This roundup of things we liked this week originally appeared in the October 26, 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.
Two main things on the docket this week: footwear and winter-weather stuff. As for the former, we’re really pleased with our findings — and even managed to answer what we think is the world’s hardest shoe question (what should a man possibly wear to a winter wedding?)
This Week’s List
* More on the Chloë Sevigny shoe front — she posted about some new puffy Timberland slip-ons designed by her friend (and Opening Ceremony co-founder) Humberto Leon. They’re great! And remind us a bit of those puffy Merrells we wrote about a few issues ago. (We got those and this tall version down to $70 for Secret Strat readers, just use code SECRETSTRAT70)
* Turn Vintage is such a nice, relatively well-priced vintage store in Paris (it’s where Maryam Nassir Zadeh drops off her old stuff when she’s in town). The shipping fee is high — around $40 — but a lot of this stuff would be $40 more at a say, Lara Koleji. It’s an unusual selection of usual brands, like this Agnès B. checkered top, and this Isabel Marant dress (and this Isabel Marant dress). (Wish we could have snagged this under-$200 Prada top.)
* Our friend Margaret Rhodes was recently in Rome and told us: “My mom and I stumbled upon Ancient Roman Herbalist in Rome and sort of lost our minds. We found all this stuff that neither of us have seen before anywhere else. And we’re both pharmacy junkies.” Among her favorites: this Papier d’Armenie fragrance book, a car scent tag from Carta Aromatica, and this herbal toothpaste, “Because all the other fun Euro toothpastes seem to be kind of sugary and have fluoride, and this one doesn’t.”
* Seeing a lot of Frye boots around, really like the Campuses. There’s another pair here.
* Warm stuff: Big fans of this pink Acne scarf, this lilac beanie from No. 6, this fleece-y cap from L.L. Bean, and this paprika-orange baby bonnet from a German wool brand.
* We were struck by these simple lacey linen curtains hanging in the window of the new upstate Allison Roman corner store. “They’re from an Etsy shop called Linen and Letters,” she told us. “SO CUTE, very customizable. I love them.”
* Helen Rosner’s just-turned-1-year-old daughter Anya owns a pair of very cool blue foil leggings, and she shared their provenance: “Best Day Ever Kids! Instagram brand I know nothing about except that I love everything they make. I’m almost embarrassed by how much I’ve bought from this brand — they have huge sales periodically and I’m obsessed with their ’80s/’90s patterns. And the clothes aren’t just repackaged dropship stuff.”
* Oven mitts can either be too clunky or too cheerful. These are perfectly neither. Elegant even, with their half-length, which is really all you need.
* Know a man attending a wedding this winter? Put him in these.
Check These Out Too
Beverly Nguyen, whose homewares shop BEVERLY’S opened a new Lower East Side location this week, is here today with her favorite gift ideas:
* A cake from 99: I always love the idea of giving someone a special cake. It’s such a pleasure visually and a delight to share slices among friends for any occasion. These 99 cakes are particularly stunning with all the pastel colors, and equally delicious!
* Stationery from d*Rosi: I love mailing and receiving handwritten notes for any occasion, or to let someone know that I’m thinking of them. This stationary by d*Rosi is handcrafted in Italy and beautifully celebrates the tradition of a handwritten note — it is perfect to give as a gift.
* MoMA membership: A yearlong museum membership in New York is one of my favorite types of gifts. It’s access to art, inspiration, and early previews of upcoming shows!
* Paravicini plates: These are special hand-painted plates from Italy, made of earthenware that’s turned by hand. The Rocaille set is one of my favorites, but you can’t go wrong with any of their collections.
* BEVERLY’S towels: BEVERLY’S has always made the perfect linen napkins for entertaining, and now we’ve introduced the perfect washed waffle linen XL bath towels. They’re great for everyone and available in oatmeal and off-white.
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.
