The List: How to Style Shorts and Spring Clean Your Jewelry
Plus: Phoebe Philo and The Row grow ever more cryptic.
Back from my break! Thanks for that, I needed it. I was very committed to rest and recovery, so I skipped Paris last week. Did I have some especially sharp fomo pangs watching the Khaite dinner that MyTheresa put on, knowing I was supposed to be there? Yes, yes, I did. Instead, I played Uno and danced around to Dolly Parton with my friend Joyce, her eight-year-old daughter, and our friend Jalil Johnson. Equally as fun, if you ask me. The time off did wonders, and I feel ready to meet Spring head-on.
Just between us girls, I wasn’t doing so hot. I’ve been battling with an ongoing health issue that’s been a monstrous time, immunity and energy suck, and catching that Norovirus that went around didn’t help. A week of rest at home was a good reminder to prioritize my health above all else, no matter how much fun it looks like everyone else is having on Instagram.
Easing back in, I’ve decided the only travel I will do this March is to see the people who nourish me most; a few days with my best friend, a trip away with my guy, a little time with my sister and nephew. My social prioritization will be around intimate groups, one-on-ones with girlfriends, and spending as much time in the sunshine as the weather will allow.
But! All this rest gave me time to do spring cleaning, including a seasonal closet purge (lots of new things listed on my Basic.Space — Khaite, Alaia, Schiaparelli!) and a deep jewelry box cleaning. More on that below.
Lots to catch up on, so let’s jump right in.
By now, you’ve heard that The Row banned phones at their runway presentation in Paris. Many people had feelings. (I heard the word “elitism” a lot.) I opened up the subject in our chat, and the general consensus among our group was approval. One reader said, “As someone who literally shuts off their phone when spending time with people, I love this move.” WWD noted, “The new definition of luxury is presence.” That said, I do side with relaxitsonlyfashion (one of my favorite TikTok follows) who pointed out had he flown to Paris to report on the show for his audience, he would have been annoyed. Bygones, because the lookbook is out now and the clothes are beautiful. A widely dogeared trench has Instagram agog, along with a litany of other beautiful outerwear is being shown. See for yourself. (I’m partial to this silk number.) I do yearn to see more particulars, though. These photos are expressive and discerning and so terribly quiet they scream, but they create a lot of questions about what collectors will actually be buying.
Khaite dropped new styles from their successful collaboration with Oliver Peoples. I like the 1984C for everyday city wear, especially in the red, while the 1966C beg for a resort destination.
In characteristically cryptic fashion, Phoebe Philo teased a Spring drop on March 7 with a one-line Instagram post featuring a pair of tasseled leather mules. There are shoes to love. To gaze at. To cook for, to clean for. To never wear because they’ll pick up every bit of debris on the street. They’re a glimmer that maybe she will give us more than she did on the last round. (Let’s hope the website behaves this time.)
Our friends at High Sport made a cheerful splash into Spring with a recitation of large-format gingham. Makes me want to go on a picnic.
Wardrobe.nyc is having a mega archive sale. Further reductions hit today — great pickings for blazers, coats, and stretchy basics.
La Ligne is getting into denim — and what a thru-line so many years after this widely-pinned image of brand co-founder Meredith Melling (in a pair of Marc Jacobs jeans) inspired it! (JESSGRAVES10 for 10% off.)
It’s the rainy season, and everyone in our chat loves Stutterheim raincoats. Just a tip!
I can’t stop thinking about shorts. They’re all I want to wear this spring. My trusty Comme Si boxers eagerly await another season, but I’ve added to my collection. Here’s where my head’s at, styling-wise:
Once a season, I like to deep-clean my jewelry box. Makeup, sweat, and grime collect as baubles rest against your skin, and it’s amazing what a little spit-shine will do to restore them. If you’re into that idea, I like this silver cream with a lightly abrasive cloth for my sterling silver pieces. I use this little magic canister on my fine jewelry (gold, platinum, diamonds) for glinty pieces that shine like new. And yes — I use it for my Dorsey pieces, too. I store everything in velvet-lined Stackers stacking trays, which I like for their visual uniformity and ability to expand storage as my collection grows. (More tricks for caring for your things in this letter.)
I’ll leave you with a quick update on our Indie Beauty Edit — other brands have kicked in discount codes since the original letter ran. Ami Cole offers 20% off with code GRAVES20, Anablue 15% off with JESS15, and Nerra 10% off with JESS10. And to answer your DMs, I am getting my hands on the new U Beauty face oil, Westman Atelier lipsticks, and Ilia’s Complexion Stick to try. I’ll let you know if they’re worth your buck in a future letter — I have to test things out for at least a few weeks. But you are heard!
The rich burgundy shades and fabrics are to die for!
Not another pair of High Sport pants to covet 😩💸😩