22: November Window Shopping
Everything I'm searching for and everything you are too.
Welcome to Window Shopping! (Named for the endless windows I open while creating this) I am trying out a new format that includes everything I’ve been searching for and help you find what you are looking for. To make this a resource on secondhand shopping and clothes care, each issue will include a few tips on searching and caring. Released monthly!
Also, this pair of patent Repetto Mary Janes with a gorgeous silver buckle in a 38 and this pair of patent Miu Miu heels in a 37.5!
I have my eye on two pieces from Lucky Vintage Seattle. The first is this raspberry colored mohair jacket and the second is this beautiful 1950s petticoat. Not from Lucky but I also love this Marc by Marc Jacobs dress.
“The Perfect Crew-Neck Cashmere Cardigan”
I exclusively wear cashmere cardigans which I don’t mean to sound as pretentious as it does. For a long time, I considered the little hives around my wrists and neck and asthma to be part of the wool experience but it has recently dawned on me that I might just be allergic to wool. And so I buy secondhand cashmere on eBay and Poshmark from one brand and I’ll let you in on the secret— Valerie Stevens. I have also had good luck with secondhand J.Crew cashmere. For a non-cashmere cardigan, I’d go for the fabulously classic agnes b. snap cardigan. If you are looking for something designer, I’d search for Comme des Garçons, Miu Miu and Prada.
A few recommendations: Mauve Cashmere Cardigan S $27, Black Cashmere Collared Cardigan S $15 (I used to have this one!), Grey Collared Cardigan M $27, Pale Pink Cashmere L $21, Black Cashmere XL $35 (This is the exact style that I showed last week!) agnes b. snap cardigan 1 $125
★ CASHMERE CARE TIP ★
Contrary to what the label on your sweater says, cashmere does not need to be dry cleaned and it doesn’t need to be handwashed either. I tend to wear layers under all of my cashmere sweaters so I don’t need to wash them that frequently. But when I do wash them, I throw them in the washing machine on cold and lay them flat on a towel to dry. I should get a delicates bag to put them in but I don’t have one so I don’t fuss around with it. I use a cheap razor for pilling —I’ve found it works just as well as a fabric shaver but those are nice too.
“Cropped Silk Trousers” and “Wool Trousers”
Joanna kindly requested that I give recommendations for silk trousers like the pair in my last post. Those ones were Ann Taylor which I have generally found to be an amazing source for reliably well-fitting high-quality pants. Ann Taylor, who knew. I have at least 6 pairs of Ann Taylor pants, most of which I bought new with tags from someone on eBay, and none of which were more than $25.
There are so many pairs of Ann Taylor silk pants on eBay, Poshmark and ThredUp that you should probably just look for yourself but here are a few recommendations: Black Silk 8 $51, in a size 14 $28, (I wore this exact style last week), the similar pair in cream 8 $25, purple silk 2P $25, and burgundy 10 $27, light pink 4 $35.
I’d also try Talbots, Jones New York, or any other office wear brand.
For wool trousers, I’d look for the same brands — there are a lot more wool trousers out there than silk. If you are looking for something boring and black like I am, I’d look at TheRealReal because all of the best boring items slip through the cracks. A few recommendations: Black Prada 30” waist $47, Chanel 33” waist $85, Chanel 28” waist $73, Chanel 25” waist $73, and Chanel 31” waist $57.
★ SECONDHAND PANTS TIP ★
My main piece of advice when it comes to buying secondhand trousers online is following the Brand + Material + Article equation. Ex. Ann Taylor Silk Pants, Talbots Wosol Trousers, etc. Check the waist, rise, and inseam to make sure they will fit correctly. One of the great things about a lot of these office wear brands is that they offer trousers in petite, regular and tall lengths. I buy all of my pants in petite because I’m just a hair under 5’3”. As much as I am an advocate for tailoring, I don’t think its realistic to get everything tailored.
Thank you for reading Window Shopping! If you want help looking for something specific, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you soon. And to the person who asked about glasses frames… its coming… don’t worry!
That’s all for today! Thank you all for the support on last week’s post. It really means the world to me. For the last year or so I’ve been filled with a lot of self-doubt about my place on the internet and the type of content I create. I finally feel like I’m approaching the other side of that mountain.
I was more devastated by the outcome of the election than I expected to be. My hope was not necessarily intertwined in Harris’ presidency but the prospect of evading another Trump one. I was devastated to see how many people support his platform. I volunteered at the Bowery Mission on the day of the election to help with their dinner prep and I have signed up for a few more shifts this month. It is all I can think to do right now and if you have time on your hands, I urge you to step outside of your comfort zone and give your time to an organization in your community.
I’ve been thinking productively about what I’d like this newsletter to me and I’m going to a launch a paid option soon. A percentage of subscriptions (most months) will go towards an organization of my choice. Lots planned in December.
All my love,
Sophia
★ USE MY DISCOUNT CODE! ★
If you shop through my ThredUp link, you will get 45% off your first order, and free shipping. Shockingly, not sponsored by ThredUp even though everyone else is.
If you’ve never used Poshmark, you can sign up with my referral code SOPHDOWL for $10 off your first purchase. Okay, that’s enough from me.
★ ANOTHER INSTAGRAM CLOSET SALE ★
I am doing another small closet sale over on Instagram (@sophdowl) on 11/13 at 6:00 pm. Nothing major but I still have a few bits to get rid of.
20% of the proceeds will go towards buying items off of the Bowery Mission’s Amazon Wishlist. Last year, the Bowery Mission served 400,000 meals (over 1,000 a day!) to people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. This is an incredibly busy time of year for the organization and I’d like to be able to buy some of the items on their wishlist.
Loved this! I have a pair of the Ann Taylor silk pants and I just love that fit and silhouette. Mine actually came with a matching cropped blazer, so naturally I had to buy a second suit haha
Thank you for talking about work pants! Something I’m looking for right now on a budget. I also really appreciate you including sizes over a size 12 🩷