As we trudge into, like, the one hundredth month of 2020, I think it’s important not to fall too far down the rabbit hole of sweats-wearing and Netflix binge-watching in whichever tiny ways we can, and keep up appearances, as it were. That’s why, even though on a typical day I may or may not see somebody I want to smell nice for, I use my Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady Hair and Body Oil: it’s my favorite scent, and a good bit less powerful than the perfume itself, which can come on strong.

I really prefer my sweaters to be cashmere, especially now. This one from Naked Cashmere is nice and roomy with a deep V-neck, and the price is pretty good too.

Lipstick sales are down these days, for obvious reasons, but I don’t entirely feel like myself if I’m not wearing it; hence, all my favorite cloth masks are stained on the inside. This is my current favorite hue: Royal from Kosas. It’s super-lightweight, and leaves a nice, berry-ish stain.

I’m always wearing a few charms around my neck on a gold chain, including this show-stopping James Colarusso faceted heart, which is just a little too beautiful. Usually hearts strike me as corny, but this not this one, which has a lovely, sculptural appeal.

My hair is a messy rat’s nest after I’ve shampooed, so I work some of this stuff through my tangles and then comb it out with this Mason Pearson number, and it’s as good as gold: smooth and undamaged.

I love Chantelle panties: they’re super-comfortable and breathable, but at the same time just the right amount of sexy.

I have a notebook in which I jot down ideas I’ve had for the podcast, or for this blog, or lists of recommended books and movies and the like, and when I’m writing in it I use this Rifle Paper Co. pen, which is so pretty, and also nice and substantial and makes me feel like whatever I’m writing down is important, even if it’s just a shopping list.

I have raved about this blow dryer before: it is lightning-fast, and seems to do less damage to my hair than typical blow dryers. It’s pricey, but Dermstore is forever running specials on it, so keep an eye out.

I splurged on this python wallet from Jerome Dreyfuss years ago, and it wasn’t cheap at all, and I had a decent amount of buyer’s remorse. But it has turned out to be a pretty genius purchase: historically, my wallets look trashed after a year or two, but this one still looks just about as good as the day I acquired it.  Here’s something similar and cheaper (though, alas, still not cheap), also from Dreyfuss.

As J. Crew continues to falter its way out of bankruptcy, its scrappy younger sister just goes from strength to strength. Their slouchy tomboy aesthetic is so up my alley, starting with these laid-back vegan leather pants, which I’d wear with a  sweatshirt.

A super-cozy-looking sweater jacket in a rather excellent rusty hue.

These coveralls have nifty zipper pockets you can’t see in this picture, and a boxy-but-not-too-boxy cut.

It’s tough in a post like this for me not to want to use the word “slouchy” more than once, and I know I already used it above—and overuse it in general—but is it not the perfect descriptor for this army jacket?

This camera bag has a Clare V vibe I’m liking, and it’s got a good striped strap too.

I know nobody’s wearing a lot of blazers these days, but this boucle number also just looks like the perfect thing to throw on for walking the dog when you’ve still got sweats on and want to take things up a notch.

I dig the icy-blue hue of this cardigan, and its awesomely fuzzy texture.

I do not need another white button-down, but occasionally I see one that’s got some great little detail, and that’s how I feel about the double pockets on this shirt: very utilitarian cool. I might have to go for it.

A pretty clean-lined moto jacket at a fairly reasonable price (for leather).

A chore jacket in a Carhartt-y color but with feminine tailoring: pretty winning.

I’m a sucker for a hit of contrast on an otherwise striped tee, and this one is a pretty stellar example of that.

Just a furry, cute sherpa jacket that reminds me of far pricier ones by Sandy Liang.

I don’t just inevitably love a polka dot, but I love how they’re kind of scattered across this cool little sweatshirt.

A nicely-cut higher-waisted pair of boyfriend jeans: these might be exactly what I’ve been searching for, and I like the wash too.

I’m back in Sag Harbor after spending just short of a week in the city, during which I took care of a bit of business, saw some people I care about, and—most importantly—was pleased to observe that Manhattan, while hobbled in some ways, is anything but defeated, contrary to popular reports. I also did just a tiny bit of shopping with my friend Maureen one afternoon. She wanted to drop by Clare V for a new passport case—not something anyone needs at this precise moment, but she was craving one, and who am I to judge—and I walked out with this bag, their double Sac Bretelle. You can’t really see it here, but the bag is actually two identical bags attached to one another: I’m using one side for keys, wallet, etc, and the second bag for hand sanitizer, masks, and the like. It fits a ton and doesn’t look like it, which only makes it better.

I’m wearing it with this checkerboard strap, which has a certain Vans-esque appeal.

I did not purchase—but very much desire—these Zero+Maria Cornejo sweatpants, which look about as well-tailored as a pair of sweatpants can be, and come in grey and black too, though I’m partial to this really good blue.

Instead, I went for these jogger pants, which are T-shirt thin, rather magically flattering, and well-priced.

This cashmere polo sweater is giving off serious The Talented Mr Ripley vibes.

When I first saw this cargo jacket and decided to include it in this post, it was available in all sizes, but it’s selling out fast. I love the big front pockets and worn-in wash.

As I mentioned recently, I am a wireless bra convert, and this one from Negative Underwear is next on my list of things to buy: it looks light as air, and I dig the slate grey hue, which is a delightful change from my usual black.

And speaking of black, I’m quite enamored of these jeans from Agolde.  They’re nicely pre-weathered, but don’t look too beaten up.

I also crave this straight leg pair from Ayr,  which is available in various inseam measurements, so if you don’t want them cropped (I, of course, do) then you don’t have to have them that way.

And while we’re on the topic of jeans, I am crazy for this white wide-legged pair.

Please excuse the writing on this picture: Uniqlo makes it impossible to lift images without it showing. But anyway, I am mad for this sharp jacket, which has a certain very French appeal.