This roundup of things we liked this week originally appeared in the November 2, 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.
A grab-bag week consisting of some new discoveries (Japanese and Swedish cutlery we’d never seen in our lives) and old favorites (Shaggy Dog sweaters).
This Week’s List
* Crème brulée–colored Plasticana clogs feel a little too everywhere right now, but we can’t say the same about this black-green “dark vert” version.
* These quilted stockings from Danish brand Line Sander are the kind of thing you wouldn’t really mind hanging around all year.
* WOW! we say, about this set of lemon-yellow Japanese cutlery.
* And on an entirely different tack, this kind of challenging-to-describe (Swedish modern Deco-ish?) Nils Johan set! (More here.)
* Many perfect hats here from Yorkshire-based Studio Kettle, specifically this rumpled waxed-cotton one, this contrast-y fisherman style, and this moss-green rain bonnet.
* Our editor Chelsea Peng was talking with a designer who’s staging the residences at the Aman in New York, and he mentioned that people keep asking about the mirrors — which are just Ikea Hovet mirrors he treated with black Rub ’n Buff for an antiqued effect.
* A nice gift would be any one of these five limited-edition platters from Permanent Collection’s Platter Project. An even nicer gift would be showing up to your host’s place with a baked orata stuffed with herbs and lemon slices and slathered in olive oil, salt, and pepper on the scallop-detailed tray by Bay Area–based potter Zoe Dering.
* A couple of weeks ago, we supplied a tip about buying secondhand Scottish cashmere. Our U.K.-based editor Ailbhe Malone has something to add: “The one you want is Johnstons of Elgin. I have a saved search for it on Vinted/eBay. Johnstons has the royal warrant; they make the king’s tweed. They’re known for just really lovely THICK cashmere, so whenever I see it listed, I pounce.” Here’s a long-sleeved polo and a simple cream V-neck. (Also on the sweater front, we’re permanently huge fans of Shaggy Dogs — especially lilac and pink for men.)
* A recent photo of Jack Antonoff, of all people, has us thinking we need an extra-long dark-brown woven belt — like the Gap one everybody wore in the ’90s. Gap is still making it, but we’re finding cheaper options on eBay and at J.Crew.
* These Swiss toothbrushes (styled in the new Quiet Town x Felt+Fat collab) are really good.
Check These Out Too
Some gift suggestions from L.A. stylist Djuna Bel:
* Max ID makes some of my favorite glassware. I always have a few of his vases filled with flowers at the house at all times. They also make great gifts — I love gifting flowers in a maxID vase. It feels more chic than a bouquet. If there’s time, I’ll attempt to arrange it myself with peonies, dahlias, lilies, or whatever looks weird and exciting. Otherwise, I love a few local florists in L.A.: Eric Buterbaugh, Bloom & Plume, and LA Flower Girl.
* I host small groups weekly, but I love hosting a big rowdy Werewolf game. It’s a bit like Mafia and a great way to get all my very different friends together socially. I’ve hosted these games for years and sometimes meet people randomly who tell me they were at my house for a game night millions of years ago. I’m still waiting for the Haas Brothers wolves cards … in the meantime, we love playing their chess and poker sets.
* Agmes makes some of my favorite silver pieces. The cuffs are so timeless and really elevate any look. I’ve owned this one for about a year. It’s just such a nice way to dress up jeans and a top or take a simple black dress to the next level.
* I love a skin-care device (some faves are the Dr. Dennis Gross mask and the Lyma laser), but the Recovery Lab makes the most amazing face-lifting microcurrent tool I’ve found so far. This is the same device they use at FaceGym. That’s where I tried it first and realized it was way more powerful than the other microcurrent devices. It’s such a great quick fix if you’ve been traveling. You look instantly lifted and more awake.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
