the start of something new
INSIDE: a new take on the Staud Bag, a chunky gold vintage watch, and Brandy Hellville
if you’re reading this… thank you for being here!! I have two main goals for this newsletter – the first is to provide a Gen Z take on fashion, sustainability, culture, and the ever-shifting tide of trends and the second is to put all the things I want to buy here instead of just buying it all myself and destroying my wallet 😶
To that end, as a twenties girlie myself who does need to pay rent and eat food in this economy, I am also focusing on affordability! All these finds will mostly be less than $100 and any splurges will be clearly marked. For the thrift finds, I am going to include a range of sizes (and even if the item included isn’t your size or if it gets snapped up by someone else, I hope it can serve as good inspo!).
Here’s a preview of the things you’ll find in the newsletter each week:
Get Thrifty = 4 online thrift finds I NEED someone to snap up
BNWT = also known as Buy New With Tags, these are my 4 “firsthand” fashion picks of the week – and I hope to try to feature a lot of sustainable and local businesses here, so if you have one you love, send me a note!
Spotlight = a quick deep dive on a topic the internet girlies are buzzing about
Look at this Graph = some cool data on fashion that I probably found on Instagram
Other Corners of the Internet = some quick bullet points on ~viral~ or otherwise notable things I’ve seen as someone who is problematically online (think: personal chef TikToks, Cut articles, pregnant stingray discourse, etc)
I’m planning to drop these every Friday and they are meant to be enjoyed over coffee and a little treat (for my
/Eli Rallo girlies, this is meant to be a pairing for BYCF).Since this is a new adventure, I am SUPER open to any and all feedback. As we get rolling, please always feel free to tell me what’s working and what’s not!!!
And with that…
Get Thrifty
1. Sézane Silk Vest, Size 38 FR (8 US) from Vestaire, $58
I have been STALKING the thrift platforms for Sézane and I found her!!! Love, love, love the super delicate detailing on the top. It might seem a fair bit pricey for a blouse/tank top, but most new Sézane tops like this go like for ~$130 🥲
2. Folio Gold Square Watch from Montre Vintage, $70
Someone PLEASE go snap up this gorgeous chunky gold watch over at Montre Vintage (and give them a follow while you’re there, you won’t regret it!)
3. SKIMS Black Lounge Soft Maxi Dress Size XL from Curtsey, $56
THIS DRESS!!! No one does it like Kim.
4. Zara TRF Denim Corset Top Size M from Depop, $40
I can’t even explain why I’m so into the denim corset for this summer… but call it a Canadian Tuxedo or a Britney and Justin, it’s just kinda perfect.
B.N.W.T.
1. The Fiona Beaded Bag: Produce Edition from Anthropologie, $88
Is this kind of a rip-off of the Staudine bag?? Yes. But honestly, I might love her more… especially because she also comes in Tomato
2. The Women's High-Rise Wide Leg Linen Pull-On Pants from Target, $25
Listen, when I went hunting for the linen striped pants I’ve seen all of TikTok, I did not think I would find them at Target. That was my mistake though, I should know by now that Target clothes are always a secret slay. FLAG: I am 5’5” and these are a teeeeeny bit long on me.
3. The Kourt Vest Ivory from Lioness, $59
And honestly everything from Lioness, I am OBSESSED! Make sure you stop by their BOGO sale section too.
4. Mid Rise Linen-Cotton Pull-On Cargo Pants from Gap, $80
I just saw a TikTok from one of my FAVORITE ever writers/content creators,
(if you aren’t subscribed to , please do, it’s the best part of my inbox every day). And this Tok reminded me of the fact that Gap and Old Navy have quietly been killing it recently with the linens and the basics – the matching vest for these amazing pants is $70 and right here.
Spotlight ✨
This week, I finally watched the Brandy Hellville documentary on HBO… and it was even worse than I thought it would be.
Here was my main takeaway: literally everyone is getting exploited in this situation.
The Brandy employees, who are literally teenage and young girls being scouted based on their appearance and who are actually the brains behind the styles, even though they don’t get credit or compensation. Employees had to send pictures of themselves to the incredibly creepy owner, Stephan Marsan, who is also a Trumpist, racist libertarian?? There is also at least one allegation of sexual assault against one of the older men who ran the company.
The customers, who are being made to feel horrible, envious, and less than just because they want to shop for clothes. I have a vivid memory of being a teenager and shoving myself into the Brandy Melville skirts that were probably at least two sizes too small because I wouldn’t be able to cope if I couldn’t. It’s 2024 – Brandy Melville seriously needs to get their sh*t together and abandon the “one size fits all” toxicity.
The people making the clothes, who are essentially being used as slave labor in an Italian town called Prato. Brandy might feel different than Shein, but make no mistake, this is fast fashion through and through. A (paraphrased) line that stuck with me from the doc: “If you’re barely paying any money for clothes and it feels too good to be true, that means someone else is paying the price.”
Honestly, this was a pretty big epiphany for me, as silly as that may be. I loved Brandy as a teenager, and I’ve kept buying my '“comfy clothes” from there ever since – so well over a decade. When I first saw it was getting popular again earlier this year, I honestly felt excited initially. But after this doc, it’s gotta be a total shutdown for me. I certainly have no interest in going into a store again, knowing what’s happening behind closed doors. And this doc was so rough that I’m not even sure I’ll be buying Brandy second-hand…
But I want to know what you think!
Look at this Graph
This section was inspired by my undying love for @databutmakeitfashion and @bachelordata on IG (and named for this vintage meme – some of you already sang it in your head🫶). I love a good pop culture data analytics moment, and I will be sharing my weekly faves here. And if you see a good one, please feel free to send it my way!
This one was a shocker this week…
Other Corners of the Internet
If you’re into trivia, I cannot recommend The Big Silly Trivia Game enough. We play on Zoom + Kahoot every Wednesday at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT and the questions are all pop culture themed. They also have INSANE prizes for the top 20 winners like LED facemasks and custom embroidered pillows.
HAPPY TTPD DAY to those who observe! I think my early favorites are But Daddy I Love Him and Florida!!!
I cannot stop watching TikToks from the girl who makes rocky roads and I need to know if anyone else is there with me (and where I can purchase a silicone baking tray…)
THIS 🍅
If you’ve made it all the way to this point, THANK YOU! Please consider subscribing and sharing :) and please tell me what I can add or do better!