Long Live The Art of The Newsletter
Recommended reading, an origin story, and Hermès Spring 1999
It’s not that I wanted to write a newsletter. When you’re a child, and you have a story to tell, you rip a fresh ream of paper out of your dad’s printer and steal a Sharpie from the junk drawer. As a teenager, I chronicled my longing to live in an Audrey Hepburn/British Youtuber fever dream on a Tumblr with a title eerily familiar to this very vehicle—Always and Forever. And as a Writer, capital W optional, I find myself in a conundrum. The freelance pitching, emailing, phone calling, maybe-ing machine has its perks, but it doesn’t always allow for true creative expression. In this case, that means essays (mostly) about vintage clothing.
I’ve written about a movie I only watched part of to impress an actor I was dating. I’ve ghostwritten for an influencer looking to launch a Goop of her own. I’ve written about a cult-level exercise class, dystopian dressing, Gossip Girl, and coming home. Curated, my bylines are not. They’re often snippets of my random curiosities, or more likely, assignments from editors.
But in the House of Long Live, you can expect all obsession, all the time. I love vintage clothing for a number of reasons (spoiler: we’ll get into it in the second dispatch). And I want everyone to feel the joy of accessing its splendor sans Brooklyn markups or the overwhelm of eBay (I love you, but you’re a lot). Expect non-clothing recommendations ranging from MFA-minted classics to tights that are actually comfortable. Also expect tangents. It’s a newsletter, not the New York Times. Flights of fancy are the guiding ethos here.
Archived Outfit
Welcome to the Archived Outfits portion of this newsletter. Here I’ll be highlighting runway outfits, street style, 90s airport outfits (IYKYK), and even some of my friends’ greatest hits. We’ll talk about what works, where to find it, and how you can copy and paste into your own wardrobe.
For starters, I present the Hermès Spring 1999 Ready to Wear show, specifically this outfit. Martin Margiela kept the tones cool and the silhouettes drapey—a higher fashion take on Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give (2003). The formula is simple. Start with a gray t-shirt. Button a white button up’s first button. Tuck it into a black leather belt. An outfit for almost any imaginable situation built with basics you already own? Approved.
Honorable Mentions
This is the space for aforementioned assorted recommendations. To be mentioned honorably does not imply some higher accolade is possible. This is as good as it gets here at Long Live. Today, I’ll be suggesting some of my favorite newsletters, as well as an article of clothing I feel represents their essence. Two recs for the price of one! You knew I was Midwestern, but you’re about to find out just how much I love a deal.
Creamline: Cozy, wearable, and just the right amount of luxurious, this newsletter is embodied by this Vintage Cotton Robe. The charming brainchild of Taylore Gylnn and Christine Clark, it’s equal parts conversational and editorial. Here I am recommending depressing books on its behalf!
Fwd Joy: Chrissy Rutherford is one of my favorite follows on Instagram. Her newsletter feels like this Recreational Habits Green Varsity Crewneck Pullover—just the right amount of pulled together and authentic, all at once. Her recent episode on Second Life is required listening.
Perfectly Imperfect: Perhaps the first newsletter I became obsessed with reading, Perfectly Imperfect turned me on to this exact Vintage Gap Pocket Tee. Cool people, random recommendations; what more are you after? Though the shirt has since been stolen by my partner, I consider it a double stamp of approval.
can’t relate: Maria Del Russo’s newsletter feels like this Vintage Cream + Green Cashmere Sweater. Why? Well, it’s 100% cashmere for starters. And also because it has a comforting, older sister energy to it. Subscribe to can’t relate for the conversations you’re too anxious to bring up at a group dinner, but want to talk about anyway.
Isolation Journals: Suleika and I met at Bennington. My response to her genius newsletter is the same as my response to her essay in workshop: I have no notes! You can read my contribution here. This Ceremonia The Frida Headband reminds me of the newsletter not just because of its namesake, but because of the quiet creativity it inspires.
Thank you so much for reading. Forward to a colleague you’d love to see switch up their Zoom uniform. Tag me on Instagram for endless adoration. You know the drill. This week, I wrote about the creative life, athleisure, and the joy of makeup. See you next Thursday! x