#3 - The Ugly Elevator
Prepping for the colder weather: knits, peacoats.. and green bags
Ciao!
As I sit here writing, facemaskhairmask in and candles on, I finally get the inspiration for a name for this newsletter.
I realised that while I do not lack ideas for content (my brain never shuts), I lack a decent setting to take photos.
The most classic location for an outfit photo before leaving for the day, the elevator, is particularly bad. The lighting is dull and from above, the walls are made of an ancient reddish wood, the mirror is mid length and somehow always dirty (I wonder which one of my neighbours has a passion for leaving finger marks on it..).
This is all very annoying and I’ll need to find a solution, but the ugly elevator is still the place where I take most of my outfits’ photos. So, let me welcome you to The Ugly Elevator, the ever observing witness of what I wear - hope you’ll enjoy the ride! Scroll to the bottom for some inspiration.
This week’s search
Good knitwear
Good jumpers last forever, so worth investing! Material is key, it has to be a natural fiber like wool, mohair, or cashmere. The composition is ideally 100% natural, if not at least a good proportion should be. Ideally no synthetics.
Rise&Fall - English brand with plenty of very high quality basics in cashmere at good prices
Asket - Another English brand with good quality basics, focused on sustainability and making our clothes last longer
Babaa - I love the jumpers’ shapes of this Spanish brand. Perfect oversize look
Mimi A la Mer - Italian knitwear (and beachwear and resort wear. They got you covered.)
Art Dealer - Italian brand again, very fun. Very feathery. Amazing dresses too!
Falconeri - you guessed it right, Italian as well. All the basics, all the classics, all you need
Artknit - love everything but especially Polos and Cardigans
&Daughter - from lovely from British isles and islands (all the red you want for the season)
Stefanel - Any yarn, they have: wool, silk, cotton, mohair, cashmere, alpaca
Ancosti - Interesting shapes and good prices. There are synthetics fibers, potentially worth an exception because there are some interesting pieces
From Future - All natural all cashmere all merino. Colorful (literally any color) and with a modern twist
Iris & Ink - own luxury brand of The Outnet, good value for money
Sezane - obvious classic we all love, to be just like a French girl
Independent brands(I always use Wolf & Badger): Kargede 1 and 2- very structural, more classic Tirillm
Secondhand: some examples for any taste at very good prices. THE Toteme cardigan, structural Lemaire, for the NYC Khaite girlies, an austere Prada, a cute Ami cardigan, Acne green, 80% off Brunello (bonus color of the season), for those who like a sparkle, to mimetize in the metropolitan jungle, pure cashmere, brand new
Fast Fashion: check out the premium lines and material such as Cos cashmere, H&M Studio, Arket
A green bag
I find suddenly found myself into green bags. I do not wear a lot of colors other than neutrals, I mainly play with shapes, materials and metals. BUT I now feel like I need a green bag to break it all off, to put something random into an outfit. I still haven’t pinpointed what material/shape/shade of green/size I want, but here some of my favorites so far:
Gabriel Forsach in petrol green (already sold out, other sizes available but I liked this shape and size)
By Far Amber semi patent in olive green - on sale!
Manu atelier mini prism in metallic green
Wandler Penelope in dark olive green
Paloma wool patent Cayetano in Khaki (waitlist, coming in december.. Probably my favorite)
Some other options:
If you have more budget, the Classic
Musky Vivienne Westwood vintage
Minty Sac Noe
A navy peacoat
For some obscure reason, I haven’t had this item in my closet since high school. I have wanted one for the last 3 years. I never bought one, probably because when it comes to buying clothes, I really am a perfectionist. I don’t buy unless it is perfect (for me). I never found the perfect navy peacoat, but I feel like this year I will. Here some that could make the cut (maybe):
Current leader from Low Classic
Runner ups from intrend: short double breasted, with gold buttons, trench like details on the sleeves
Current 3rd place at &otherstories
‘S Max Mara, at a great price (however Italist does not ship to Italy)
Few sizes Claudie Pierlot at a great price
Alternative and sleeker cut from theory - I do not love it this one would not make the cut for me, but it’s a very minimal option
The cheaper Celine inspired Sezane
The actual Celine if you have more budget
Still on the very pricy end, a more tailored tagliatore
And obviously, plenty of second hand options on Vestiaire and the Real Real: If I picked a favorite from each platform they would be this Burberry one and this Chloe one with a chain detail and in black
Other cool things and brands
Source Unknown maxi camel coat - it’s all shoulders
A velvet mini tote to pair with any winter night out
And a Low Classic velvet jacket because why not more velvet
A golden mini bag: Gabriel Forsach and a seashell Simkhai clutch
By the way… I got the structured Prani Studio Blazer! I absolutely love it. A similar one was available at Cos (very much out of stock, Ganni also has a similar, more pricey version)
As seen on The Ugly Elevator
Some inspiration from this week’s outfits. It was all about balancing the temperature upland downs.
1. Pointy night out. Gestuz Blazer (similar here), old paco rabanne 1969 bag, Vintage Gucci boots (similar here).
2. Ready for any weather. Merino wool jumper from Iris&Ink (similar here), vintage Furla bag (cooler version), Miista boots (like these), Mango mini skirt
3. Corset, what else. Vintage Lace corset from XS Milan, Numero21 Trousers, Alexander McQueen pumps
