Long Live A Narrative Arc
On sentimental clothing ft. Read Receipts
Welcome back, readers! For most of you, it’s Thursday. For me and my team at Hearth, it’s launch week. That means marathon Zooms, refreshing Shopify, and responding to Instagram comments with brand-approved emojis. But I’m loving it. And to the readers who purchased a Hearth Display using my link—thank you!
But this is a fashion newsletter, after all, so let’s get to this week’s stylish guests. You might be more familiar with their literary prowess as documented on their own Substack and Instagram. I was lucky enough to be featured a while back here + you might recognize Long Live guest Heather Hurst as one of their recent spotlights. I couldn’t wait to tap this team (fun fact: Madeline is my WSJ Buyside editor!) for their favorite storied satrotial pieces.
First up, Kelsey Borovinsky!
The item in question:
A pair of H.W. Carter & Sons denim shorts that are so incredibly soft from years of wear and wash.
Where did it come from?
A Buffalo Exchange in Costa Mesa, California circa 2010
How much did you pay for it?
- $10, not adjusted for inflation
What do they represent?
These are a hyperfixation item for me. Once it is warm enough, I am wearing these every single day. They also get packed in nearly every suitcase as a "just in case" item. The pockets are big, the waist fits me perfectly, and they're the perfect length and a little baggie. I probably want to be buried in these shorts.
Reading rec! These shorts are best paired with a random half-dirty t shirt, bare feet, and a dry heat. This is how I pictured the two main characters in Kevin Wilson's Now Is Not the Time to Panic, running around and getting up to no good in Coalfield, Tennessee. This is a fun, coming of age novel and these shorts, I guess, were purchased during my coming of age era as I have worn them every summer after 10th grade.
And now, Madeline Diamond.
The item in question:
Black and white patterned silk slip dress from Calvin Klein
Where did it come from?
The Goodwill in Norwalk, CT
How much did you pay for it?
$14.99
What does it represent?
My mom taught me how to thrift, and I've spent my whole life learning from the miraculous way she's able to find beauty in the most unexpected places. I keep that in mind whenever I'm thrifting (which is often with her). I was, of course, with my mom on the day I found this dress, on an impromptu trip to the local Goodwill while I was visiting my parents for the weekend. The dress is simple, straight up and down in shape, and it was almost buried in the clothing rack. But somehow, we found it, realized it was 100% silk and made in Italy, and I had to try it on. Naturally, I also had to try it on again and perform a fashion show for her and my dad when we got home so I could show off my find. "Can you believe I got this for less than 15 bucks?" I said. Now, a year later, I wear the dress everywhere. I've worn it to a wedding with croc block heeled sandals and a pashmina, all over France last summer with a chore coat and my trusty Sambas, and to work, often, layered with a cashmere sweater, a leather jacket, and a pair of mary-janes. Actually, I'm wearing it as I write this.
Reading rec! I've been reading a lot of Joan Didion, Nora Ephron and Eve Babitz lately, and I've been thinking about what makes the perfect casual yet chic journalist outfit. While in this daydream, I've come to the conclusion that all these women must've worn their fair share of slip dresses. A slip dress lets you wander through a city with ease, observing your surroundings and taking mental or physical notes without fussy straps or frills or pleats getting in the way. I guess what I'm saying is that all I want to do is stuff a book of essays in my tote, read it at a cafe, and take down some of my own notes when I wear this dress.
And Barbara Bell (blissfully private on IG)
Item in question:
Gold pocket watch on gold chain
Where did it come from?
The watch was a gift to my great-great grandmother on her 50th wedding anniversary from her eight children. It was given to my grandmother, since she was named for her and her initials were also “B.A.E.,” the initials on the watch. My grandmother later bought the gold chain at Braunschweiger Jewelers in Morristown, New Jersey, completing the piece.
How much did you pay for it?
20+ years of embracing my “nursing home” name. Kidding! This is a treasured family heirloom, so it’s priceless.
What does it represent?
One of the many traits I loved about my grandma (and have tried to adapt over the years) is her letter-writing. She gifted this piece to me, also her namesake, via a letter to my mom in January 2011. When she passed away in August, my mom handed it down to me. My grandma's wearing the necklace in the last photo we have together, so it makes me smile every time I wear it. I don’t own a lot of vintage jewelry, but it’s been fun to integrate with my own style and every-day wardrobe.
Reading rec! The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. My grandma loved World War II historical fiction, and this novel is one that I know made both of us cry. Her love of reading inspired three generations of English majors. Apples don’t fall far from the tree, apparently!
Archived Outfit
Let’s shop some silk slip dresses and hope it makes us as brilliant as Madeline Diamond + crew!
Preview! I’m on Basic.Space! And so is this Galvan slip I never wore.
The suble pattern on this is fab. $48!
Not cheap ($495) Calvin Klein 2005 runway slip on eBay.
I’m sorry! $336 and Calvin Klein on eBay!
Good luck to you all because I might have already purchased this $92 Calvin Klein slip dress on eBay!
Honorable Mentions
Finally, some books!
The Uninnocent—A re-read and not my last, I imagine. I love this slim nonfiction work from Katherine Blake.
Decreation—Another re-read, this time from Anne Carson.
Sisterland—Vintage Curtis Sittenfeld! A delight of a novel, perfect for sisters.
As of this morning, Hearth Display has launched our third-ever drop! Yay! You can still shop my link here.
Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, shop my Notion template, and as always, respond to this dispatch for my direct line x
P.S. To my loyal readers who made it to the end! There will be a BONUS Long Live next week with exciting news, behind the scenes, and a cool first for me. Get excited!