot of care into the things they make. You lose that with big faceless brands.

Favourite save so far?

The Finisterre merino baselayer.2

If I just had to live in one top, it’d probably be that. I love how versatile and functional it is: it keeps you cool when it’s warm outside, and warm when it isn’t. It also looks casual enough that I can just wear it out whenever.

I know it wouldn’t be very stylish. But it would be acceptable, which is really what I strive for in life!

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

James had a couple of P&Co things which I thought were nice. I had never really looked at them before, but the texture stood out to me. They look simple but also put together at the same time.

You can see everything Sam saved on his Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

If you want to read about what everyone else has been saving…

Welcome back to Saved by! I was on a short trip to New York over the weekend and I think my brain is a bit confused about where I am, and by extension, how to dress.

I was only away a few days, but somehow the weather seems to have shifted while I was gone. Throw in the jetlag and the fact that I’ve just started cycling everywhere around London, and getting dressed has become a whole new challenge. But thank goodness for Isabella!!

Her recent people-watching post was such a breath of fresh air (there’s a reason it did so well!). There’s nothing better when you’re in a rut than seeing what other very cool Londoners are actually wearing. And Isabella always goes beyond the usual elements of getting dressed—I love the way she treats accessories as the thing that makes a look more interesting, like this piece on fans!! I’m a big fan (pun very much intended!!).

And because Isabella is the epitome of chic, scrolling through her saves on Woven has become part of my routine whenever I need inspiration. Let’s get into it!

How would you describe your taste?

My taste changes with the seasons. In summer I like to add more print and colour and in the winter I tend to opt for more neutral colours and minimalist styles and silhouettes. My taste has definitely evolved though. I would say I used to be quite trend led but now I am always looking for new brands and pieces that no one else has heard of. I think this plays into my belief that personal style needs a resurgence and we should all dress a bit more interesting! I am always inspired by places I have visited. I find such joy in speaking to owners of little boutiques. I was recently in the Il de Re and in one of the little villages there was the most incredible boutique selling a mix of beautiful blouses, jewellery and the most fabulous woven shoes. As much as I love buying new, I am always looking to Vinted or Vestiaire for a one of a kind piece.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

My edit High and late summer is a mix of products and photographic inspiration. I’m a sucker for a super fun piece, like the red sunglasses or sculptural necklace. Even the beaded bag is a fun way to add texture into a look. I have been loving a silk scarf to tie around my head allowing me to embrace the French girl I found on holiday! I also love a simple camisole or a ballet flat; these are wardrobe staples I keep coming back to time and time again.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

I actually discovered a really cool piece of jewellery. One of my passions is collecting jewellery and finding new and upcoming brands who offer something that isn’t just a gold necklace or chunky chain. I found an amazing Chan Luu cowrie shell necklace which has been living rent free in my mind ever since! It’s the perfect summer necklace, being a statement piece whilst also not looking too much like costume jewellery. I admittedly love all things Chan Luu, particularly their new sequin tunic which was suggested on my Woven feed.

Favourite save so far?

Like I said earlier, I have been absolutely obsessed with a headscarf. I really love the new collaboration between The Love List x Gigi Burris. The tomato red kerchief headband is just so so cool. It also comes in the most beautiful blue. I love all things Gigi Burris, she makes the coolest hats- I have my eye on the Ida also which is a raffia hat with a gingham lining. Buying a hat feels like a luxury investment because its a piece you can bring out time and time again, to the beach or for the city.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

I discovered a beautiful Renggli cami via , leading me to do a deep dive into their entire collection. The brand is the brainchild of icon Morgan Stewart, whose podcast I cannot stop listening to. She is so unapologetically blunt and funny, always speaking to amazing guests who share her love for insane fashion and astrology. Renggli also have a gorgeous tennis green cable knit which I am keeping an eye on in the hope it goes on sale!

You can see everything Isabella saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

One of the best things about building Woven is meeting our users (a lot of whom are women!) and seeing how differently everyone approaches fashion, dressing, and the collections of saves they build. It’s truly a form of self expression, and there’s something quietly beautiful about watching individuality show up that way.

Which is maybe why ’s The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants resonated with me so much. She asks the childhood friends she grew up with to describe their style in three words, and then to imagine one object that could travel between them all, the way the pants did. Four of them, independently, said a leather bag.

And the answers were never really about the thing. “You can leave things in the pockets for the next user.” The object becomes a carrier of where they’re from, where they’ve landed, who they’ve become.

It’s a refreshingly new way of looking at fashion and objects we carry, going deep into how they represent ourselves and the people we love. Which, in my opinion, is exactly what makes fashion and the pieces we look at and admire so incredibly personal, but also fun.

I’ve been following Lenú on Substack for a while now and loving her recommendations (I mean look at what she’s wearing below!!), so I couldn’t wait to get into this one.

How would you describe your taste?

Nostalgic, intentional and clean. I look like I have a capsule wardrobe, but really I collect one-off pieces: colorful, unusual, like a pair of golden leather pants. I mix 90s minimalism with a bit of 70s fun. If CBK and Jane Birkin had a baby, and they were South American (because I am!), that’s my closet. What matters most to me is real elegance, not the fabricated, overly curated kind, but the kind that comes from actually knowing yourself.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

This edit is called Raw, and it came out of a month of paying closer attention to how fabric actually feels against skin: cotton, linen, silk, silhouettes that let you move and breathe. I wrote about it for my Substack, Mystical Archive.

The thesis was that being classy is tuning in to what your body actually wants, not to what looks expensive. You give the clothes their meaning, not the other way around. The edit is the visual version of that essay: no frills, raw materials for a raw self.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

I fall into vintage rabbit holes constantly, brooches, rings, pieces I have zero occasion to wear but would love to style on someone else. I also love learning what’s behind a brand. I recently went deep into Elsa Schiaparelli’s story and how it shaped the house’s evolution, and now I’m hunting for a dress from the brand. I’m a bit tired of brands overcharging for less and less craft. I’d love to see things go back to basics, more preservation of actual craftsmanship, so I’m willing to invest, but it’s a fine balance between paying for real value and just paying for a name.

Favourite save so far?

These Tom Ford sunglasses, they remind me of this famous look (below), just a more wearable version of it.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

Saturday in the Park by 1, it’s in this edit. It made me feel like I’d stepped into an editorial shoot in a garden, butterflies around me, holding up impossibly pretty carrots, with the perfect Jane Birkin basket on one arm. Now I want a pair of Repetto shoes.

You can see everything Lenú saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

I came across Arbela through this article she was featured in. The moment I saw she carries a Paper Republic journal, I just knew I’d like her. I’m a self-proclaimed stationery addict and a Paper Republic fangirl—my husband even jokingly calls my journal The Plan 😆

My instinct was not wrong! Arbela is the one you go to when you need inspiration. Dressing in the heat can be really tricky since you’re robbed of your layers, but Arbela’s got you covered. She styles her outfits in a way that’s unexpected but also just completely works. Most recently, I’ve been obsessed with the statement jewellery inspo pics she posted.

But she also has such a fresh perspective on fashion. This article she wrote got me thinking about how I could experiment with my tricky pieces a bit more, and actually have fun with them! So needless to say, I’m so excited to have her in the series.

How would you describe your taste?

I’d say my taste is eclectic and relaxed. These are descriptors I see across my taste for not only clothing but also a bit of my home decor tastes, graphic design, art, books, music, etc. But for clothes and my overall personal style taste, I like to think of it as “casual fantasy”. I want the things I put on and wear to feel easy, thrown on and sometimes feel like a footnote to what I’m doing during the day. But at the same time, I want them to tell a story and elevate who I am and want to be. I think my style is predictable enough to blend with my routine, but unexpected enough to keep myself (and the rooms I walk into) intrigued.

My sources of inspiration reflect this -- as I’ve always been drawn to the utilitarian looks of ‘90s and early 2000s runway shows like Prada, Calvin Klein or the minimalist, chic looks of 2010s Celine. But, I will always be drawn to the romance of 2000s Chloe, Marc Jacobs and the statement-making silhouettes of Proenza Schouler from the recent years. In short, I’m always looking for ways to surprise myself with my style, even if it’s a tiny detail or a different way of styling the same piece I’ve worn forever.

What this often looks like in practice: easy silhouettes like a dependable t-shirt, comfortable sandals for the summer or flat Onitsuka Tiger sneakers in the fall, or a collection of stretchy A-line or pleated skirts from the thrift store (often circa ‘90s or mid-2000s) that I cycle through year-round. But then, I often break up my casual uniform with statement jewelry, a sheer cover-up from the 1930s, one of my many vintage silk scarves on the waist or hip, a handmade crochet top, or an archival beaded belt from 2008 DKNY.

All of those little surprises (even if they go unnoticed by people I see), give me that feeling of weaving (pun intended) my own fantasy through my outfits. Sometimes they’re more relaxed than eclectic, but I always like to throw in some kind of embellishment, even if it’s my signature spiral and pearl necklaces I wear every day, or a vintage bag that might be way too fancy for an errand outfit consisting of athletic shorts and a tank top.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

My ‘HEAT DRESSING’ edit is definitely one I put a lot of thought into because each summer is such a struggle to adapt my style for the hot weather. A couple years ago I started chronicling and figuring out my own philosophies around dressing in the heat and making an edit was such a good practice for putting actual pieces together. Overall, the vibe of this edit is to show a mix of dependable basics that keep you cool and safe from the heat (this Solbari bucket hat has been a godsend), but then plenty of fun embellishments to keep outfits interesting and romantic. The basics might be a tank top or tee I swear by or looks comfortable, but the embellishments come in the form of scarves, sheer skirts and what I call “summer layers” like sheer skirts, dresses, cover-ups, etc. The key to a good summer outfit (for me) is mixing textures that are still light, so I tried to curate that here with a mix of silk, cotton, lace, etc.

In this edit I have a mix of pieces that I actually own (my trusty Desmond & Dempsey square nightie that I wear as a porch dress most mornings or one of my dependable tank tops from ARQ that remain to be part of my everyday summer uniform) but then other items that I think fit into my formula for heat dressing. This includes lace skirts from Olga Joan, a casual but cool sports bra top by the indie brand Gumi1 or this beautiful embroidered top from Tanaka.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

A couple things!

Most recently, this gorgeous dream of a skirt in bright aqua and yellow TASSELS. It’s by a UK-based independent designer Siibello and I’m pretty confident that I would not have found this designer if I didn’t see it on Woven. I love finding small brands like this and after checking out the skirt, I felt immediately drawn to their other pieces -- all of them so regal, elegant but also fitted to the body so beautifully. I’m excited to keep them on my radar for the future because I love their designs and choice of colors.

The brand Demode Mode is definitely a gem I stumbled across through Woven that I’ve slowly begun a window shopping love affair with (inspired by one of their sheer skirts I saved). I’ve always wanted to find a brand that mixes elements of casual activewear but also feminine elegance through its pieces. I feel like this is a very specific niche they’re tapping into that I definitely can see more and more people noticing as we all want more comfortable, dependable pieces that feel modern but eclectic. All of their pieces blend this feeling of utility and earthiness at the same time and I can’t get enough. I dunno, they feel like they could be the next Paloma Wool but through their own unique lens....

The Spanish brand, Aurembiaix caught my eye as well after I saw and immediately saved this black Tulle top. Not only is the piece itself so interesting (and inspires some thrift hunting) but the way the brand styles their pieces is a beautiful source of inspiration as well.

Favourite save so far?

Probably if I would have to pick one it would be the Aris Layered Skirt from Demode Mode. This was probably one of the first items I saved when I got on the app. This skirt combines all the elements I love: sheer sexiness, a casual and wearable silhouette and this beautiful stone gray color I’ve been trying to work more into my wardrobe. I’ve already added it to multiple edits which is making me realize how versatile it would be in my wardrobe.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

In general, anything saved or put together by is soooo good. Lots of unexpected pieces but with a throughline of this easy, effortless vibe. But I especially love her edits like “european summer”, “leo season” and “saturday in the park” because they tell a story with the pieces she chooses. I also like that she includes a mix of clothing but also accessories, bags, perfumes, etc. In terms of specific items, I keep coming back to these pair of swim shorts by Frankies Bikinis that she found -- I love how sporty they are but still speak to a romantic summer vibe. And honestly, The Philosopher Brief that she recently saved from Cou Cou Intimates is probably up there as one of my favorite things I’ve seen on the app.

You can see everything Arbela saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

A few months ago I jumped on a call to onboard Pin, who had signed up to the Woven waitlist. And boy was I glad I did! She’s since become one of the people whose saves I consistently resave on Woven. One of those resaves even turned into a joint order we did together (more about that here).

Everyone strives to look effortlessly put together, and to me that’s what Pin’s style is. It’s reflected in her personality too. I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with her a few times now and she is so easy to be around. She’s one of those people who’s always working on cool things and makes you wonder how do they have the time!? She takes pictures, writes, interviews people and turns them into insightful articles (most recently this one with the founders of The Breakfast app), on top of a full time job.

She’s got this rare ability to spot things before lots of people do. I’ve discovered so many brands through Pin, and I can’t wait to discover even more!!

How would you describe your taste?

I spend a lot of time living out of one checked bag and a carry-on, so it has become a forced capsule wardrobe of sorts.

That means a lot of basics: good, elevated tees and tanks I can layer. Think Flore Flore, plus a random assortment of plain and striped tees I’ve somehow worn for the last eight to ten years.

There are a few uniforms I return to. On some days, I’m more gorpy: nylon culottes, big pants, Keen Jaspers, Merrells—pieces I feel confident and comfortable in. On other days, when I feel more feminine, my go-tos are halters by Extreme Cashmere (n°409) and Flore Flore’s Angie.

I will rarely sacrifice comfort for style. I’m probably 98% practical layers, and then I use bags, shoes, and jewellery to stylise everything.

There’s also an “off-centredness” I tend towards. Something slightly quirky, a spot-the-odd-one-out situation. Sometimes that means adding one piece that doesn’t seem to fit with the rest, but somehow belongs. It might be an accent colour, a vintage top with denim bottoms, or a very plain outfit with a louder or more formal bag.

And to me, an outfit never feels finished without silver jewellery.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

The edit is called summer crushin’, very much inspired by the heatwave. A budding romance. A call to dress cute, feel cute.

There are tops that feel a little frisky, lots of tanks, and some sheer layers. Then there are cute but practical shoes, ranging from Ecco ‘aunty sandals’ to Vibram FiveFingers to hot red Diesel jelly flip-flops. Shoes that could take you around town, to the beach, on a hike—why not? The H-O-R-S-E short short in red are a must, to round it out.

There’s also a linen dress you could dress up or down, and the Porto pouch, which can do no wrong, day or night.

Can you tell I really want to be in Greece right now?

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

I’ve been really into this Nhỏgirl top with a slim racerback detail, and while scrolling on Woven, I found this EB Denim number and then the perfect ÉTERNE one.

I am obsessed with the shape of the back—how that one detail sets it apart. There’s something about the asymmetry and the way it frames the scapula. One of each, please.

It’s funny because a simple tee or tank can sound so simple, but there are truly so many nuances. The cut, the neckline, the way it sits on the body, the shape of the back. Finding the perfect one for you is a whole thing.

Favourite save so far?

This is really hard to choose and honestly depends on the day.

Right now, I’m hoping to find the perfect effortless shredded T-shirt. I want a truly worn-in look, not an organised tear or a designed shred. And then there’s the material of the tee, how it fits, how it flows. Just oversized enough.

You can’t really force it, can you? It has to happen by chance. No two are the same, but I’ve saved a couple (this and this) that feel like inspiration for the one I’ll hopefully find someday.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

DémodéMODÉ, which I found through your save, Jess1, and then Elsa’s save of the Aris Layered Skirt.

I love their take on everything from activewear to more chic, formal pieces. There’s an elegance to what they do. It’s giving sister of Paloma Wool, Gimaguas, and Belle Anna.

You can see everything Pin saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

If you want to read about what everyone else has been saving…

The Woven Report is a trend report based on the recent saves from users of Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.

We’re halfway through the year! Isn’t it crazy?!

If you live in the UK (and talk about the weather as much as I do) then the theme of this report should really come as no surprise. June’s saves had two clear moods: heatwave practicality and holiday dressing with a bit more texture. People were saving the pieces that make getting dressed easier when it is warm: flat sandals, drawstring trousers, ribbed tanks, caps, cotton shirts, and easy skirts. Basically how to look cute when you want to wear as little as possible!

There was also a very visible appetite for lace, sheer mesh, satin, beads, woven leather, scarf tops, tiny belts, and jewellery that does more styling work than the clothes around it.

Flat shoes, softer sandals, and low-effort movement

The shoe mood was practical, but not boring. Ballet flats, flip flops (so many flip flops and I am here for it!), soft suede slides, and sporty sneakers all showed up repeatedly.

The recurring references included Reformation’s Amelia Flat Thong, Tory Burch’s Studded Ballet, Marc Fisher’s pale blue Udena wedge thong sandal, AEYDE sandals, Chloé Marcie Mary Janes, Miu Miu floral sandals, and The Row’s Ginza flip-flops.

We also had a set of sportier saves: Adidas, Asics Gel-Kayano, and New Balance all appeared in the month.

The theme here is elegant meets practical. People were saving shoes that can make a simple outfit feel finished without adding much effort.

p.s. we’re seeing more and more Asics on Woven, and I’m genuinely curious about them. If anyone has them, please let us know how you like them!

Drawstring pants, loose denim, and practical bottoms

June was strong for bottoms that look relaxed without feeling sloppy. Drawstring pants, capris, skirts, and fun sporty shorts all came through.

Some of the concrete saves: COS cotton drawstring pants, The Row’s Fargo Jean, Venroy drawstring pants, J.Crew’s Lee denim skirt, and Charlie Beads Babydoll Bloomers in blue tattersall.

This is also how I’ve personally dressed the last month (maybe except for the skirt). Only things that that feel as comfortable and easy to put on as possible, please. This is more and more important to me now I’ve started cycling around London (which I must concede, is probably one of the most efficient ways of getting around London!?).

Lace, mesh, satin, eyelet, and clothes that catch the light

Texture was one of the clearest signals in the month. There were lace Bermuda sweatshorts, lace-trimmed skirts, white lace tops, brown sheer mesh dresses, red sheer blouses, eyelet scarves, suede jackets, satin clutches, beaded bags, and woven leather totes.

This is the most fun part of the saves, in my opinion. Love to see how much fun people were having with their saves, and seeing their personalities through their saves! A plain tank and trousers still showed up, but the pieces that made the month feel specific were the semi-sheer layers (consistent with last month’s saves), openwork knits, soft leather, beads, and satin. Even when the silhouette was simple, the material and the contrast it created was doing the work.

Holiday dresses and swimwear that still feel dressed

Dresses and swimwear leaned romantic, sun-ready, and a little polished. DÔEN dresses appeared multiple times (are we surprised!?), alongside Reformation, Matteau, The Attico, With Nothing Underneath, and Camilla and Marc pieces including scarf-top and cami shapes.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Australian designers, so shout out to who’s been saving all some really cool Australian brands on the app!

Swimwear also looked more like part of the outfit than a separate category. LIDO, Elysiian, and striped ribbed one-pieces appeared in the saves, often in the same visual world as scarf tops, linen dresses, raffia, and simple sandals.

People seemed to be gravitating towards clothing for being out all day: something that can go from hotel breakfast to a swim to dinner without a full reset.

Bags are small, tactile, and full of character

The bag saves were some of the most expressive objects in the month. Beaded, woven, satin, straw, gingham, leather, and novelty shapes all showed up.

Examples included the Staud Timmy beaded wood bag, Atorie leather shoulder bags, Chanel quilted and pink handbags, The Row’s Sisal Shopper, Reformation’s Molly Maude clutch, Port Tote stripes, a handwoven leather tote, and more than one beaded or floral evening-style bag.

The repeated signal is that people are saving bags that make a simple summer outfit feel intentional (and that everyone’s loving fringe!).

Accessories doing the styling work

Small accessories kept showing up as outfit-makers. We already know that scarves are everywhere, and they didn’t fail to make an appearance on Woven. Caps, belts, sunglasses, jewellery, and hair/head pieces were also common across the month.

These were the ones that stood out: a floral lace headscarf from Natasha, Polo Ralph Lauren caps, Gap eyelet bandana scarves, Port Tanger sunglasses, August Barron belt and brooch-like pieces, Susmies rings, gold pendants, gemstone jewellery, and the Mari B red tassel belt.

New brands worth knowing about

• Gimaguas kept appearing across the month, especially around mini skirts, cut-out denim, knits, and late-month summer pieces.

• Scanlan Theodore had a noticeable late-month pocket, especially around polished warm-weather dressing.

• Atorie stood out for leather bags that feel minimal but still characterful.

• August Barron appeared around belts and jewellery-like styling pieces.

• Meryll Rogge and VERAFIED both showed up in the last week, with crisp, dressier shapes.

• Cou Cou Intimates appeared in the prettier-basics lane: fitted, feminine, and easy to layer.

• Port Tanger is also worth watching for accessories.

TL;DR

• The core uniform: flat shoes, loose trousers or denim, tanks, skirts, summer dresses, and tactile bags.

• Shoes: elegant meets practica. Ballet flats, flip flops, soft suede slides, and sporty sneakers.

• Trousers: drawstring pants, loose and practical bottoms, sporty shorts.

• Tops and dresses: romantic and scarf-inspired.

• Bags: beaded, woven, satin, straw, and leather.

• Styling hacks: lace, mesh, satin, eyelet, beads, woven leather, scarves, belts, and jewellery.

The Woven Report is a roughly-monthly look at what’s actually being saved on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

If you want more…

I’ve had moments here and there where I wonder what I’m doing with my life, if I’m doing the right thing, and how much I’ve accomplished. I wonder if I’ve done the right thing by quitting my job and pursuing my own thing, especially when it feels extremely hard most days.

Here are some things I’ve learned over the years…

1. Some people give you energy. Some people drain your energy. Surround yourself with people who give you energy. Especially when it comes to work. If you’re going to be spending so much of your time (and if you’re building a business, you’ll probably spend more time with them than you would with your own partner), you better pick wisely.

2. Ask for help. People want to help. There have been so many moments where I question whether it’s okay for me to approach someone to ask for a favour, to test the thing I’m building, to give me feedback, to introduce me to someone, you name it. I often catch myself thinking if I’m imposing on someone by asking for a favour. But from experience, most people are actually happy to help. Because most people are nice.

3. Health is everything. I’ve had a couple of health scares and I’m lucky that I’m now healthy and well, but boy do they put things in perspective!

4. Make an effort to connect with people, personally and professionally. My friend and I have been running a supper club for almost a couple of years now, and the whole idea is for people to connect with others working in a similar field as them. While they do require a bit of effort to organise, they never fail to bring me joy. I’ve made actual friends through these dinners, and some people have even gotten jobs, or become friends with each other. Nothing makes me happier than this. But somehow I find it harder to organise these social moments in my personal life. I haven’t been a very good friend. I’m terrible at replying to messages, and I’m not always the first one to reach out to friends to check in. But when I think about some of my happiest memories, my closest friends are in them. So this one is to remind myself that friendships and relationships need watering.

   

5. You don’t know what people are going through, be kind.

6. Do your practice. In my case, if I don’t do my yoga practice for a while, something starts to feel off. I’m not quite sure what it is. I don’t necessarily think it’s woo woo, it might just be pent up frustration or something that needs an outlet. Whatever your version is, do it. Go for a walk, go to the gym, move your body. You need a release.

7. Every now and again, leave the laptop. I’m not always very good at this—there’s always something that needs to be done. But time away from screens is important. I’ve learned I won’t be able to solve a problem I’ve been stuck on by just keeping myself glued to the screen, looking at the same thing over and over. Go outside. Have a change of scenery. It always helps.

8. You can always learn a new skill if you invest time and energy into it. It’s never too late, whatever it is. I often feel like I’m too old to do something, but there are so many numbers out there proving I’m wrong. That the average age of people and women starting businesses is much older than I had made it out to be in my head. It’s also true in your personal life. I’d been so scared of cycling alone in London for as long as I could remember. But after enough practice of cycling with my husband (and getting my own helmet!) I can finally do it on my own and boy does it feel freeing!!

   

9. People only see the highlight reels. I am guilty of constantly putting myself down after seeing all the great things everyone else is up to on social media. Instagram plays a big role in this, but to be honest so does LinkedIn!! You just gotta remember you’re just seeing the highlight reels.

10. Trust your gut. Your body knows the answer often before your brain does. I’ve heard it described as whole body yes (I can’t remember who coined the term) but it’s so true. Your gut will know.

11. Try the thing. Do the adventure. You most likely won’t regret it, but you’ll be grateful you tried it. And if you didn’t have a great time, you’ll have a good story to tell.

    

12. Details matter. After hosting a supper club with a friend for almost two years, I can tell you that the feedback we consistently get over and over is how much they appreciate the little things. Things that I didn’t even think people would notice—the preparation that goes into it that you don’t think will make a difference—are precisely why they come back.

    

13. Everyone is thinking about themselves. I’ve spent so much time worrying about what people will think, but most of the time people are busy thinking about themselves, worrying about what other people will think about them.

14. You have to do the work, nobody else is going to do it for you. I am famously bad at talking about and promoting what I do, i.e. Woven. It’s much easier to do it with strangers, less so with friends and family. Even when I manage to do it it still takes a lot of effort to muster up the courage to actually do it, and I have often made excuses to make what it is I’m building sound small, or avoid the subject entirely just so I could take the pressure off. But nobody else is going to do the work for me. If I can’t talk about it, nobody else will.

    

15. Learn to be your own advocate. This is somewhat related to the above. I am still finding this difficult, but I gotta learn to be my own advocate. I am the queen of self doubt, and often feel too shy to speak up or voice my opinion, to my own detriment. Can’t keep living like this!

16. Being rejected is just part of it, and it happens to the best of us. People say no to you. And the more you do something that doesn’t fit in a box, the more no’s you’ll hear. Try not to take it personally, it’s all just part of it and everyone will have experienced some form of rejection at least once.

17. Everyone else is also finding it hard. I get so caught up in my own little world that I forget that everyone else is also finding it hard and trying their best.

18. Don’t pop your zit. It will leave a mark!!! Don’t do it.

19. You may not notice it but you are making progress. I feel this so much with Woven, and also my yoga practice. On the day to day, it doesn’t feel like I’ve made much progress, but if I look at how Woven was a few months ago, and where my pincha (a pose I feel like I’ve been stuck on for years) was compared to where it is now, the progress is hard to miss.

    

20. What you wear does make a difference in how you feel! I promise you if you wear something that makes you look good, you’ll feel better. And also, wear the nice things, don’t save it for a nice occasion. Life is the occasion!

21. Do the thing that scares you. That’s when you’ll learn the most. It’ll be worth it.

22. You are who you surround yourself with. This is also very much related to point 1. The people you surround yourself with will have a big influence on your decisions and ultimately your life. Choose carefully.

23. It’s not a competition!! Everyone is on their own journey and timeline. Just gotta focus on what you’re working on and your time will come!

24. When work is hard, remember it’s a privilege to get to do what you want to do. I am stressed most days about how I can make Woven better. Whether or not we’ll be able to build something that lots of people love and find useful. Then I get reminded that not everyone gets to pursue their dream and I get to do it everyday.

25. Don’t stress over things you have no control of. This is a difficult one. I’m a naturally anxious person, so it goes against all of my instinct to not stress or worry. But I don’t think my day has ever been improved by worrying about things outside of my control.

26. Listen to your body. And also, don’t do yoga out of guilt. I’ve been practicing ashtanga yoga for over 8 years now. I need it, it’s what keeps me grounded. I try to prioritise it and often ignore my body, because I’d feel guilty if I were to sleep in once in a while and skip my practice. These days work has been so demanding and I have found that more sleep actually is what I need, and that it’s okay to skip my practice every now and again if that’s what my body needs.

27. It’s not always that serious. I often take myself too seriously. I get so competitive and I stress over things. But honestly sometimes what I really need to do is just relax and enjoy the little things. It’s not always that serious.

28. Surrounding yourself with beautiful things can help with creativity. And it also just helps you feel better. They don’t need to be expensive necessarily, think flowers, beautifully written notes, house plants, and other small things that make you happy when you see them. I started getting flowers regularly for our living room. While I used to hate the upkeep that comes with it (e.g. replacing the water and trimming the flowers), I try to just treat these moments as a way to take a break from work and challenge myself creatively to see how many ways I can arrange them!

    

29. Success can look like so many different things. At uni I remember discussing the concept of the good life being less about a specific lifestyle and more about the quality of life. It’s crazy how often we forget this!

30. Be grateful for the people in your life and be happy for them!! Sometimes I can’t believe my luck that I have the people I have in my life because they are the absolute best. Also, celebrate your friends and family’s wins. I’ve learned this from having people around me who do this exact thing for me. It’s a beautiful feeling, and I hope I can always reciprocate!

    

31. Believe in yourself!!! How do we expect other people to believe in us if we don’t even believe in ourselves!? Gotta learn to be more confident. Maybe one of these days I’ll get there!

How therapeutic. I hope this helps you in some way, even if only a fraction of how much writing it has helped me!

Have a great Sunday, and if you’re still looking for something to read, check out Woven’s latest Saved by series!

Welcome to Saved by, where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.

I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting Emily in person, but from our online interactions so far, the word I keep coming back to is playful. She’s playful in her words (exactly why I’ve been loving her sweet treat series), and playful in the way she dresses. There’s a lightness and a sense of fun to her outfits that makes you want to stop overthinking your own and just enjoy getting dressed again.

Case in point: it was never that serious.

tomato tomato

it was never that serious

im not sure if its the sunshine, the warm weather, or the fact that im finally out of a depression fog, but i wanna have fun! the version of myself that is supremely silly and a little bit self obsessed has been dormant for far too long and the buck stops here (or whatever they say…

Read more

3 months ago · 2 likes · emily elizabeth

I related to every single line. I too have been “too serious, and too hard on myself for an ungodly amount of time”. Somehow it’s so easy to pile all this pressure on ourselves and forget that life is mostly meant to be the joyful bits. Emily articulates that feeling so well, and then does the harder part: she shows you exactly how to chase the joy back into your outfits, one graphic tee and banana-print skirt at a time.

How would you describe your taste?

You know when you see a really gorgeous woman walking down the street with impeccable taste- you love her whole look, she has this sorta effortlessly natural beauty. She’s in a t-shirt and jeans, but somehow her outfit is still something worth noticing?

My style has evolved but at its core I’ve always stayed true to an understated yet incredibly distinct look. I don’t love super gaudy or loud and I honestly wouldn’t categorize my style into any of the main style groups (preppy, boho, minimalist). My taste is an amalgamation of all of the incredible women who came before me, all the architecture that inspires me, the characters in film that captivate me, its all the things that stop me in my tracks.

For me the biggest factor is fit and feel. Do I like the fit? Do I love how I feel? So sometimes that looks like an itty bitty baby tee and jeans, other times its a floral dress I can twirl around in. But I’m veeeery particular about everything in my space, not just clothes. Design details and color choice is incredibly important to me and I believe that trusting my gut and being so specific, allows for my taste to be both easy to spot and hard to name. I think the a sign that you have great taste is if it can continue to evolve over time while still remaining very much you.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

joie de vivre!

This past winter has been a rough one, very dreary and a lot of big life transitions. My best friend Hilary and I would meet up and commiserate and keep saying to each other “where is the joie de vivre?! we deserve more joie de vivre!”

This edit is paying homage to rediscovering the joy and whimsy of life. It’s a collection of all the things that make me feel light and free again. From cutesy crochet bags to subtle pops of color, it’s everything in my closet that signals to the world, we are so back.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

Ok there’s so much good stuff its hard to choose, but this beaded bag (saved by Patricia)1 reminded me of this little beaded purse I was obsessed with as a kid. For nostalgia and for fun, I’ve been shopping for something similar ever since.

And for people I am obsessed with Amora Aniba, Cassandra Teresa, & clara! I get so much inspiration from their saves (and their Substacks).2

Favourite save so far?

Hands down favorite save is this basket by Massimo Castagna which keeps me up at night. I need it in my life soo bad. It’s $5k, so very much a reach for me, but when I’m in the place to truly splurge, I’m coming for this baby. It’s technically a basket for your home, but I have a vision of using it as a massive beach bag one day.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

Ok a little bit random but saved this fun tennis pillow which then got me down a tennis themed rabbit hole. But if it weren’t for this save, I don’t know if I would’ve stumbled across the gorgeous green tennis scarf that I included in this edit.

You can see everything Emily saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

Welcome to Saved by, where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.

Anyone can put together a shopping guide, but not everyone has the eye to assemble a set of pieces that makes you look twice. When everyone has a tendency to dress the same, it’s the people looking for inspiration elsewhere who leave an impression. Makenna is one of those people, and this is why I’m drawn to her saves.

Makenna draws from places that don’t usually share a moodboard—decades and references that have no business going together, until she puts them next to each other and they do. What ties it all together is intention: she’s drawn to design that’s confident, a little avant-garde, the kind of thing that walks straight off a runway. She describes herself as a quiet person who wants clothes that speak louder than she does, and you can see exactly what she means on her Woven.

She talks through her saves below!

How would you describe your taste?

My taste is a bit bold, chic and eclectic; I draw inspiration for a variety of sources. From the early 2000s media I grew up on (Essence Magazine and the Bratz doll franchise) to more current brands (Loewe, Hanifa and Kai Collective), I love anything that’s intentional and unapologetic in design and aesthetic. Think the swirl logo on Kai Collective’s jeans or Loewe’s signature oversized glasses. I’m drawn to fashion that feels confident and even avant-garde. Like something you’d see right out of the runway. I’m also a quiet person, so I want styles that speak louder than I do. And I love looking at how I can surprise people with my wardrobe choices.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

I’m writing an article about summer partywear and wanted to curate a board for the things that I would wear to a concert or Boiler Room set (basically DJ sets and dance parties). I’ve got photos of jeans, thong wedge sandals, and mini bags, but I’ve been drawn to arm cuffs and bangles so I’ve sprinkled that in the edit as well! I think arm cuffs are so reminiscent of the early aughts and it’s a great accessory to elevate any outfit. Of course, I wanted to include some loose fitting jeans and flowy tops since summer partywear is all about flow and motion. A girl’s gotta move.

Check out Makenna’s magazine here.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

I recently came across this stunning pair of arctic blue mules from Tory Burch, and I’ve been obsessed with them ever since. Kitten heels are my go-to shoe, but I’ve been wanting to branch out and find flats that are both chic and comfortable. Now, I’ve been looking more intentionally at brands like Tory Burch, Reformation and Charles Keith for those bold designs.

Favourite save so far?

For me, it’s easily the Jean Paul Gaultier mesh top. Since I started freelancing in fashion, I’ve noticed how JPG’s designs really lean into that maximalist 2000s look. Now, the shirt is officially on my wishlist.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

Elka Collective! I saw this snakeskin clutch and started looking more into the brand. It’s summertime but it’s not too late to look at what’s trending for fall, and I think Elka Collective is going to be a go-to brand for fall and winter style this season (for me, at least!). Without Woven, I wouldn’t have even known I could find such gorgeous fur coats and jackets that feel like quiet luxury.

You can see everything Makenna saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

Welcome to Saved by, where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.

Okay so I have a bit of a girl crush on Cassandra. Fittingly, I found her through a post called “Everything I found cool this week”, which is a very on-brand way to discover someone you’re about to find extremely cool.

In my defence, the case more or less writes itself:

• She linked Link Bouquet, a cool tech product I’d never seen, and I’m a total sucker for being shown new tech things. Nothing beats someone who’s actually excited about the new and creative. And I’ve got a real soft spot for early adopters like her. At Woven, they’re the people who make the whole thing work.

• Fashion Neurosis. I worship that podcast, and I get an embarrassing jolt of kinship every time I meet someone who loves it as much as I do.

• Her eye for the right kind of obscure, Sac Décoratif being the one that got me. The internet keeps feeding us the same handful of references on a loop, so it’s a genuine relief to find someone treating clothes as art objects that happen to be wearable.

There’s a real through-line too in her Woven saves. Vintage, mid-century, the patient hunt for one-of-one pieces. Scrolling it feels less like a moodboard and more like a proper look inside someone’s taste. Naturally, I had to ask her to walk me through it.

How would you describe your taste?

Taste is a difficult thing to describe. I find it changes with my mood, the season, what city I’m in. There is no exact formula or definitive theme to what I like. Taste is highly individual and constantly evolving based on whatever I’m finding inspiring at the moment, but the underlying thread is a strong sense of personal discernment in what I choose to appreciate. My inspiration for now is coming from vintage and mid century design; brighter colours, layering, uniqueness are all things I really value in my choices. A way I’ve seen it waterfall into my purchases is choosing to shop second hand and looking for one of one pieces.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

Q2 is an edit I created to keep a digital gallery of what items have been catching my eye in the past couple months. I didn’t limit the edits to items only, I decided to incorporate styling, design details, colour palettes as well as individual pieces all in one place. I added my favourite pieces from Mode Mischief’s summer launch, my TRR saves that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about, and a few new brands I want to remember when I turn to online shopping.

Why did I choose to design this way? Similar to a magazine, it took me on a visual report of what I love, and helped me better visualize where my style is going and what I might be currently missing. Editing this made me realize, I hardly have enough dresses and skirts for liking them as much as I do. Now that I have that visual recognition easily accessible - I can feel confident in future purchases knowing it’s from my own palette.

Check out Cassandra’s magazine here.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

Woven has made me more conscious of the materials you should look out for when shopping. With the details featured under each save, I’m able to quickly see not only the brand but what the overall makeup of the piece is. Leather, spandex, cotton, wool, chiffon, knowing when to not buy because a certain material is listed. My mom was an advocate of knowing what your clothes were made of, and investing in pieces that were made with fabrics that were of good quality. Will it last? I always remember her asking me at the mall. I’m happy to see that feature included because the more knowledgeable we are on what we are buying, the more we can focus on sustainability and slow fashion.

Favourite save so far?

My favourite save so far is the Iris Dress from Attega. A brand I found ages ago but quickly got lost in my overwhelming amount of tabs. Everytime I open my account on Woven and I remember how beautiful their dresses are, and how after months of loving that specific dress - I can justify buying it now.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

Conner Ives! He’s a London-based fashion designer (born in NY <3) and one of the most interesting young names in the fashion scene right now. I found his designs through saving one of his deadstock silk jackets from someone else’s edit. It had been reworked with fur trim and appliques, and gave the same feel of truly unique pieces you couldn’t find anywhere else. I researched more about him after saving that photo and found out a ton of his work I had already known/been a fan of.

You can see everything Cassandra saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

Welcome to Saved by, where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.

One of the reasons I tend to spend more time on Substack than I’m supposed to is because of people like Zali. I came across an article she wrote I dream of success, yet I accomplish nothing and I had never felt so seen. Clearly I wasn’t alone, since six thousand others liked it too. She’d articulated that gap between dreaming big and feeling stuck more honestly than anyone I’d read.

Sentimental in Sydney

I dream of success, yet I accomplish nothing

An interior designer, DJ, athlete, you name it, and I've probably dreamt of being it. For as long as I can remember, I haven't just wanted to do things.. I’ve wanted to master them. But that relentless ambition came with a price. As a child into my teens, I became fiercely competitive, yet paradoxically, I also grew lazy. If I wasn’t the best, I often c…

Read more

2 years ago · 6005 likes · 108 comments · Zali Jane

That same eye turns out to apply to everything she touches. Her Q1 roundup reads like a curator’s diary, and her wardrobe (Zimmermann sunglasses, Manolos) is the proof. So it makes sense she’s one of the people whose Woven I keep checking. Here she is on her taste, her edits, and the saves she keeps coming back to.

How would you describe your taste?

I’ve always been drawn to the space between opposites. I would define my style as oversized silhouettes meets softer details. Think baggy trousers, sneakers, and caps, which brings a sense of ease and movement, while voluminous sleeves, feminine cuts, and ballet flats offer the perfect touch of whimsy.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

Outfit Architecture is an edit of mine which I think perfectly plays into my taste. It revolves around the idea that architecture can be created through clothes. Silhouettes become a way of expressing how we exist in space and expands the role of fashion. You will see throughout this edit how different bodies can create such beautiful shapes and how we should celebrate that.

Check out Zali’s magazine here.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

Coats, coats and more coats! I have always been an avid winter lover. However, the amount of prints, cuts, textures and styles of outerwear I have come across, have inspired me to experiment this winter (even though I live in Sydney, Australia…).

Favourite save so far?

My favourite save so far has to be this underwear clutch from Edie Parker. I think this is a perfect addition to girls night or date night!

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

My favourite item has to be this Blue Veda Celine Leather Jacket from Reformation. I found this through who has impeccable taste!

You can see everything Zali saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

Welcome to Saved by, where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.

Patricia goes all the way back to the early, early days of Woven. We met on Substack near the end of 2025, when I was looking for people to test a very (and I mean very very) early version of the app. She very kindly offered to help, no real idea what she was signing up for. We hopped on a call so I could run some user research questions past her and get her set up, and she was a ray of sunshine the whole way through: warm, generous, completely unbothered by how rough everything still was.

I’ve also been truly enjoying reading her Substack posts. I’m a sucker for someone who’s properly passionate about a thing, and Patricia has it in spades. Her post about finally taking up horse riding went straight to my heart. She wanted it so badly she got a motorbike licence to reach the stables outside Madrid. That kind of wanting is very hard not to root for.

You can see the same playfulness in how she dresses. Fashion as something fun rather than something to get right, which is very much my kind of fashion. Okay, enough from me, let’s get into it!

How would you describe your taste?

My taste has evolved a lot lately, I’m going for things a lot more classic and a bit more sophisticated than I used to, but still with a twist. I’m very into late 80s and 90s fashion - not the really minimalist stuff (poor CBK got a bit overdone for a minute there). I also have been looking a lot more into my mum’s own taste, I think our parents and older people close to us can we a great source of inspiration.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

I have been involved/attending many weddings lately so wedding guest dressing is top of mind. I like having a edits where I keep adding stuff that I know I can come back to, or maybe just as inspiration when they’re out of budget (a girl can dream!). This WedGuest specifically has a lot more Inso than pieces to buy, but it still serves since the suggestions can help a lot achieving a look you like without the exact pieces. It’s a blueprint for how I’m feeling and the vibe I’m going for when dressing up as a wedding guest.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

Definitely a person! I found Cameron Ledgerwood recently after seeing their name pop up after many saves I like, this was the last one, and it’s eerie how much our tastes align. Many of her saves I either already have or are things I’ve saved elsewhere before (my Instagram saves is way too big to properly review it anymore). I went through all of Cameron’s more than 300 saves and I was loving it.

Favourite save so far?

I think it has to be this gorgeous necklace I found I don’t even know where anymore, it just won’t leave my mind. Or maybe the Cordera beaded bags, I’ve been obsessed with those (in any colour way) for a long time now.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

Most recently it’s been this navy top showed up on my feed the other day and I was astonished. Instant save. I obviously knew what Cult Gaia was long before joining Woven, but I had never paid that much close attention to the brand. Alas, I won’t be purchasing, but I’m keeping it close because it’s beautiful to look at!

You can see everything Patricia saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

Welcome to Saved by, where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.

Weed & Chanel. Not two words I’d ever have thought to put side by side—and yet, the second I saw it on Madison’s Substack, it somehow clicked. A scent, a campaign, a mood, a maybe-new name for her newsletter; she wasn’t quite sure either, and that was rather the point.

Madison’s Substack

WEED & CHANEL

This idea/thought keeps coming to me. Maybe a scent, weed mixed with Chanel chance. Or wearing Matthieu Chanel (I don’t own any Chanel but now is the TIME!) and be smoking a joint. I can envision the Rihanna and Rocky campaign right now, them walking down a street in NY looking fabulous as always. Maybe it’s the name of a song or new name for my substac…

Read more

4 months ago · 5 likes · 2 comments · Madison St. Pierre

I clicked in immediately, and it more than delivered. What I loved was the collage she’d assembled to chase the idea down: Chanel Cruise brushing up against Celine and Miu Miu, vintage magazine scans, a pair of Ancient Greek sandals, the odd bit of Y-3. High meets low, polished meets a little feral—retro and daring in equal measure, with a generous side of play. It’s the kind of instinct that can’t really be taught, and you can feel those exact same instincts running through her Woven saves.

How would you describe your taste?

I think it’s prep, sporty, slightly whimsical, playful, and a dash of workwear (functionality). It’s always evolving the more I learn.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

My edit “A bit of me” has pieces that I really love and feel like me. Also some of my staples and items I’ve been eyeing. My hope is that the edit gives insight into my personal style and the way I like to express myself. Also I hope it inspires others to maybe try something new or learn about a new brand/designer.

Check out Madison’s magazine here.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

’s page, she has so many saves and I love these Prada sunglasses she found!

Favourite save so far?

That’s so tough, probably the Hodakova upside down shorts! I’ve been wanting those for a while and love that designer.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

These Nou heels, I think they’re adorable.

You can see everything Madison’s saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

Welcome to Saved by, where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.

Every so often you come across someone with a particular energy—online or off—that you can’t help gravitating towards. I was scrolling through Substack one morning, as you would, when a set of gorgeous, faintly nostalgic runway photos stopped me mid-scroll: Yves Saint Laurent, spring 1999. Intrigued, I clicked into her profile, and I’m so glad I did. has a rare eye for the kind of image you want to sit with—composed, evocative, quietly beautiful.

So naturally, working my way through Keelan’s saves on Woven has become one of my favourite ways to spend a slow morning: half research, half pure indulgence. I wanted to understand how that eye actually works, so she’s kindly shared some notes about her saves.

How would you describe your taste?

I’d describe my taste as elevated, but never boring. Or, in the famous words of Victoria Beckham, “minimalist with a twist”. I love experimentation, when it’s done right, it’s truly captivating. I think that’s why I’m particularly drawn to everything Schiaparelli.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

Summering is a colourful edit that exemplifies just how excited I am for summer. I’m a summer baby born in winter. I came up with the idea for Summering as a way to stop myself from buying more summer clothes (my closet is suffocating). In reality, it did the exact opposite. Summering includes brands and pieces that to me, are the epitome of summer: Miu Miu, Annie’s Ibiza, Chloé and Chanel, to name a few. Summertime is truly fashion’s playground. After a winter of minimalism, I want nothing more than to see loud colours, bold prints, and unapologetic individuality take centre stage.

Check out Summering here.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

I stumbled upon a gold silk kimono saved by an individual named Danielle. After extensive research, including a Google and Pinterest image search, I still haven’t been able to identify the brand. I did, however, discover that the image originated from the vintage shop @mercicestvintage on Instagram. I had already fallen in love with Japanese culture and its impact on fashion through the work of Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto, making this discovery all the more captivating.

Favourite save so far?

The Chloé Spring/Summer 1998 dress worn by Naomi Campbell, it’s one of my many dream dresses. I’ll have to cheat and name a second piece: the Chanel pink beaded kitten heels. I’m simply too obsessed with shoes not to include them.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

I discovered the gorgeous brand Róhe, an Amsterdam-based label founded by Marieke Meulendijks alongside Maickel Weyers. Safe to say, I’ll be spending a lot of money there in the near future.

You can see everything Keelan’s saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

Welcome to Saved by, where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.

What makes an outfit memorable is almost always the details. Anyone can put on a white tee and jeans, but how you style it is what earns the double take—the second glance that turns a uniform into a look. And is the person you want when you’re trying to get those details right.

What drew me to her was the eye she has for the small ways you can make an outfit your own: a stack of pinky rings, a slim watch worn like jewellery, an anklet peeking out above your flats. It’s exactly the kind of inspiration I find myself reaching for. Amora calls herself a stylist, curator and writer, and all three show up in her saves—nothing is there by accident, everything has a reason. Working through them on Woven has been as useful as it is genuinely fun for me, given how often I find myself in a styling rut.

How would you describe your taste?

I feel like this has always been sort of a hard question for me lol, but right now I definitely think my taste leans more simple and classic! I’m very into the uniform and repetition of it all, and wearing the heck out of my favorite pieces. I’m also very inspired by 90s dressing (even like the way people dressed to the airport those days, so good). I’m very into secondhand hand sourcing and just the feeling of finding unique midi skirts, dusters, jewelry, etc. (Ebay, TRR, Poshmark). I also heavily believe in a great pair of rigid denim and a slim watch.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

I recently put together “An East Coast Summer” edit for an article I just put out. The edit started as me trying to define what an “East Coast Summer” feels like beyond the usual moodboard clichés. For me, it’s less about dressing for a specific place and more about dressing for a season that revolves around repetition. A canvas tote that’s carried every day. A great pair of jeans. A swimsuit that lives permanently in your bag. A slim watch you’ve worn for years. Boat shoes that are a little beat up. The pieces start collecting stories by the end of the summer. I pulled together a mix of classic East Coast references like navy swimwear, Polo, canvas totes, tortoiseshell sunglasses, leather sandals, and simple cotton basics, but I also wanted it to feel personal. The vintage watch, shell jewelry, rigid denim, and colorful knitwear all reflect the things I find myself gravitating toward regardless of trends. I think the edit is really about building a wardrobe that feels effortless and lived in. The kind where you can throw on almost anything and it works because every piece has earned its place.

Check out Amora’s magazine here.

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

I found this “Gold Tension Bangle” by the brand Dunton Ellerkamp. It’s a minimal gold-toned wire bangle adorned with a mix of organic charms: smooth river stones wrapped in silver-toned bands, shell-inspired pendants, and a dark pearl-like bead. Super beautiful and unique! I don’t think I would have ever casually stumbled upon this any other way.

Favourite save so far?

Ooouu, I’d say my favorite save right now are these brick red Madewell Linen pull on pants I discovered this week. I’ve been slowly trying to add color into my wardrobe (obviously, this being the perfect season to do so). I imagine it paired with a simple white tee or tank and a leather flip flop, and obviously a watch!

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

On the same wave of brick red, I discovered this halter, low v-neck summer dress by Dissh. It’s so simple yet interesting, and it’ll be perfect for a wedding I’ll be attending soon!

You can see everything Amora’s saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.

Welcome to Saved by, where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven. Stay to the end for a code to come join them.

Welcome back to Saved by! It’s been raining all week here in London, which means it’s a bit greyer than it’s been in a while. ’s saves have truly brought a bit more colour back to my day to day.

Clara, in my opinion, curates some of the best visuals on Substack. I came across one of Clara’s wishlists a couple of months ago and I couldn’t get enough. But it’s really her movie and playlist picks that got me. As someone who watches movies for the fashion as much as for the storyline, I really love her movie-inspired visuals.

To get you in the mood, Clara’s also put together a June playlist you can check out here.

Okay, let’s get to it.

How would you describe your taste?

I’d say my taste is all over the place, to be honest. it can be impacted by my mood, or even the weather. But I’ll always be drawn to a pop of color: a blue skirt, a yellow bag, etc… I’ve found that i gravitate towards things that feel curated rather than trendy: vintage references, linen and natural fabrics, good design, thoughtful storytelling, and effortlessness.

Talk me through one of your edits. What’s in it and why?

My late spring look book edit is basically a moodboard for me. This time of year is one of my favorites, but I always have some difficulty styling myself. in the mornings it can be cold, then in the afternoons it’s a million degrees. So having a bit of a reference guide is really beneficial for me. in this edit there’s a lot of muted colors; blues and greens for example. Button downs, effortless basics, and of course statement shoes, because I love a good statement shoe.

Check out Clara’s late spring magazine here, and her fabulous European summer magazine here!

What’s something you stumbled onto in the app that you’d never have found otherwise — a brand, a person, a save/item that sent you down a hole?

I really discovered the genius of Conner Ives through Woven. I’ve seen his work before, but one of my mutuals, , started posting some of his work, and I found myself starting to gravitate towards his work more. There’s also a specific flip flop I discovered on the app that I am obsessed with from Auralee, they’re this beautiful blue color, and I need them!

Favourite save so far?

Probably the Auralee flip flops mentioned above or the Amelie midi skirt from Sir the Label.

Best brand (or item) you’ve found through someone else’s saves?

Well like said above, Conner Ives. His coats and dresses are beautiful!

You can see everything Clara’s saved on her Woven.

Saved by is a recurring series where people whose taste I trust walk me through what they’re saving on Woven, an app for saving inspiration and discovering what people with taste you trust are saving too. If you want to see what people with taste you trust are saving in real time, come find us on the App Store, or explore the web version. Access is still limited, but readers of this series can use the code SAVEDMONGOOSE for a spot.