Long Live An Ex-Boyfriend Shirt
On Emily Sundberg's button down
Exciting news! 💌
Nothing’s changing with Long Live. You can still expect a dispatch every other week. But in an attempt to grow my newsletter this year (my true joy!), I’m creating a paid option.
Free subscribers will receive one dispatch per month.
Paid subscribers will receive access to bonus, shortened dispatches from me in between regular letters, plus a Long Live every other week.
Oh! And Outfit Anatomies—a new series I’ve been putting out on Tiktok, breaking down iconic outfits so you can recreate them with pieces you already own. The newsletter version will include links to shoppable secondhand options.
Here’s to more guests! More links! More Long Live :)
Speaking of paid Substacks, let me tell you, the $50 I gladly fork over for Feed Me annually is the best money I’ve ever spent. Emily is a writer and director and culture-maker based here in NY. We both went to FIT, along with Marta, which sort of proves my theory that FIT grads are the hardest-working people in this city. Any way! Emily’s great. I’m sure you’re all reading Feed Me with me every morning, so without further ado, here’s her One Thing.
How long have you had this piece?
Since 2014! I didn't really wear it for a few years, but once I started wearing it, it became a staple.
Where did it come from?
My college ex-boyfriend. I slept at his apartment one night and didn't have time to go home to my place before my internship (Summer 2015, Yahoo! editorial team). He had a lot of nice shirts, mostly new Brooks Brothers and Peter Millar, but I borrowed this Ralph Lauren Oxford and wore it with one of his belts, and a pair of his shorts that I rolled up (photo below)... in retrospect I probably could've just ran into Gap or something for a different t-shirt, but I didn't have money at the time. I pulled this one out of his closet because it was soft and overwashed, probably from his college frat parties, and college washing machines.
How much did you pay for it?
Nothing, it was part of the breakup tax (what each person gives and takes in the wake of a breakup).
How do you wear it?
My summers are quite active -- boat, pool, fields, rooftops, trains, planes, automobiles. I've found it quite helpful as a coverup when I still want to look somewhat put together in a beach setting (even when you've had half a bottle of rose and a few unfortunate white claws, nobody can fight the Prepared Preppiness of an Oxford). A classic Emily outfit is often a baseball hat, oversized jeans, and a button-up. This one is heavily in circulation.
What does it represent?
I've now had this shirt through three boyfriends -- I've collected shirts, sweaters, hats and socks from all of them. But this one was from my first boyfriend. You know, my personal style hasn't really changed since meeting him. It's always been slightly boyish, slightly preppy, always oversized. I'm somewhat of a messy person... my hair is often unbrushed, and 1/7 days of the week, I spill coffee or wine on myself. Menswear gives me a foundation of looking put together even when I don't feel put together. I lean on this shirt when that's the case, and it's come to many states and countries with me.
TY Emily! ❤️
Archived Outfit
Lucky for all, a button up like Emily’s does not require an ex-boyfriend. But it certainly helps. I’ve always had the issue that men I’ve dated are a little too close to my size for anything to fit properly oversized, but I’m assuming the majority of my readers aren’t also over six feet tall.
A fun option on Noihsaf for the color-inclined! $55
Obsessed with the blues on this one for $15 on eBay!
Really doesn’t get more classic than this! $19 RL on eBay.
I feel like Christian is going to see this Todd Snyder one and ask me to buy it for him. It’s $35 on eBay.
Honorable Mentions
Also, Isabella was sweet enough to invite me to contribute to her fab Substack called That’s Niche! I wrote about intro emails, duh.
No book recs this week and we’ll do a ton next time, ok?
I’ve been wearing these running shoes and this sports bra all week! Who knew I was an On girl?
I’m hoping my siblings got me this notebook for my birthday next week. Only time will tell! And if you’re looking for a new button up that feels lived in, can’t recommend this one from Buck Mason enough.
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
Enjoyed this read! I’m an FIT grad as well :) went for packaging and it was the best thing ever