First, some links! We had a lot to say about “The Bachelor” and Bachelor Nation this week:
On “Here to Make Friends,” we discussed Taylor Nolan’s horrifying tweets which resurfaced over the weekend, then chatted “Women Tell All” and more with Chelsea Vaughn. The episode is here.
Then, because we just couldn’t stop talking, we decided to do a little *BONUS AUDIO CHAT* for newsletter subscribers! In this, we react to Chris Harrison’s bad apology interview with Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America,” and toss in some more thoughts on “Women Tell All.” If you’re a paid subscriber, you can check it out here.
But enough of that! On to sunnier climes. It’s a balmy 43 degrees in New York (not counting windchill), and we’re thinking about June. Perhaps it’s how long and cold and snowy winter has been, perhaps it’s because we got a taste of mid-50s weather just the other week, perhaps it’s the blossoming hope that we’ll all be vaccinated in time for summer travel: We’ve become consumed by thoughts of sundresses and sandals.
So yes, it’s early March and we’ve splashed out for flimsy tops and cottagecore shifts that won’t be weather-appropriate for weeks if not months. Yes, our online shopping carts and Pinterest boards are bursting with dainty garments that, if we clicked “purchase,” would clear out our bank accounts. We may not be sure yet whether summer will be safe or normal, but at least we can make it maximalist.
Below, a few reflections on our summer style obsessions and other products that are easing the pain of another March dawning under COVID.
Claire:
It has been two full years now since I had anything resembling the summer vibe I wanted.
In 2019 I was pregnant and doing my best, but pregnancy in the heat means cheap tent dresses and even more sweat than usual. In 2020 I was a new mom, and both my husband and I were working full-time and caring for our infant son full-time while packing up and moving to a new apartment. We barely saw anyone or even left the neighborhood. In photos from last June-August, I am visibly exhausted. My hair was patchy and unkempt, my skin was bare and broken out, and my outfits were thrown together from t-shirts and bike shorts. My dreams of new-mom chic were shattered both by circumstance (the pandemic) and by baseline reality (new mom-hood is a lot harder on the body and wardrobe than I anticipated).
Now that I’m lucky enough to have baby hairs sprouting once again on my temples and baby care for my child, I’m ready for summer 2021 to be my most summery summer of all time. I’m ready to lavish time on my ravaged skin and hair, and to deck myself in frills and flowy skirts. I know I’m just experiencing the same thing — if perhaps on the more intense side — as so many other people who have spent the past year in sweats, avoiding parties and loved ones and hard pants. We’re ready to be people who are seen by other people.
Things I bought
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: Look, I have tried everything: fancy balms and masks, Vaseline, lanolin, Carmex. Even drinking more water! My lips were dried, peeling, cracked and bleeding for years. I began to think it was genetic. People with presentable lips became objects of jealous fascination to me. Then I tried this lip mask. OVERNIGHT — I absolutely do not exaggerate — my lips were healed. Since then, I have religiously applied it at least before bed and occasionally during the day, and my mouth has become as luscious and silky as a rose petal. My suspicion is that individual body chemistry has a big effect on lip balm effectiveness, but if you’ve tried it all, try Laneige.
Marine Layer Camila dress: Sadly this dress is only available in a few sizes (especially now that several have sold out), but it’s my first true summer dress purchase of the year, and I can’t wait to wear it. Nursing access is still a must, since I have no idea how to begin weaning, so I’ve been searching out dresses with button-fronts. I love the slightly retro look and accessible bodice of this dress, which drapes beautifully and hits that sweet spot between practical (for mom life) and cute (for my shallow heart).
Things I’m lusting over
Linenfox dresses: Now that I have a baby (God, I know, I can’t stop mentioning it, I’m sorry), I suddenly understand why the whole Brooklyn aesthetic is linen sacks and clogs: easy on-and-off, not constrictive, and yet breezily stylish. When I want to picture my summer, I sometimes browse the Etsy page of Lithuanian linen boutique Linenfox. The nursing-friendly Robin and Joy styles always catch my eye, and I’ve imagined myself drifting through the park, iced coffee in hand, in 7 different colors of each one. The items are made to order and can be made with custom alterations, and I know I won’t make it to May without having given in.
Free People Dahlia maxi dress: What’s easier for nursing than buttons and effortlessly form-hugging? SMOCKING. I never thought I’d get on board the smocking train again, but suddenly the idea of a top I can just pull down to breastfeed without winding up with a stretched-out neck seems mighty appealing. The dramatic sleeves and sweet embroidery on this one haunt my dreams.
Christy Dawn Lincoln dress: Thanks to its sustainable and ethical business model, Christy Dawn clothes don’t fall on the cheap side. But the world is burning, and though consumer choice won’t be enough to save it, buying more responsibly sourced clothes is good if you can afford it. Also: if I wear it every day the cost will amortize down to practically nothing, right?
Reformation Meadow dress: Fortunately the sage print of this romantic smocked-bodice dress is sold out, or I would be making some very bad decisions right now.
Emma:
I used to delight in picking out outfits.
I was never the most put together woman in Brooklyn, but I did take pride in the particular satisfaction that comes from putting pieces of clothing together just so, allowing you to walk out of your home and into public feeling something close to fabulous. And then the pandemic happened, and I spent the last year barely changing my clothing, let alone dressing up. My wardrobe for the last 365 days has been a rotating selection of leggings, oversized sweatshirts, and pajamas. (On a nice day, I’ll put on a pair of proper joggers.)
I went out to dinner with a friend the other night — the first outdoor dining I had done in a month, because it has been a somewhat frigid winter here in New York City — and found myself feeling anxious about the prospect of putting on real clothing. How did I used to do this all the time? My body has also changed during quarantine in ways that make me feel uncomfortable, a fact I feel ashamed to admit. (I’m far less ashamed of the changes than of the shame I feel around them.) The lack of organized exercise options on which I used to rely for motivation, coupled with the fact that food is one of my dearest sources of joy and comfort, have led my body to soften over the past year. This is by no means a tragedy — bodies are meant to change! that’s what they do! — but it is something I noticed when I put on hard pants for the first time in awhile.
Instead of obsessing over my weight or size, I’m trying to just meet my body where it is and drape it in lovely things. All bodies deserve to be cloaked in gauzy, floaty, Bridgerton-inspired garments. I find myself oscillating between online shopping for ‘90s-inspired loose jeans and Doc Martens, and leaning into cottagecore, a world full of lace and ditsy prints and flattering A-line skirts. I’m looking forward to it getting warm and full of promise, a feeling that only spring can provide.
Hopefully the next few months will bring many of us opportunities to wear beautiful, flattering clothing. Personally, I’m already planning my outfit for my future vaccine appointment. Now that’s a selfie I want to feel fucking fabulous in.
Things I bought
Find Me Now Kyrie Cardigan: It’s the happy Spring lavender color of this scalloped knit top that got me. My natural inclination when online shopping is to buy dresses, but I’m hoping this cardigan will make me feel like the flirty, moody, cool Gen-Z teen I never got to be. Sadly, this particular style is almost sold out, but this indie fashion label has lots of cute stuff in their new collection.
Agolde Criss Cross Jeans: I’m ashamed to admit that I purchased these after seeing former “Laguna Beach” star Lo Bosworth wear them on Instagram. She just looked so effortlessly cool and chic! I managed to find these jeans, new with tags, for significantly less than their listing price on Poshmark, so I couldn’t resist. The criss-crossed waistband is really flattering, they’re nice and loose, and the color makes me feel distinctly un-wintery. (The Good American Good ‘90s collection gives off a similar vibe.)
Nesli Nap Dress: I know I know, I’ve talked about these dresses before. I clearly have a bit of a Hill House problem. But my size came back in stock in the Emerald Trellis print and I am just truly obsessed with dresses that cinch in up top while flowing over the rest of my body. Plus, these are the only semi-elegant garments I’ve regularly worn during the pandemic.
Things I’m lusting over
Doen dresses: The Doen aesthetic has been called “dreamy,” which feels totally accurate. I think that’s exactly why I’ve been fantasizing about amassing a collection of their (quite pricey!) dresses. After living in a nightmare world for a year, I’m ready to feel a little bit dreamy.
White combat boots: I got a thought in my head this week that I need white lace-up boots; the kind of transitional shoes that can take you from winter to early summer, pair well with dresses, and withstand a lot of walking around Brooklyn. I now sit at my desk writing for work while I glance over at my minimized window full of 12 bootie links. There are the classic Doc Martens. These off-white Dolce Vita ones (on sale!) Bright white Steve Madden boots that feel fit for a fashion blogger. These Rag & Bone combat boots, which are on major sale, but still expensive. And another Dolce Vita pair which feel spiritually related to the Doc Martens. It’s not really a matter of whether I will buy these boots, but which ones.
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I want to buy all of these suggestions and fulfill my desire to lean into my cottage core aesthetic more, thank you for the recs!
Most of those dresses are a hair out of my Nebraska librarian price range BUT boy do I not mind gazing at /inspiration/ pieces. You have awoken a great need in me for spring dress wear, wow wow.