Long Live Just One Thing
On cutting back, wedding update, and lots of books.
We’re back! Wow, one week off and I feel like a new woman. I am, in the professional sense, as I’ve just started a full-time job in tech as a copywriter. No fear, this newsletter will carry on business as usual and I’ll still be writing for outlets I love.
I want to explore a concept I discovered on Tiktok, thanks to the creator @blondbrokeandbougie. She’s all about cost per wear and intentional shopping. This year, she set a goal to purchase one clothing item a month. For non-clothing people, this might feel dramatic. I certainly rolled my eyes at first. But then I started to backtrack my month of May alone. Starting a new job, the change in seasons, a really good find on The RealReal—it all adds up!
It’s not a budget technique, although it doesn’t hurt, but adding one piece of clothing per month really demands attention to the needs of your life. Impulse is out the window. I’ve included my rough sketch of four items I’ve been considering on eBay + for building out my in-office wardrobe. Taking the time to consider what I would wear them with, what I love about them, etc. really helped me to get clear on what was an MVP.
I don’t love sleeveless dresses, so 4 was out. 3 felt cute, but the more I imagined outfits with them, the more I felt like I would be impersonating a Midwestern mom on vacation in 1998. It came down to 1 and 2. Skirts are a true PROCEED WITH CAUTION for me, so I thought the dress, which I’d been eyeing for a year or so, might be great. Then I realized the skirt had more outfit potential. 1 was declared the champ.
Realistically, I could afford all four of these and might enjoy wearing them. But what I’m after is potential longevity in my closet. Which of these items will I reach for again and again? Which has the potential to become a signature piece?
Here’s the best part. After measuring the skirt I deemed the winner, I realized it was at least four inches too small. Back to the drawing board! I’ll keep you updated on any progress. As I get dressed this month, I’ll be paying special attention to any days when I wish I had a skirt or a pair of dressy shorts or even a dress that feels almost a little too 80s, even for me. It’s always a good feeling when you can slow down your shopping enough to recognize most things are wants, not needs.
Archived Outfit
This is the best part of summer—when you can wear a sweater with cotton shorts on the beach for sunset. Wearing a sweater with shorts has been a favorite look of mine for at least a decade. I love how laid back it feels. Loving the “man as literal prop” vibes of this ad from the 90s. Cotton boxers are tough to pull off IRL, but listen, it’s a challenge worth taking on! I’ve been meaning to buy a pair from Chava, which are made of downright luxe cotton. As for summer sweaters, sticking to something cotton over wool or cashmere is your best bet.
Honorable Mentions
Here are a few book recs with more to come. This is me holding myself accountable to reading more.
If you’re in the mood to be told what to do.
You’re looking to zone out in another narrative.
The kind of book that people might comment on at the coffee shop.
Other things I’m loving? Tretinoin, which I’ve started for the first time. I’ve been moisturizing with this OG for the past few weeks and it’s been great. And I hate to say it, but I have a newer, better pen rec. Trust me.
Wedding update—trying to figure out how to transport 100 people from Manhattan to Brooklyn on a Thursday night, getting my bridesmaids the dresses of their dreams, and confirming someone is willing to play the Beach Boys on the cello.
It’s time for another giveaway! My linen shirt went to DC to live a better life, and now I’m trying to part with jeans I’ve loved, but barely wear. They’re Carhartt, fit anywhere from a 28-29 with a 35 inch inseam. All you have to do is email me back with your mailing address, plus share Long Live however you want—forwarding to a friend, tagging me on an Instagram story, begging your mom to subscribe, whatever!
Thank you so much for reading. These past two weeks, I wrote about Italic’s beauty collection, mid-length shorts, Crown Affair. See you next Thursday! x
I bought the massive white linen button up, eBay, vintage Gap (exact same one I wore circa that SJP photo up there), & I’m here to tell you yes, it’s the answer. (Then I got another one in pink.)