Hi discerning shoppers! It’s Alex, welcoming you back to our 3rd edition of Shop or Skip, our quick and simple series where we share items we’ve recently bought and loved (or didn’t!) to help you make smarter shopping decisions on the daily.

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1 & 2. THE GAP KNIT TEE AND THE LA LIGNE BRETON LONG SLEEVE

I love a stripe. If I were to wear one outfit for the rest of my life, it would be a striped shirt, green pants, and New Balance sneakers. A year-ish ago, I purchased the La Ligne Breton Long Sleeve in the Ecro/Light blue combo (pictured above right). And there’s so much I love about it—the weight of the cotton, the grosgrain detail along the side seam, the perfect light blue stripe and creamy ivory base. But I have one major complaint: the sleeves are SO long. Like, so long I can’t even cook while wearing this shirt because the sleeves get in the way. So if you’re 5’3” like me, this may not be the shirt for you. That said, I still wear it often, just not when I need my hands to be functional. I’m considering getting it tailored—but do we think it’s worth it?

Meanwhile, I’ve been on the hunt for a more functional striped long sleeve for fall, and absolutely LOVE this one I just ordered from Gap (pictured above left). The crop hits me perfectly at the waist and the sleeves are just right, thank you very much. Highly recommend! I got a M regular not petite.

I’ve also been curious about…

• The AYR early mornings tee

THE VERDICT: SHOP THE GAP TEE / SKIP THE LA LIGNE IF YOU HAVE SHORT ARMS LIKE ME (SAD!)

3. THE SHOP CADETS POPLIN PANT

There is no pant I’ve seen influencers wear more this summer than the Shop Cadets Poplin pant. Shop Cadets’ marketing is really good and I was influenced—I set a notification for their late-July restock and pressed order as quickly as I could! The patterns are SO cute and the pants are just $128, which is pretty reasonable for a smaller brand.

Sadly these pants just did not work for me AT ALL. I ordered the brown stripe because I thought this color combo would transition well from late-summer into fall, but I ended up feeling like a train conductor. I ordered a medium, and the way the waist hit made me feel like I was wearing a diaper, and the pants flared out below my ankle like a bell bottom. I posted about these pants on TikTok, and semi-helpful commenters told me to size up (lol). Since I didn’t love the pattern I decided to return these pants and leave them to the influencers with long legs.

THE VERDICT: SKIP :(

4. THE GAP POPLIN EASY PANT

After our deep-dive into the Leset Kyoto Carpenter pant, I’d consider myself an expert on the ever-trendy cotton poplin pant. Drawn in by the siren song of butter yellow, I ordered these ones from Gap in a M. They came, and… they’re fine. There’s nothing truly wrong with them, per se, but they just don’t flatter my 5’3” frame. They hit me a little weird around the midsection (like the Shop Cadet pants), and they’re a touch too long. My Gen-Z sister told me to just “wear them lower” and lean into it, but I knew I’d just be fidgeting with them. Returned!

THE VERDICT: SKIP :(

5. OLD NAVY TODDLER CARGO PANTS

While standing in an extremely long line at Old Navy to buy pants for my 18-month-old, I realized that it’s back to school shopping season! It’s so weird to be out of the seasonal cycle (my daughter goes to daycare year-round). The weather is already cooling down here in Maine and my daughter has grown out of her pants, so I fought my way through the crowds to grab the cutest cargo pants in green and a floral pattern. Someone at Old Navy is trend-watching because the green pants look just like the pair I own (I won’t match with her, but I COULD).

THE VERDICT: SHOP AT OLD NAVY FOR YA BABY!

WINDOW SHOPPING: SHOULD I BUY THE PEPPER HOME SAGE GINGHAM BED?

We just moved into our first house so I’m on a shopping hiatus while we attempt to furnish it. I’m currently debating the merits of this (very expensive) gingham bed. It feels like my English countryside dreams come to life, but will I get sick of it? Should I stick to a classic that will age with us? It’s $$$ and I want to be sure. Please enjoy my very rudimentary mock up an design lovers, advise!

Also pictured:

• Pottery Barn lamps

• Garnet Hill bedding

• Garnet Hill side tables

• Ernesta rug

Izzy’s Note: Yes, Alex. You should buy that bed. I fully endorse.

We hope you found this shop or skip newsletter helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? Or another trend should try? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

Hi and welcome to the 12th(!!) edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine what’s actually worth it.

That’s where The Find comes in. Each week, we’ll pick one “trending” item and take an analytical look at it, prioritizing good fabrics, versatility, fit, and cost-per-wear. This week, we’re reviewing a sweater that I think everyone needs as we head into fall: The Alex Mill Taylor Cardigan.

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ALEX MILL TAYLOR (ROLL NECK) CARDIGAN

Around this time every August, as the 97% humidity plasters my hair to the back of my neck day after day, I start to turn my attention to autumn. I get excited seeing pumpkin spice reappear at my local coffee shop’s menu (even though it’s too early). I relish in the image of me stepping outside to walk my pup to feel the smallest chill — the type of prickly chill that pushes me back inside to grab the perfect sweater.

And let me tell you: I think the Alex Mill Taylor Cardigan, along with my other roll-neck sweaters from Simons and J Crew will be my go-to sweaters this season. Here’s why:

1. WHERE YOU’VE SEEN THE ALEX MILL TAYLOR CARDIGAN

and more generally, the roll-neck (also referred to as the funnel-neck sweater).

If you’ve been online shopping recently, you’ve probably noticed this one neckline appear repeatedly. Affectionally known as “funnel-neck” or “roll-neck” sweaters, this neck are surging in popularity. Trendalytics reported an 875% increase in searches for funnel neck jackets compared to the previous year. Funnel-neck trenches saw a 527% increase in searches.

This style began with jackets and trenches, and quickly was incorporated in cardigans ranging in style, material (cotton, cashmere, wool), and price point.

With a raised, more structured collar, roll-neck (or funnel-neck) sweaters offer a sleek yet relaxed silhouette that looks good on everyone (I mean it).

The Alex Mill Taylor Cardigan is the first roll-neck to appear in searches, and have been consistently acclaimed for their quality, softness, longevity, and silhouette. Let’s get into it.

2. SHAPE, FIT, FABRIC, AND VERSATILITY

Shape and Fit

I love, love, love, love the fit and feel of this cardigan. I tried the Cotton Cashmere version in a size small (I like my sweaters on the looser side) and the fit was perfect.

Simply put, it feels luxurious. And frankly, for the price tag it should!

Fabric

Alex Mill makes two roll-neck sweaters (or versions of the Taylor sweater): The Taylor Cardigan Cotton Cashmere ($178) and the Taylor Cardigan in Washed Cashmere ($328). I tried the cotton cashmere (hello cost) and can confirm the sweater is so softtttt and feels a bit sturdier than the Washed Cashmere would due to it being 95% cotton and 5% cashmere (rather than the 100% Grade-A, 7-gauge knit cashmere of the washed cashmere cardigan).

The stitching is incredibly tight which ups the quality and feel of the sweater — especially since so many sweaters loosen up significantly over time.

**Author’s Note on Pilling***

While this sweater is new to me, Alex’s sister has owned this sweater since March and has yet to experience pilling or pulling — a win!

The same cannot be said for my comp Striped Funnel Neck Cardigans ($57) from Simon’s. I’ve owned two of these cardigans since June and they are already pilling a bunch — definitely due to their fabric composition (61% reprocessed polyester +15% nylon + 15% acrylic + 6% wool + 3% spandex).

Versatility

The roll-neck cardigans are perfect for every occasion. I’ve been wearing mine all summer long, on work calls, to the beach in the evening, to the airport, and out to dinner in Northern Michigan’s temperate summer.

The roll-neck (whether it’s the AM Taylor or comparable cardigans) looks fantastic buttoned all the way up, open or partially buttoned. I’ve rocked it over dresses, with shorts and jeans, or over the shoulders as a precaution to a chilly night. I even brought it to a wedding as a “shawl” of sorts back in May.

The Taylor comes in 15 color-ways (7 of which are striped) so you can pick a fun statement sweater or something more neutral that goes with everything. I have the sand roll-neck (my staple sweater that goes with anything) and a funkier funnel-neck in mint/pistachio green from Simons (which to be fair, is also pretty versatile).

Alex’s note: Okay, at this point in the newsletter you’ve convinced me. I need this sweater!!!

Left: Alex Mill Taylor Cardigan (Cotton Cashmere) in sand, size S | Right: Simons Funnel neck buttoned sweater in Mint/Pistachio Green, size S

3. UPKEEP

Like anything with cashmere, the Taylor Cardigan MUST be hand washed in cold water and laid to dry (or dry cleaned). This is a major con for me because I am of course lazy. However, this is the quiet price we pay for super softness sweaters.

***COMP NOTE***

I throw my Striped Funnel Neck Cardigans ($57) from Simon’s into the washer and air-dry it. This is my preferred process for washing sweaters. However, it has pilled in under 3 months of consistent wear.

4. THREE WAYS TO WEAR IT

FROM WORK TO DINNER WITH THE GIRLS

Alex Mill Taylor Cardigan | ASOS DESIGN ruched bodice midi dress in chocolate | Madewell Signature Woven Tote | Quince Large Organic Freshwater Cultured Pearl Hoops | Cushionaire Mezzo Clear Strap Kitten Heels

TO THE AIRPORT (IRL)

lululemon Align™ Tank Top | Simon’s Funnel neck buttoned sweater | Adidas SOFT LUX STRAIGHT LEG PANTS | Adidas Samba OG Shoes | BAGGU Small Cloud

OUT TO A CASUAL DINNER (IRL)

Taylor Cardigan in Cotton Cashmere (sand) | Outland Denim Olive Jean Bone | Lands End Medium Eyelet Canvas Open Top Tote | The one pictured was made by my grandmother so I’ve tagged a similarly cute top here: ASOS NIA Chandler halter neck shirred top | Chimi 04 Sunglasses | Intentionally Blank Cora Jelly

5. SEASONALITY - COST PER WEAR

For those of us living in cooler climates, we are fortunate enough to wear our sweaters throughout the year.

Assuming you’re wearing the Alex Mill Taylor Cotton Cashmere cardigan ($178) at least 2 times a week (for at least three years), your cost per wear is about $.57 per wear. A steal!! If you’re investing in the Alex Mill Taylor Cashmere Cloud cardigan ($328), your cost per wear is $1.05 per wear.

For those living in warmer climates, you’ll probably only wear this sweater half or two-thirds of the year.

Assuming you’re wearing the Alex Mill Taylor Cotton Cashmere cardigan at least 2 times a week (for 6 months out of the year at least three years), your cost per wear is about $1.14 per wear. If you’re investing in the Alex Mill Taylor Cashmere Cloud cardigan ($328), your cost per wear is $2.10 per wear.

**Author’s Note***

Given the cyclicality of fashion trends these days, The Find calculates cost per wear on an annualized (sometimes two-three year) basis, depending on brand integrity, quality, and other clothing item. Based on our research, we believe the Alex Mill cardigan will last you at least 3 years.

6. COMP CARD

Similar to Alex’s recent take on the Jenni Kayne sweater, I unfortunately could not find a comp with exactly the quality and feel of Alex Mill’s Taylor cardigan. If I had $178 to invest in a timeless and quality sweater to add to your capsule wardrobe, I’d look no further and add yet another Alex Mill’s Taylor cardigan to my closet.

Unfortunately, I don’t have another $178 to drop.

Fortunately, there are some fabulously cute roll-neck sweaters that will serve in comfort and style for more than half the price. They just probably won’t stand the test of time in the same way.

Here are the comps I’ve tried and my thoughts on each against the Alex Mill Taylor.

Simon’s Plush funnel-neck cardigan

I have the striped funnel neck cardigan from Simon’s and a solid color funnel neck cardigan (they are the same sweater silhouette but slightly different polyester/nylon blends - this is the only difference).

For the price, these are great sweaters. Despite the excessive pilling, I don’t regret purchasing these and feel like I can throw them on and throw them in the wash with frequency and ease (and without worrying about ruining them). This is a great swap option if you’re not looking for THE investment sweater but you want to participate in the trend.

J Crew Rollneck™ cardigan

There’s a reason J Crew’s Rollneck™ has a “TM” next to it. The brand debuted this cotton pullover style in 1988 and it has clearly withstood the test of time.

I loved the J Crew Rollneck I tried. It’s thick, sturdy, and feels high-quality — without being too too expensive (especially if you can take advantage of a J Crew sale when purchasing). It’s also reversible, giving you two different styles (adding bang for your buck)!

And in classic J Crew Style, I’m obviously OBSESSED with their Lobster version they have right now!!!

This all said, the look and feel of J Crew’s rollneck cardigan is inherently different from the Alex Mill. It’s much thicker and has a different feel to it altogether — not a bad thing necessarily, but I wouldn’t say it’s completely comparable.

Other roll-neck/funnel-neck sweaters I’d consider (but cannot vouch for personally)

• The Brooks Cardigan from MOD REF: $75

  • Comes in 11 colorways

  • 50% Acrylic, 28% Polyester, 22% Nylon — Likely to pill!!!!

  • Higher neckline than the others

• Abercrombie Merino Wool-Blend Roll Neck Cardigan ($85)

  • Comes in 7 colorways

  • 66% NYLON, 30% MERINO WOOL, 4% ELASTANE

  • It’s giving more of a traditional buttoned cardigan look rather than roll-neck.

  • Same, HAND WASH COLD requirement.

• The Elisa Cardigan from MOD REF: $72

  • Comes in 5 colorways

  • 50% Acrylic, 28% Polyester, 22% Nylon — Likely to pill!!!!

  • Similar silhouette to the AM Taylor

7. THE CONSENSUS

SHOP OR SWAP. The Rollneck isn’t going anywhere.

For me, what makes the Alex Mill’s Taylor cardigan justifiable in price comes down to two things: 1. how often can I wear it (often) and 2. how long it will last me without wear and tear (a long time). This sweater meets both requirements and is a forever piece for your closet.

THAT SAID, $178 is A LOT for a sweater. If you’re ok with a sweater that might not last as long, I think the Simon’s option is a fabulous alternative for much less.

If you’re deciding between the Alex Mill and the J Crew Rollneck™ (at full price), I’d spring for the Alex Mill.

We hope you found this curated closet analysis helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? Or another JK sweater we should try? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

Hi and welcome to the 11th edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine what’s actually worth it.

That’s where The Find comes in. Each week, we’ll pick one “trending” item and take an analytical look at it, prioritizing good fabrics, versatility, fit, and cost-per-wear. This week, we’ve got a “work tote” that you’ll probably recognize…

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THE CUYANA SYSTEM TOTE ($358)

I’m moving, which means that I’m revisiting the clothing and accessory choices I made in my twenties and deciding what’s coming with me to this next phase of life. I’m 31, work from home, have a toddler, and this is my first time owning a home—so as you might imagine, I’m being highly selective.

One of the items sitting in my maybe pile is the objectively gorgeous Cuyana System Tote in Dark Olive.

1. WHERE YOU’VE SEEN THIS BAG

When I graduated college in 2017, this was THE work bag to sling over your shoulder as you sauntered down the subway steps off to the glass box awaiting you in Midtown, Times Square, or the FiDi.

Cuyana was founded in 2011 with a goal to create fewer, better items for women (a mission I love) and took off shortly after. I remember seeing pictures of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex carrying a Cuyana bag and thinking she looked so chic. We’re living in the post-COVID, flexible-work era, but scroll TikTok or Reels and you’ll still see Cuyana bags pop up in “what I packed in my work bag,” videos often.

Doing a deep-dive into the System Tote came at the perfect time for me as I decide if I should keep, sell, or donate mine. Let’s dig in.

2. DESIGN, FABRIC, UPKEEP

The Cuyana System Tote was designed for organization and simplification of your life, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the luxury appeal of this bag, too. Crafted from their “signature Italian pebbled leather, inside and out,” this baby is buttery soft to the touch. It truly looks and feels luxe.

One of Cuyana’s value propositions is working sustainably with their global suppliers. The System Tote is crafted in Turkey, and features medium-length handles, internal snaps (for a sold-separately laptop sleeve), and notably fits a 13-inch laptop.

I love that you can monogram it, and I love that there are so many other useful items on their site you can buy in the same material, like the mini zipper pouch or the flap bag. Cuyana built a true system.

Now, let’s talk upkeep. On their site, they recommend cleaning the bag with a damp cloth every other day and doing a more thorough cleaning once or twice a year. I’ve never done either of those things, and the body of the bag has held up beautifully. But…

I recall that pretty quickly after I started using this bag, some of the leather started breaking down on the straps and along the top of the bag, which was disappointing considering the price tag. And while I’ve had this tote for over six years, I haven’t used it consistently since pre-COVID. Since I got this bag a while ago, it’s possible that they’ve updated the quality in recent years. They offer a two-year warranty, which I’d probably take advantage of now that I’m in my thirties (in my twenties I definitely didn’t read that fine print).

3. SEASONALITY + PRICE PER WEAR (PPW)

You can use this bag year round, but the question is, will you? If you go into the office 5x/week, and use this tote every day, your PPW comes to around $.75. If you only go in 2x/week, it’s be $1.86 And if you’re a WFH gal like me? Well, you could bring it with you on errands, or to go work from a coffee shop. You’ll have to calculate your own PPW based on your specific circumstances!

**Author’s Note***

Given the cyclicality of fashion trends these days, The Find calculates cost per wear on an annualized (sometimes two-year) basis. Particularly for leather goods, which should last for at least two years, we are assessing value on a two-year basis (in accordance with Cuyana’s 2-year warranty.

3. COMFORT & VERSATILITY

As I mentioned, the leather of this bag is soft and supple, not stiff at all. I do wish the shoulder strap was just an inch or two longer for my shoulder-to-armpit ratio (I’m 5”3), I find that the outside strap tends to slip off the shoulder easily, which leads to a good amount of adjusting while walking.

In terms of versatility, you have tons of totes to choose from—you could go with the classic black, or have fun with the seasonal cherry color. I’d be scared to stain the stone or cappuccino colors! And as for use cases… while you could use this bag while running errands, it definitely feels more formal, and is a little big to lug out to dinner on a Friday night.

I tend to reach for my LL Bean Boat and Tote in my day-to-day life, or my Matisse bucket bag to hold my wallet and lip gloss when I’m out to dinner.

4. 3 WAYS TO STYLE ‘EM

TO YOUR (CHILL) CORPORATE OFFICE

Cuyana System Tote Dark Olive / Cuyana Travel Beauty Case Indigo / Madewell Jeans / J Crew Button Down / Sam Edelman Flats / Mary Macgill Earrings

TO YOUR (NOT CHILL) CORPORATE OFFICE

Gap Shirtdress / Alex Mill Cardigan / J Crew Slingbacks / Cuyana System Tote and Flap Bag in Dark Teracotta / Warby Parker Sunnies / Fewer Finer Bracelet

TO DO ADMIN AT A COFFEE SHOP BEFORE BOPPING AROUND DOWNTOWN

Anthropologie Dress / Cuyana System Tote and Mini Pouch in Dark Cherry / Madewell Sandals / Roxanne Assoulin necklace / Anthropologie Sunnies

5. COMP CARD

Cuyana System Tote / Quince Adeline Shopper Tote / MZ Wallace Metro Tote / Madewell Maren Bucket Bag

Izzy’s Note on the Madewell Bucket Bag

Honestly, I have had two Madewell Totes, one for over 10 [TEN!!!] years, and the other for the past 3 years and both are still standing. The first one (most similar in silhouette to their current woven tote) I’ve had since college and the bucket bag I received as a gift 3 christmases ago. Yes, they do have some wear and tear due to being absolutely trashed and thrown around (heck, I’ve spilt a full smoothie in one of them) and they remain in decent shape. For the price, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the Madewell Maren Bucket bag, which I own in green. It’a got an adjustable strap which I also appreciate. That said, it’s not the most formal tote. If you work in an environment that requires a level of formality, I’d go for the Madewell Woven Tote or the Quince Adeline Shopper Tote.

FIT NOTE: It fits my 13” laptop perfectly in the maren bucket bag but I any computer bigger would be a tight fit.

6. The Consensus:

While I love the overall Cuyana system and I think the look/feel of the bag is beautiful, my tote wore down too quickly for me to recommend buying it at a $358 price tag.

If you’re a RTO girl looking for a solid work bag, Madewell’s Woven Tote and the Maven Tote are great options for much less. Quince’s tote seems like a great option too.

And if you work in a chill office, may I recommend a Boat and Tote (medium, long handles, zipper) PLUS, and this is crucial, an organizable insert. A work bag that doubles as a weekend/everything else bag!

Hi and welcome to the 10th(!!) edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine what’s actually worth it.

That’s where The Find comes in. Each week, we’ll pick one “trending” item and take an analytical look at it, prioritizing good quality, versatility, fit, and cost-per-wear (or in this case, use). This week, we’re reviewing the three most sought-after hair styling tools nearly every gal has considered investing in:

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THE AIRWRAP STYLERS

I need to preface this piece by saying I am not a high-maintenance haircare girly. As much as I aspire to be someone who gets up every day and does a full blowout, that will never be a part of my routine — despite the fact I feel like a million bucks every time I do so.

There are two reasons for this. Firstly, (and this is not a humble brag) I happen to be blessed with mostly manageable hair - I’ve got loose, ringlet curls that on a zero-humidity day, which can (if I’m lucky) resemble a light blowout. On a 90% humidity-day however, I’m rocking a messy Laura Ingles Wilder look — oh and also, my hair is thin.

I can remember when I first moved to New York and was working in finance, I would show up to work proud to have showered, spent a solid 20-minutes carefully picking out an outfit, and doing pretty minimal makeup routine. I felt good. Until I walked into my row on the trading floor at 7:26 am to find each and every girl with flowy, glowy, perfectly bouncy curls. It was then (6 years ago) that I invested in my first hair-styling tool Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer/Hot Air Brush Combo for ~$50.

Until two weeks ago, the Revlon one-step was been my ride-or-die. I’ll get into my thoughts on this tool a bit more below, but let’s just say she ~did her job~. When this tool stopped working, and with over 6 weddings on the horizon + a new job starting in the fall, I decided it was time to deep dive on hair-tool tools and make my next investment.

1. WHERE YOU’VE SEEN THE AIRWRAPS/AIRWAVES/STYLERS/DRYERS

If you’re on the internet at all, you’ve undoubtedly seen influencers promote the Dyson Airwrap and other tools across platforms. Haircare guru and influencers like Abbey Yung and Allison Kelley have done countless side-by-side comparisons on haircare tools like the Dyson versus Shark. recently raved about the GHD Duet Blowdry Brush which I would also like to try.

So why yet another airwrap review? Well — as I hope you know by now, The Find does it differently. We walk through the nitty-gritty details of each item in plane english to tell you whether the Dyson and/or its comparable tools are really worth the hype for your average shopper like me — a graduate student who is just trying to have nice, presentable hair approximately 30% of the time. Plus, this issue comes at a time when new tools and technologies like the GHD Duet Blowdry Brush are coming to market.

So, I welcome you to walk with me on this purchasing journey.

2. DYSON VERSUS THE WORLD

Dyson’s Airwrap is extremely well-known as the revolutionary hair dryer tool. What started with the viral Airwrap multistyler in 2018, has burgeoned into a global movement in haircare. The fresh blowout curls that were once only possible with help from a professional stylist suddenly became accessible with just one tool, from the comfort of your shitty apartment.

Of course, tons of companies followed, and today we have dozens and dozens of options to choose from. And while many consider Dyson the gold standard of hair stylers tools, I’m here to tell you: there are great options on the market that do just as well (with slight caveats and or preferences you may or may not want to take into consideration).

So with that, here’s my quick comp analysis of what you’re getting for your money with each of the four tools I reviewed. My honest thoughts on each one? Keep reading.

3. COMP CARD

4. IZZY’S ANALYSIS

Should I buy the Dyson Airwrap i.d.?

• High Level Thoughts: I’ve used all three generations of the Dyson Airwrap (all borrowed from friends) and it is a great tool that does (for me) exactly what it’s built to do: dry, curl, and straighten your hair, leaving you with a salon-worthy blowout.

• Usability: That said, I found it a bit complicated to use (especially with so many attachments) and I feel as though the i.d. Bluetooth technology that customizes your curls when you connect your “personalized style preferences” to the Dyson app is cool in theory — but a bit over-engineered for me and adds one more thing to planned obsolescence to inevitably break.

• Heating, Power, and Damage Control: Out of all the tools I tried, the Dyson felt the most powerful and least “damaging” (and by that, I mean I had no fried strands or flyaways after drying and curling) and my hair was curled effortlessly.

• Bang for your Buck: There is a reason Dyson is revered. From vacuums, to fans and hairdryers, the feel of each tool is luxurious. And the price tags match. Personally, I can’t justify the cost. Would I love to receive it as a gift? Sure. But do I think you can get a similar result from other tools? Also yes.

Alex’s thoughts: I’ve used the second-generation Dyson for two years now. I got it as a gift—but would I buy it with my own money? Unlike Izzy, my hair sits on the boarder of curly and wavy. I use the blow-dry attachment ~1x a week with a round brush to get the perfect bouncy blowout that lasts a few days. For a wedding or an evening out, I’ll get fancy with the curling attachment, which is SO easy to use and does give my hair that fresh-from-the-salon look. With all that said, I don’t think I’d be able to justify purchasing it with my own money, especially considering the alternatives that Izzy breaks down below. Read on!

A quick note on where to buy: if you’re committed to the Dyson (trust me if I could, I would), it happens to be a part of Nordstrom’s Anniversary sale and is currently on sale for $519.

Should I buy the Shark Flexstyle Air Styling & Drying System?

• High Level Thoughts: In short, I loved this tool. I loved the foldable air-dryer component which was easy to hold, I liked the four heat speeds, and found this "hair dryer” to be the most efficient of the four, drying my hair in 5 minutes (remember y’all, I have thin hair). I also found it effective at giving me a straight brushed-out blowout look, and curls!

• Usability: Like the Dyson, it took me a bit to get the hang of working the Shark — but I attribute most of that to my ineptitude when it comes to hairstyling in general.

• Heating, Power, and Damage Control: Behind the Dyson, I found the Shark Flexstyle drying power to be the best. If I’m honest, I tried the hottest heat setting which was QUITE HOT and I surmised that probably wasn’t good for my strands (no matter the technology), so I kept the heat on the second hottest setting. I used my fave Oribe heat protectant so hopefully that did the trick.

• Bang for your Buck: To me, the Shark was the closest cousin to the Dyson in its style, efficiency, effectiveness in achieving the result I wanted, especially with its price in-mind.

A quick note on where to buy: there are a few versions of the Shark Flexstyle systems, but my fave is currently on sale for $209!!

Shark Flexstyle on sale for $209 on Shark Ninja site.

Shark - FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System for $279 at BestBuy.

Should I buy the T3 AIRE 360 AIR STYLER?

• High Level Thoughts: The T3 sits almost in a dead tie with the Shark Flexstlye. I’ve borrowed my friend Mel’s T3 on a few occasions and have loved using it for weddings and for a full blowout look. I also like how the T3’s oval brush attachment is slightly larger in diameter than the rest, which leaves a slightly bigger curl (again, these are tiny differences probably no one would notice).

• Usability: Like all tools, I struggled at first with the T3 — however, I do think the T3 might have been the easiest to handle, especially since it’s ever so slightly lighter. One final plus for the T3 Aire 360 Styler is that it’s dual voltage, meaning it adapts internationally for all those destination weddings! This is the only styler out of all 4 I reviewed that is dual voltage.

• Heating, Power, and Damage Control: I felt like the T3 had a little less power behind its air compared to the Dyson and the Shark — but again, not too different. And like the other tools I tried, the T3 didn’t leave any evidence of hair damage, especially when paired with heat protectant.

• Bang for your Buck: I think the T3 would be my go-to if I felt like I could swing it right now — I liked the bigger brush, the lightness, and the travel tote bag (I’m a boujee girl). That said, because cost is a factor for me at the moment, the T3 wasn’t good enough to justify me spending $100+ more.

A quick note on Dual Voltage: T3 boasts about Dual Voltage, meaning the device safely adapts to different electrical systems around the world — making it “easy for international travel”.

However, and for what it’s worth, my dear friend just took hers to Greece for her honeymoon and after plugging it in, it died.

Should I buy the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer?

• High Level Thoughts: Tried and true — trusty steed — will it damage your hair? Likely. Does it continuously deliver a nice blowout for $65? For me, yes. Transparently, I don’t think this tool is worth the damage - especially since it doesn’t quite ~dry~ your hair unless you spend eons brushing through it with the tool, which always results in more damage. For the years I spent using this tool, I would always let my hair 90% airdry and then use the Revlon to style.

• Usability: This tool is by far the easiest to manage, especially since there is one “attachment” (the brush attached directly to the handle).

• Heating, Power, and Damage Control: I feel pretty confident saying that the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer has certifiably damaged my hair — especially after 6 years of use.

• Bang for your Buck: Given the price point, the Revlon is undeniably the tool to beat. I owned it and loved it. But if you’re looking for a consistent tool that dries AND styles, this is not it. By the time you buy yourself a Revlon styler and a hairdryer, you’ve almost bought yourself an all-in-one tool.

9. THE CONSENSUS

Clearly, there are several hair styling tools that serve a variety of budgets and needs. BUT, I shopped the Shark FlexStyling Tool and couldn’t be happier.

I recommend the Shark FlexStyling Tool as the all-around best styling tool for anyone who has decently manageable hair. If you’ve got specific haircare preferences or particularities in mind, you may want (or need) the assurances (and/or attachments included with) of the Dyson.

We hope you found this curated closet analysis helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? Or another bra we should try? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

Hi and welcome to the 9th(!!) edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine which hot-ticket items are actually worth it.

Our “Should I Buy” articles are where we do a deep dive into a big-ticket item, like the LESET Kyoto pants and the Hunza one-piece bathing suit. But not every clothing item is going to need that much detail—sometimes it’s a gut shop vs. a gut skip. We’ll keep bringing you those long form breakdowns as we see items and trends cropping up in the zeitgeist (and please message us with your deep dive requests!), but in between those takes, we’ll be giving you those quick, simple shop or skip letters to help you make smarter shopping decisions on the daily.

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This week’s Shop or Skip is a special one — exclusively featuring items currently on sale as part of Nordstrom’s anniversary sale.

1. Bombas Supima Cotton Ankle Socks

currently on sale for $63 (regularly $82)

As some of you might know from my most recent personal Substack, Two Truths and a Beautiful Life, I recently quit running. But during my running hay-day, these Bombas cotton ankle socks (and the Bombas Quarter Sock) carried me. They are by far my favorite socks for physical activity of all rigors — from a light afternoon stroll with my sweet pup to a 10 mile run.

I used to wonder whether Bombas were actually worth the price tag. How could anyone pay so much for socks?? But then I borrowed my sister’s one day (Alex’s note: sisters are the OG influencers) and decided that in fact, some things are indeed worth spending a bit more on. These babies are moisture-wicking, soft and cushy, and have stood the test of time more than any of my other socks.

And while I do have a variety of socks when it comes to quality and cost (let’s be honest, no one is immune from lost socks), Bombas are a gut yes.

Izzy also likes…

• Adidas Quarter Socks ($13.99 for 6 pairs!)

Alex also likes…

• Old Navy Crew Socks ($12.99 for a 3-pack)

THE VERDICT: SHOP!

2. Birkenstock Big Buckle Slide Sandal

currently on sale for $109 (regularly $145)

My dear friend recently asked me for recommendations for shoes she could wear to-and-from pilates. She wanted something she could slip on and off easily and wear with her grip socks. Look no further than the Birkenstock slide sandal.

This shoe is not new or trendy in any way - but it’s a gut yes for so many reasons. Comfort, versatility, ease, cost-per-wear, upkeep, and style — AND, it’s currently on sale at Nordstrom for $109 (the platform 3-buckle version on sale at Nordies as well)!!! All other colorways are here.

I own 3 pairs of Birkenstocks and they’ve all been with me anywhere from 3-10 years without much wear. I rock them to pilates, on dog walks, and dress them up for cute coffee dates with friends. Safe to say, there’s a reason these slides are a gut yes.

THE VERDICT: SHOP!

3. Vuori Yosemite Low Impact Strappy Sports Bra

currently on sale for $46.40 (regularly $58)

I generally love Vuori and everything they make but this bra is a no for me. While it’s unique looking and generally comfortable, I found the pads to be bunchy and move around a lot. Plus, the multiple straps in the back were annoying and hard to straighten out when I was putting it on.

As I covered in an earlier edition of The Find, I much prefer the Pepper Bra Wave Sports Bra pictured below (especially if you are a small-chested girly like me) if you’re looking to splurge on a high-quality sports bra. And in general, I think you can snag a sufficiently comfortable and supportive sports bra without the ~$60 cost. I’ve included a few of my favorite low-cost options below.

THE VERDICT: SKIP :(

Alt options if you’re so inclined:

• Pepper Bra Wave Sports Bra ($45.50 in the Nordstrom Sale!)

• Aerie OFFLINE Classic Sports Bra ($25)

4. Westman Atelier Blush & Highlight Stick Duo

currently on sale for $35 (regularly $52)

Ok. I famously buy approximately one new makeup item per year. Westman Atelier’s Blush, Bronzer, and Highlighter sticks are worth every penny. Not only do they feel buttery on your skin, blend seamlessly, and last all day long, the packaging also feels unbelievably luxxxxe (full disclosure, one of my dearest friends Sam is the packaging engineer at WA and has done a phenomenal chef’s kiss job at achieving that luxe feel). I especially love the highlighter stick, which makes me feel like the glowy goddess I am.

While these sticks are objectively a bit pricey, they last long and in my view, are worth every penny. I have yet to find better blush and highlighter sticks and I’ve tried a LOT (Charlotte Tis, Ilia, Milk, Merit, Nars).

Here’s me rocking this combo on my way to dinner, in addition to my Hourglass Blush/Bronzer Combo (see below for more on that) which is my favorite 5-minute-face combo.

Alex’s note: SO GLOWY wow I might need!

Izzy also likes…

1. Hourglass Blush/Bronzer Combo (GOAT). I’ve been using this for the last 10 years (TEN) and I will never go back. While it’s not included in the Nordstrom sale, I cannot recommend this product enough. One compact lasts me 2 years (I know you’re supposed to replace makeup more frequently but I don’t) and it’s so easy to throw this on with mascara and look instantly glowy, tan, and polished. My shade is radiant finish!

Alex also likes…

1. I’m a big fan of the Merit cream blush and bronze balm!

THE VERDICT: SHOP!

5. Boll & Branch Organic Cotton Sheet Set

currently on sale for $246-$266 (regularly $369–$399)

If you are in the midst of a move like my friend Tori, you might be looking to level up on your sheets and towels. Thankfully, the Nordstrom Anniversary sale has tons of options, including the famed luxurious Boll & Branch cotton sheet set and their Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set (both of which I recommended to her). And while these sheets are everything people say they are (soft, luxurious, high-quality etc.) I honestly think you can achieve a similar outcome for less. I own Boll & Branch’s Organic Cotton Sheets and love them so much — however, I also own the SIJO Home Lyocell Sheet set which are $96-143 (depending on size) and would recommend these equally.

If you’ve been contemplating investing in the B&B sheets for awhile, then I can think of no better time to invest — as both sets linked are about $100 off via Nordstrom’s sale (you just don’t get that kind of discount on the B&B site). Otherwise, allow me to give you permission to skip these and opt for any of these other amazing options also on sale.

Izzy also likes…

1. SIJO Home Lyocell Sheet set ($96-143 — originally $145–$215)

2. Parachute Brushed Cotton Bedding Set ($185-226 — originally $279-$334)

NOT PART OF THE SALE BUT ALSO A LOVE

1. Quince Crisp Percale Gingham Fitted Sheet Set ($84.90)

THE VERDICT: SKIP!

WINDOW SHOPPING: SHOULD (ALEX AND) I BUY THE Margaux sandals?

As Alex explained in our last edition, the Margaux sandals have a reputation for being super comfortable, well-made, and last for years. Despite this, both Alex and I are STILL debating each other over text about whether or not we can rationalize (and even afford let’s be real) the $265-$315 price tag.

Excitedly, they’re currently on sale for $211.99. If every there was a time to invest…the time is now. Has anyone pulled the trigger on these? Can anyone in our readership confirm these are worth the cost? Should we review them in their entirety?

TELL US (and a friend)!

We hope you found this shop or skip newsletter helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? Or another trend should try? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

Hi and welcome to the 8th(!!) edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine which hot-ticket items are actually worth it.

Our “Should I Buy” articles are where we do a deep dive into a big-ticket item, like the LESET Kyoto pants and the Hunza one-piece bathing suit. But not every clothing item is going to need that much detail—sometimes it’s a gut shop vs. a gut skip. We’ll keep bringing you those long form breakdowns as we see items and trends cropping up in the zeitgeist (and please message us with your deep dive requests!), but in between those takes, we’ll be giving you those quick, simple shop or skip letters to help you make smarter shopping decisions on the daily.

Subscribe now

1. THE CROWN AFFAIR LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER

My hair has always air dried wavy—the kind of wavy that grows three sizes on a humid day, but is otherwise manageable. Then, at 10-months postpartum, it became straight-up curly (has this happened to anyone else?!). Suddenly my nonexistent hair routine needed help. I admit I’ve always been a little skeptical of the Crown Affair air dry videos I’d seen online. Was it just that the influencers who posted had naturally great hair? And didn’t leave-in conditioner just make your hair greasy?

But influencers are really good at their jobs, and we had a trip to the Turks & Caicos coming up, so I panic-purchased The Crown Affair leave-in conditioner ($24 for the travel size) at Sephora and fell in love. It smells delicious and tamed my frizz without sacrificing any volume. It also made my hair soft enough to brush after getting tangled in the ocean. I’ve since repurchased, and also recently invested in the Crown Affair shampoo and conditioner. The jury is still out on the shampoo/conditioner—I’ll report back.

Izzy also likes…

1. Oribe ($48): insanely expensive but if you really want stunning hair and have a lot of weddings/special occasions coming up - I would honestly recommend investing. While I haven’t (and won’t) repurchase, the bottle I have has lasted me over a year and I’ve loved every minute.

2. Ceremonia ($29): I love this leave-in and swear by their rescue spray!

3. Pantene ($13.98): Solid choice for the price.

THE VERDICT: SHOP!

2. The Sézane Gaspard Cardigan

It pains me to say this, because I absolutely love Sézane, but… you can skip the Gaspard Cardi. I have the Rosewood color, which is beautiful but SO itchy! I’ve owned it for over three years and worn it maybe three times. My friend advised me to hand wash it in white vinegar and it definitely helped soften it a little bit, but I still don’t reach for it often. I keep it for the 1x a year that I like to wear it over my shoulders with a dress… but maybe I should sell it to a gal with less sensitive skin.

Izzy also likes…

1. The Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Boxy Cropped Cardigan ($119)

THE VERDICT: SKIP :(

3. New Balance 530 Sneakers

Please know that I’m a New Balance girl through and through (seriously, if you see me in person I will most likely be wearing NBs), but if you have a wide foot, the 530s are not for you. I kept trying to wear them on walks and regretting it as soon as I stepped through the door.

Alt options if you’re so inclined:

• New Balance 471s green + navy ($110)

• New Balance 415 olive suede ($88)

THE VERDICT: SKIP :(

4. The Bink Water Bottle

My husband makes fun of me for having multiple water bottles but I DON’T CARE! The Bink is too big to fit in most car cup holders, and it doesn’t keep water cold for that long. But, and stay with me here, it’s glass and looks so chic on your desk, where you can look directly into the water and make sure your bottle is clean and fresh. I also own and like the Owala, but my daughter once put a blueberry in it and it took me DAYS to figure it out. DAYS. I can’t even speak of it without shuddering. This is why you need a Bink (CLEAR GLASS) as your at home water bottle, and then another option to bring with you on vacation or if you’re on the go daily.

Izzy also likes…

1. Hydroflask 32 oz Wide Mouth with Flex Straw Cap (you can’t tell me there’s a better water bottle)

THE VERDICT: SHOP!

5. The GAP Cotton Gauze Easy Barrel Pants

If you buy one pair of pants this summer, let it be the Gap Cotton Gauze Easy Barrel Pants pants. I know summer shopping can be overwhelming, but I feel that letting people know about how good they are is my personal responsibility! Though the name of these pants is a mouthful, the execution is perfect. This is my second summer owning the white and black colors of these pants, and they’re the most-worn items in my closet. You can wear them to the beach, out to dinner, while WFH, really everywhere.

THE VERDICT: SHOP!

WINDOW SHOPPING: SHOULD I BUY THE MARGAUX SANDAL?

I’ve been tempted by the Margaux sandals in Saddle Calf for YEARS but I just cannot justify the $265 price tag. The online consensus is that they’re so comfortable, well-made, and last for years, but I need to hear from real people. Do you own them? Will I wear them forever? As a gal with a medium-wide foot, should I get the narrow or wide version?

We hope you found this shop or skip newsletter helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? Or another trend should try? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

Hi and welcome to the 7th(!!) edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine which hot-ticket items are actually worth it. It can be equally challenging to sift through which trends are worth buying into.

In our “Should I Buy” deep dives, we pick buzzy item and take an analytical look at it, figuring out if you should shop, skip, or swap. In our “Trend Watch” newsletters we zoom out, isolating a trend (rather than a single item), and find out:

• Are they worth investing in or should you let this trend pass you by?

• If you are a trend setter, which pair(s) should you buy?

• How much is too much to spend on something that may not be in your closet for the long haul.

These are some of the questions we’re setting out to make sense of in the Find’s Trend Watch.

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THE JELLY SANDAL

1. WHERE YOU’VE SEEN THEM

The Jelly sandal’s popularity (including jelly Fishermans, jelly flip-flops, jelly heels here) is not new per-se. But it does feel like they’re everywhere right now. The high-end brand, The Row reintroduced their ‘modern’ version jelly during it’s 2024 runway — and every since, in a nod to the ‘80s/'90s and Y2K nostalgia, the jelly (among other stylistic items) has proliferated across mainstream media and recurrently been dawned by MAJOR celebs like Jenny-Law, Kendall Jenner, Bad Girl RiRi, and others.

As of Summer 2025, major retailers like GAP, Old Navy, J Crew, Target, and the like began reintroducing jelly fisherman sandals, ballet flats, flip flops, heels, and more.

Fast forward to Summer 2026. The jelly remains a key part of the style zeitgeist. Jelly trends are multiplying, Condé Nast, Vogue, and fellow Substack queens and continue to run roundups and features, and contention around the longevity of this trend persists.

So is the jelly’s popularity wobbling? We don’t think so. Does that mean you should buy them? That depends.

2. TO SHOP OR NOT TO SHOP?

When it comes to any style trend, I am classically late to joining the party. Not that I’m unaware of what everyone is purchasing and wearing around me — (quite the opposite) but I tend to wait and survey the trend for at least a few months before committing to an investment — and the science suggests this is a financially prudent strategy.

According to a study done by Northwestern University in which teams analyzed roughly 37,000 images of women’s clothing spanning from 1869 to today, the lifespan of a fashion trend varies drastically based on the market. Fast-fashion micro-trends often last just 2 to 8 weeks, while broader, seasonal trends persist for 6 to 12 months. Overall, long-term macro-trends endure for 5 to 10 years, and a classic 20-year cycle governs major aesthetic resurgences.¹

The 20-year cycle explains why we’re seeing a massive Y2K 90s revival right now. And the 2-8 week micro-trend cycle explains why the triangle head scarf was repeatedly cited to be “all the rage” this summer, but we’ve instead watched it taper off into the abyss according to algorithm searches².

However, the jelly sandal’s 3rd summer season at the top of the charts indicates it could be a macro-trend that will endure.

It is for this reason (along with the others below) that I decided to invest in the jelly trend. And I’m not looking back.

Here’s how I thought about the Jelly Trend and decided it was worth investing in:

1. The endurance of the Jellies. Given its longevity, I expect the jelly to exist for at least another few years.

2. Versatility: there are innumerable jelly sandal options (and other jelly items) in a variety of styles and at a variety of price points, making this trend accessible.

3. I found this pair of mules from Intentionally Blank I was obsessed with (and I could afford).

An important note about committing to the bit.

The most important consideration when it comes to deciding on whether or not to participate in a trend is whether you actually like it. While I know that sounds overly simple, it’s not. If the jellies feel core to your actual style, then go for it. If they feel like a stretch and you’re not sure about them, then hold off.

I can promise I’m with you, holding out for the foreseeable future on the Bermuda shorts trend — you won’t catch me dead in those because they are far too reminiscent of my painful tweens….or maybe you will!

3. WHICH JELLIES TO SHOP

There is truly a jelly sandal/shoe fit for every occasion now. The most well-known are the Melissa Possession Fisherman Sandals ($60 - which I own in clear) and the Ancient Greek Sandals Iro ($150) — but there are hundreds of ways to jelly.

From traditional ballerina flats, Fishermans, and flip flops - to Dolce Vita’s Birkenstock-esque jelly slides and Tory Burch’s Mary Jane, there is a jelly for every budget (we love!!!).

WHAT I SHOPPED

I decided to invest in the iconic Melissa Fisherman sandals after extensive research and reading several reviews. Frankly, I couldn’t justify the price differential between the Melissa Fisherman Sandals ($79 - plus they have discounts so I got mine for $55) and the Ancient Greek Sandals ($153) for an item so on-trend. I was wary of some of the lower priced options, which showed signs of discomfort or staining in customer comments (so read carefully). There are other adorable (and more high-end) variations of the fisherman that caught my eye, including these $700 Gucci Jellies, but I rest my case.

I was also drawn to this Jelly Mule style by Intentionally Blank ($48) and had to bring them home with me. I loveeeee these, they are so chic, comfy, and versatile, especially for the price. My neighbor also tried them on (she wants them too) and we decided if you have a wider foot, we’d recommend you size up!

I found both pairs to be equally comfortable and easy to walk in — no issues, no blisters — just jelly bliss!

In addition to footwear, Jellies have adapted seamlessly into handbags and other wares. If you’re really committing to the trend, here are a few of my fave jelly bags, particularly the Thirty Years Jelly Clear Tote I’ve featured before — it’s beyond!!

4. THREE WAYS TO WEAR EM

How I’ve styled my Jellies!

Intentionally Blank Cora Jelly Mules | Pepper MVP Multiway Strapless Bra | Few Moda CAARA Vashti Skirt | Electric Picks Jewel Necklace | WMP Selene Sunglasses | GAP Canvas Slouchy Tote Bag (mine is from Meilleur Moment but this one is cute and cheaper and currently on sale for $29!)

Melissa Fisherman Sandals | UNIQLO Crochet Drawstring Bag (only $19) | GAP Pointelle Shell Tank Top | Buck Mason Montecito Cutoff Short (the best investment short) | GAP Oversized Shirt in Poplin | WMP Selene Sunglasses

Dolce Vita Julio Sandals | J.CREW FACTORY Double-Gauze Button-Up Shirt ($39) | H&M Straw Shoulder Bag ($28) | Rhythm Driftwood Beach Shorts | Rhythm Driftwood Striped Top | MADEWELL Shell Wire Bangle | Gorjana Paseo Cuff | WMP Selene Sunglasses

9. THE CONSENSUS

SHOP or SIT OUT. If the jellies feel core to your actual style, then go for it - we have a feeling they’ll be around for awhile. If it’s not your jam, don’t push yourself to invest in a trend just because it’s buzzy. Your budget will thank you.

We hope you found this trend analysis helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? Or another trend should try? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

References:

1. https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026/03/bell-bottoms-today-miniskirts-tomorrow-math-reveals-fashions-20-year-cycle

2. https://shopping.yahoo.com/style/clothing/articles/7-summer-micro-trends-fashion-070000707.html

Hi and welcome to the 6th(!!) edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine what’s actually worth it.

That’s where The Find comes in. Each week, we’ll pick one “trending” item and take an analytical look at it, prioritizing good fabrics, versatility, fit, and cost-per-wear. This week, we’re reviewing the sweater that your chicest friends’ mom probably owns in four colors: The Jenni Kayne Cardigan.

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Jenni Kayne Hayes Cardigan

As a lifelong East Coaster, I consider myself a sweater aficionado by necessity. My collection leans towards the classics—the J.Crew rollneck (sourced secondhand), J.Crew shrunken cashmere sweaters in navy and tan, a striped cotton sweater from GAP Factory, a merino wool crewneck from COS—and most have lasted me for years and cost less than $150.

I love my current collection, but I’ve always been tempted to try some of the more expensive sweaters on the market. So when my MIL got me a Jenni Kayne gift card for my birthday this year, I finally had the perfect excuse to splurge!

While researching this article I noticed Jenni Kayne is currently having their semi-annual warehouse sale with up to 70% off on some really good items.

1. WHERE YOU’VE SEEN THE JENNI KAYNE CARDIGAN

Jenni Kayne’s eponymous brand has been around for 24 years, as she cheekily reminded us in a TikTok recently. Jenni’s simple, elegant, California-classic style is at the center of the brand, which spans apparel, furniture and decor, and, as I was surprised to learn, a skincare line called Oak Essentials.

Spend five minutes on the Jenni Kayne site, or in one of her stores, and you’ll come to see that her brand radiates relaxed luxury. Sweaters spun from whisper-thin cashmere or thick braids of cotton. A-line dresses in navy, black, or white, with the rare pop of tangerine red. A sturdy white oak chair with a handwoven Danish paper cord. Pieces like these seem to either eschew or inspire trends, and are made to live in your closet forever.

Again — you’ve probably seen the coolest mom you know in a Jenni Kayne sweater—like the Cropped Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan, Flynn Cashmere V-Neck, and Cooper Cardigan. They’re staple pieces for influencers and celebrities (spot a few in the photos above), and they’ll cost you a pretty penny (running from $325 - $525).

I saw of (my favorite chef and the undisputed queen of Substack) post in the Hayes Cardigan, and after much deliberation, a thorough review of my closet, my gift card in hand, and well-timed work bonus, I decided to get the navy Hayes in cotton and the tan Hayes in alpaca/wool.

2. SHAPE, FIT, FABRIC, AND VERSATILITY

Both the cotton and the alpaca versions of the Hayes cardigan run on the larger side in my opinion. I’m 5’3 and go between a small and a medium, and I got a medium in the alpaca and a small in the cotton. I much prefer the small (and I should have exchanged the alpaca while I still could, but alas, I got lazy).

I love the fit of these cardigans. While the fabrics feel quite different, they look similar on. The fabric of the alpaca/wool cardigan is thinner, and slightly itchy (though I’m relatively sensitive to this). In the winter I’d wear it with a long sleeve underneath, but I’ve found myself reaching for it less in the summer. The fabric profile is 35% alpaca, 35% wool, 30% polyester. For $325, I don’t love to see polyester in my purchase (but still, I made said purchase).

The other cardigan is 100% thick and luxurious cotton—it feels heady and expensive when I slip it on, yet durable, too.

Both versions of the Hayes cardigan look good buttoned or unbuttoned, with jeans or shorts or over the shoulders while wearing a dress. In terms of versatility, the colors are limited to a muted palette of black, navy, ivory, white. But this means they pretty much go with everything!

Sizing Note: The JK Site says the alpaca runs TTS, but I disagree! JK doesn’t comment on the sizing of the cotton sweater, they just say “relaxed fit.”

Left: Hayes Alpaca Cardigan in beige, size m | Right: Hayes Cotton Cardigan in navy, size s

3. UPKEEP

The alpaca/wool/polyester sweater is a bit more fussy—JK recommends dry clean only. For the cotton version, there’s the option to dry clean or hand wash cold and lay flat to dry. I have a one-year-old who has gotten yogurt on my cotton sweater several times, and it’s come out easily with warm water dabbed with a washcloth.

4. THREE WAYS TO WEAR IT (IRL)

The navy Hayes in cotton was the only sweater I brought with me on a recent 10-day trip to England. It held up so well, and I never got sick of wearing it (as you can see).

TO DINNER & A PLAY

TO A DAY OF TOURIST-Y THINGS

SHOPPING IN THE COTSWOLDS

5. SEASONALITY - COST PER WEAR

Fellow East Coasters, these are pretty much yearlong sweaters, save a few supremely hot weeks in August.

Assuming you’re wearing the JK sweater at least 2 times a week (for at least three years), your cost per wear is about $1.04 per wear.

For those living in warmer climates, both of these sweaters are relatively heavy, so you’ll probably only wear them about half the year.

Assuming you’re wearing the JK sweater at least 2 times a week (for 6 months out of the year at least three years), your cost per wear is about $2.08 per wear.

**Author’s Note***

Given the cyclicality of fashion trends these days, The Find calculates cost per wear on an annualized (sometimes two-three year) basis, depending on brand integrity, quality, and other clothing item.

6. COMP CARD

I’m going to come in with a hot take in this issue—but hear me out. We’re gals on a budget, so if there’s a good comp, we’re absolutely going to bring it to the table. BUT. If you’re in the market for a Jenni Kayne sweater, you’re probably looking for something made from high quality materials, something crafted to be timeless, not trendy.

Does that mean you need to spend $300+ on a sweater? Absolutely not! I think you can build up an incredible sweater collection with brands like J.Crew, Madwell, GAP, etc. But I’ve spent some time searching, and I really don’t think there’s a great comp (and yes I’ve seen and even tried some of the Quince dupes, they disintegrate into threads so fast) that stands up to the quality of JK.

SO! Instead of comps, here are some JK sweaters I found on Poshmark/E-Bay:

• Hayes Crewneck Cardigan size M (alpaca/wool) | $180, Poshmark

• Hayes Crewneck Cardigan size M (alpaca/wool) | $165, E-Bay

• Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan in size XS | $200, Poshmark

7. THE CONSENSUS

SHOP, SECONDHAND, OR SKIP (because of course you really don’t need a $300 sweater). If you have a gift card or some extra cash to spend, and have been thinking about a JK cardigan for a while, we say DO IT. I really think I’ll wear mine forever. If you’re on the fence, I’d start with secondhand for sure, or wait until they have their semi-annual warehouse sale.

We hope you found this curated closet analysis helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? Or another JK sweater we should try? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

Hi and welcome to the 5th(!!) edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine what’s actually worth it.

That’s where The Find comes in. Each week, we’ll pick one “trending” item and take an analytical look at it, prioritizing good fabrics, versatility, fit, and cost-per-wear. This week, we’re reviewing the first bra designed specifically for small-bust girlies like myself.

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PEPPER LIFT-UP BRA

I have been affectionately, begrudgingly, resentfully, and now proudly part of the ittie-bittie-tittie-committee my whole life. I’ve been made fun of (into my late 20’s mind you) for my “mosquito bites” while also being told my “boobs are so in right now”. It’s confusing. But nothing has been more confusing than trying to find a bra that truly fits.

I am on the AA side of an A cup, and I have NEVER (I mean NEVER) found a bra that properly fits. Over the years, I have tried bras from Aerie, GAP, Target, Victoria’s Secret, SKIMS and others — and no bra has fit me as well as The Pepper Bras. Let’s get into it and why I have and will continue to drop $50-60 on any and all versions of the Pepper.

And don’t worry, I reviewed a bunch more brassieres so you know what else is out there.

1. WHERE YOU’VE SEEN THE PEPPER BRA

If you’re a small-chested girlie like me, you’ve probably seen the Pepper Bra ads grace your feed. Pepper’s influencer marketing strategy is strong and their investments have been incredibly smart and strategic.

Pepper was launched in 2017 as a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of $10,000 — they reached that goal (and then some in just 10 hours). As it turns out, bras for small-chested gals was a massive market that was properly underserved. `

Their mission? To help small-chested women unapologetically celebrate the bodies they have.

The brand has been extensively featured and reviewed in Cosmo, Good Housekeeping, and the like, and have grown massively into a full-on movement over the past 9 years, even spanning into luxe lingerie and swimwear.

2. SHAPE AND FIT

The shape and fit are what make the Pepper Bra truly the GOAT. Most push-up bras (even those that have claimed to fit and be designed for “the small-chested”) are often stuffed with padding in all the wrong places, create awkward gaps (where breast tissue might otherwise land) and dig into the chest in all the wrong and uncomfortable places.

Pepper Bras are designed specifically to solve the woes of small-boobed girls everywhere. From their Signature All You Bra, Lift-Up Bra, Zero-G Wireless Lift-Up (my fave) and the Wirefree Sports Bra, each style is really truly made first and foremost for small busts. And unlike other brands, they only serve sizes AA, A, and B.

• In terms of accentuating cleavage, the Zero-G Wireless Lift-Up was truly 10/10 — so comfortable and actually produces the illusion of cleavage.

• Next up was the Lift-Up (pictured below, left), which I’ve owned for years. This bra is the one I consistently reach for, whether it’s to go under a t-shirt or to go out with the gals.

• The MVP Multiway Strapless is probably my least favorite - it does the job of a strapless bra (without the gaps and digging) but it doesn’t give much lift (although I’m sure most people with a bit more “boob” would find it provides a sufficient support and cleave.

• Lastly, the Wirefree Sport — no notes. Soft, comfortable, and an effortless fit - while also feeling supportive!!

One other Pepper bra I tried was the Signature Unlined Demi Bra Black (🔥) which is basically lingerie (hence no proof point photo included). I loveddd the fit on this one and highly recommend as well.

COMP SHAPE AND FIT NOTE:

I did extensive research and tried over 20 bras for this issue. The other two that stood out as being specifically size inclusive and/or designed for small breasts were ThirdLove and Little Bra Company. For both, I followed their sizing and measurement mandates to the T, measuring my cup and band size thoroughly to ensure I was ordering the correct sizing. ThirdLove’s Zero-G Push-up was my favorite comp sizing-wise. I ordered a 34AA and experienced no gaps, not too much padding, and the shape was nice. The Little Bra Company’s sized me at a 34B but the sizing was all wrong. I ordered the Elsie and the Courtney, both of which had so much padding which made of an unnatural and unflattering poof.

3. UPKEEP

Upkeep is no different from the other bras sitting in your dresser. To maximize wear, it’s recommended to hand-wash your bras in cold water using mild detergent, or in a mesh laundry bag on a delicate cycle (Pepper sells a great one HERE!).

4. VERSATILITY

While I’m frequently (if not almost always) braless, everybody needs a few good bras — even those who don’t have a big shelf still need support — and nipple coverage (IYKYK).

5. THREE WAYS TO WEAR IT

A bra for every moment you need support!

And not for nothing, I am obsessed with their swimwear. I can’t personally vouch for it as I haven’t given it a try yet myself (perhaps a future issue on this — thoughts?), but if their line is anything like their bras, I’m sold.

Pepper MVP Multiway Strapless Bra | Seven Wonders Amoree Strapless Maxi Dress | Madewell Fish Statement Stud Earrings | Steve Madden Melodee Sandals | J Crew Beaded Shell Bag

Pepper Zero-G Wirefree Lift Up Bra (GOAT) | Miaou Imogene Corset | Rollas Gigi Barrel Jean (my favorite jeans) | Marc Fisher Gurion Sandal | J Crew Small handknotted straw tote | Ettika Iconic Crystal Dangle Earrings

Pepper Wave Wirefree Bra | Pepper Sculpting Legging | New Balance 327 | Bombas Studio Gripper Quarter Socks | Uniqlo Drawstring Bag ($39.90!!!)

6. SEASONALITY - COST PER WEAR

Investing in a few good quality bras that actually make you feel good is objectively worth it. Whether or not you wear a bra every day, having a staple t-shirt, push-up, and strapless bra on-hand when the occasion demands is a no brainer.

Assuming you’re wearing a bra at least 4 times a week (for three years), your cost per wear is about $0.10 cents per wear — or $0.31 cents per wear (only if you keep it and wear it for a year)

The most expensive Pepper bra, the stunning Embroidery Lift Up (comes in at $85), making the cost per wear a bit higher, around $0.41 cents.

**Author’s Note***

Given the cyclicality of fashion trends these days, The Find calculates cost per wear on an annualized (sometimes two-three year) basis. While the “industry” suggests replacing bras every 6-12 months, if you’re like me, you also still have bras from high-school. For this reason, we’re calculating value on a 3-year basis.

7. COMFORT

While plenty of bras are comfortable, every Pepper Bra I’ve tried is comfortable while also prioritizing fit and flattery (where every other bra I’ve tried prioritizes one over the other) Here’s my comfort-rating for each Pepper Bra I own (or tried).

• Zero-G Wireless Lift Up: A+

• Wave Wirefree Sports Bra: A+

• Lift-Up Bra: A

• MVP Strapless: A-

• Signature Unlined Demi Bra (🔥🔥🔥): A-

COMP COMFORT NOTE:

Neither of the ThirdLove bras I tried were super comfortable. But I did favor the Zero-G Push-up to their All-Day bra. Both had a bit of digging.

The Little Bra Company’s push-ups were decently comfortable, but less-so compared to Pepper — plus they had these weird padded inserts that made me feel meh.

8. COMP CARD

9. THE CONSENSUS

SHOP. After extensive research, I have yet to find a better or even comparable alternative to the Pepper Bra. The Pepper Bra and all its iterations are truly worth every penny in my book.

We hope you found this curated closet analysis helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? Or another bra we should try? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

Hi and welcome to the fourth edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine what’s actually worth it.

That’s where The Find comes in. Each week, we’ll pick one “trending” item and take an analytical look at it, prioritizing good fabrics, versatility, fit, and cost-per-wear. This week, we’ve got the internet’s favorite washable clog.

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THE ROTHY’S CASUAL CLOG

1. WHERE YOU’VE SEEN THEM

The Rothy’s team invests heavily in influencer marketing and paid advertising (like this paid partnership with fashion influencer ), so it’s safe to say you’ve probably come across the casual clog if you spend any time scrolling online. Actress Jennifer Lawrence was also papped wearing the black clog with a bright red sock like the icon she is.

People love Rothy’s for their sustainability (their shoes are made from recycled plastic from water bottles) and their promise to deliver a shoe that’s comfortable, washable, AND cute. It’s almost impossible for a shoe to be all of those things at once! My first pair of Rothy’s was the Lace Up Sneaker in white, which I’ve worn for almost three years now and washed many times over. Most recently I got their fisherman sandals in coconut which I’m absolutely loving for summer.

But back to the casual clog—I’d been curious about trying it for a while (their marketing works), so I was thrilled when my mother-in-law gifted them to me in Dove for Christmas.

I decided then that these clogs were going to be my inside shoes, even though they’re not technically a slipper. They’re perfectly appropriate to wear outside, but since I got them in December, I mainly wore snow-boots until April as the Maine resident I am . The Rothy’s clog are the shoe I wear working from home every day, and they make me feel put together, especially when I’m hosting guests and actually wear them with a cute outfit.

2. SHAPE, FIT, & FABRIC

The Rothy’s Casual Clog’s standard version is a soft taupe knit with merino wool and “about five plastic bottles.” The plastic bottles are part of the Rothy’s “signature thread.” The insole is soft with good arch support, and the ribbed, tortoise shell bottom is firm and sturdy. There’s also a “ReVelvet” version and a “Crochet” version of the shoe, in more limited colorways.

I got a size 8 (my true size), and they fit me perfectly while wearing socks. If I was going to wear them without socks, which I rarely do, I’d size down (their site recommends going down one size). They don’t have half sizes.

3. UPKEEP

Because I only wear my Rothy’s clogs inside, I haven’t yet had to wash them. If I wore them outside I could see my colorway (Dove) getting dirty fairly easily. The wash instructions are simple—machine wash in cold water, then air dry. The clogs are made with merino wool, so you definitely don’t want to put them in the dryer.

4. SEASONALITY + PRICE PER WEAR (PPW)

For those in warmer or more temperate regions, this could be a year-round shoe for you. However, you may choose to wear them less if it’s extremely hot, only because you’ll probably prefer a flip flop over fabric that covers most of your foot. I’ll note that their Crochet fabric is lighter and airier, so that could be your shoe of choice.

Your annualized price-per-wear comes to around $1.52, if you wear ‘em 2x/week.

If you live in the Northeast like us, you won’t want to wear these out in the snow, so it’s likely that you’ll wear them from April - November. Your annualized price-per-wear comes to around $2.48, if you wear ‘em 2x/week).

**Author’s Note***

Given the cyclicality of fashion trends these days, The Find calculates cost per wear on an annualized (sometimes two-year) basis. Particularly for footwear, which tends to run its course faster, we want to assess value on a yearly basis.

5. COMFORT & VERSATILITY

The Rothy’s clog is SO comfortable. I love that the footbed is firm but the fabric is soft. There’s 15 color-ways to choose from, and three different fabric types. A lot of these are sold out right now, but I have seen them come back into stock pretty fast!

In terms of versatility—for me, since I wear them indoors, they literally go with everything. But for those wearing them out in the world, these shoes will definitely be a core part of daily life. They’re comfortable and sturdy enough to wear walking around town all day, and cute enough to wear out to lunch. You probably wouldn’t dress them up and take them out to a fancy dinner, though.

6. TWO WAYS TO WEAR ‘EM

WITH MY FAVORITE PJS

Lake Pajamas / Rothy’s Casual Clog in Dove / Jenni Kayne Sweater / The Crown Affair Silk Hair Ties / Le Bon Shoppe Cloud Socks

WORKING FROM HOME (BUT MAKE IT CUTE)

Gap poplin pants / La Ligne Breton tee / Rothy’s Casual Clog in Dove / Mejuri gold hoops / Bink Water Bottle

7. COMP CARD: The Rothy’s Clog vs. the Birkenstock Boston vs. the Quince Suede Clog

As far as clogs go, the other iconic pair on the market is the Birkenstock Boston (Remember those? Was it a phase? Is it a lifestyle?). I actually own them in chocolate brown and I have to admit… I basically only wear them when I’m running out the door to go to yoga and I don’t feel like bending down to put sneakers on. They’re just a little bit clunky for my preference. But I also have friends who own and wear them regularly, so it may just be a me thing.

Izzy owns the Quince suede clog. She admittedly wanted the Birkenstock Boston but couldn’t justify the spend for a “take the dog out” type shoe. And she feels pretty satisfied with the comp given the price tag.

Izzy’s Note on the Quince Clog

Honestly, I have completely trashed my Quince suede clog — and I don’t feel bad about it. It’s the shoe you will undoubtedly see me in whilst taking my dog outside at 7am when it’s 30 degrees or otherwise (if you’ve seen me in Brooklyn at this hour no you did not). Admittedly, I’m not obsessed with the fit since I have a super narrow foot and favor the “narrow” Birkenstock sizing option. I can’t walk more than a few blocks without my foot sloshing around. However, for the price and if you’re investing in a clog to shlep around in that you don’t particularly care about, I think the Quince clog is just fine.

8. The Consensus:

SHOP. The Rothy’s clog is as good as it claims to be!

Honestly, these shoes are viral for a reason. They’re comfortable, cute, and washable. What more can you ask for? Also! They’re a great gift for the person who has everything.

We hope you found this curated clothing analysis helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

Refer a friend

Hi and welcome to the third edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine what’s actually worth it.

That’s where The Find comes in. Each week, we’ll pick one “trending” item and take an analytical look at it, prioritizing good fabrics, versatility, fit, and cost-per-wear. This week, we’ve got one of the buzziest pants on the internet. Without further ado…

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THE LESET KYOTO CARPENTER PANT

1. WHERE YOU’VE SEEN THEM

It seems like everyone on the internet is wearing the LESET Kyoto Carpenter pants these days? In photos, they look good on everyone, no matter the height, age, or body type. We’ve seen them dressed down for travel days and worn out to dinner with a pair of cute flats. The LESET pant has been around for a few seasons and has serious staying power. Other brands have caught on and our prediction is that cotton poplin will be the fabric of this summer—more on that in a bit.

I’m the lucky recipient of a pair of hand-me-down Kyoto pants from my sister, and can confirm they’re also great for both pregnancy and postpartum. But these pants are $280, which is certainly not cheap. So what are we paying for here?

2. SHAPE, FIT, & FABRIC

The LESET Kyoto Carpenter Pant is 100% cotton and made in Los Angeles, CA. LESET describes the cotton as “garment washed.” If you have no clue what that is (same), I did a little digging. This means that the cotton was pre-washed during manufacturing using enzymes or stones, and this process creates a soft, “lived-in” feel immediately upon wearing. Can confirm this is true!

The waistband is thin and elastic, easy to cinch at your waist or adjust as needed, which is why it worked well when I was pregnant. I tied it just below the bump! The shape sits somewhat between a barrel and a wide-leg pant, with the wider section hitting at the ankle.

I’m 5’3 and it hits me just below the ankle. On the 5’9 model on their site, it appears to hit her an inch or so above the ankle. I’ve seen them worn both ways—as a cropped pant or a full-length on shorter gals like me—and they’re flattering in either scenario.

Now what you might not be able to tell from the pictures: the fabric is LIGHT. Which brings us to seasonality.

3. UPKEEP

There’s limited upkeep with these pants, you can wash them on cold and dry them on low. I know from personal experience that they do wrinkle easily (which is probably why influencers are wearing them on planes instead of packing them in their suitcase). It’s nothing a steamer can’t fix, though!

4. SEASONALITY + PRICE PER WEAR (PPW)

For those in warmer or more temperate regions, this is a year-round pant for you. The airy fabric and loose fit would actually make them a great wear on a really hot day, especially if you want to protect your thighs from the hot leather in your car. Your annualized price-per-wear comes to around $1.40, if you wear ‘em 2x/week.

If you live in the Northeast like us, you’ll likely be able to wear these pants from April - early October. If there’s a breeze, you’ll feel it on your knees (lol). Your annualized price-per-wear comes to around $2.65.

As someone with a hand-me-down pair, I don’t mind the seasonal aspect. But if you’re going to shell out the full $280, it’s something to consider.

**Author’s Note***

Given the cyclicality of fashion trends these days, The Find calculates cost per wear on an annualized (sometimes two-year) basis. Particularly for footwear, which tends to run its course faster, we want to assess value on a yearly basis.

5. COMFORT & VERSATILITY

Part of the reason I love the Kyoto pants (and can start to justify that $280 price tag) is because they’re extremely comfortable AND extremely versatile. Similar to wearing linen pants, they’re light, airy, loose, and make you feel like the lead in a Nancy Meyers movie. They look just as good on a morning coffee run paired with a t-shirt as they do out to dinner paired with a blouse. And, there are SO many colorways.

6. FIVE WAYS TO WEAR ‘EM

Here’s five ways to wear these versatile pants:

TO YOUR (CHILL) CORPORATE OFFICE

Margeaux Sandals | Intimissi Cardigan | Madewell Silk Scarf | Sezane Earrings

DATE NIGHT

Quince Lace Tank | Drop Pearl Necklace ($45) | Drop Pearl Necklace ($$$) | 9 West Aniray Women’s Heels | Madewell The Sculpted Metal Wristlet Bag

RUNNING ERRANDS

J Crew Boyfriend jersey relaxed cropped T-shirt | Flabelus Linen Mary Jane Flats | Ettika Golden Flat Rectangle Chain Necklace | Colored Natural Stone Beaded /CZ Oval Charm Necklace | LL Bean Tote

COFFEE → AFTERNOON SPRITZ PIPELINE

Sezane ADRIEL TOP Khaki with Cream Dori Embroidery | Uniqlo Premium Linen Shirt | The Tokyo Shopper - Olive Tote | Toe-Strap Sandals for Women ($17!!!) | YSL Jeanne Frame Sunglasses | Heavan Mayhem PRIZE EARRINGS

TO THE PARK WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE

Old Navy Cerulean Blue Sweater ($25!!!) | Adidas Taekwondo Mei Sneaker | YSL Jeanne Frame Sunglasses | J Crew Como Woven Tote

We hope you’re finding this curated clothing analysis helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

7. COMP CARD

LESET Kyoto Carpenter Pant $280

• 100% cotton

• Made in Los Angeles

• Drawstring elastic waist

• Mid-rise barrel fit

• Back pockets

• One height

• Eighteen colors

• XS - XL

Banana Republic Poplin Barrel Pull-On Pant $100

• 100% cotton

• Drawstring elastic waist

• Mid-rise barrel fit

• Back pockets

• Comes in regular, tall, and petite

• Three colors

• XXS - XXL

Aritzia Oberlin Pant $110

• 97% cotton, 3% elastane

• Drawstring elastic waist

• Mid-rise barrel fit

• No back pockets

• One height

• Four colors

• 2XS - XL

GAP Poplin Easy Barrel Pants ($89)

• 100% cotton

• Drawstring elastic waist

• Mid-rise barrel fit

• One back pocket

• Regular, Tall, Petite

• Three colors

• 2XS - XL

J Crew Luna Pant $98*

• 100% cotton

• Drawstring elastic waist

• Mid-rise barrel fit

• Back pockets

• Classic, petite, or tall

• Five colors

• XXS - 3X

*I ordered the J Crew pants and didn’t love the fit on me, so I returned them. I’m 5’4” and a size 6-8 and ordered a small (they claimed to run big). The small was simultaneously tight and loose on me, the fabric was see-through yet also heavy and scratchy, and the inseam felt too long.

8. The Consensus:

If most of the other cotton poplin pants on the market are in the $100 range, what are you paying $280 for?

• American manufacturing

• The specific, flattering cut of these pants

• A large variety of unique colorways

Our final thoughts? Either SHOP… OR SWAP. If you’ve been eyeing these pants forever and feel like you’d wear them a million times, we say go for it. But if you just want a cotton poplin pair of pants, there are a ton of others on the market that cost less and give a similar look and feel.

Hi and welcome to the second edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine what’s actually worth it.

That’s where The Find comes in. Each week, we’ll pick one “trending” item and take an analytical look at it, prioritizing good fabrics, versatility, fit, and cost-per-wear. This week, we’re reviewing the one piece bathing suit that has started internet wars.

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HUNZA G ONE-SIZE CRINKLE SUIT

Let’s face it, bathing suit shopping is hard. No matter what your body type is, finding a suit that has enough coverage but not too much coverage, isn’t too bunchy, too tight, too stretchy, not stretchy enough, and that makes you feel like the best version of yourself is a tall order.

The idea of a “one-size-fits-all” one piece bathing suit therefore easily seems too good to be true. But the Hunza G crinkle one piece has challenged that notion since the 80’s, standing out as ‘the original’ one-size one- piece crinkle suit with a cult-like admiration and some online skepticism to match.

Out of the gate, we recognize this suit is NOT for every body. Like every article of clothing, there are limits to fit, comfortability, and frankly, design, that puts limits on suitability. Especially in a world where design trends towards sample sizes rather than inclusive sizes, we want to note that our analysis here is as thorough as it can be for our bodies as they are today!

For this piece, we also pulled insights from other reviewers to be sure we were capturing the full picture on sizing and support.

1. WHERE YOU’VE SEEN THE HUNZA G SUIT

The Hunza G suit is iconic. It made its celebrity debut in 1990 when Julia Roberts wore the body-con Hunza dress in Pretty Woman. The Original Crinkle fabric became globally recognized, and designer Georgiana Huddart adapted the suit into the Hunza G in 2015 to what it is today.

The brand has been extensively featured and reviewed, and donned by celebs and influencers alike. They are so popular that they recently launched a collaboration with legacy brand Burberry.

2. SHAPE AND FIT

Hunza G claims their one piece fits “like they were custom made for you. From the iconic Square Neck – an 80s-born classic and best-seller for a reason – to figure-sculpting strapless, one-shoulder, and v-neck styles, each suit is cut from our signature Original Crinkle™ fabric.” What that actually means is the suit was built to fit sizes 2-12.

The Hunza G truly fit me, my sister, and Alex’s sister like a glove. I’m 5’9”, size 2 and have a super small bust, but a VERY long torso. For reference, I would argue 9/10 one-piece suits bunch and are uncomfortable (we’re talking wedgies) due to my torso length—so I was pleasantly surprised by the length of the Hunza and how comfortable it felt. I felt like it was snug to my body, provided adequate coverage (butt and boob), and the straps kept the suit secure, but not too tight on my chest or torso.

The Hunza also looks banging and on my sister who is 5’7”, has a size C cup — and Alex’s sister who is 5’0” and 3 months postpartum.

Regardless of your “size”, the Hunza G is built to stretch to fit your body with ultra-stretchy popcorn fabric. I personally felt this was true for me and that the fit made for a super flattering swimsuit I would be happy to wear from my local Rockaway beach to a beach cabana in Ibiza.

I will note however that plenty of reviews suggest insufficient support if your have a larger chest.

COMP SHAPE AND FIT NOTE:

I also tried the Elysiian suit and the Youswim I wanted the Elysiian to fit as well as the Hunza. Unfortunately for me, the Elysiian was too snug on my torso, resulting in a slightly uncomfortable wedgie situation. That said, it fit my 5’7” sister perfectly (size 4).

The YouSwim genuinely fit me like a GLOVE. No unnecessary tightness, and super flattering like the Hunza — super comparable suit, just fewer colorways and styles available. It’s “high cut” at the hip I found to be super flattering too, along with the scoop in the back.

Alex’s note: I’m 5’4” and size 6/8 I’ve been wearing YouSwim suits for around five years now. My issue with swimsuits is usually the lack of butt coverage, but the YouSwim provides the ideal amount for me. I’ve turned my sisters, my mom, my friends, and random people on the beach into YouSwim lovers as well. On how they hold up: they typically last me two summers before the fabric starts to thin and loose its crinkle. Ironically, my older suits have held up the best, which makes me think they’ve changed a few things as the company has grown. For the price, I wish they would last longer, but since they’re one of the only suits I’ve felt comfortable in pre and post pregnancy, I’ll probably buy one per season.

3. UPKEEP

Hunza G upkeep is fairly straightforward. Like most swim suits, rinsing in cold water post-sun/sea/chlorine exposure is recommended. The suit is machine-washable with mild soap.

Given the crinkly popcorn fabric, Hunza (and our comp companies) recommend avoiding rough surfaces that could pill the suit, along with harsh sunscreen oils.

Something worth noting. It’s recommended that you avoid wearing Hunza in hot tubs, saunas, or hot springs. I found this a little upsetting ngl. The same recommendation was made for the Elysiian and You Swim. I’d probably ignore this? But it’s worth mentioning.

4. VERSATILITY

Swimsuits are only as versatile as your lifestyle allows them to be — however, the Hunza suit gets high versatility marks as bathing suits go. Particularly as it relates to colorways, the Hunza offers so many fun colors and 20+ distinct one-piece silhouettes (some with different versions): Domino, Domino Coverage, Domino with buckles, Clara, Pamela, Camille, Toni, Faye, Sadie (V-neck), Nancy, Celine, Brooke (strapless), Tiffany, Adriana (beaded), Jasmine, Eloise, Mia, Tyra (long-sleeve), Jerry, Alana, Katya, and Denise (with ruffles). I really dig their two pieces, like the Bonnie (pictured above) as well.

If you are lucky enough to live somewhere warm, or have frequent access to beaches and pools, I think this is a great investment swimsuit to add to your collection.

5. THREE WAYS TO WEAR IT

Not only are these suits great for swimming in and doing “beach activities”, they can be easily paired with a dress, shorts, and or a cute sarong for errands, morning walks, or a poolside brunch.

Elysiian Balboa | Oversized Button-Down Boyfriend Shirt ($24!!) | BIRKENSTOCK - Arizona Big Buckle Natural Leather Oiled | Haven Well Within ‘Acid Wash’ Jumbo Net Bag | Mango Squared frame sunglasses

Hunza Bonnie Bikini | Vitamin A Samara Sarong | Cushionaire Resort Strappy Sandals ($35) | Solibar Wide Brim Hat (SPF 50+) | Mango - Set 2 combined necklaces

Hunza Brooke One-Piece | LE BOP - Camille Dress | SAM EDELMAN - Ellina Braid Flat Sandal | Ink + Alloy Danielle Fish Ceramic Earrings | Quince Fiji Polarized Acetate Sunglasses | Weezie Wet Bag (great for wet suits) | TUCKERNUCK - Terrycloth August Tote

6. SEASONALITY - COST PER WEAR

It goes without saying that swimsuits usually have their seasons. If you live somewhere where temperatures scantly drop below 40, your annualized cost per wear comes in a little lower than those of us weathering colder climates at around $1.34/wear (assuming you’re wearing them once/week year round).

For those of us suffering through snow and sub-40 degree days, your cost per wear is a bit higher, coming in around $3.5/wear (assuming you’re rocking ‘em once a week between May and September).

I should note that Hunza claims their suits are designed to last for a lifetime—but I’m thinking four years is appropriate given reviews, plus the inevitable wear and tear on suits if worn indiscriminately.

**Author’s Note***

Given the cyclicality of fashion trends these days, The Find typically calculates cost per wear on an annualized basis. Despite swimsuits typically lasting between 2-3 seasons, we’re assessing value of the Hunza on a four-year basis given claims about longevity.

7. COMFORT

A part of me wanted to dislike this suit due to the cost. Unfortunately for me, wearing the Hunza felt like wearing a tight-fitting terrycloth bathrobe. That sh*t is soffffft.

During my trial analysis for this piece, I also tried my sister’s Hunza G two-piece Bonnie Bikini which has multiple wears. With the same crinkle fabric, the fit still felt perfect (no noticeable stretching or sagging). That said, I did notice the texture of the suit had lost some of its softness with time spent in the sun and sea.

COMP COMFORT NOTE:

The Elysiian suit was equally soft. However, it was slightly uncomfortable for me given my torso length (see shape and fit section for more on this). The YouSwim was ever so slightly less soft, but fit me quite well.

8. COMP CARD

9. THE CONSENSUS

My sister owns the Elysiian and raves about it. This suit is super comfy, equally as soft as the Hunza, and comes in plentiful colorways and styles — it’s also cheaper. Finally, the Youswim. I found it to be super comfy and incredibly flattering.

Honestly, we love the Hunza G, the Elysiian, and the YouSwim. If you’re TALL or rocking a really long torso, we recommend you SHOP the Hunza G or the YouSwim. For everyone else, SWAPPING for the Elysiian will do the trick for less $$.

We hope you found this curated closet analysis helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

Still too much $$? We get it. Here are a few more (untested) crinkle one-pieces we hear things about. If you try em, let us know if they’re up to snuff!

• Mango Textured Swimsuit : $79

• Calzedonia High Cut One Piece Swimsuit Crinkle Waves : $79

Written by . Edited by .

Hi and welcome to the first ever edition of The Find! We’re Alex and Izzy, former co-workers turned friends, who bonded over our shared love of good looks, stellar books, and the written word. Like so many our age (hi, Zillennials) our shopping habits are heavily swayed by influencer culture and the internet—but as girls on a budget (we’re talking $200-300 a month on clothes, often less), it can be so hard to sort through the sponsored posts to determine what’s actually worth it.

That’s where The Find comes in. Each week, we’ll pick one “trending” item and take an analytical look at it, prioritizing good fabrics, versatility, fit, and cost-per-wear. To kick us off, we’ve got one of the buzziest shoes on the internet. Without further ado… the fabulous Flabelus flat everyone can’t shut up about.

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FLABELUS MARY JANE FLATS

Clearly, ballet flats have been having more than a moment. From Portland, Maine to Dumbo, Brooklyn, these babies are everywhere.

But the Flabelus Mary Jane Flat (and other varieties) have stood out among the rest, in popularity, price, and in their increasingly cult-like admiration.

1. WHERE YOU’VE SEEN THEM

Like many, I became enamored by the Flabelus flat last Spring, and decided I just had to go 3 miles out of my way to pop into their Paris store when I was there last April. I of course bought a pair site-on-scene. The whole experience was romantic, sans the 140€ price tag + vat tax.

With over 68 colorways of the Mary Jane alone, I was overwhelmed. Thankfully, the sheer popularity of the shoe significantly narrowed my choices. I landed on the Boris (cheaper here from Harrod’s at $160 vs. $185), stuffed the soft linen shoe bag in my Away suitcase, and off I went!

Since last Spring, Flabelus has grown tremendously, expanding their colorways, styles (they now offer a ribbon flat, heels, and a luxury clothing collection), and in-store presence, opening up stores most recently in SoHo (Manhattan) and in Southampton.

2. SHAPE AND FIT

Flabelus’s Mary Jane shoe fits like a glove. I’m a size 8 and have quite a narrow foot, and feel the shoe sits snuggly on my foot without falling down when I walk, or big gaps.

Regardless of your shoe size, these Mary Jane’s are built to stretch to fit your foot—so if they feel a bit snug at first, they will mold to you with time.

One of the best things about this shoe is its silhouette. They are truly perfect in the balance they strike between ballet slipper and espadrille, mirroring the “slipper-like shape of Venetian gondolier shoes”.

Each pair is handcrafted by expert artisans on the coast of Alicante, Spain, which I love from a fast-fashion POV. We know where they are coming from and it’s not China.

3. UPKEEP

The Flabelus flat is dainty – to preserve their delicate fabric and shape, never machine-wash or dry-clean them. Instead, you need to keep them dry, store them in a safe, dry place, and use a soft, gentle cloth to clean them.

In general, I never wear mine when there’s even a slight chance of rain in the forecast. I also avoid wearing them out at bars or to the dog park, where beer spillage and dog slobber are proximity hazards.

4. VERSATILITY

The problem with these shoes being a versatile investment is that the colorways are so plentiful that you’re inevitably going to want multiple pairs – if you give a mouse a cookie.

In general though, you can get a lot of wear out of these Mary Janes. They are easily dressed up or down, can be paired with skirts, dresses, shorts, or jeans, and are appropriate footwear for almost any occasion. Especially for taller gals (hi!!) these make a great heel-alternative for bridal showers and other dressy events.

From the farmers market, Target, to Kote for an anniversary dinner, the Flabelus flat, or really any velvet Mary Jane, is an appropriate accent.

5. TWO WAYS TO WEAR ‘EM

ROLLA JEANS | FLABELUS Linen Mary Jane Flats | Faherty Miramar Linen Relaxed Polo Sweater | J Crew Como Woven Tote | Alexis Bittar Asterales Gold Floating Cuff Bracelet | Kate Spade Sailor's Knot Hinge Cuff (ONLY $32!!!)|

Flabelus Claire Electric Blue Mary Jane | GAP Denim Stripe Big Shirt | Gap Pointelle Crop Cami | J Crew Dual-tone acetate hoop earrings | Uniqlo Tiered Maxi Skirt | JW Pei Lucia Classic Top Handbag

We hope you’re finding this curated closet analysis helpful. Got an item you want us to cover? A purchase you’re on the fence about? Hit reply — we read every email and comment.

6. SEASONALITY - COST PER WEAR

If you live somewhere where temperatures scantly drop below 40, your annualized cost per wear comes to around $1.78/wear (assuming you’re wearing them twice a week). Luck for you, ballet flats and Mary Janes of all kinds can be worn year-round!

For those of us suffering through snow and sub-40 degree days, your cost per wear is a bit higher, coming in around $3.55/wear (assuming you’re rocking ‘em twice a week between April and October) @ the New Englanders and north atlantic folks, these shoes really are not appropriate to wear in rain or snow. They just aren’t.

**Author’s Note***

Given the cyclicality of fashion trends these days, The Find calculates cost per wear on an annualized (sometimes two-year) basis. Particularly for footwear, which tends to run its course faster, we want to assess value on a singular yearly basis.

7. COMFORT

Here is where the Flabelus MJ and I swiftly exited the honeymoon phase. While with any flat, I anticipated some initial discomfort and/or blistering during the break-in period, I found the discomfort didn’t fully dissipate over time.

I continued giving these shoes a chance, wearing them to-and-from work, on the subway, to the grocery store, and even on 2+ mile dog walks. Though tolerable, each stint resulted in redness and irritation, which forced me to don my uggo open-backed Birkenstocks for the next few days to recover.

I really wanted to give this shoe a pass for the rubbing and blistering, but I just couldn’t for the price.

Here’s where our comps come in.

8. COMP CARD

Alex owns the Cayumas and LOVES them. They are an A+ in shape and fit, and they are definitively our SWAP winner this week. Here’s what she says:

The Cayumas look nearly identical to the Flabelus, yet I find them SO comfortable, with no break-in time. I’m a size 8 with a wider foot and the size 39 fits me perfectly. While the price is lower than the Flabelus MJ, the Cayumas do cost a pretty penny for shipping to the US, whereas the Flabelus is sold on plenty of easy-to-ship sites. Because of the delicate fabric of the shoe, they do wear down over time and pick up scent (aka they get a little smelly, especially in the summer). All that said, I absolutely love them and would buy another pair.

9. The Consensus:

While we love the Flabelus flat, we recommend a SWAP with the Cayumas for ultimate comfort and versatility!