What You’re Shopping For, March 2022 Edition Vol III.

*Image above via CFDA.

Q: Pastel oxford with yellow sweater vest for a six year old boy at Easter.

A: I could not find a good yellow sweater vest (!) There were a few but none I would recommend in earnest. I do love the color and style of this solid blue sweater vest — would you consider layering over a yellow oxford? I also kind of like the idea of doing tone-on-tone and pairing it with blue and white seersucker. You could always introduce yellow with a bow tie instead. (I love this bow tie pattern, now only available on eBay. Cute! Especially with seersucker!)

Q: A fun top and pants for my baby shower next month. I’m 8 months pregnant!

A: I know this goes against the grain of what you’re asking, but I would actually recommend a crisp white top (alternately, this tunic top), white maternity jeans, and fabulous earrings and shoes. For a more neutral look, you might consider these shoes and these fun earrings (or these) with the white ensemble. If you’re really after a bold top, you might consider one of these ones from Mille. I own this exact style and it runs extremely generously. You could size up one size from your usual size just to ensure but I am honestly swimming in the smallest size so you might even get away with your true size. Fun with white denim and great earrings.

Q: A cool investment bracelet no one else has.

A: A Marla Aaron cuffling bracelet, an engraved Aurelia Demark, and anything by Brent Neale (she is a wizard and genius and her stuff is SO unique).

Q: Napa wedding in May.

A: So fun! I would be excited to wear this dress with these earrings. I feel like the dress could work with flat sandals or block heels if it’s outdoors/on grass but also would look great with heeled sandals. I also super love this Zimmermann, this Ciao Lucia (imagine with an updo and these earrings), this blue cutout style, and this saucy Reformation (look for less with this).

Q: Chanel flats online.

A: Fashionphile or TheRealReal. You can mainly find gently used ones on this site, but sometimes you can find brand new in box. I prefer to shop from these sites versus, say, eBay, because you can rest assured you are not going to get a counterfeit. All the products are vetted and assessed by a team.

Q: Gold sandals, two inch heel max, under $500.

A: I love these ones! Very on trend with the braiding. If you’re looking for something strappier, I adore these Loeffler Randalls. I feel like they’re timeless — will work now and in 20 years. Finally, these are technically 3″ but they are ankle-wrapped wedges and I think therefore much easier to walk in than a normal 3″ heel or sandal. They are also on sale!

Q: Birthday present for a two year old boy.

A: Happy birthday to this little boy! I would recommend duplos, sound puzzles, Little People, toy trucks, and, randomly a shovel? Little ones at that age love to dig in sand/dirt!

Q: Affordable frames for family photos.

A: I shared a bunch of pretty frames at different pricepoints here, though some have sold out. A few great frames under $40 apiece (several well under):

THIS BAMBOO STYLE

THIS ROPE STYLE

THESE RATTAN ONES

THIS WOVEN FRAME

THIS BEADED ONE IN THE DOUBLE 4X6 SIZE

THIS BONE-EFFECT STYLE

Q: Art for little girl’s room (almost 5).

A: I love these giclee prints of beautiful paintings by Clare Elsaesser, especially in the largest size you can afford. Tara Andris does some really pretty abstracts in colors that I think would be lovely in a little lady’s room. I also love chinoiserie panels — totally appropriate in a little girl’s room and she can grow into them as a teen and young adult! Above a reading nook, you could do a bunch of these framed book prints or a series of prints from Babar, Madeline, or any other book or book series she loves. I also love (!) the whimsical drawings here. Would be fun to frame these against a wide mat for a dramatic effect. Last but not least, it would be fun to dramatize a wall with these butterfly decals instead of art!

Q: Chic but comfortable flats (not boots) to walk around in Europe in March. Birdies?? Thank you!

A: I keep hearing the best things about Rothys — I really like this pair in the black bow style because I think you could wear them casually or with a dress to dinner. But these similar-looking Birdies are also a headturner — just have heard more effusive praise for Rothys (including from my mom)! Alternately, would you consider an unfussy sneaker? I LIVE in my Supergas and they are crazy comfortable. I think they look adorable with jeans, a dress, etc. If you want something with a bit more flair, these similar Vejas are super comfortable. I own and love them — I know a lot of people have beef with Veja because their leather styles are so stiff, but these are soft and pliable canvas. I’m also personally considering buying these Thakoon hi-tops — my best friend has them and they are SO cool. They might be too much of a statement but for sure trend-forward around those chic European women!

Q: Floral/printed formal midi for a bridesmaid dress — theme is garden party chic in April.

A: Reformation has some really pretty options, like this, though you can get the look for less here. This ASOS style also majorly turned my head — just so pretty! Such a distinctive and different print. And then Zimmermann and LSF are the long-standing masters of the romantic floral!

Q: Blue v-neck blouse with at least 3/4 sleeves for work headshots. Royal blue or navy, not button up.

A: Wow – this was really hard! I would go with something like this.

Q: Chic diaper bag — something not everyone has.

A: This Anya Hindmarch is cheeky and different. I also like this Naghedi, this Marni tote, this Plan de Ville tote, and this ultra-luxe Metier. For something ultra-simple, I like the utility-chic of this Dagne Dover. Really any tote can work so long as you have a pouch system! (I also used a ToteSavvy organizer when mini was really tiny because it had all the right compartments for formula, bottles, diapers, etc, etc.) I also heard that Neely and Chloe is doing a special collab with Dondolo and will include some really sweet totes — launching this week.

Q: Gifts for parents and bridesmaids on wedding day.

A: I gave my bridesmaids jewelry to wear with their dresses — Nicola Bathie makes some really pretty pieces perfect for such an occasion, or you could give them a special engraved necklace to wear any time. I also love the idea of a monogrammed jewelry round, travel pouch, or lingerie bag — classic, elegant, heirloom. For a mother, maybe a pretty Herend box or Hermes scarf, depending on budget? Alternately, arrange to have flowers delivered to your parents the day after the big day, or a big meal delivered to their doorstep.

No matter which way you go, a handwritten letter is a must, written on proper stationery. Take some time a few weeks before the big day to write how much it has meant to you to spend this time together. Thank your parents effusively.

Q: Easy dress for in-home casual bridal shower (I’m a guest). In two weeks, VA, less than $100.

A: Fun! I hope I’m not too late. I love this blue floral, this H&M steal, this smocked blue style, this J. Crew (I own — possibly best given this transitional weather we’re in?), or this English Factory, which reminds me of Horror Vacui!

Q: Spring mom tote bag — looking for green. Not MZ Wallace.

A: This Naghedi comes in a fabulous blue-green color; this Clare Vivier is more of an investment but would be just as chic when children are older; you can’t go wrong with LL Bean; adore this roomy striped canvas style; and this Gucci is loud and proud.