New Hampshire-based Emerson Fry has been a GOACA favorite for a while now, mostly due to the fact that they do a really excellent caftan, but the rest of what’s on offer is pretty stellar too: they’re experts at chic, streamlined classics with a twist. I have checked out this animal print coat at least a dozen times and may still yet acquire it. Such a stylish way to upgrade an everyday outfit.
You have to kind of overlook the somewhat skeezy styling on the Reformation site to appreciate what they do well: flattering, feminine pieces that often skew flirty. I like their dresses best—this one has such a becoming silhouette—often with very good floral prints.
RMS is all about clean beauty that gets the job done, and I especially like their lipsticks, which are nice and matte and last and last.
Michael Stars is mostly known for their tees, but they make a lot of other good pieces too, like this stylish, short-sleeved hoodie.
Similarly, Hanky Panky is best-known for their comfortable and pantyline-defying thongs, but if, like me, you graduated from thongs some time ago, their boyshorts are pretty great too.
A friend of my mom’s introduced me to Darn Tough, and I’ve been a fan of their socks ever since: they’re indestructible, cute, and very warm.
Bldwn makes good denim that’s well worth checking out, but I also like pieces like this pretty ribbed sweater.
People rave about Tata Harper, a beauty brand that isn’t cheap but apparently works miracles. I’m particularly intrigued by their Resurfacing Serum, which purportedly makes your skin glow like crazy.
Billykirk is a leather brand that is composed of mostly stuff for men, but has a few pretty cute bags meant for the ladies, like this pretty fantastic tote.
Not everything from J Brand is made in America, but all of their denim is, and I like the astonishingly wide variety of styles they offer.
I’ve wanted a canvas Fleabag tote forever: this one is one of their classics, modeled on the design of old-school tool bags.
Glossier specializes in makeup that makes you look like you’re not wearing makeup at all, and their bestselling Boy Brow lives up to the deafening hype.
Denver-based Topo Designs opened a store near me recently, and I find myself very intrigued by their bright, outdoorsy designs, like this tote, which seems like it would be particularly good for travel.
I wrote about the L.A.-based brand Lacausa back in August. Their tomboyish pieces—like this jumpsuit, which I own and love—are endlessly wearable.
A spectacular posting, so enjoyable!! Darn Tough socks & Topo tote on way to me now.
What a great roundup!
I get Emerson Fry mailings, and adore my short caftan. Of late, though, it’s kind of bothering me that their advertising hasn’t caught up with inclusivity. I enjoy that most retailers will use women of color or of a certain age in their advertising. EF only ever uses that one leggy blonde model. I very much wish they would try to appeal to a more diverse market. Maybe that’s not who they want to be as a company, but those other ompanies are more likely to get my fandom.
In addition to Darn Tough I can recommend Farm to Feet socks: not only American made (at a vintage mill in Mt Airy, NC), but fully US supply chain.
I 2nd (or 4th, whatever the case may be) Emerson Fry – and I love pieces from their India collection for summer, too. I’m in need of a tote and I never considered Billy Kirk…until now. Really good and fits my aesthetic. I’m a huge fan of Tata Haroer Skincare. Regenerating Cleanser was a game changer for me. And if I was willing to give up food entirely, I would be able to afford Elixir Vitae, which my hair stylist was given because she does Tata’s hair & makeup for shoots. Seriously GLOW producing!
That fleabag tote in black is gonna go on my xmas list!
FYI, I am a huge fan of the billy Kirk mechanics belt. So streamlined and cool.
Thank you so much for featuring Hanky Panky! ❤️❤️❤️
I’m wearing an Emerson Fry jacket right now. It’s the cream linen double breasted from a few years ago. I have that leopard coat too, soooooo good. I have a lot of older EF, not the newer. The older read very classic and tailored to me, whereas the newer stuff is very boho for the most part, and that is definitely not my aesthetic. I’d like to buy more Emerson Fry but only if she returned to the chic minimalist pieces from past season.
I started using Tata Harper a few months ago and I feel like it’s stealth skin care. You don’t see a dramatic overnight change, but one morning you wake and say “damn, I look good”.
Thank you for this excellent post! I have worn ONLY Hanky Panky boyshorts forever and they are amazing – I did not know they were American made, so that’s a huge bonus. Also, as a seamstress I am super picky about garment construction and I can attest to the quality of Emerson Fry.
Thanks for the Emerson Fry reminder. I just went and bought their tee shirt which I forgot I wanted.
I give regular business to most of these companies. I hadn’t made the connection that they are all American made! I continue to buy them (Hanky Panky, Emerson F, Micheal Stars, RMS Beauty) because the quality is so high. One word of advice with Tata Harper: if your skin is sensitive to fragrance get samples before investing. Their added fragrance may be all natural and organic but it wreaks havoc on my skin.
Ah, thank you for this. My skin doesn’t always react to scents, but I have gotten migraines from scented face creams––even the all natural ones––began happening when I hit menopause. (I can also get a regular headache from walking through the aisles in the perfume counter sections at department stores which sucks)
I have mild rosacea and get tension headaches that make me sensitive to certain scents during the headaches, so my sympathies to both of y’all. I just wanted to throw out the names of two American beauty brands run by women that are good about not having fragrance or other irritants in their products: Stratia and Silk Naturals. I genuinely like their products: they are two of the three brands offering exfoliating products that are effective without irritating me. I also like that both are good about communicating the “what and why” of product formulation.
Thanks this is a great list. I do think conditions for workers are better in America, and i try to support that.
I own the Emerson Fry coat (and several caftans) and seriously love it. I get compliments whenever I wear it. It is now one of my go to “I’m doing an important presentation and need to feel like a bad ass” jackets.
Seconding the Hanky Panky boy short, they last forever and are comfortable and still cute. totally worth it. And a woman owned company (Barnard Alum). I they’re made in NYC – by unionized worker with health insurance!
Yay! My youngest daughter’s school. (She graduates in May. 😊)
Such a good posting! I second LACAUSA clothing. Over the last few years I’ve purchased b0th dresses and tees and they’ve worn well and stayed in style so I’m a fan. I also fell in love with that Emerson Fry coat, but the need is naught even though the force of the want is strong.