You might be wondering why I’m writing a newsletter on interiors when all I gab about is clothes. So let me say up front that I do not pretend I know much, or anything, about interior design. A lot of my personal styling clients have an eye for interiors but trouble putting looks together, and I always tell them I have the opposite issue. It’s something about the proportions, the measuring of pieces to fit a space. Some are lucky enough to have both gifts, and for that, I’m very jealous. Plus, someday I’ll hire an interior designer (not me manifesting…).

But not knowing how to lay out a room has never stopped me from knowing what I want it to feel like, because as it turns out, taste doesn’t know which category it’s in. Interiors and fashion are one and the same. My home is mirrored in my closet because both were put together by the same person reaching for the same thing, and many of the great designers we love and look up to figured that out long before the rest of us did. They married the two so seamlessly that they built huge businesses out of it. It’s so clear to me that a handful of them understood something about us before we understood it about ourselves: you don’t have a clothing taste and a separate interiors taste. You have one taste. You’re just wearing it in two different materials.

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This summer was a busy one for me. I spent a lot of it working but was also lucky enough to get some great travel in. Most recently, I just got back from my last trip (for a while) to the west coast for a wedding and a client visit. I’m very excited to not get on a plane for a little while and enjoy the last few weeks of calendar summer as well as jump right into NYFW.

So what you're getting this month is 1- things for the home as I prepare to nest into my apartment and work from home, having been all over the map this past summer, and 2- some head to toe looks I'm envisioning for late September and October. There is almost no heavy outerwear in here. It's jackets, which are the answer to the six weeks where it's 80 degrees at 2pm and 58 by 9. I also am loving anything brocade and vintage; something a little more interesting than just a standard blazer.

Should you want to stop reading and just want to shop, you can find the whole edit right here.

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To soften the blow: Pre-fall isn’t about diving headfirst into sub-zero winter prep. We aren’t dusting off our heavy wool coats or chunky boots just yet (thank goodness). Pre-fall is really just code for transitional dressing: leaning into rich palettes, light layering, and bringing back our favorite textures. It’s the perfect bridge between summer lightness and autumn tailoring.

Now, I should say upfront: I’m not a trend-driven dresser. But I have been in ‘new arrivals land’ more than is reasonable lately, and a handful of details keep stopping me mid-scroll. Instead of big wardrobe overhauls, below are five key shifts making fashion feel fresh right now, along with 15 styled looks (3 per category styled by moi) to give you some tangible inspiration for the season to come.

Should you want to stop reading and just want to shop, you can find the whole edit right here.

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1. Make the Pencil Skirt Cool Again

Forget any stuffy early 2000’s office flashbacks. The updated pencil skirt is sharp, versatile, and instantly cool when you forget its corporate roots. Gone are the days when this silhouette belonged to corporate culture. Fashion has completely recalibrated the cut, favoring longer column hemlines that hit right below the calf in wools, metallic jacquards, and pony everything’s. It really gives a look that elongated line without trying too hard.

The secret to making it work right now is playing around with how you style them. If the bottom half is slim and structured, keep the top half a little more low key. Think an oversized graphic tee peeking out from under a suede bomber, a blazer over a sweatshirt half-tucked into the skirt, or a boxy leather jacket layered over bold prints like leopard. Finish the look with a pointed slingback, a low kitten heel, or a glossy patent shoe, and you’ve got a narrow, tailored line that feels modern, off-duty, and sophisticated.

2. Frog Clasps

Frog clasps are nothing new, but I feel like I’ve been seeing them everywhere recently. The replacement of standard buttons and zippers with these little numbers gives a piece that vintage-leaning feeling, which immediately brings character to simple tops, cardigans, and jackets. It feels deliberate and adds an artisanal weight to early-fall layers without feeling brand-y.

I also feel like there’s a reason this detail is hitting so hard right now. It seems that everyone is on the hunt for pieces that look like a true vintage find. Frog clasps give a modern garment that hunted-down, one-of-a-kind quality, as if you found it in a dusty flea market in Paris rather than grabbing it off a rack. It scratches that itch for craftsmanship and story, making even a fast-fashion purchase feel like a lived-in heirloom.

3. Leather Everything

We are skipping “just the leather jacket” and going all-in on buttery pieces this season. But this fall, look beyond classic outerwear and incorporate leather button-downs, perfectly tailored midi skirts, and maybe even a little leather peplum moment. In addition to standard black and brown, keep an eye out for interesting hues like espresso, olive green, navy, and oxblood. A gentle reminder that leather acts as the ultimate anchor to ground breezy cottons and light layers (though I can’t say I did the best job of styling out those exciting colors below)!

Instead of keeping leather confined to outerwear, treat these items as foundational elements for your autumn looks. Swap your usual jeans for soft leather trousers, layer a structured leather shirt over a simple tee, or let a mid-length leather skirt elevate an otherwise minimal outfit.

4. Boho But Make it Chic

I’m seeing lots of paisley, fringe, embroidery, and rich pigments lately. Fall is the perfect season to bring in that element of boho, whether with long flowy skirts, fun bags, an interesting hat, or a touch of fur. The key to keeping it chic rather than costume-y is balancing the textures with more muted pieces and a great pair of shoes.

Instead of going full festival mode, think of boho elements as the hero pieces. Ground a paisley maxi skirt with a chunky single-colored knit, pair free-flowing fringe with simpler lines, or let a more statement jacket elevate your favorite pair of jeans.

5. Pretty in Pink

Pink is following us into fall, but forget everything you thought you knew about pastels. This season, it’s showing up onto the scene in its punchiest iteration yet: bubblegum pink. While past fall seasons skewed dusty and muted, this pop of pink is bringing very high energy to transitional dressing. It also makes me feel like we’re getting every last lick of summer as we head into the cooler months.

The trick to pulling off pink for autumn and making it feel sleek instead of sweet is all in your styling. Wear it with black or chocolate brown accessories to bring in that “cool” factor, or fully commit to the bit with head-to-toe pink (just add contrasting accessories, please). I also like it paired with a pattern, ie the leopard below that has a hint of pink in the floral detail that mirrors the bright top.

Consider this your kind reminder that transitional dressing doesn’t have to mean boring layers or over-hyped trends. It just starts with a few fun shifts to make what you already own feel alive again.

Which looks are you loving right now? Let me know in the comments, and stay tuned for my “Worth The Hunt - August Edition” roundup next Tuesday!

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So while fall travel might sound like the least glamorous time to take a trip, it actually is often the most rewarding. Without further ado, here are five hotels worth planning a trip around in October and November.

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1. The Fife Arms: Braemar, Scotland

• The Vibe: A Victorian coaching inn in the Cairngorms that also houses a very serious art collection.

• Why it’s perfect for fall: Braemar is at its best in October, when the birch and aspen turn gold against the pines and all of the fields turn copper. It is cold enough that every fire in the hotel is lit, which makes it that much cozier. This is a hotel built for weather: the worse it is outside, the better the hotel gets.

• The Insider Detail: Iwan and Manuela Wirth, of the Hauser & Wirth galleries, reopened it with about 16,000 pieces of art woven into the building. There is an original Picasso. There is also a small watercolor of a stag’s head painted by Queen Victoria, hung up like it’s nothing. Ask at the front desk for the art map and use it as half the collection is in hallways and stairwells you would otherwise walk straight past.

• The Packing Edit: Highland heritage, but make it warm. This is the one trip where function wins.

  • Day: A proper waxed or waterproof jacket, cashmere or lambswool layers in oatmeal and moss, thick ribbed wool socks, corduroy or heavy wool trousers, and wellingtons or lug-sole boots you are okay to get dirty. And pack a large wool scarf, too.

  • Night: Dinner in the Clunie Dining Room deserves a little bit of effort. A velvet blazer or a jewel-tone sweater, wide-leg trousers or a long skirt, and heeled leather boots. Think country-house dressing: texture over sparkle and a very good patina.

  

2. Casa di Langa: Piedmont, Italy

• The Vibe: A modern, sustainable hotel surrounded by 100 acres of vineyards in the Langhe.

• Why it’s perfect for fall: This is not a hotel that happens to be nice in October. It’s a hotel that exists for October. White truffle season peaks from mid-October into early November, and the Alba White Truffle Fair runs weekends through the fall. It’s also the harvest time across Barolo and Barbaresco, so the vineyards below the rooms turn red and rust.

• The Insider Detail: Casa di Langa employs the world’s first hotel truffle concierge - a real person whose entire job is truffles. They will take you hunting on the estate with the Lagotto dogs, source and authenticate a truffle for you to take home, and store it in a fridge dedicated to guests’ truffles. Book the hunt for early morning as apparently that’s when the dogs work best.

• The Packing Edit: Think Italian countryside in the cold. Opt for richer, heavier, and more tailored pieces than you would if you were heading to the coast. The palette here is burgundy, moss, camel, and chocolate.

  • Day: Chunky knits, straight-leg jeans or wool trousers, a suede or barn jacket. Don’t forget waterproof boots you don’t mind scuffing up and getting dirty. Truffle hunting is very muddy, and you’ll thank me later.

  • Night: A knit dress, a leather jacket or a good camel coat, and suede boots. Piedmont is quite casual, and you’ll feel that if you’re overdressed.

    

3. Tierra Atacama: Atacama Desert, Chile

• The Vibe: This is a stone and adobe lodge that looks straight out at the Licancabur volcano in the driest desert on earth

• Why it’s perfect for fall: It’s spring in the southern hemisphere, which makes November arguably the best month to be there. Warm days, cold clear nights, and over thirteen hours of light so you can get to Piedras Rojas and the Salar de Atacama in one day. It is calmer than the December peak and cheaper than high summer. & the humidity sits at around 10%, which is why the stargazing is unlike anywhere else on the planet at that time.

• The Insider Detail: The lodge reopened in April 2025 after a year-long, twenty-million-dollar gut renovation, so the whole place is brand spanking new. It’s all-inclusive, so all meals, open bar, and two half-day excursions (or one full-day excursion) are included. You don’t need to plan anything yourself as you will sit down with a guide the night before and map out the next day.

• The Packing Edit: This is a layering trip, not a fashion trip. Mornings start around 40 degrees and afternoons are warm, so you will add and remove clothing all day. October & November are also some of the windiest months.

  • Day: Technical base layers, a long-sleeve sun shirt (the UV at this altitude is no joke), hiking trousers, broken-in hiking boots, a wide-brim hat with a chin strap, and proper sunglasses. High-SPF everything.

  • Night: A packable down jacket or heavy cashmere for stargazing, and easy knit dresses or relaxed trousers for dinner. There is effectively no dress code. This is very much a lodge, and everyone has been outside all day.

    

4. Capella Kyoto: Kyoto, Japan

• The Vibe: This is a modern take on the traditional Kyoto townhouse, built around a courtyard garden in one of the city's historic geisha districts.

• Why it’s perfect for fall: Everyone books Kyoto for the cherry blossom season in the spring. That said, the people who know go later in the fall when the maples turn and the crowds are nothing like they are in April. The hotel is located in Miyagawa-cho, a short walk from the Kamo River and next to Kenninji Temple, so some of the sites you may want to see are very close by.

• The Insider Detail: It opened on 22 March 2026, so the hotel is very new. There are 89 rooms, all of which start at ~500 square feet, which is enormous by Kyoto standards. There are also 6 Onsen Suites which have private hot spring baths overlooking their own courtyard garden with the spring water delivered daily from the source.

• The Packing Edit: Understated but elegant and built around shoes you can take off. Kyoto in late November is crisp (low 50s) and you will be removing your shoes at temples and at restaurants.

  • Day: Slip-on shoes or clean leather sneakers. A tailored wool coat, fine merino knits, straight trousers, and a compact crossbody. Neutrals read correctly here; loud prints do not.

  • Night: A column dress or tailored separates, and a low heel or flat. This is definitely a “quiet luxury” type vibe.

    

5. Villa Mabrouka: Tangier, Morocco

• The Vibe: This is Yves Saint Laurent's former summer house, now a twelve-room hotel set on a cliff looking across the water at Spain.

• Why it’s perfect for fall: Tangier gets written about as a summer city, which is exactly why you should go in October. The heat breaks, the gardens are still in full bloom, and the hotel empties out.

• The Insider Detail: YSL and Pierre Bergé kept this as their Tangier retreat. Jasper Conran bought it from the Fondation Jardin Majorelle and spent four years restoring it, layering onto Jacques Grange’s original interiors, with the gardens originally laid out by Madison Cox. There are 12 rooms and 3 restaurants, including L’Orangerie set in the garden, and a pizzeria with an Italian oven and a view straight out to sea.

• The Packing Edit: You are staying in Yves Saint Laurent’s house so dress accordingly. The palette is black, ivory, saffron, Majorelle blue, and a whole lot of gold.

  • Day: Loose caftans, wide-leg trousers, a great one-piece swimsuit for the pool, flat leather sandals, and a straw hat. October days are warm but not brutal, so you can wear clothes comfortable rather than only resort-wear.

  • Night: A silk kaftan or a maxi dress, chunky gold jewelry and velvet babouches or embellished slides. Bring a light jacket or a heavy shawl; the evenings on the terrace turn cool once the sun drops over the water.

    

Where are you heading this fall? Drop your favorite off-season escapes in the comments. I'm always excited about new ideas for next month’s roundup!

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Going back two decades later on my own with my partner was a completely different experience, and one I will never forget. (N.B. The food was still incredible, and I still loved the Grand Bazaar.)

But the city, which I learned is actually the largest city in Europe, has so much more to offer than just its food and storefronts. It’s home to some of the kindest people I’ve met, breathtaking architecture, endless layers of history and culture, and a lot of street cats (they’re treated as citizens there - everyone feeds and cares for them).

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I spent a massive chunk of the month behind the scenes: styling clients, writing, creating content, and sourcing. While that meant fewer long afternoons in the sun than I’d hoped, it did yield one major upside: I did the deep-scrolling so you don’t have to.

Hours of digging turned up a fresh batch of under-the-radar pieces that passed my fairly strict criteria: items that feel different, beautifully made, and versatile enough to style in many ways.

Below, you’ll find July’s standout finds broken down by “persona,” so to speak. Hopefully you’ll connect with one (or all) of them!

Before we dive in: Tell me what you’re looking for right now in the comments, and I’ll be sure to keep my eyes out for next month’s edit!

In the meantime, here's a link to the edit of pieces that were truly worth the hunt.

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For the person who refuses to give up black for summer:

She may be onto something. Sun-drenched colors are great, but there’s an effortless feel to an all-black summer uniform. Think breezy poplins, sheer textures, and slinky shapes that prove noir works all year long.

If Elle Woods were still in So-Cal and heading on a date:

She makes pink look very very chic. Forget overly sweet barbie-core. This vibe is all about sunny Malibu-meets-modern-glam. Think slinky silhouettes, pop-of-color accessories, and pieces that prove a high fashion sense and a higher IQ go hand-in-hand. And some great furniture and decor for her perfectly pink boudoir.

For the eclectic-collected woman with lots of glam plans this summer:

She’s really fun, probably tan, and her calendar is a very chaotic masterpiece. She doesn't do boring outfits, and she definitely doesn't do basic. This edit is a maximalist’s dream: rich textures, sculptural jewelry, unexpected silhouettes, and statement pieces that warrant a martini.

For the person who spends the summer out west & looks perfect doing it:

I definitely had one of my best friends in mind for this one (@ MS - otherwise known as the founder and designer of LEIN). She has mastered elevated Western-chic: perfectly tailored pieces styled with even more effortless finds, and a few leather touches. All in all, these are pieces that look just as good at a horse ranch as they do at a late-night dinner in Sun Valley, ID. + a few perfect homewares for the ranch in question.

She brings her kids to surf camp at the beach in Montauk every day:

...and takes a lesson or two herself, obviously. She’s mastered the art of dressing the part at 8:00 AM on the sand: an fun cropped tee, this summer’s trendy surf pants (capris here), and fun accessories to bring it all together. It’s somewhat practical, low-maintenance, but make it high-fashion.

That’s a wrap on July! Reminder that you can shop the edit here and please keep sending your sourcing requests my way! Leave a comment or join the chat with what you’re hunting for next.

Happy shopping, enjoy these last precious weeks of summer, and stay tuned for more…

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Leaning into color and heavy patterning is sometimes dismissed as a lack of discipline. To me, it just mirrors what’s happening inside my head, which is usually a bit chaotic. While neutrals certainly signal calm, I’d argue that prints, colors, and rich textures are where energy, mood, and true personal expression actually live. Granted, hunting for prints isn’t always the most sensible way to shop. I still fall into the trap of buying vibrant, patterned pieces on impulse, treating them like statement art, only for them to get a couple of wears before spending their lives hanging in the back of my closet.

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The History

Despite what your social feeds might suggest, pattern clashing didn’t begin on Instagram. This expression of style is as old as fashion itself, a historic pendulum between playing it safe and going completely wild. Whenever societal norms demand uniformity, subcultures always find a way to revolt through style.

Think back to the 1960s and 70s when the sudden explosion of psychedelic art completely shattered the pristine, matching sets of post-war suburban life. Teenagers started raiding thrift shops, intentionally throwing Victorian florals against optical pop-art stripes and Scottish tartans just to reject middle-class ideologies. High fashion eventually caught up in the 80s when designers like Christian Lacroix and Vivienne Westwood turned maximalism into an art form by pairing historical textiles with punk checks. Later in the 90s, Tokyo’s Harajuku district took it a step further, with youth subcultures treating clothing like physical collages, layering polka dots, anime graphics, and animal prints all at the same time.

What we’re seeing right now is just history doing what it always does. It is a direct reaction to the “clean girl” aesthetic of the 2010s and the suffocating beige of “quiet luxury.” When everyone’s wardrobe defaults to a homogenous grid of cream cashmere and tan trousers, clashing your prints is the fastest way to assert your personality over the algorithm.

Why Our Eyes Actually Care

So, why does a look that should feel wrong end up looking so right? It comes down to basic human biology. Our brains are hardwired to scan for pattern, structure, and contrast. When an outfit is perfectly matched, your brain decodes it instantly and looks away because it requires zero cognitive effort.

Pattern clashing creates what I like to call “intentional friction.” It forces the viewer’s eye to pause, scan, and try to decipher what they’re looking at. It turns getting dressed into an art composition. & to make it work, you really only need to master a couple of subtle tricks.

First, you need a common thread. If you’re mixing wild prints, the brain searches for a unifying element to anchor the look. Take a bold leopard print and a classic Breton stripe. If they share just one common color, like a cream or black, the brain registers the pairing as a thought-through choice rather than an accident. That’s when the clash lands perfectly.

Second, you have to think about scale and rhythm. It’s a lot like composing music. If two loud instruments play the exact same pitch and tempo, they just drown each other out. Pairing giant, sweeping florals with an equally massive abstract print overwhelms the eye because both pieces are screaming at the same frequency. Instead, try pairing a large macro-print with a small micro-print. The smaller pattern softens into the background, which gives the larger statement piece its time to shine.

Finally, remember that the human eye always needs a place to rest. Successful clashing relies heavily on negative space, whether that’s showing a bit of skin at the collarbone or at your ankles, or breaking up the look with a solid, like a denim jacket, a heavy leather belt, or a classic trench. These solids act as a palate cleanser, giving the brain a quick break before it takes in the next pattern. Ultimately, pattern clashing works because it transforms clothes into a narrative. It tells the world that your outfit was thoughtfully curated, not just bought off of a mannequin.

If you’re ready to lean fully into pattern and bring out your personality, below are a few ideas to get you started or shop my curated edit here.

Stay tuned for more…

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This summer, I’ve been seeing the cool girls wearing Tiffany Blue, otherwise known as the shade of turquoise. It was all over the SS26 runways, and now it’s just… everywhere (see: Chanel totes, Prada SS26 pieces, and lots and lots at Burberry).

But Tiffany Blue has been around for nearly 200 years, ever since Charles Lewis Tiffany selected the robin’s-egg blue in 1845 for the cover of Tiffany’s Blue Book. It’s been the jewelry house’s signature color ever since. Pantone even gave the custom shade its own designation: PMS-1837, named after the year Tiffany & Co. was founded.

The secret power of this color? It flatters every single skin tone. On rich or tanned skin, it pulls out a warm, golden glow. On fair skin, it offers a glassy, cool-toned brightness without washing you out.

So, in case you needed a sign to shop this summery, whimsical shade, here are some pieces I’m absolutely loving (plus a link to my larger edit below!).

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Taller Marmo Palermo Fringed Midi Dress

Tropic of C Bikini Top + Bottom

Rat & Boa Havana Top and Skirt

Joie DiGiovanni Tropical Neon 18K Yellow Gold Amazonite Necklace

Antik Batik Carolina Pouch

Pucci Iride Halter Neck Jersey Midi Dress

Scully Turquoise Suede Jacket

Khaite Liria Ankle Strap Sandal

Simon Miller Beep Beep Mini Skirt

Vertigo Amulet

SHOP IT ALL HERE!

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xClaire

As kids, we had a physical, intuitive relationship with the sea. We pocketed sea glass like it was our most prized possession.

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Somewhere along the way, summer jewelry got a little too dainty. For years now, the default warm-weather look has been defined by thin gold chains and delicate charms. It’s pretty, sure, but in the heat of July, hyper-delicate can start to feel a little uninspiring.

Lately, though, summer style has taken a much more tactile, fun turn. Instead of fragile strands, collarbones and wrists are being adorned with oversized silver fish, molten gold oysters, chunky beads, and simple cord necklaces.

It gets labeled as “Mermaid-core” or “Sardine Girl” online, but at its heart, it’s just about having fun with texture. A sculptural fish or shell pendant on a thick cord is a great style shortcut. It adds instant weight and personality to simple summer clothes, acting as a grounding focal point when it’s too hot to layer actual clothes.

Designers are leaning hard into this tactile mood. From Alighieri’s shipwreck-inspired molten pendants to Loewe’s surreal metal ocean charms. These aren’t pristine, delicate trinkets; they’re bold and not fussed with perfection.

How to Style Bold Shells & Fish (Without Looking Like a Souvenir Shop)

To keep these pieces looking chic rather than coastal-gimmicky, it’s all about the styling:

• Keep the Canvas Simple: Let the jewels do the work. An oversized pendant looks best against a plain, high-neck ribbed tank or an open button down (or this Doen top from the video above). Don’t fight a statement piece with busy patterns.

• Opt for Raw Textures: Look for brushed silver, matte finish, molten gold, or pieces on cord and leather. That slight imperfection is what makes the jewelry look high-end and effortless, rather than cheap.

• Balance Bold with Boxy: Style aquatic motifs with structured, relaxed silhouettes. Think crisp trousers, easy shorts, lived-in denim, a flowy dress, or an oversized linen button-down. The juxtaposition between sea shapes and easy pieces is where the magic happens.

The Takeaway: You don’t need a whole new summer wardrobe. Sometimes, all it takes to refresh your favorite basics is a piece of jewelry that feels like a lucky find from the beach.

So…are you leaning into statement ocean pieces this season, or sticking to classic gold? Let’s chat in the comments!

Stay tuned for more…

xClaire

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And yet, despite knowing all of that, I have struggled with my body image for as long as I can remember.

I’ve always been one of the taller women in the room. I was a swimmer growing up and in college, which gifted me very broad shoulders and “bigger” arms that haven’t particularly shrunk since. I have close to no curves, and the scale tells me I’m quite big-boned. Not to mention, I love to eat, and I am not willing to completely give up bread and dessert every once in a while.

For some reason, despite all of the growth that has come from my journey in the last 10+ years, the positive self-talk I try to pump myself up with (and the gentle reminders from friends that my body is strong and healthy), I just cannot shake the feeling of not looking the way I feel I’m supposed to.

And as the weather warms up, this noise in my head has only gotten louder. Much louder.

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The New Beach Body

I want to preface this by noting that people’s choices are their own, and many take these medications for vital medical reasons. I find it incredible that science has found a way to help so many in need.

But it doesn’t take away the fact that, while it felt like we had come such a long way with body positivity, it feels like we have collectively regressed. The old “heroin-chic” of the 1990s has now been replaced with “Ozempic-chic.”

It’s sort of a “if you’re not first, you’re last” type of situation. Anyone can access these medications today, so the goalposts have shifted yet again. It feels like an unspoken social contract has changed just in time for towel-and-swimsuit season: When everyone suddenly has the option to be smaller, choosing not to chase that standard (or simply being unable to naturally fit into it) feels like a conscious failure. It’s no longer just about genetics; it’s about willpower, resources, and compliance.

The Runway Regression

This cultural shift didn’t happen in a vacuum. It has been eagerly, almost desperately, championed by the fashion industry at large.

For a brief moment in the late 2010s, it felt like fashion was finally opening its doors. We saw mid-size and plus-size models on major runways. Brands proudly touted “inclusive sizing.” But the moment GLP-1s became mainstream, the industry’s performative progress vanished overnight.

Suddenly, the ultra-thin, hanger-like frames of the 90s are back on the runways, and the message is clear: Inclusivity was just a trend; extreme thinness is the default.

And it's not just an aesthetic shift; it's a structural one. As highlighted by The Business of Fashion in their piece on how Ozempic is forcing the industry to rethink fit, brands are now actively planning their inventory and manufacturing under the assumption that their consumer base is shrinking. It has triggered a new kind of retail panic. Suddenly, I’m left wondering if a standard size 8, a size that is healthy, normal, and structurally necessary for my frame, is going to become an endangered species on the racks as brands shift their sizing downward.

As a broad-shouldered, athletic woman, shopping has always been a battle, but lately, it feels like a punishment. The clothes being designed right now are built for bodies that are meant to be draped, not bodies that hold muscle, weight, or structure. When you try on a dress that won’t zip over your back or cuts through your shoulders, the industry is telling you that your physical mass is a design flaw. They have aligned themselves with the pharmaceutical trend, creating a retail landscape where if you don’t shrink, you don’t fit.

The Weight of the Obsession

If I am being completely honest, this constant barrage, from the runways to our social feeds, has crossed over from an insecurity into a full-blown obsession.

It is the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing on my mind before I sleep. I find myself constantly scanning rooms, subtly comparing my shoulders to the woman next to me, measuring my body against a newly shrunken world. When I eat a piece of bread, there is a mental calculation; when I look in the mirror, there is a trial. The mental gymnastics required just to exist in my own skin have become exhausting. It’s a background hum of anxiety that never shuts off.

The obsession got so loud, and the mental fatigue so heavy, that I finally broke.

I decided to try it.

Two Shots

I told myself I just wanted to see what it was like to quiet the “food noise,” to quiet my own brain, and maybe shrink a little bit before the summer. I got my hands on a prescription and took the first shot.

I lasted exactly two weeks. Two shots.

Physically, my appetite slowed, but mentally, the lights completely went out. Almost immediately, I was plunged into a deep, heavy depression. One like I had never experienced before. I started having sudden panic attacks that left me gasping for air. Worst of all, really, really dark thoughts began creeping into my mind. The kind of thoughts that make you look at your own life and feel entirely hopeless.

I was terrified. I realized very quickly that the chemical trade-off to fit into a summer dress wasn’t just physical. It was costing me my sanity. I stopped taking it immediately, and as the medication left my system, the fog slowly lifted.

But the truly insidious part of this obsession? Even after touching that stove and getting severely burned, my brain still tried to bargain.

Over the last few months, I’ve found myself deep on Reddit, researching other brands. Maybe it was just that specific formulation, I reasoned. Maybe Wegovy or Zepbound wouldn’t touch my brain chemistry the same way. Maybe I could try just one more time, with a different name on the box.

I seriously considered it. I weighed the risk of another panic attack against the reward of a smaller silhouette. But ultimately, I’ve decided against it. I have to draw the line. I refuse to trade my mental peace, my joy, and my sanity just to fit into a cultural moment that doesn’t care about my well-being anyway.

Whiplash by the Water

That brief, scary experiment changed how I view this entire phenomenon. It made me realize the psychological whiplash we are putting ourselves through. For years, I was told to love my strength. I built a body that could cut through water. A body that is powerful, tall, and resilient. The pool used to be my sanctuary, the one place where my broad shoulders fit in.

But looking around the beach today, the cultural narrative has suddenly pivoted back to “skinny at all costs.” And my scary experience with the medication proved to me that the “easy fix” isn’t free.

When the world around you is rapidly shrinking, standing tall on the sand with broad shoulders and a healthy appetite feels exhausting. It’s a lonely kind of cognitive dissonance: knowing intellectually that my body is capable and healthy, while emotionally mourning a biological blueprint that will never align with a chemically-assisted aesthetic trend.

Ultimately, this new era has exposed a harsh truth: our collective obsession with thinness wasn’t cured by the body-positivity movement of the 2010s; it was just dormant, waiting for a technological catalyst.

And while I genuinely applaud the medical breakthroughs helping those who need it, I’m left trying to quiet the noise in my own head this summer. I am trying to remind myself that my worth shouldn’t be measured by how much space I am willing to give up, especially when the cost of shrinking is far too high to pay.

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How are you navigating the changing cultural conversation around our bodies this summer? Does beach season feel different to you lately? Let’s talk.

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The Big Five

1. Gundari: Folegandros, Greece

• The Vibe: Raw, cliffside Cycladic minimalism. It’s the anti-Mykonos.

• Why it’s perfect for late summer: Folegandros is a quiet, windswept island that feels untouched by mass tourism. Gundari is built directly into the rugged cliffs, designed by Block722 with private infinity pools for every single suite. September here is absolute heaven: the Aegean is warm, and the wind finally dies down.

• The Insider Detail: The food is designed by Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou, and the resort utilizes ancient Greek wellness rituals at its cliffside spa.

• The Island Bonus: Skip the local car rentals. Gundari has its own fleet of electric mini-Mokes and e-bikes for exploring. Alternatively, have the concierge book a half-day trip on the Gundari luxury boat to swim in the hidden, inaccessible sea caves and coves around Folegandros.

• The Packing Edit: Zero-fuss, windy-island chic. Folegandros is famously breezy and steep, so leave the slip dresses and stilettos at home.

  • Day: Textured linen button-downs, a good bathing suit, and a wide-brim straw hat with a chin strap to survive the gusts.

  • Night: Oversized cotton kaftans, leather gladiator sandals with good tread (essential for walking the steep stone paths of the Chora), and a chunky knit sweater or light jacket for when the temperature drops at sunset.

    

2. The Newt: Somerset, UK

• The Vibe: The ultimate reimagined English country estate.

• Why it’s perfect for late summer: If you want to skip the intense heat and crowds, head to Somerset. Late August and September bring harvest season to their stunning gardens and orchards. It’s the perfect place to wrap yourself in a linen knit, wander the woods, and drink freshly pressed estate cider.

• The Insider Detail: Book a room in the Farmyard, a secluded outpost half a mile from the main house with its own pool, lounge, and all-day farm kitchen.

• The Travel Bonus: If you are coming from London, don't drive. Book The Newt’s Great Western Railway package. They have a partnership where you board a first-class carriage at London Paddington, get served a full Newt-style breakfast on board, and are met at the Castle Cary station by their estate drivers. Your luggage is whisked straight to your room while you head off to explore the gardens.

• The Packing Edit: “Town & Country” heritage pieces with a practical, modern edge.

  • Day: A classic wax jacket (like Barbour) or a light utility jacket, sturdy leather Chelsea boots for walking the cider orchards, and a good pair of jeans paired with elevated striped tees.

  • Night: Unstructured linen blazers, an a-line midi dress, and a chic kitten heel. You want to look put-together but entirely effortless by the fireplace.

    

3. Zannier Île de Bendor: Bandol, France

• The Vibe: An intimate Provençal island sanctuary wrapped in Mediterranean elegance.

• Why it’s perfect for late summer: This tiny private island off the coast of Bandol was once the playground of Paul Ricard. Arnaud Zannier has transformed it into a masterpiece of three distinct neighborhood aesthetics (Delos, Soukana, and Madrague). It’s how you do the South of France without the crowds of Saint-Tropez.

• The Insider Detail: Pack your bags with Bardot-inspired stripes and gingham. Spend your afternoon between the 30-meter lap pool and the outdoor clay tennis courts.

• The Upgrade: The island has three distinct micro-neighborhoods. For the ultimate retro coastal experience, request a villa in Madrague, which is styled like an old-school Mediterranean fisherman’s village right on the water's edge, or book a cliffside suite in Soukana if you want completely uninterrupted, dramatic sea views and private plunge pools.

• The Packing Edit: Playful, retro-inspired French elegance. This private island screams vintage 1960s Côte d’Azur.

  • Day: High-waisted swimsuits, oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses, a silk scarf to tie in your hair, and crochet cover-ups.

  • Night: Crisp white tailored linen trousers, silk halter tops, and leather sandals. For dinner at the signature restaurant, keep it simple and striking with clean lines and a monochromatic color palette.

  

4. Forestis: Dolomites, Italy

• The Vibe: High-altitude, minimalist sanctuary.

• Why it’s perfect for late summer: Placed 1,800 meters up in the UNESCO Dolomites, this eco-hideaway is a literal breath of fresh air. August and September are the best months for alpine hiking and stargazing by the fire pits. The floor-to-ceiling glass suites make you feel like you’re sleeping in the treetops.

• The Insider Detail: Drink the local Plose mountain spring water served in stone carafes in your room, and try their “Wyda” yoga, a centuries-old Celtic practice.

• The Mountain Bonus: The hotel sits right on the edge of the Plose mountain trail network. Skip packing heavy hiking gear; the hotel provides high-end backpacks, trekking poles, and curated digital trail maps for guests. Have the kitchen pack you an gourmet picnic basket, and take the lift up for a sunset hike when the peaks turn their famous pastel pink.

• The Packing Edit: Elevated, technical mountain-wear meets spa minimalism.

  • Day & Post-Hike: Premium activewear (think high-end technical layers), sturdy but stylish trail-hiking boots, and a lightweight windbreaker. Pack your favorite plush loungewear and slides for moving between the indoor-outdoor pools and the silent relaxation rooms.

  • Night: Cozy cashmere mock-necks, heavy wool trousers, and minimalist sneakers. The dress code here is deeply relaxed, warm, and hyper understated.

  

5. Masseria Torre Maizza: Puglia, Italy

• The Vibe: An indulgent, 16th-century whitewashed estate surrounded by ancient olive groves.

• Why it’s perfect for late summer: Puglia is best in September when the August crowds depart, leaving the sea warm and the beach clubs empty. This Rocco Forte property offers the perfect blend of rustic Puglian charm (think hand-embroidered linens and stone bathrooms) and high-end resort service.

• The Insider Detail: Head down to their private Lido Bambù beach club for a late lunch of fresh coastal seafood, then return to the hotel for an evening cocktail under the Bougainvillea arches.

• The Evening Bonus: Before heading to dinner under the vaulted ceilings of Carosello (the main restaurant set in the property's former 16th-century stables), head up to their rooftop bar. It is one of the few spots in the area with elevated views that stretch across the rolling green golf course and straight out to the Adriatic Sea. Order a local Salento spritz right as the sun goes down.

• The Packing Edit: Effortless Italian coastal glamour.

  • Day: Colorful linen resort-wear, retro-cut swim bikinis, and a great pair of slides for transitioning from the pool to their private beach club.

  • Night: Airy linen maxi-dresses and leather mules. The color palette here is sun-bleached terracotta, olive greens, and crisp whites to match the masseria’s limestone walls.

  

  There’s some relief in booking something last minute. It completely bypasses the pressure of over-planning, over-packing, and high expectations. You just throw a few things in a bag, get on a flight, and figure it out when you land

  Whether you’re hiding out in the quiet peaks of the Dolomites or drinking cider in Somerset, I hope you squeeze every last drop of warmth out of this season.

  Stay tuned for more!

  xClaire

  Leave a comment

  Where are you running away to this August or September?

  Leave a comment and let me know! I’d love to help you map out your itinerary.

But this summer, everything changed. In a world where our daily lives can feel incredibly siloed by screens and algorithms, live sports have done something rare: they have forced us to stand in the same room. Whether you were swept up in the electric, city-wide magic of the New York Knicks’ historic championship run, watched the elegance of Wimbledon, or are currently riding the wave of the World Cup taking over North America, we’ve all been dialed into the same moment. You can feel it in the air: packed bars on a Tuesday afternoon, coworkers huddling around laptops to catch a midday match, and strangers high-fiving in the street.

And we aren’t just watching these matches anymore; we’re wearing them. The sudden, serious focus on World Cup style this year isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s an extension of that same desire to connect. People are transforming what used to be simple fan gear into deliberate, deeply personal statements that reshape our everyday wardrobes. When we dress up, we are making our belonging visible. We aren’t just showing team loyalty; we are participating in a global ritual. We are dressing to say: I am here, I am part of this crowd, & this moment matters.

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The Designer Takeover: The Collections Redefining the Game

Because this energy is so magnetic, the world’s most creative fashion designers aren’t just watching from the sidelines, they are actively using the World Cup as inspiration for their most exciting, completely sold out collections of the year. They are taking the classic, athletic soccer silhouette and translating it into pieces we might want to wear to dinner, to work, and on the weekend.

Here are a few standout brands that are rewriting the rules of “fan gear” this summer:

1. Stella Jean: L’Haitiana

Haitian-Italian designer Stella Jean has created what many are calling the ultimate intersection of football and high fashion. Her L’Haitiana capsule reimagines Haiti’s national football jersey through a luxury lens. Jean took the iconic national colors and transformed them into hand-stitched polo jerseys and couture-adjacent dresses. Styled with intricate textures and vibrant Caribbean-inspired fabrics, it turns a sports uniform into a gorgeous statement of heritage and pride.

2. Tombolo: The Resort-Wear Watch Party

NY-based resort brand Tombolo dropped an officially licensed FIFA World Cup 2026 collection that is a massive hit for hot summer match days. They ditched synthetic polyester, and created custom-milled organic terry cloth cabana shirts. The standout is the USA Cabana, featuring a double-welt zip "USA" appliquéd across the chest, and a gorgeous NY/NJ skyline chain-stitched on the sleeve. It’s retro, luxurious, and designed for long summer watch parties.

3. Levi’s x U.S. Soccer

If you want to wear the national colors without looking like you’re about to run onto the pitch, Levi’s created the perfect solution. Their collaboration brings classic Americana denim to the fan wardrobe, featuring red denim jackets and classic ringer tees. It’s subtle, incredibly wearable, and fits seamlessly into any daily wardrobe.

4. Nike x Jacquemus

Over in Europe, the luxury houses are completely taking over. Jacquemus teamed up with Nike to design a sleek, slightly cheeky collection for France's national team, bringing their signature French-Riviera aesthetic straight to the sidelines. (ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!)

5. Loewe x Spain

Meanwhile, Madrid-based Loewe has stepped onto the pitch to officially dress Spain’s squad in premium tailoring and fine leather goods off the field, proving that athletic representation is now a high-fashion endeavor.

Joining the Crowd

What’s most profound about this shift is that it isn’t actually about the clothes at all. It’s about the desire to belong to something larger than ourselves. For a long time, sports fandom felt like an exclusive club with a high barrier to entry. You had to know the rules, the player stats, and the history just to pull up a chair. But this summer has broken those barriers down.

People who never considered themselves sports fans are suddenly leaning in, buying the jerseys, and wearing the colors. They aren’t doing it because they’ve suddenly become tactical soccer experts; they are doing it because they want to hold onto the warmth of this collective moment.

Pulling on a retro track jacket or a colorful jersey is a passport to the party. It is a way of saying, I want to feel this, too. In a world that can often feel fragmented and distant, wearing your team on your sleeve has transitioned from a simple game-day costume into a shared language of connection. It’s a stylish acknowledgment to every stranger you pass on the street that, at least for this one summer, we are all in this together.

—

As we head into a week of finals games, who are you rooting for, and what are you wearing?

Hit reply or leave a comment below.

Leave a comment

Stay tuned for more…

xClaire

Somewhere in your closet is an area you’ve sectioned off for easy, throw-on button downs. They get worn to lunch, occasionally to an interview, sometimes thrown over a swimsuit when you can’t be bothered, and sometimes even as a “sh-acket.” I wear button downs more often than I wear t-shirts, mostly because they’re comfortable and typically make me feel slightly more put together. That said, I often style them the same way: buttons in the front, a little slouchy. Which is a shame, because a button down is one of the only pieces in your wardrobe with actual range, and most of us only ever use one setting.

Ahead of your summer travels, this is also one of the easiest ways to maximize what you pack. One shirt, several outfits. Invest in a few good ones, because you’re about to read about several different ways to wear them and make the most of that investment.

But first, here are a few of my favorite button downs out there. These will be the canvases to the styling tricks that come later in this letter.

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Cropped and Covered

Firstly, I will caveat that it is better to size up (sometimes twice) in order to acheive this look to the best of its ability. A button-down was not engineered with your shoulder blades in mind, and one a bit too small will fight you all night. & just so you know, this is the styling equivalent of walking into a room and saying “I meant to do that”.

Spin the shirt around so the buttons trail down your spine instead of your sternum, play with it at the front so that it’s tight on your abdomen, and tie it at the back. Once tied, hide the knot underneath so as to not let it show.

Pair with a pair of vintage jeans (like the video below), an A-Line skirt, heck, even a pencil skirt will do. This can also be very chic with a flowy wide legged trouser and a kitten heel and some sort of chunky earring.

The No-Sew Skirt

This is the one that made me feel like I’d cracked a code. Your shirt has been a skirt this entire time, hiding in plain sight, and you don’t need scissors or a sewing machine to prove it.

Give yourself a slightly oversized shirt to work with, or borrow one from a man in your life. Begin by buttoning up the lower buttons and step inside the shirt the way you would step into a regular skirt. Once it’s around your waist, button up more buttons until you can’t anymore. Finally, tie the sleeves together at the waist and you’re ready to roll.

Wear it over a bodysuit, a tank, or another button down, and some sandals or heels on the toe. This is a perfect vacation outfit, especially at the beach.

That’s a Wrap

The next iteration requires a few tools: an oversized shirt, a hair-tie, and something circular, such as the top of a jar. Take your button-down shirt and gather the extra fabric at one hip. No need to button any of the buttons up for this one!

Once you’ve gathered the fabric, hold it together and place the circular object on the inside of the shirt, holding both layers together. Once you’ve played around with the pieces and have them secured, take your hair tie and tie it around the circle. Make sure the knot feels tight enough that the top doesn’t come apart over the course of the evening.

Feel free to button up a few of the top buttons for more coverage, or wear it with a lace bralette underneath for something a little more fun and flirty. I like this iteration with jeans, but also with a flared mini skirt, or over a pair of flared trousers. Because of the flared detail at the waist, something structured and tight at the waist is best.

Two More For Good Measure

1. You likely have seen this one, but tying a button down around your waist is very trendy this summer. It creates a bit more dimension to an otherwise casual outfit, and it’s a good opportunity to inject more texture and color into your look. A striped or plaid shirt tied over a solid tee does more visual work than almost anything else in this list, for basically zero effort.

   The trick is in the knot placement: tie it slightly off-center at the hip rather than dead center, and leave it a little loose rather than cinched tight, so it moves instead of sitting stiff. This looks good with silk trousers, some sort of slide shoe, and a vintage t-shirt. Fun accessories, a cool hat, and you’re ready to go run your laundry list of errands.

   See some examples below.

   

2. Securing your button-down with a beautiful brooch is also a great way to accessorize an otherwise "plain" outfit. Rather than buttoning the shirt shut, wrap it similarly to the “That’s a Wrap” example above, and pin the two front panels together one of the sides. You can also put the brooch on the back of the shirt, button the buttons at the front, for a more cinched shirt look.

   nb. A vintage or oversized brooch reads more intentional than a delicate one here. You want it to actually be seen and also hold the shirt together. Pair with straight-leg trousers or a slip skirt, and let the brooch be the one jazzy detail in an otherwise pared-back look. Perfect for my minimalist friends.

   See some examples below.

   

So…

Next time you feel completely uninspired, turn the button down around, tie it up, wrap it, fold it into a skirt, pin it, cinch it. One shirt. So many outfits. The only real risk is that you’ll never look at a plain button-down the same way again.

It’s also the best case I can make for buying a few really good ones instead of a drawer full of forgettable ones. You’re getting a lot more mileage per wear than you think. Consider this your official invitation to start restyling your pieces, especially your button downs.

—

Stay tuned for more…

xClaire

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If you know me, you know I’m always on the hunt: scrolling, digging through the deep end of a brand's site, clicking through someone’s outfit photo to find where that one perfect piece came from. Once a month, you’ll find the pieces I've spotted and saved, the things I've added to cart from bed at midnight, the items I've talked myself out of, and the occasional splurge I can't stop thinking about.

Some of it I’ve bought and lived with long enough to vouch for. & some I’m still just admiring from afar, waiting for the right excuse to pull the trigger. Either way, it all earns its spot here because it is definitely worth the hunt.

Expect a little of everything: clothing and accessories, the small things that make a home feel like yours, beauty products worth the hype, plus whatever odds and ends that have caught my eye this month. So, consider this your standing invitation to shop with me once a month, and the edit can be found here!

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FOR THE HOME

Hosting a dinner? Headed to someone else’s home for a party and need to bring a gift? These are the things that can make a home truly feel like home. Whether you're picking up something for yourself or for a friend, the finds below are sure to put a smile on every time.

FOR THE BEACH

Beach holiday on the horizon? Posting up poolside all summer? You'll want an oversized tote, a fun swimsuit, a game or two to pass the time, and everything in between.

FOR SWEATY NIGHTS OUT UNTIL DAWN

Long summer nights, good food, cold rosé, and ideally an outfit worth showing up in. Below you'll find a mix of vintage, emerging designers, and a few established names worth the splurge.

FOR DEWY APRES-SUN SKIN

Last but not least, your after-sun routine will thank you down the line. Shop a few of my favorite beauty products, plus the cozies and underpinnings made for lounging before you head out again.

See you next week!

xClaire

Lee Radziwill never had the title or the headlines her sister did, but ask anyone who actually works in fashion who they’d want to dress like, and her name comes up before Jackie’s almost every time. She was an interior designer, a socialite, a princess for a moment, but, more than any of that, she was one of the most stylish women of the last century. The kind of stylish that never goes out of style.

What made her an icon wasn’t a single famous outfit. It was rather that she’d figured out a formula and stuck to it for decades. She wasn’t chasing trends or reinventing herself every season. She knew exactly what looked good on her, bought it well, and wore it until it felt like a signature. That kind of consistency is rarer than any one great look, and it’s the reason her style still reads as modern half a century later.

I personally adore her style, especially in summer. So here’s everything I’ve learned from Lee, and how to actually wear it this during the dog days.

if you don’t love to read, click here to shop A Very Lee Radziwill Summer Edit.

If there’s a single thing to take from Lee, her style, and this post, it’s this: subtraction first, then one deliberate yes.

While most people mistakenly add layer upon layer, mixing prints, trends, and accessories until the look feels overly busy, Lee built her wardrobe on a relaxed, high-quality foundation. By keeping the base calm with a monochromatic set or a plain caftan, she ensured her entire outfit was never loud or over the top. This laid-back-ness is exactly what allowed a single, bold choice, like a chunky earring or her signature oval sunglasses, to actually land correctly.

The foundation she re-wore on repeat

As I said, Lee was loyal to a few good basics, as long as the quality was there. This is where I’d start if you want to build the look:

Tailored white trousers. Not skinny, not trendy, but a clean, slightly relaxed leg that sits at the waist. I love these for the cut, and these if you want the linen version for July.

A white tee and a knit. The unsung heroes. Buy them better than you think you need to, because in a simple outfit, the quality makes the outfit. My white tee pick is here, and the lightweight knit I keep rebuying is here (use code CLAIREXCO for 15% off).

A shift dress. One of the most Lee thing you can own. This one is the closest I’ve found to her exact spirit. This is super cute too.

What makes it all come together is it’s proportion. She’d take something loose, such as wide-leg linen trousers, and pair it with something slim and simple on top, so the volume read as very deliberate. And she was wearing flats and loafers in the daytime long before the rest of us decided heels were optional. These gorgeous flats are an investment but incredible, a perfect Capri sandal for summer, or these loafers are the move.

Her summer signature: The Caftan

This is the part most people get wrong. We file caftans under “beach cover-up” and never think about them again. Lee wore one to dinner like it was the most natural thing in the world, and therefore, looked like the most glamorous thing in the room.

The key is a caftan that actually skims you rather than swallows you (a great shirtdress yields the same effect) in a solid color or a subtle print. This is the one I’d buy. It works over a swimsuit at lunch or on its own at night. A neutral one is the most versatile, but a soft print is very her too, especially if you let it have its moment and keep everything else subtle.

The pieces she went big on

Everything above is the base. Here’s where Lee really made her mark.

A statement earring or necklace. This was her main move. A substantial earring or necklace, and then almost nothing else competing with it. A cocktail ring works too.

The oval tortoiseshell sunglasses. Oversized and slightly retro. This is possibly the most recognizably accessory she owned, and the easiest piece of the whole look to borrow. This pair is the spirit of it without the vintage hunt.

A simple bag: Fun fact, Tory Burch, who knew Lee personally, sent her a handbag she'd designed. Lee liked it so much she came back a few weeks later and asked for it in red. Here is that bag, which is still sold today, but the Balenciaga Rodeo gives the same effect, and if you want to go all out for the Hermès Kelly, be my guest.

Tory Burch Caftan, Sylvia Toledano Necklace, Jennifer Behr Earrings, Jacques Marie Mage Bangle, Kallmeyer Blazer, Flore Flore T-Shirt, Underwater Weaving Bag, Alaia Sunglasses, Les Vacances D’Irina Breton Top, Manolo Blahnik Flats, Toteme Trousers, Kinderbrook Basket, Eliou Pearl Earrings, Alaia Earrings, Pucci Caftan, Balenciaga Bag, Manolo Blahnik Sandals, Anita Berisha Pearl Earrings. Shop ALL here.

So…

If you take one thing, make sure to keep things simple. Build a small, good-quality base (a capsule if you will), then choose your one piece or accessory that becomes your signature this summer. Not to mention, your suitcase will thank you.

Shop the whole edit here & stay tuned for more!

xClaire

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For a while now, summer dressing has been dominated by a very specific look: stiff cotton poplins, clean linen trousers, and neat, understated basics. It’s a great uniform, but after a few seasons, it can start to feel a little flat.

Right now, there’s a shift toward something with a lot more texture and personality. The girls whose style I always look to are bypassing the standard safe linens and reaching for lace.

To be clear, this isn’t the sweet, ultra-prim lace of ten years ago. The current approach is much more undone. It’s sheer lace trousers worn under a vintage blazer or light jacket, or a delicate lace slip hem peeking out from beneath a boxy, oversized tee. It’s less about 'dressing up' and more about adding a bit of friction to an otherwise simple outfit.

On the Runway

The recent collections laid the groundwork for this, showing us just how versatile the fabric can be when it’s taken out of its usual context.

At Chloé, Chemena Kamali brought back a sense of undone, bohemian luxury that felt completely effortless: lots of flowing, romantic white lace which moved in all types of directions. Over at Prada and Miu Miu, Miuccia Prada took the opposite route, using lace as a tool for contrast. She layered delicate lace inserts against rugged, utilitarian outerwear and sporty separates.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Anderson at Loewe treated lace almost like a structural statement, and Phoebe Philo has been styling sheer lace trousers in a way that feels grounded and powerful. The takeaway from all of them is the same: lace doesn’t belong strictly in evening wear or bridal salons anymore.

A Quick History Lesson

What makes lace so interesting to style right now is its history. Centuries ago, it was the ultimate status symbol, purely because it was so labor-intensive and expensive to produce. It was restricted to royalty and the aristocracy.

But fashion always loops back on itself. By the time the 90s arrived, the grunge movement completely subverted the fabric. Icons of that era took vintage, torn lace slips and threw them on over combat boots and oversized flannels. It flipped the script on the idea that lace had to look neat or modest.

Today’s look is a direct descendant of that 90s mentality, just polished up a bit. We’re taking a texture historically tied to extreme wealth and formality and wearing it casually in the city or on holiday.

Why It Belongs in Your Suitcase

Beyond how good it looks, lace is perfect for summer travel. If you’re trying to pack light, linen is notoriously demanding. It takes up space and wrinkles the second it hits your suitcase.

Lace is the exact opposite. It folds down into nothing, weighs a fraction of a pound, and actually looks better with a little bit of movement and life in it. A sheer lace dress takes you from a beach cover-up over a swimsuit straight to dinner with a quick swap of shoes and maybe even a jacket. It’s high impact for your looks with almost zero packing effort.

The Styling Formula

The secret to wearing lace right now is in the art of the contrast. If you wear it head-to-toe with delicate heels, it reads as far too sweet. The magic happens when you pair it with its complete opposite.

• The Hard/Soft Mix: Wear a sheer lace maxi skirt or dress with a masculine blazer or jacket. The difference in the weight of the fabrics is what makes the outfit work.

• The New Casual: Try wide-leg lace pants styled casually with a crisp, structured men’s cotton button-down and a pair of flat leather slides or flip flops.

• Texture as a Layer: Treat a lace camisole or top the same way you would a basic white tee. Let it peek out from beneath a relaxed denim jacket, letting the texture add depth to an otherwise simple look.

• The Low-Lift Accessories: If you aren’t ready to commit to a full lace item of clothing, small details are low lift but high reward. Think a vintage lace bandana tied in your hair or around your neck, a sheer lace sock peeking out of a loafer, a scrunchie or bow, or a delicate lace trim on a bag. It breaks up a simple cotton or denim outfit instantly without feeling forced.

What I love about lace is that it creates interest almost automatically. The transparency, the shadow, the hint of skin. It breaks up an outfit without overwhelming it. It's one of the easiest ways to make summer dressing feel a little less predictable, with just a simple twist. LET’S SEE THE LACE!

Stay tuned for more!

x

Claire

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Maybe some of you know me. Maybe you’re brand new here. Either way, I’m really glad you’re here.

Last September, I lost my job. At the time it felt like the rug had been ripped out from under me. In hindsight, it might be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

By a strange bit of timing, it happened just as Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill were releasing their book, All the Cool Girls Get Fired. I was searching for anything to hold onto. Anything to make me feel like I wasn’t the only person this had ever happened to. Here were two women I’d looked up to for years, in fashion no less, who had been through the exact same thing and come out the other side stronger. That book found me at the right moment. (It also, as you’ll see, ended up being the inspiration behind my top performing reel series.)

The truth is, that at the time, I felt completely defeated. Rejected. & Honestly, ashamed and embarrassed. I was starting from scratch, and not by choice.

Here’s something I don’t usually lead with: I’ve struggled with addiction for which I’ve now been in recovery from for a long time. I share that because shopping was my first addiction, long before I ever knew to call it that. The funny, complicated thing is that the very thing that once nearly ran my life is also the thing I love most: clothes, design, the thrill of the hunt. With that said, recovery hasn’t taken fashion away from me. If anything, it’s changed what I’m actually hunting for: not the high of buying, but the craft, the history, the story behind a piece. The hunt is still endless. It just means something different now.

So I started posting. In an age where we’re all glued to our phones — me very much included — putting my career in fashion online felt like the obvious next move. And I’ll be honest: social media is brand new to me. I’m learning every single day, mostly by getting it wrong first. Some days that feels exciting, like I’m building something real. Other days it drags up my deepest insecurities and I have to talk myself off the ledge of deleting the whole thing. I’m telling you that because I don’t want to pretend I have it all figured out. I don’t. I’m doing it scared.

I began on TikTok. It didn’t take off, but I kept at it. Then one day my dear friend Chloe, a wildly talented, genuinely hilarious comedian, looked at me and went, “Bro. You need to post on Instagram. That’s your demographic.”

I was terrified. I couldn’t picture a world where I’d put myself out there on what felt like the real internet (TikTok felt like an abyss where I could hide). When I said “no freaking chance”, Chloe’s response? Something to the effect of: “K. Well, good luck with your career.”

Fair enough.

So I didn’t really see a choice. I’d spent over ten years building a life in this industry. Nearly four years on the buying team at Moda Operandi, a string of roles with emerging designers, a detour into food styling, styling gigs here and there, and most recently building an online personal styling platform (the very job I got the boot from). But through all of it, my real passions have stayed the same: discovery, the joy of bringing people along on the hunt, and helping them look and feel their absolute best. Finding the new, the under-the-radar, the up-and-coming, and then handing it to someone and watching it become theirs. That’s the whole thing for me. The hunt only matters once it’s shared.

We all know the Bottegas and Pradas and Guccis and Chanels of the world. We love them. They’re north stars for so many of us and brands with such histories. But the real magic in fashion, to me, has always lived in the things not everyone has. The unique. The unexpected.

We live in a world drowning in sameness. But that same world is also full of treasures, if you’re willing to dig: incredible secondhand pieces with a past, brands tucked into every corner of the globe, creatives and small business owners & designers pouring everything into work that deserves to be seen.

Which brings me here.

I started The Endless Hunt on Instagram in late November, right after Chloe’s pep talk. And it turns out she was right. Since then, I’ve built a community I genuinely love, grown a personal styling client roster that keeps surprising me, connected with brands all over the world, and met some of the most creative, curious, passionate people I’ve ever come across.

The thing that’s resonated most? A series I call “5 Brands the Cool Girls Are Wearing”, a direct wink at the book that got me through that first stretch of doom and gloom. It’s far and away my top-performing content, and it tells me something simple: people are hungry to be let in on what’s good before it’s everywhere.

That’s exactly what this newsletter is for. Here, I get to go deeper than a caption allows, building on the brands I’ve already shared, pulling back the curtain on so many more, and giving each one the room it deserves. Expect the new names worth knowing before everyone else does, the trends actually worth your attention (and the ones to skip), the secondhand finds I can’t stop thinking about, and the fashion history that explains why any of it matters in the first place. It’ll be raw and honest (you’ve probably gathered that’s just how I come), but make no mistake, the fashion is the point, and helping you look and feel your best is the reason behind all of it.

If that sounds like your kind of thing, I hope you’ll stick around. The best finds are always the ones you didn’t see coming.

So, welcome to The Endless Hunt. Subscribe to come along for the ride, and reply anytime with the brands and finds you can’t stop thinking about, and what you might be looking for.

& stay tuned for your weekly newsletter + follow for more

x Claire