This roundup of things we liked this week originally appeared in the July 20, 2023 edition of the Secret Strategist newsletter, a weekly email where we share the stuff our staff — plus a rotating cast of writers, design-world people, and various others with very good taste — would otherwise keep to themselves. If you want to get our picks straight to your inbox each week, sign up here.
We’re back with our weekly hub for the very best stuff our staff turns up every week. In this issue: a slate of even-better-than-last-time findings, plus something we’re calling the Simples List, a round-up of plain-but-nice-looking things to wear.
This Week’s List
* One of our editors snuck her way into an untouched Breuer house on Cape Cod a few weeks ago and saw a pair of really cool, unusual-looking pendants sitting on the floor. It turns out they were one of Breuer’s personal favorite light fixtures, and are still sold — the Viscontea, by Flos. The vintage ones look even better but are way more expensive.
* Just like this other mid-aughts relic, we’re seeing Klein utility pouches again — ideal for storing all kinds of doodads. “Each does its thing,” filmmaker Janicza Bravo told us — she has a pile of the zip-top bags in yellow, orange, and cream.
* Collyer’s Mansion on Atlantic (right between Salter House and Outline, for those who live in New York — also, a second location just opened across the street) is a great resource for bedding. (And Lisa Corti stuff.) We particularly like these pink pillowcases.
* Transition lenses, which instantly make a person look like a sensible, stylish, expensively dressed mom, are having a moment. Two editors have seen several people with good taste wearing them around as of late — and one is waiting on her own pair. The frame doesn’t matter much, we think — get them installed in your 2014 Moscots or your wireless frames.
* Editor Chelsea Peng noticed that Alexa Chung wore these really good, on-sale, treated-leather wedges to Wimbledon. She also thinks she’s spotted Camille Charriere in these also on sale, also really good, also treated-leather wedges. They both have the effect of the oversaturated MNZ Olympia wedge with the benefit of not being the MNZ Olympia wedge. (And are cheaper!)
* Are you kidding us with these silk baby bloomers?
* And this pointelle bodysuit?
* Just a beautiful Yves Klein–blue rug. It was sold at Coming Soon for a time; now it is just available straight from the source. (Note, the prices are in PESOS, not dollars.)
* Plus, one red trash can: designer Nick Poe’s, which we first spotted in his Domino apartment tour. It’s a Rubbermaid. “I love that trash can,” he told us. “A painter friend of mine, Calvin Marcus, had one in his studio for years, which is where I first saw it. I recommend them often to clients. It keeps my dog out of the trash, and I think it looks industrial in a chic way.”
* Don’t know about you, but we’re having early-slash-mid-aughts vintage clothing exhaustion — a good antidote is just to dress plain. Here are eight nice plain things:
- A heavy Imogene + Willie long-sleeve
- Havaianas
- Painters pants (Stan Ray), a corduroy button down, and a nice pullover (this trifecta also functions as a easy way to jumpstart a straight man’s wardrobe)
- Big button down
- Green French army pants. Try some on in person at Front General Store, Santa Fe Vintage, or Bozeman Vintage
- Or black vintage Levi’s 550s
- Anything from Birkenstock 1774 — we’re partial to the Milanos from a couple seasons ago, but the monochrome-leather/hardware sandals look good in any form
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