I really feel like I owe you guys a bit of an apology for posting so spottily lately—as I mentioned before, I’m doing serious battle with insomnia. But I’m also in a new relationship, and have been existing in something of a love bubble for a while now. There is truly nothing as magically fantastic as the early days of new love, but all that intensity can be exhausting. Anyway, the insomnia and new romance make it so that I haven’t done much shopping lately, but I did shell out for these grey Nili Lotan chinos, which are just exactly perfect.
And I didn’t buy—but very much want—this really pretty blouse, also from Lotan.
A utility jacket that looks like it could be 1960s YSL.
A pretty floral dress with a nice, relaxed silhouette.
Vans has introduced this excellent collab with Liberty of London, and while I never really thought I’d like sneakers with a floral print, or really any print, I am tempted by these.
Just an easy stretch silk popover from Vince for wearing with everything.
This striped cardi is like the perfect layer for the weather we’re having right now, and it’s so cute in a slightly preppy way.
I dig the slightly rounded collar and deep side slits on this short-sleeved button-down.
A slightly swingy chore jacket in a nice, faded—but not too faded—wash.
And finally: a gorgeous Liberty print button-down from J. Crew that is not left in all sizes but was too good not to include. Also, doesn’t 90s supermodel Kristy Hulme look fantastic?
Does anyone know – do Vans insoles come out? Those are really cute. I didn’t see this information on their website.
Viajera, I own two pairs of Vans and just checked them. The insole does not come out in my pairs.
Thank you!
damn it. they *do* come out in some, and so I assumed they came out in all of them. I’m emailing vans to ask them.
Thanks! It’s unclear – I searched for it on their site, and I got back a page of shoes – but it wasn’t obvious if this were random or not. I will be interested to hear if you get an answer.
Kim, I am sorry about the insomnia, and happy about the new man!! Where are people meeting all these hot guys?
I genuinely don’t mean this in a snarky way, but can someone tell me what makes the Nili Lotan chinos so expensive? Is it a magical cut? The material? Something else? Because I’m totally willing to put down $$$ for a perfect pair of pants that will last, but not if I could get the same thing at, say J. Crew for under 100 bucks. If anyone here owns a pair of these, I’d love to know what you think sets them apart.
Hi Megs! I own two pair of Nili trousers and am considering a third (lavender!). I think I wear the East Hampton cut. I love the fabric and the cut. They have kept their shape – one pair is going on about five years now – through me gaining and losing weight, and multiple washes. I think they’re twill, so the fabric feels way more luxurious than a usual chino. The waist is also, I think, a mid rise, so is flattering, but still works for a shorty like me. (No can do the super high rise.) I definitely think they’re worth the extra cost. Hope this helps!
Oh, I also have two pair of the Shons – denim and grey. Also excellent quality, but a less classic cut so they don’t get as much wear.
It is definitely the cut! Nili Lotan has amazing pants. I have two pairs – the Paris and the Tel Aviv. Keep an eye on The Real Real and Poshmark as you might be able to grab a pair for under $100.
Pants may look similar with the naked eye but once you try them on, there’s a big difference when it comes to cut and fabric.
I always think about this line from a 20-year old Rock*a*Teens song – “When we met, we never slept. There just wasn’t time”
As a fellow Rock*a*Teens fan, I salute you and this comment!
I just bought a very similar looking pair of chinos from Loft, on sale around $40 and they’re comfortable, flattering, and come in wide range of sizes. https://www.loft.com/perfect-straight-pants-in-washed-twill/556578?defaultColor=2710&selectedColor=2710
Tamara–I have them in two colors, the olive green and the yellowy brown. They are higher waisted than the NL ones, but I cannot spend over $300 on chinos. I like the LOFT ones–I get the slash pockets sewn shut so they don’t fan out.
What a serendipitous time to find love! Good for you, Kim. We can certainly extend grace to you while you’re blissfully living in your love bubble. Great dress!
I am so glad to hear that you’ve found a new love. I confess I was getting a bit worried about you, given the sparseness of your posts—had wondered if you were ill or maybe struggling with depression or something. I’m sure the insomnia is difficult, but I’m relieved that the reason for the your semi-absence is a happy one!
I can SO see a New York woman in those Nili Lotan chinos, the white button-down untucked, and the Liberty sneakers. Maybe the black ruffled Lotan blouse. Like, with dark hair and a chin-length bob? I feel that Joan Didion, from across the country, would nod in approbation.
Wait, wait, do we sometimes add Grandmother’s very large pearl strand for a hoot?
Unless of course that woman is a size 12, then she’s out of luck. So tired of the premier brands that won’t acknowledge different sizes, much less different body types. BTW, I am generally a size small in her tops. They’re called hips, look into them.
So many brands won’t. It is a shame. Sometimes I fantasize about a straight size boycott of brands that aren’t inclusive in their sizing. Imagine the power that would show, and the allyship.
I’ve been noticing lately, that the larger and really small sizes on some designer sites aren’t selling – this is what is often left over.
I hope I’m not being offensive but could this be a reason why some brands are hesitant to have more inclusive sizing?
I think that’s a good question and I don’t think it is offensive.
I think brands often don’t advertise that they have these sizes available. If they haven’t carried those sizes before, most folks on either end of the spectrum have just stopped looking there. So, if they don’t widely advertise that they have them, no one knows and doesn’t buy them. The other thing I’ve seen is that on some lines, they’ve changed the numeric size, but the measurements haven’t budged much. Or other lines call a size 12/14 an XXL which is so different from other sites. I often see lots of small sizes left on sites I check, but see that larger sizes sell out faster. So I think it depends in part on where they are advertising, what models they are using to sell things (using a straight size model alone isn’t helpful because then plus size people can’t see how it will hang, for example), etc. Plus, only 10-20% of clothing lines make above a 12/14, and the average size of women in the US is now 16/18, so there’s absolutely a market. But it is a market that is consistently ignored and largely invisible in media/advertising/etc. Wray NYC does a brisk business in the larger sizes, Superfit Hero (a workout wear line) actually ended up decreasing its smaller size offerings to focus more on the larger end of sizes due to demand and wanting to be able to provide for infinifats for example, Universal Standard seems to do really well. Every time Shrill comes out, people are desperate to find the clothes featured, because they are freaking cute and it feels like a dang treasure hunt so often to find things that are stylish.
I’ve stopped looking at a lot of websites because they just don’t offer stuff that’s cute, in the full line, and with models that look more similar to my body so I can see how the fabric moves. I focus my money on inclusive brands, that use a variety of types of models. Some even offer custom sizing, so that if you don’t fit into their measurements or have specific needs, you can send your measurements and order that way.
People are out there with money to spend. For example, I just spent $220 on highlighter yellow sweatpants that have giant wide legs. I love them. If other brands made cool statementy pieces in my size, I would absolutely buy them.
This is a long comment, but I have hope things will get better. I wrote an email to Nili Lotan about their sizing, especially as the chinos say they are for “every woman who…”. I pointed out that ending at size 12 absolutely does not include every woman and asked about their plans to increase their size range. They said to stay tuned as they are looking to increase the range, so maybe?
Also check out Honore11 for designer – and not – clothes in larger sizes. Agree with all of the above btw.
Enjoy these love bubble days! Your description of how you are feeling reminded me of when I (re)met my now husband- I was in my mid-40’s and thought I was going to possibly die from no sleep and adrenaline and all the feelings! That did not happen and we got married 3 months later- 10 years on and we’re still giddy. So happy for you!
i bought those sneakers and they are so pretty in real life too. I usually avoid vans b/c of the lack of arch support, but the liberty colab is really great. I think i may buy the shirt too.
Good for you Kim!
Enjoy! Love bubble deserves attention.
Also, those chinos are perfect.
That Rag&Bone dress is perfection. I have such a hard time justifying dress purchases because my go-to everyday item is a pair of jeans. And, ahem, at my age it becomes so hard to break purchasing/wearing habits even if those habits are no longer relative. Or are they? Perhaps a tidbit for a EIF podcast? Also love the Liberty Vans!
ohhhhh you got me good today….post mother’s day self gifting lol BOTH black blouses. now i really have to go edit that closet of mine….