Have you listened to the Articles of Interest podcast series on preppy style? I feel like you’d like it (the podcast generally, and the specific series on Prep).
I woke up, saw a bunch of new subscribers to my newsletter, and immediately thought: it must be Rachel! I feel undeserved but always thankful to be on your reading list.
I have a feeling that pretty much everyone has fashion week fatigue after it's over -- I know I do! It's kind of exhausting to be exposed to so much, and it's only human to not be able to take everything in. It's not just the amount of shows (and clothes), but also the bigger picture: the environmental impact of the shows (the natural resources to make the clothes and everything that goes with it, the fashion crowd flying around the globe) the deeply anti-feminist idea of 'this is what a woman should look like next season', the unavoidable 'us'/'them' undertone to everything, the money that's being spent, the consumerism of it all... It's highly problematic. I don't know how actual fashion critics do it. How do they wrap their head around everything they see? And still... there are times here and there where the fashion weeks make us feel something true, and it can take many forms, like the nostalgia you so beautifully described in this newsletter, a memory, an appreciation of craft... I don't think we should need all of the fashion weeks' madness for us to get to that point, but here we are.
The new subscribers alone is the kind of small pleasure I love in all of it. We found each other! We get to be aware, alive, and in a warm community. Thank you, dear Tiia. XOXOXO.
That Miu Miu skirt! I definitely need to find a dupe. Maybe old Prada Sport on TRR? Just to play Devil's-Wears-Prada advocate, I wonder if you are conflating mastery with comprehensiveness. Maybe FW is all racquet sports, and you are a master at playing squash (bad analogy since you said you hated sports at camp)? Maybe you've mastered understanding and developing your style and your inspiration and sourcing of that style, and the rest is just noise you don't need? And maybe there's a tension between an aspiration to mastery and the sense of play and delight and joy and discovery that animates everything you write and post about style and clothes. If you "mastered" it all, would you have been moved to tears by the repurposed tablecloths? If you have what you need to be happy and inspired, I think you're doing it just right for you. (And us, your readers).
I love this -- and I did feel content after writing, once I tamped down the noise of "I am doing so little!" (And I was thinking drawstring men's shorts under skirts, just showing the top ...) XO Thank you for this nice note and for sharing my work!
My all-time fav fashion column. How can I count the ways? Honesty, memory, large-soledness, love, un-snobbism, pragmatism, brilliance, thrilling designer in in Roma PS. The Margiela spring trench--doesn't it look exactly like my Prada trench, the one you told me to toss "ooo, icky material." ("Icky," =water-resistant?) XOXO
LOL-- I think the one you reference is Carven? And if I said to toss, you know it was bad, mom. I mean, Judith. Thank you for the love here and the love in your darning stitches. XOXOXO
Thank you for your unerring advice. You have never yet made a mistake in advising me what to toss--if I cling to a golden child, I lovingly toss it the next season. I made all my mistakes before I knew you. XOXO
I need to go through this more when I am not just-back-from-hockey-tournament-mom-mode....but you had me at ropes and shells and 80s high school romance vibes!! My BF and I had matching white cotton sailing bracelets that shrunk on to the wrist. My mother was NOT pleased when I refused to cut it off for a formal family photo...so she had the framer “cut off” my arm 😂
Separately I found the greatest Eddie Bauer anorak waaaay on sale that is neon prep.
It’s hard to enjoy fashion on these days of war and horror for so many people and also you are right it’s overwhelming it doesn’t feel right or good. But I loved this piece. You crying in the store is so moving and nostalgic. Mended socks and homemade dresses are true treasures. They represent what’s important in life, it translates into “I love you “ it reminds me of my talented aunt who used to make me dresses and now she’s sadly gone but her dress the only one I kept is still in my closet. My oldest garment in there and by far the most valuable. So smart of you to use your Dad’s clothes it’s super cool but also so personal so meaningful. I must disagree with you though when you don’t consider yourself naturally stylish because I know no one that can put things (clothes , accesories) together like you. Very fresh and easy and beautiful. So thank you for this; not so trivial piece about fashion 🩷😭💕
Have you listened to the Articles of Interest podcast series on preppy style? I feel like you’d like it (the podcast generally, and the specific series on Prep).
No, and I now I will - thank you! xoxoxo
I woke up, saw a bunch of new subscribers to my newsletter, and immediately thought: it must be Rachel! I feel undeserved but always thankful to be on your reading list.
I have a feeling that pretty much everyone has fashion week fatigue after it's over -- I know I do! It's kind of exhausting to be exposed to so much, and it's only human to not be able to take everything in. It's not just the amount of shows (and clothes), but also the bigger picture: the environmental impact of the shows (the natural resources to make the clothes and everything that goes with it, the fashion crowd flying around the globe) the deeply anti-feminist idea of 'this is what a woman should look like next season', the unavoidable 'us'/'them' undertone to everything, the money that's being spent, the consumerism of it all... It's highly problematic. I don't know how actual fashion critics do it. How do they wrap their head around everything they see? And still... there are times here and there where the fashion weeks make us feel something true, and it can take many forms, like the nostalgia you so beautifully described in this newsletter, a memory, an appreciation of craft... I don't think we should need all of the fashion weeks' madness for us to get to that point, but here we are.
The new subscribers alone is the kind of small pleasure I love in all of it. We found each other! We get to be aware, alive, and in a warm community. Thank you, dear Tiia. XOXOXO.
That Miu Miu skirt! I definitely need to find a dupe. Maybe old Prada Sport on TRR? Just to play Devil's-Wears-Prada advocate, I wonder if you are conflating mastery with comprehensiveness. Maybe FW is all racquet sports, and you are a master at playing squash (bad analogy since you said you hated sports at camp)? Maybe you've mastered understanding and developing your style and your inspiration and sourcing of that style, and the rest is just noise you don't need? And maybe there's a tension between an aspiration to mastery and the sense of play and delight and joy and discovery that animates everything you write and post about style and clothes. If you "mastered" it all, would you have been moved to tears by the repurposed tablecloths? If you have what you need to be happy and inspired, I think you're doing it just right for you. (And us, your readers).
I love this -- and I did feel content after writing, once I tamped down the noise of "I am doing so little!" (And I was thinking drawstring men's shorts under skirts, just showing the top ...) XO Thank you for this nice note and for sharing my work!
My all-time fav fashion column. How can I count the ways? Honesty, memory, large-soledness, love, un-snobbism, pragmatism, brilliance, thrilling designer in in Roma PS. The Margiela spring trench--doesn't it look exactly like my Prada trench, the one you told me to toss "ooo, icky material." ("Icky," =water-resistant?) XOXO
LOL-- I think the one you reference is Carven? And if I said to toss, you know it was bad, mom. I mean, Judith. Thank you for the love here and the love in your darning stitches. XOXOXO
Thank you for your unerring advice. You have never yet made a mistake in advising me what to toss--if I cling to a golden child, I lovingly toss it the next season. I made all my mistakes before I knew you. XOXO
Xoxoxo
I need to go through this more when I am not just-back-from-hockey-tournament-mom-mode....but you had me at ropes and shells and 80s high school romance vibes!! My BF and I had matching white cotton sailing bracelets that shrunk on to the wrist. My mother was NOT pleased when I refused to cut it off for a formal family photo...so she had the framer “cut off” my arm 😂
Separately I found the greatest Eddie Bauer anorak waaaay on sale that is neon prep.
Thanks for so many hot takes!!
Those sailing bracelets! Yesssss. XO.
It’s hard to enjoy fashion on these days of war and horror for so many people and also you are right it’s overwhelming it doesn’t feel right or good. But I loved this piece. You crying in the store is so moving and nostalgic. Mended socks and homemade dresses are true treasures. They represent what’s important in life, it translates into “I love you “ it reminds me of my talented aunt who used to make me dresses and now she’s sadly gone but her dress the only one I kept is still in my closet. My oldest garment in there and by far the most valuable. So smart of you to use your Dad’s clothes it’s super cool but also so personal so meaningful. I must disagree with you though when you don’t consider yourself naturally stylish because I know no one that can put things (clothes , accesories) together like you. Very fresh and easy and beautiful. So thank you for this; not so trivial piece about fashion 🩷😭💕
Arghhh, it's so moving, your kindness. Thank you, Erika. These moments are a light shining through. I hope you look at that dress all the time. XOXO
I might be able to help out with the rope/ bead/shell vibes...😉😘
Wooo hooooo. Hurry home.