48 Comments

I'm feeling so validated about my slightly insecure taste (at times) - I actually own that Bode cardigan, and the Anderson croc belt! I just ordered the SL belt, IM belt, and the Allude sweater - I love that V (which I often find "wrong"). OK if I wear with my Autry sneakers instead of white loafers?

Expand full comment

Oh you will love the Allude sweater, Kathy! I'm not usually a stripes girl, but the vertical stripe on the Bode is so fun, right? I think you can wear your Autry's if they are very, very clean. Yes!

Expand full comment

I'm not a stripes girl either, but the vertical appealed to me too! I thought I was the only woman in the world not a Breton tee fan (or any of its offshoots). I can also wear loafers of GR boots

Expand full comment

Love your comments regarding the Saint Laurent belt and Allude sweater. I gritted my teeth a while back and bought a black Saint Laurent belt. It was exactly what I was looking for and I've gotten so much use out of it. I also have an Allude sweater and it's worn like iron. I wanted to ask you about "dress-up jeans". In your opinion do you go to dark rinse and/or black? Those Mother's are the best!

Expand full comment

The Saint Laurent is worth it, right? Dress-up jeans, to me, are less about color and more about shape. Trouser styles dress up nicely. Skinny jeans do, too, if they're clean. Darker washes are a safe bet (rinsed OR black), but you can technically dress up any non-distressed jean if you have the right shoes and top pieces. Rule of thumb: Go with a jean that doesn't scream "jean!" and could read as pants in a dimly lit room.

Expand full comment

Any recs on jeans?

Expand full comment

The GAP pair I'm wearing in this letter, for a skinny/straight fit. I also like Tory Burch's selvedge trouser a lot – and it would look great with a Saint Laurent belt (it needs a belt). Here is a link to my post with the Tory jean: https://theonlyjaneonjeans.substack.com/p/break-in-jeans

Maybe don't cuff the Tory if you're going out.

When I'm going out, I often wear my Celine Kitty jeans like this (last look in the letter): https://theonlyjaneonjeans.substack.com/p/really-expensive-jeans

Expand full comment

The Allude sweater and 3 of the 4 belts arrived, and they're all fantastic. Thanks so much, as always, for your great recommendations. I'm in love with the SL belt and Allude sweater particularly.

Expand full comment

I am so happy you found pieces you love. The SL belt is something special.

Expand full comment

Is it an old school train of thought to think that you’re belt and shoes must be in the same color family?

Expand full comment

Though it is still true that matching shoes and belts is pleasing (and my mom swears by this rule), it is not a must anymore.

Expand full comment

Every look amazing.

I have the vest version of that Allude sweater and love its texture, but it's relatively cropped. Do you think a 5'1" human with most of her height in her legs could still tuck the sweater in?

Expand full comment

Yes. I have no trouble tucking in the sweater, it’s def not close to cropped.

Expand full comment

Thank you! I actually meant is it too long/too much bulk to easily tuck if one is height-challenged?

Expand full comment

I totally misunderstood! Thanks for clarifying. The sweater does add bulk, no doubt, but it’s not as thick as many of my other cashmere sweaters. I’m not sure I can advise you definitively either way, except to say that it is a really nice sweater that doesn’t need to be tucked-in, if that way of wearing it doesn’t work for you.

Expand full comment

Well we are on the same wavelength posting about Saint Laurent belts on the same day 🥰

I am OBSESSED the quality is unlike anything else…sigh. My bank account hates me!

Expand full comment

Isn't it sumptuous!

Expand full comment

I’m new to wearing jeans so I’m curious why you wouldn’t wear a belt if you were wearing jeans with sandals? Does it make the outfit too formal or something?

Expand full comment

I tried to answer this question for another reader (see Alexa's comment). I think it's about balance – open-toe shoes don't anchor the weight of a jean + leather belt enough. It may just be one of those funny and elusive style quirks that's specific to me alone! So many people asked me this, I'm working on articulating the *feeling* I have that sandals + belts with jeans are wrong, because it is a very strong feeling and never looks right when I put it on.

Expand full comment

That makes sense. I think with fashion and all creativity sometimes it does just come down to an unexplainable feeling of whether something works or not.

Expand full comment

Totally

Expand full comment

Love this, Jane! So many delights, down to the date night look. I have added several to my wishlist. Now taking my cool down period b/c you def got me hot + bothered ;-)

Expand full comment

Thank you Rachel! Always good to get on your wish list. xx

Expand full comment

Ohhh I’d love to hear more explanation on why no belt if you’re wearing sandals!

Expand full comment

Hard to explain, it just doesn't feel balanced to me. Denim is a sturdy fabric. Add a belt, and the look gets sturdier. Sandals – even rugged ones (and none of the sandals I was wearing this summer were rugged) – are not substantial enough to really anchor the weight of a jean + belt. Exposed toes are free-feeling and a belt, quite frankly, is not. But it's entirely personal, and may just be one of those style quirks that's specific to me!

Expand full comment

I love everything but they are all out of my price range, especially that beautiful bra. Do you ever recommend moderately priced items or do I need to find a different blog?

Expand full comment

Hi Cecelia, High/low pricing isn't one of the pillars of this Substack, but I do feature products with a variety of prices whenever I find them, and I love telling my readers about discounts.

Expand full comment

Check out Else for lingerie. I was in Santa Monica recently and went to their store on Montana and it was the BEST experience. The team was great and I now LOVE their lingerie. They have made getting dressed more fun for me!!!

Expand full comment

I will go. Thank you for the recommendation!

Expand full comment

Wait - can we get deets on that perfect blue

long-sleeve??

Expand full comment

It is Celine from Phoebe's very first season (commercial), circa 2010. I wish I had it in every color under the sun.

Expand full comment

wondering about your Dehanche Hollyhock belt: did you size up to give all that extra length or is it designed to be that way? I kind of love that look

Expand full comment

I have the Dehanche and it totally elevates what I’m wearing. I bought my normal size.

Expand full comment

I'm wearing a size S in the Dehanche. They show it shorter on their website, but I liked it longer, too. I tried looping it around the waistband and that felt contrived. I guess it's about preference, and the longer end didn't feel wrong.

Expand full comment

I love the look of the Quinn’s! How’s the sizing?

Expand full comment

I’m wearing it true (24). If you are between sizes and you like a tighter fit, you could size down.

Expand full comment

Thank you!

Expand full comment

Love the annual belts issue!

Expand full comment

Thanks Francesca!

Expand full comment

Jane - would love to see a story on date night jeans for married, middle-aged moms!!

Expand full comment

Hi Nicole! My post called Night Jeans is exactly that (I just broadened the definition to include nights out with friends because as a married middle-aged mom, that’s just as much fun :)… https://theonlyjaneonjeans.substack.com/p/night-jeans. x

Expand full comment