We’ve had such a mild fall here in New York that it’s tough to believe serious cold weather isn’t far off, and if there’s one thing I really like to be prepared for, it’s just that, because I hate to be cold. So I’m looking at cushy, comfortable, toasty pieces like this floral print velour hoodie from 6397—the purple and yellow is such an inspired color combination.
Also velour: this quarter zip sweatshirt from Nili Lotan that’s just ever-so-slightly cropped.
OK, so I know this post is shaping up to be a pricey one, and this cardigan isn’t cheap either, but I am so tempted by it. 
I’d maybe wear that sweater with these Nili Lotan lotan Paris pants. I think they’re pretty elegant in this wool iteration.
I might also go for these Uniqlo sweatpants, which are made with their Heattech material and must therefore be quite toasty.
I kind of love the idea of this trapper hat all in black, but this brighter version is pretty cute too.
As most of you know, I really like a bucket hat, and this reversible one is just so good.
Is this the year I decide to finally go for these shearling-lined Birkenstock Arizonas? Time will tell. (FYI, I own these Birkenstock slippers, and they’re the best.)
These sherpa mittens arec about as cozy as it gets, right?
And finally: these Merino wool blend socks are (comparatively) reasonably priced, as are these cashmere blend socks.
I just got those slippers (the ones in the link, not the photo) and I haven’t taken them off in 3 days, despite the 70 degree weather. I need to start dressing to prioritize happiness (that M Patmos dress!) over, or at least on par with, practicality. And finally, my son has an Acne Studios cardigan and the cost per wear is probably in the single digits. He’s so much more stylish and smart about shopping than I am.
While she is not a hoodie-wearer, my mother would love the colors on that one: her doctorate is from LSU. Back when she still wore LL Bean dress blazers, she had one in “basic purple” (her classification of the color) in order “to be patriotic”. As the saying goes, purple and gold forever! Meanwhile, I think I’ve had a breakthrough in the winter kaftan conceptualization. I remembered seeing years ago a customer review on Land’s End in which the reviewer recommended getting a navy blue nightgown. The reviewer reasoned that it was more a dress than nightgown color in case neighbors saw you it in desperately bringing your trash around on a garbage pickup day. Applying this reasoning to cold weather loungewear, I ordered a flannel nightgown in a non-nightgown color scheme; it should be arriving today. Is this my long-awaited moment of genius in my life?
You may be on to something with the nightgown. This struck me as perfectly winter caftan-y (sans belt) and sat in my cart for quite awhile but I couldn’t justify the cost. Think it is the “winter nightgown” look that appeals to me. https://mpatmos.com/collections/uqnatu/products/uqnatu-nomad-dress-mixed-plaid
Yes, it is, D.!!! But I don’t think the first. Now I will go look at purple blazers.
Aww, Viajera. Eloise, that does look cool! Being my mother’s daughter, my new winter c/kaftan is an LL Bean Scotch Plaid nightgown in indigo plaid, with pockets. I wanted to take this opportunity to mention that, after 46 years of life, I am still wishy washy about spelling preferences regarding k/caftans. It’s one of those words where you pick a spelling lane and no one gets hurt, but I still cannot decide if I wear a kaftan or caftan. Meanwhile, the flannel is soft and no elasticized cuffs. I’m not wishy washy when it comes to elasticized cuffs in flannel nightgowns. Even when elasticized cuffs start out okay, by late winter, they’re tourniquets.
I must confess that when I read your description, D., I thought, “oh that’s definitely not for me.” But then I looked for myself and I want at least two of them, especially that purple plaid.
Do you mean the Angus, Jenny? I wonder if now is the time to mention that my Lands End men’s flannel robe is one of my favorite garments ever. It is nearly perfect. I am happy every time I put it on, that I finally bought it. (The womens’ didn’t have the good tartan. Also I don’t need a lining.) It has nice long sleeves. It is just dandy. So, if the nighties are calling you, I’d consider it.
D., Thank goodness you got the Scotch Plaid nightgown – imagine If you had to worry about whether it was a grey cafton or a gray kafton (or vice versa). I am older than you and still can’t figure out if/when to use gre/ay.
I should preface this post by saying I woke up at 5 a.m. (not on purpose) and a few minutes ago I thought, “I’ll read Kim whilst I have lunch” only to discover it was barely 10 a.m so pretty much anything I have to say is worthless and fueled by a starving body. Anyways….Is it just me or have the prices at 6397 gone way up in the last few months? I will say this about more expensive items––when I have someplace to go that does not include my dog and her poop bags I tend to reach for the higher priced items in my closet––not because I feel obligated to wear them because they were costly, but because they fit better and look better. I’m not saying you can’t get by with a $12 tee from Target (my closet is full of them and, as a matter of fact, I’m wearing a Target tee as I type!), but when I want to look a tad more put together it’s usually the more expensive items that go on my body. So as expensive as that Grandpa cardigan is, I see it as a classic that would be worn for a million years and I love it. And, Eloise, that m. patmos cardigan is gorgeous!
Over here, we have a four-legged alarm clock with a pointy, cold, pokey snout that goes off at 5:15 AM every day. Except for the first Sunday of DST when she went off at 4:15 AM.
Dogs do NOT understand daylight savings time (and why should they?!?!?) Betty starts demanding her dinner at 5 every evening in increasingly dramatic demeanor beginning with mild whining swelling into outright barking (she gets fed at 6). Still, I wouldn’t trade her for the world.
Same. When I adopted mine I fed her 2X per day. Smash cut to 7 years later, we are at 3 meals and 2 snacks. We are almost to the point where the entire day is one looonngg meal.
What’s with the early waking? I’m going through the same thing, but I think mine is anxiety (fears about the 2022 midterms, accountability for the insurrectionists, among other things). I lay in bed and check out Twitter, which doesn’t help my political anxiousness at all. Buy the sweater!
CW, My closet is such a mix of “well constructed splurge” and “cheap” pieces. The cardigan, that I agonized over because of the price , will get tons of wear but I am currently hunkered down “working” from home in a 14-year old pair of $11 leggings (I remember details because I never thought I’d ever buy a pair) and a “free from my husband’s employer but perfectly oversized and hefty” hoodie.
Same here, but I find most of my expensive brands on Ebay (just scored an amazing Isabel Marant hippie dress for $69), so I don’t feel too bad. I can’t stand the quality of cheaply made clothes, but can’t afford pricey stuff, either 🙂
I’m doing more and more of that, Liz. It’s better for my budget….and the environment. Win-Win!
On a related note – I am thinking about getting a new shoulder bag, which I would normally just call a purse, but anyhoo. By happenstance, I recently came across a very nice vintage green Coach bag, but I got sniped (which is okay, bc I was myself sniping at the time — btw, should I feel bad about that?) I was a little bummed, but not too much bc I don’t think I am a “Coach person.” (Not that there is even onnnnnne thing wrong with that, assuming they pay a fair wage, etc etc.) Otoh, I have another vintage Coach and I reeeeally like that it is so tough. I don’t like things that break easily. … … … … So, being as how this is a crowd of savvy people – are there other brands that last as well? I like quiet things without lots of branding. Some hardware is okay though. I don’t even really know what I want yet.
Oops, reply didn’t post! Short re-do: Yes, have had great luck with sleek, well-made bags from Linjer, Cuyana, and M. Gemi; and one seemingly indestructible purse bought in person years ago at the leather school in Florence — they sell online, as “Scuola del Cuoio.” (-:
Thanks, Lori!! I will commence online snooping out of styles.
Oh, I should clarify, I meant “new to me.” Although, who knows really. As a shopper I am prone to distraction and tomorrow I might decide I need something else more. I have not got myself de-pandemic-ized yet, visually speaking. It’s kind of bad. Oh well.
Let me mention the choice of aspirational style figure, Mouse. Mouse has said she likes and uses Rough and Tumble bags.
Awesome, thanks! The name sure fits.
Yes! I’m extremely averse to logos and branding, love high-quality/long-lasting pieces, am not in a top budget tier — and have had excellent luck with bags (and other items) from Linjer, Cuyana, M. Gemi, and — in the case of just one purse bought in person years ago, but they sell online — the Leather School in Florence (really the “Scuola del Cuoio”):
https://www.linjer.co/collections/women-leather-bags
https://mgemi.com/
https://www.cuyana.com/
https://scuoladelcuoio.it/en/
For ultimate coze may I recommend Ugg’s Kantner jogger? The fleece lining is so soft and warm, and there’s been no pilling or other nonsense in the two pair I bought last winter and wore almost daily. I just ordered a third pair this week. (They used to have a lovely dark green but it appears to be all gone, sadly.) Word to the wise: they run small so size up.
Get the Birks. You will not regret it, but make sure to order them in a narrow (even if you wear a wide, the wide is too wide).
That hoodie is gorgeous! I bought this the other day – the color made me think of you. https://mpatmos.com/collections/100-cashmere/products/m-patmos-elliott-cardigan-topaz
I bought myself the shearling lined Birkenstocks last year, and they have not really left my feet since. They’re so comfortable. I highly recommend; the cost per wear will be enormous.
Same, I gifted myself after our terrible winter storm and I’m so glad I did.
Kim, is there meant to be text at the end, where it just says “sneakers”?
I think it’s so funny that the last item is simply ‘sneakers’. They are so kooky looking, is there anything left to say?
Even more than the shacket trend, I’m into the quarter zip wide collar sweatshirt/sweater trend right now.