#12 - Spring Homework: Shopping List pt 1
Lighter days ahead, plus the never ending jeans hunt
It’s been a few very busy weeks, but as we enter the second half of March, it’s time to do some Spring Homework!
My favorite parts of the year are seasonal changes, when I am extremely bored of the current season and can’t wait to transit to the coming season - which means spring /summer collections are going live and I get to research new stuff :)
So without further ado.. Spring homework sorted for you! As usual, I won’t include basic fast fashion (Zara, Mango etc.) and super brands - items from these two categories are the easiest to find :)
This weeks’ search - spring essentials part 1, the shoes:
Let’s start with my fav item to research - shoes:
Ballet Flats
are an absolute must have. Some of my favourites on the higher end budget wise include:
Martiniano, my absolute favourites. The flats are called glove (guanto) and you can tell how soft they are. Gold and Silver to sparkle your days
Hereu - my other favorite and the best brand for transitional weather shoes, especially flat ones. Classic but with a twist, minimal but not boring. Best place to find fisherman sandals (why is everything always sold out everywhere?? Is it just me??)
Marialuca, available in black and virtually any other color, these leopard print one would elevate any outfit. You can often find them on sale on Farfetch or Zalando
Dear Frances - super high quality footwear. Their mesh flats became super popular
Le monde beryl, especially for Mary Janes. In love with these chocolate brown slippers
Repetto, a classic with plenty of colours and shapes. The mule version (blisters proof?) is interesting, a more wearable version of the Jacquemus ones
ATP Atelier, another classic. Great loafers and mules too
Proenza Schouler - different alternatives to classic shapes. I particularly like the slippers, the soft loafers and the crinkled glove mary janes
Mansur Gavriel - very classic in any possible color you might want
A di gaeta - not really ballet flats, but interesting and with a small heel (good for back pain I guess?), Carel style
Reike nen - slightly unconventional but not too much, with several mules alternatives too. In love with these mary jane’s toe shape and the colour
Studio amelia - the highlight of this brand are definitely the sandals, however, they have a great crinkled option flat
Graymatters - 'contemporary classics’ another great options for flats that are not too flat
With a bit lower budget, there are several, interesting alternatives from mid range brands. A great selection below
Loeffer randall - an American brand with a romantic aesthetic. I like how high the shoe sits on the instep. Nice brown options, including a woven one
Everlane - everything you might need. These, called glove too, look very comfortable
Aeyde - another one of my favourites. A lot of interesting but not too weird toe shapes, mainly squared. For ballet flats I prefer almond shaped toes, in particular I love the Dark Brown suede option
Essen the label - I really like this minimalistic brand. Plenty of colours, including a silk embroidery version
The cito - minimal but refined, focused on craftsmanship. This The Rowish flat is just perfect
Anonymous Copenhagen Leopard flats: the most popular is sold out but hopefully will be restocked, very few sizes left on this one too. Peep toe option available
Sam edelman mary jane, these ones only. A much cheaper version of The Row (sorry Mary Kate and Ashley)
A Emery (a very interesting and not boring minimal brand) - this eggshell half ballet flat half loafer, or this suede option
Leatherlane the Brand - a very high quality Italian manufacturer. They have a permanent collection and offer a mary jane flat in black leather and mesh
3 English brands that have a bit of a grandma feel, but if you search there are some good options
Hush - a cheaper glove option
Hobbs - this and this maryjane are very similar to the Aeyde ones
Madewell - a more affordable mesh option, a great silver one, and the mule version too!
Lazzari and Spelta Milano - two of the best shapes I found
Loafers and Fisherman Sandals
I mentioned a few loafer, however, for your first pair I would play it safe with either G.H Bass or Sebago. Check out Madewell’s collab with G.H. Bass for less classic alternatives.
In warmer climates, fisherman sandals are a great option for those who don’t like to show their toes, or for city girls that don’t want to risk stepping into the street dirt (after almost ten years I still cannot take the tube with open toe flat sandals). To be worn with trousers or long skirts ONLY, they’re super chic but they cut your ankle making your legs shorter.
A lot of the above brands have them too, some great options:
Hereu - super classy, super sleek and super interesting
Leatherlane the brand - minimal, great quality and a good price
Dear frances - chunkier, with personality
Anthropologie - similar but at a lower price point
The endless jeans search
Like everyone who is older than 16, I have been searching for the perfect pair of jeans for years. Obviously, the perfect pair does not exist, mainly because our body changes during the day and over time, but also because of how we feel and consequently dress changes. One day you want a baggy look, one day you want a sleek straight leg, one day you want it high waist, one day you want it low waist..it’s literally impossible to have the one-fits-all jeans. But this does not stop me from searching for several almost perfect jeans. Below are some good models I tried out or purchased lately. They all are 100% cotton, I really don’t like stretchy denim with polyester. Obviously the same pair can fit super differently on different people, but hopefully these can be good inspo for anyone
Agolde 90s pinch - a bit of an investment but can be found often on sale on SSENSE, farfetch, Matches or Mytheresa. I bought a pair, I’ll get it soon and report back
Redone 90s high loose - another investment but I can testify that these are (almost) perfect. Again look for sales, you can find them on Revolve too. Tried and tested!
Levis by Auspices - Etsy shop, send them your measures and they send a pair that will fit your perfectly or tailor old denim to your measurements! Tried and tested
COS - perfectly oversized and low waisted. Tried and tested!
Raey - Matches’ brand. They have plenty of great stuff, jeans are really good. I don’t love the styling as they always look a bit weird on the models, but the jeans are great once tried on. Old collections on sale. Tried and tested!
Everything Toteme, but the barrel leg especially. Like the above, can be found on all luxury ecommerce, often on sale. Tried and Tested!
Ciao, see you soon with part 2!
