Summer wind-down / Rising Sale season
Make the most of the sales (no regrets!) whether you're ready for fall, holding on to summer, or thinking forward to late autumn & winter
My mind is spinning trying to come to terms with the fact that summer (at least summer break, I hope we have weeks of warm weather stretching before us) is winding down. We’re just home from our last beach trip of the season, my oldest starts school today and my oldest daughter starts preschool right after Labor Day. That back-to-school feeling is in the air (the chaos is SO CRISP), and I am feeling the shift in the cool morning air (and in how dark it still on the days I wake up early!)
What a summer! We had a good one, and I hope you did too. Last summer I was deep in the early days of having a baby, figuring out life with three kids and savoring my maternity leave. This summer, that baby is nearly walking, and it really feels like we have three kids - with much less downtime to show for it! Our summer was either jam packed — June included trips to Montreal, Nantucket, and the Cape, or quiet - we had several weekends in mid/late-July and early August where we had nothing to do and it felt amazing. I started a new job, which gave me several weeks of time off that passed by in a blur (trips with kids will really do that to you!), but was really lovely to get the chance to enjoy, and then has had a very intense ramp-up as I get my bearings and try to deliver impact quickly.
I took a few weeks off from writing this newsletter. It wasn’t officially planned, but I sort of knew I was going to need to take a little step back. I’ve been publishing on here at least weekly for over a year (and sporadically before that!), and while I’m very proud of managing that schedule, and I want to offer predictability to those of you who read and/or keep an eye out for my newsletter every week, I also needed to give myself a break. We’ve got a lot going on. I have a lot going on. And sometimes, although I do love pulling out my computer at the end of the day after my kids have gone to bed, or early in the morning before they are awake, and loosing myself in writing and style and beautiful clothes, sometimes, I also need to put my phone in a drawer in the other room and just splay out on the couch and either watch tv with my husband or read my book.
Looking forward to fall, I am going to try to keep on a pattern here (I would love to know - as a reader, do you prefer a specific day/time of the week to receive a newsletter, or does that not matter to you? I like both, and subscribe to newsletter that take both approaches), but I need to figure out how I’m going to get into that pattern and maintain it. I have a feeling the answer lies in spending less time on social media (read: instagram) but also it is hard to get off of it. I love longform writing and reading so much, but I’m also addicted to that dopamine hit of the easy instagram scroll.
One thing I would like to commit to - for myself, first and foremost - on Substack, and on Instagram, and, honestly, in life in general - is less analysis and stress over perfection and just instead executing on ideas when I have them and am excited by them. How many times have I recited the mantra, “perfect is the enemy of good enough” - will I ever take it to heart? I have a tendency towards lots of ideation (you should see my notes app it’s actually distressing!) and then I just let them simmer - wondering about whether they are interesting enough, unique enough, fully baked enough, and what I could do with them if I had all the time in the world — and this eats up time. While there are so many sources of inspiration in the others that write on this platform and that I follow and am connected to on other platforms, the other side of the amazing connection coin is the fact that consuming content from others can become a way to avoid creating on my own. I know I have let myself fall into this trap more than I’d like to, and I want to refocus myself in the direction of creation. This is all meant to be fun and its a big giant experiment. More than anything, I hope I share how much joy can come from getting dressed, expressing ourselves through our sartorial choices and the power of a great outfit to make us feel that we can do anything we need to do.
Anyways, now that I’ve gotten the philosophical talk out of the way, we can move onto some shopping agenda items as we are entering SALE SEASON.
It’s the end of summer - and everything summer related is on sale, and so is a lot of pre-fall and fall stuff. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, and even easier to feel pressure to buy things that you don’t need or want, just because of a sale. That said, if you are shopping for something, it is a great time to take advantage of discounts if there is something you need or have been wanting!
In the past, I have been easily overwhelmed by these big sale weekends, and driven by the pressure to buy something because I’ll never get as good of a deal if I don’t. This has led to making many purchases that I did not need, ended up regretting later, or going over my budget. This happens to many of us. Who isn’t overwhelmed by their promotion tab?? Brands design campaigns for this weekend to feed into human tendencies to feel pressure to take advantage of a sale and make you feel like you are saving money! To avoid this, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
This is not the only sale. Especially in the current world of fashion and retail, there are, and will continue to be many sales. So, this is not the only opportunity you have to find a great steal, or buy something that you’ve been eyeing at a discount.
Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean I need it. It’s only a “steal” if I get something I want, need and love at a discount. This means I always pay attention to make sure I can return something that I buy (I rarely shop final sale unless I am 100% sure about the piece).
You are much more likely to regret buying something you don’t actually want or need than you are to regret not buying something you really wanted.
Make a wishlist. I create/curate a season wishlist that I am always tinkering with, so that is my source of truth when I’m shopping. As you find things in your shopping pursuits, bump them up against your wishlist — is it on there already? Or maybe something similar? Or, is it completely new, something you’ve never thought of before (a sign to pass).
I’m sharing a tight edit of things that I genuinely think would be worth a browse & consideration if you are feeling shoppy. A very big edit of items that I either have and love, have tried on and love, or are on my own wishlist can be found here. (Note that as of publication, the Shopbop sale is through 8/28, so pieces may or may not be on sale!).
Don’t forget to enjoy your weekend. If you’re feeling like you have nothing to wear and that’s what motivating you, take at least 30 non-pressure (eg: not when you’re running right out the door) to create some outfits (also know that we all feel that way sometimes!). I promise you have something. Shopping out of desperation is never good!!!
If you are a shopping for:
A button down shirt: I wished I had a short sleeve button down basically all summer, and this is a very nice one. This (use code TAKE20) is one of the best button downs available IMO. A classic white poplin. This Gap one is SO GOOD! Love this one from Kule also!
Ballet Flats: I am a ballet flat girl through and through and have been wearing J.Crew styles for years - they used to make the cutest silk pattern ballet flats - I would always buy them from the super sale section in my early corporate years. I love these butter yellow Mary Janes! These woven ones (use code TAKE20) from Freda Salvador have been on my wishlist for awhile, and they are beautiful. I’m strongly considering the black as I need to replace my black ballet flats. Another great woven options.
Loafers: The holy grail pair would be these from Emme Parsons (use code TAKE20). These are a more wallet-friendly price point. Love the lug-sole vibe of these.
A Refresh of simple, but special pieces you can wear a million ways — I love this t-shirt sweater - a great way to elevate a really simple outfit, or pair with something dressier, I’m planning on wearing with silky pants all through fall and into winter! There is just something about pointelle (s/o to
) and I have been wearing this tee non-stop - just feels a little more special than a basic t-shirt. Long sleeve is also great. If you prefer plain cotton, I swear by this Gap one. And this is my favorite ribbed shirt.Belts - This (use code TAKE20) has special detailing on the buckle & the perfect not to thick, not too thin width. Brown Suede is speaking to me. If you want something more statement-making (I love this belt). I think I will be pulling the trigger on a belt from Aureum Collective - 25% off their whole collection - maybe this or this.
A bag - This Jenn Lee suede beauty (use code LDW20) - I’ve had my eye on her since last year! I also love this bucket from the brand - the season for carrying might be winding down, but it’s a forever style! My beloved JW Anderson in a blue colorway is fabulous. Alert Alert — Loewe medium bucket, and a mini Flamenco. A Large Park Tote from The Row (the dream, someday!!!)
Boots - I’m not sure I’m ready yet, but I know some of you are, and there are several really beautiful styles on sale. I have these from last year and they are fabulous (Khaite vibes). A great suede pair.
Something special - A very 90s LBD. Have and love and have worn a million times and plan to wear a million times more! Great for a fall or winter wedding! Love this blue & white beauty so much. A beautiful black dress. Stunning. Hot & the perfect piece for every date night this fall. A great shirtdress.
A few other things worth a look:
These sweatpants are the only pair you need.
A great satin slip skirt (I sized down)
If you live somewhere that you’re going to have a warm fall, I could see this with a sweater and boots and being so cute!
Roan Iris has the most amazing collection of home goods, decor, tabletop, and is offering 20% off sitewide with code LATESUMMER.
Sales & Codes:
J.Crew: Up to 40% off a big selection of pieces, no code needed
ShopBop: 20% off a selection of pieces, through Aug 28th
Cadets shorts for little boys are the best - I like to stock up during the sale!
Material Kitchen is running a sale on their sets - an additional 10% off using the code SETUPFORFALL, Aug 28 - Sept 3. This would make a great gift, and this will give your kitchen a little zhush, plus my kids love little mini cutting boards!
Everlane is offering 25% off sitewide - I am ordering this pair of jeans (my sister has them and they are great!) Also love the look of this raincoat!
ICYMI:
Some recent pieces that you might enjoy…
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