Sale: Marni Glossed Leather Brogues 55% Off

I’m so glad fall is finally here. I deeply love all of the cold-weather items you can’t get away with wearing in the summer, even here in the perpetually chilly Bay Area. I’m excitedly unpacking cashmere cardigans and wool turtlenecks, over-the-knee boots and Chelsea boots, parkas and knit caps. And day dreaming about a just-right pair of menswear-inspired brogues.

These sale-priced Marni brogues will do nicely. The leather upper is the ideal state of shiny – somewhere just above ordinary black leather, but well below patent leather territory. I'm just not ok with patent leather during the day. The charcoal grey laces feel more luxurious than the skinny, barely-functional laces you normally see on a women’s brogue. The visible stitching around the sole, where glue might be used in a down-market option, instantly signals a shoe that’s quality made. Finally, the shape has a vintage vibe that feels straight out of a Charlie Chaplin silent movie. The whole look is well put together in a way that reminds me instantly why investment clothing is a real thing.

Wear these stylish brogues with everything from workwear suits – I’m really feeling cropped plaid for fall – to jeans and chunky sweaters throughout the cold weather months. I’d even try pairing them with beautiful socks and cropped pants for fashion-forward look. Even on sale, they’re still quite an investment. But, they are significantly more affordable than they’d be at regular price, and sure to last for many seasons with good care.

→ Buy the Marni Glossed Leather Brogues, $384.00 (was $855.00), at theoutnet.com; get 15% off your first order with code FIRSTTIME15.

Loving This Week: Chic Hand Sanitizer + A Teddy Coat

Check out a few of my favorite online shopping finds for the week…

1. Club Monaco Mayree Teddy Coat, $395.00
I saw this coat live and in-person at a Club Monaco in Hong Kong a few weeks ago. It was in the window display and it was eye-catching enough to make me look twice at a Club Monaco while on holiday halfway around the world. It’s gorgeous.

Sale: Theory Demitria Wool Suit Pants Under $100

Long before Theory was known as one of the cornerstones of American minimalist fashion, the label made a name for itself as the suiting go-to for the young, chic, and upwardly mobile. When I was a baby attorney in the early aughts there was an unwritten rule: partners wore Armani, but partner-track associates had a closet full of Theory. The contemporary label may have broadened its base since the heyday of minimalist suits, but that doesn’t make their stretch wool suiting separates any less appealing.

These Demitria 2 Flare Leg Stretch Wool Suiting Pants come in both black and navy, and both colors are on sale for under $100. These exact same pants are on sale elsewhere in the upscale online shopping world for $221, marked down from $295. *cough* Saks *cough*

Beyond the fact that this is an excellent sale price, these wool trousers are a classic investment piece that will anchor your closet for years. They can be paired with a Theory stretch wool suit jacket for the business-professional look. Pull on a slim sweater and block-heel pumps for a less formal, yet still dressy office ensemble. A satin blouse and strap sandals make them perfect for a night out. The options are endless.

→ Buy the Theory Demitria Wool Suit Pants, $99.97 (was $295.00), at nordstromrack.com.

Loving This Week: A Face-Saving Sleeping Pack + Gorgeous Green Booties

Check out my favorite online shopping finds of the week…

1. Theory Silk Habotai Button Down Shirt, $265.00
This camel-colored silk shirt feels like fall, but in a crisp, elegant way that will fit in at a business-professional office or for after-work cocktails. And, you can’t get much more classic than a Theory button-down, right? It’s a justifiable investment piece.

Classic Work Shirts Are 2 for $50 at Express – Time to Stock Up!

When was the last time you shopped at Express? I was a big fan through my mid-twenties, but at some point, I stopped being a regular. Given the excellent selection of club-appropriate clothing, it’s easy to write off Express as a store with an expiration date. But, truth is, they have a great selection of affordable workwear staples.

Work shirts – 191 of them – are marked two for fifty dollars at Express right now. It’s a great sale for stocking up on work week layering options. These are the shirts that are going to look amazing with your suits, under a winter sweater, or just paired with your favorite pencil skirt.

I’ve posted a few of my favorites here, and you can check out the full work shirt sale selection over at Express.

This Portofino button-down shirt comes in 16 colors, in sizes XXS to XL, and it has an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars rating with over 200 reviews. Picking this up in a couple colors is a smart way to take advantage of the 2 for $50 sale.




→ Buy the Express Original Fit Portofino Shirt, 2 for $50.00 (was $49.90), at express.com.

Loving This Week: Travel Trousers + a Smart Water Bottle

out this week’s favorite online shopping finds…

1. COS Alpaca Blend Tunic Jumper, $125.00
This turmeric colored alpaca and wool blend sweater has a modern minimalist cut and a sunny color that is just right for transitioning summer into fall. So ready for sweater season.

Here’s What to Buy at the Banana Republic 40% Off Sale

The entire Banana Republic site is 40% off this weekend. Well, maybe not the entire site. The crazy sale doesn’t apply to cashmere and leather apparel, but everything else is 40% off. That’s still a lot of sale goodness. Here are my picks for the best items to pick up during the sale.

1. Banana Republic Logan Trouser Fit Wool Pant, $72.00 (was $120.00)
This mall staple store has had its ups and downs over the years. But, through it all, they’ve managed to regularly turn out great wool trousers. These straight leg pants are a classic choice and perfect for work. You can pair them with the coordinating Long and Lean Fit Blazer for a full suit look.

Sale: Hunter Adjustable Rain Boots Under $100

When you factor in summer music festivals and vacation destinations like Edinburgh where rain is always in the forecast, Hunter rain boots have become a year-round fashion staple. Given this season-agnostic popularity, I’m always excited to find Hunter boots in a minimalist color and a wide range of sizes on sale.

These waterproof wellies feature Hunter’s classic rubber construction, round toe, and lug sole. But, with an upgrade. The adjustable side on this “Norris Field” model makes it perfect for those of us with wide calves. Finding a full-length rain boot that is wide calf-compatible is hard. Finding one that’s also stylish is nearly impossible. That makes this Hunter boot is a smart buy at regular price, and a do-not-miss buy at this summer sale price.

They’re available in both black and slate, in whole sizes 6-11, at this reduced price.

→ Buy the Hunter Norris Field Adjustable Rain Boots, $99.97 (was $160.00), at nordstromrack.com.

Loving This Week: Lush Rose Jam + Black Veja Sneakers

Check out this week’s favorite online shopping finds…

1. Madewell Denim Zip Midi Skirt, $88.00
This stretchy midi skirt comes in the coolest shade of off-black and is just the kind of late-summer buy that will work well into fall.

Loving This Week: Paperbag Waist Trousers + Huxley Masks

Check out all of my favorite shopping finds for the week…

1. Madewell Lace-Back Sweater Tee, $79.50
This boxy, cropped cream-colored summer sweater gets a feminine edge with the addition of a lace-up back detail with grosgrain ribbon. It’s available in sizes XXS – XXL.

Sale: J Brand Frayed Denim Jacket $62.99

It’s a classic denim jacket with a few well-worn details, and an excellent sale price.

This cotton/ Lyocell blend jean jacket from designer denim label J Brand features a spread collar and button front with chest buttoned-flap pockets. It’s machine washable and available in sizes XS to L. Wear it now paired with a cotton tank top and chino shorts for an all-American summer vibe. When fall rolls around, pull it on over a lightweight cashmere sweater for an extra layer of warmth.

Regularly priced at $378.00, it’s marked down to $104.99, plus you can score an extra 30% off with coupon code JEANIUS. That makes the final price a very reasonable $62.99. Such a great deal.

→ Buy the J Brand Frayed Denim Jacket, $62.99 (was $378.00), at saksoff5th.com.

Closed-Toe Sandals for When Your Pedi Isn’t Perfect

Real world dilemma time. The weather, occasion, and ensemble of choice all scream “sandals.” But, your pedicure, or lack thereof, looks like you’ve been trekking barefoot through a Costa Rican jungle for three weeks. What do you do?

Enter the elusive closed-toe sandal. This wonderous hybrid shoe offers coverage for those parts of your foot most likely to look hideous if you’ve been slacking on your pedicure upkeep, but still feels light, airy, and summer-like. It can pair with a sundress without weighing down the look and make jeans vibe more warm weather appropriate.

The most common category of closed-toe sandal is the espadrille. Espadrille sandals come in a few varieties, but I’m partial to the mary jane style. It keeps both the heel and toe under wraps and it has that secure buckle closure. A close second would be the ankle-wrap style. It’s perfect for walking around in the grass.




→ Buy the Toni Pons Lloret-5 Espadrille Wedge Sandal, $128.95, at nordstrom.com; shipping and returns are free.

The White Skirt You Never Knew You Needed

I’ve never given much thought to adding a white skirt to my wardrobe, have you? I mean, it sounds kind of high maintenance. Uncomfortable. Hard to wear. Then I found this skirt over at favorite affordable store, COS. It solves all the big problems that come with putting a white skirt in rotation.

It’s machine washable, so you won’t spend and arm and a leg keeping it clean. It’s made from soft 100% cotton with a wide elastic waist and side slit, so it’s breathable and comfortable. And it has a built-in shorter lining hiding inside, so no worries about it being inappropriately transparent for real-life wear. And yet, it manages to look amazing. All minimalist and cool. I want to wear it with black Birks and a grey T by Alexander Wang tank. Can you picture it? It’s the white skirt you never knew you needed, but now can’t imagine doing summer without.

And it has pockets. ❤️

→ Buy the COS Wide-Elastic Cotton Skirt in White, $99.00, at cosstores.com.

Sale: Ray-Ban Flat Top Sunglasses Under $100

Witness, the rare current-season sale on a wardrobe classic. Sale finds tend to fall into one of two categories: off-season merchandise (e.g., cashmere in July) or trendy items with questionable multi-season staying power (cold-shoulder top, anyone?). These sunnies are both on-point for the summer and a classic style that will serve you well for many years.

These flat-top Ray-Ban sunglasses are the cool younger cousin of the iconic Wayfarer, featuring gradient lenses with 100% UV protection set in square matte black plastic frames. Through July 11, they are marked an extra 30% the existing sale price, which makes for an especially great deal. Also through July 11, you can score $50 in Last Call cash by placing an order of $100 or more before sales tax. So many reasons to shop.

→ Buy the Ray-Ban Flat-Top Square Sunglasses, $97.30 (was $143.00), at lastcall.com.

Loving This Week: Cle de Peau’s New Concealer + a Modern One-Piece

Check out a sampler of this week’s favorite online shopping finds…

1. Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector for Eyes, $65.00
Clé de Peau stick concealer has been the undisputed champ of undereye circle coverage for years. Meanwhile, the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat pen has been the leading favorite in the illumination category. Now Clé de Peau has a new concealer that is positioned as both an illuminator and color-corrector for under eyes. There’s no way this isn’t going to be fabulous.

The Perfect White Button Down for Summer

It’s your favorite go-with-anything, always fresh-looking white button-down shirt, but better. It’s been made summer-perfect with a slightly oversized, slouchy fit and relaxed sleeve. And, remarkably, it’s not see-through.

This cotton/ Modal blend blouse is machine washable and has a 4.5/ 5 rating with 89 rave reviews. One customer said that she already owns three and will probably be buying more so that she’s never without one. That’s serious devotion to a shirt. And reviewer Nell shared that a Madewell associate suggested this styling trick: “…unbutton halfway from the bottom up, tuck in the button tail and then overlap the other tail in the front for a cute wrapped look.” So many options.

Buying hint: most reviewers said that they sized down one size to maintain a hint of shape.

→ Buy the Madewell Central Shirt in Pure White, $65.00, at madewell.com

Loving This Week: a Luxe Hoodie + Silk Twill Trousers

Here are a few of my favorite online shopping finds for the week…

1. Isabel Marant Etoile Malibu Hoodie, $300
The tee shirts and sweatshirts from Isabel Marant’s Etoile line manage to sit right on the line between laid back and luxe. Also, this claret red is something of a calling card for the line. I don’t know anyone else who does this exact color. The overall effect is highbrow beach bum, which suits this California girl just fine.

This Long Jersey Cardigan is the Answer to Summer Office A/C

It’s substantial enough to keep the chill away when the office air conditioning starts working overtime, but not so heavy duty as to make you look like you’re dressing for the wrong season. And the length gives it a modern minimalist vibe, with the added benefit of a figure-skimming fit. This jersey cardi is going to make dealing with cold summer offices so much easier.

When the weekend rolls around, try it with a silk camisole and cropped trousers for brunch. Take it on vacation for a glamorous poolside cover up.

This lightweight summer cardigan is available in five luxe neutral shades, including wear-with-anything black and a very pretty blush. And it’s machine washable. Normally I'd be skeptical about that claim. But, in this case, I believe it – I have a machine washable blouse from this same label that legitimately looks amazing after machine washing and tumble drying.

→ Buy the Wilfred Free Zlata Sweater, $70.00 (was $75.00), at aritzia.com.

Loving This Week: a Top-Rated Eye Mask + a Royal Floral Midi Dress

A sampling of favorite online shopping finds for the week…

1. COS Dress with Voluminous Back, $99.00
What’s a lover of black clothing to wear when the summer heat sets in? This dress. The floaty back panel is like built-in air conditioning, while the crisp cotton construction maintains a fresh look.

Sale: French Connection Leather A-Line Skirt Under $100

Quick question: can you wear a black leather skirt in the middle of summer? I’ll go ahead and answer that one for you. Yes, you can, if it looks like this French Connection sale find. It has modern, relaxed shape that would not be out of place in warmer weather.

This a-line leather skirt has a demurer vibe than its familiar pencil skirt cousin, which means it could go to work with a smart blouse. I love it with ankle boots, as pictured here, for cooler days. But, a slouchy tee and ugly-chic sandals would make for a summery look with a downtown vibe.

And all that versatility is massively marked down right now. Use code VIP50 to get an extra 50% off this skirt – and all other sale items – at French Connection through July 4.

→ Buy the French Connection Gizo Leather A Line Skirt, $99.00 (was $288.00), at frenchconnection.com.