Happy mid-August. I’m just home from a week away, which contributed to my taking a few more days than usual between sends here. To make it up, today’s something of a beast: A combination of summer sale scouting, new arrivals worth considering, and mostly (given that I forgot to send July’s On My Mind intel dump) all kinds of IRL notes from both August and July. And if you missed the last two:
Before we begin, two other agenda items. Emily Dawn Long texted me after last week’s What Women Want Wardrobe debut to add that Literary Sport’s Fran Miller and Jackie McKeown are her other favourite dressers today: “Obsessed with them. Crush on both of them.” (If you’re curious to understand why, the two have previously talked enjoyably about their style with Habiter and Believe in the Run.)
The second thing is that I am experimenting with affiliate links as part of this (free) send, because I want to understand whether they could move the needle in a way that would allow me to meaningfully lower the price of a Wardrobe subscription. That said, as I’ve always maintained, whether or not an item is on a network will never be relevant to its inclusion in the letter. I’m also not certain how far that needle’s going to travel, considering that a minuscule amount of the 57 links in today’s letter apply (🤪). Keep you posted. For now…
I loved this Gauthier Borsarello story last month. Another reminder—as with Hampus’ I <3 NY tee—that even as we aspire to own nicer things, few will make us (and those around us) as happy as the more personal souvenirs picked up along the way. Like, say, the custom Delta Green caps handed out to all of us on a stag weekend last month, or the £3 Squash T-shirt a friend found later that day in a North Devon charity shop. Both below.
That stag was tied to my friend Hugo’s wedding, which happened last weekend. You may remember him from our early HHWI interview, or from another interview we did about special ordering an engagement ring with The Ouze. After the ceremony, I finally met his brother-in-law, Matteo Debole, who hand-makes (in LA, for not so much $) the most complimented item of clothing I wear, this patchwork star hoodie. He also makes great music. Whiz kid.
After feeling I’d missed out on one for over a month, I went back to Jake’s to see which new Faimanns Stefan had made. Given our logo here, this bear called to me, and now it hangs on a little nail in my bedroom. Speaking of charms, I also spotted a post from Bunney (of Lip Balm for Life fame) about some mini disco ball charms they made for Harry Styles to gift to all of his album collaborators.
At a meeting with Sunspel, I learned that Jonathan Anderson himself designed the colourful loopback sweatshirts they still make (and sell for under £150) back when he was creative director. The only downside is they run a little long—Sunspel does this in part to allow for an older gentleman’s paunch—so if you want a cotton sweater that’s more cropped, I can vouch for Anglo-Italian’s, which they recently released in some more punchy colours alongside your trusty navy.
Emily Dawn Long’s first ‘SILENT DROP’ is happening this Friday, at two different times, each listed here. UTOPIA SOUTH is the one for me.
Both Mfpen and Beige Habilleur (with Quoddy) released hardware-forward deck shoes this month. By my count, Mfpen’s has 18 metal eyelets to Beige’s 16. And while we’re on the subject, the latter seems to have put all of its Camber stock on sale...
My kryptonite—a new Warehouse loopwheel tee with a sweet retro graphic—has returned.
London vintage update: The designer-leaning Dossier is open for visits, having broken off from La Nausée. And Gracie Abrams is wearing a shirt from the less designer-focused Goose Finds in the new Rolling Stone.
Carmina invited me to come by their store and make a selection. Lacking a true dress shoe, I played it safe with the Wholecut Oxford, but these unlined loafers were a close second, especially because they collapse to be almost completely flat when packed.
Three more things I liked: Renatto’s earphones (not from Celine), James Harjette’s mended jean pocket, and Anna Cafolla’s affirmative Ashley Williams phone case.
NEAT slacks are on sale at Neighbour, as is this Alumo fabric Graphpaper shirt. Nitty Gritty has taken a couple of hundred euros off the cult-favourite Kaptain Sunshine x Lady White Co. silk hoodie, still available in M and L. LW-C also has a really nice new colour of their mini hoodie, in every size. Elsewhere, Blue in Green has taken $90 off my current favourite chinos (applied at checkout), and if you’re a size 10 with some pocket change, you can get a beautiful Church’s loafer for $560 / 50% off at La Garconne.
On the shoe front, I should also say my Doek Courts (above) survived yet another summer trip, but I’d have liked something a little more evening appropriate too. To steal the old Good, Better, Best format, these are all saved at the minute: Sebago ($165), Rancourt ($288), Officine Creative ($790). I’ve also been looking for a comfy-but-not-crazy-plush travel day sneaker. Searched a lot, saw that Drake’s has some fun online-only pastel New Balances, settled on these from Saucony.
I’ve also been getting back into lap swimming lately (bummed this sold out!) and while looking up some Birdwell shorts, I landed on a niche Reddit debate about the brand’s perceived drop in quality over recent years. Lots of commenters are saying that if you want that look, the (still family-owned) Katin is $50 cheaper, and better. The more you know.
It is too warm to think about knits yet, and I don’t need any new ones, but the most tempting I’ve seen this year comes from Chamula. Hand-knit merino, and there’s that star theme again.
A few nice follows newly on my radar: Alvie Alvie, Yesterday’s Babe, China Cat Clothing.
Lastly, the nicest thing I tried on in Paris last January—Sono’s “Mud Grey” cotton coat—seems to have landed with its retailers very early. I went to see if it was on Sono’s site too, but instead found a lovely summer OOO message:
“Our online shop is now closed until the end of August. Thank you all for your orders and support this Summer. Wishing you a relaxing time!
I’m hoping to keep that energy too. See you in a few days. 🐻
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