Long Live Anna Newton's First-Ever Net-a-Porter Purchase
On the personal style star's smart investment and "I wrote a book" purchase
It’s sort of impossible to write about personal style in a non-cringy way. Take it from someone who attempts to do so twice a week. What we wear is one of the most intimate parts of our daily routine. It can bring up feelings, trigger disappointments, or set us off on the right foot.
Anna Newton of The Wardrobe Edit manages to explore the themes of personal style in a highly curated, visually beautiful, and completely approach way. I’ve watched her Youtube channel for years with my little sister. And every video I watch is a real case of “I’ll have what she’s having.”
Stylistically, I would describe Anna’s style as classic and cool. For every pair of bright red shorts I’d sport, she has a sleek linen vest in black to slip into. Watching her videos makes me want to also renovate a house to perfection, flip open every coffee table book I own, and start speaking in the most charming British accent on the planet. Suffice to say, I’m a fan + delighted to have her on Long Live. I was, it turns out, equally delighted to hear about her pick—the Loewe Small Puzzle Bag in Midnight Navy.
How long have you had this piece? & Where did it come from?
It was my first ever NET-A-PORTER purchase made on… *checks account* - 20th January 2018.
How much did you pay for it?
The records show £1,625 - still the most I’ve ever paid for a bag. These days it retails for £2,550!!
How do you wear it?
Six and a half years later, it’s my most worn bag, and that’s a fact. I’m a digital wardrobe nerd and catalogue my outfits every day, and in the past 18 months since I started, I’ve worn it 154 times - there is no other item in my wardrobe that even comes close to that! It’s the bag that holds all my goods, so I can pick it up and go.
I love the navy, black and gold colourway (now discontinued - sob!) because there’s never been an outfit I’ve tried it with where it hasn’t worked.
I wear it most as a throw-over-the-shoulder situation or cross-body if I’m out and about with my little one. But sometimes, I remove the long strap completely if I need it to work in a way that feels a bit more formal. I could get rid of every other bag I own and only have this one left and still be a happy chappy. It’s THAT good. That being said, I’m relieved I bought in early before the price jump!
What does it represent?
It was a gift from me to me, for writing my book - ‘An Edited Life’, an organisation manual that it feels like I wrote a lifetime ago. Once the final draft was submitted, I clicked order. So, to me, it represents a time in my life when I holed myself away for months and wedged myself between two sofa cushions to write about storage systems, meal planning and time management. I am still proud of myself for doing that, and my ‘I wrote a book - yay!’ treat is still going strong.
You can match Anna exactly, only not in Navy. Let’s find some other options for those as dedicated to copying Anna as I am.
This eBay option is $1,200 and a little more punch than Anna’s refined style. Here’s a very similar for $1,800 on eBay.
I adore this Loewe shoulder bag that’s an identical shade of Navy and $600 on eBay.
How about this $800 Loewe crossbody on eBay?
Another iconic style from Loewe, this one’s $1,200 and def in the celebratory category.
This is more of an “inspired by Anna” pick from Parker Thatch that’s $750.
Or try a fun custom option from Mark & Graham for $159.
Yes, $300 is a lot for vintage Coach, but this shape is amazing.
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
Love a navy bag / shoe! 💙 so underrated
I have this bag after years of searching for the exact colour way and it’s just the best! Problem is I want another one now. New black puzzle with gold hardware and woven handle 🤤