The Paloma Wool curse
(Put a Belt on It)
Good afternoon dear TIDBTW readers, I hope your last week has been low on shopping temptations and high on sunshine. As you will find out, this edition is less writing but MORE things I didn’t buy. Because honestly, these days I am very very tired. Maybe you recognize this too: the level of things we wish to complete us with rises, the more dismantled we feel. So tick tock, today I offer you the exact time window between two nappy changes, let’s do the math.
To first remind you of how much pressure I am willing to apply, I started this post sitting an arm length away from all the BALENCIAGA sunnies, LOEWE scarfs and BOTTEGA bags (this is a rough estimate) you could possibly desire. It took me just a decaf oat cappuccino to blend into the crowd typing away at Soho house, The Store (which really is THE store you should avoid when short on money or tolerance for big spenders). Here I sat, feeling like it’s the world’s biggest luxury to have that moment to myself. Coffee (kind of), writing, being. So much that I spent the entire ten minutes that I actually sat there, thinking about how nice it was. That’s all that happened. I didn’t write more than a sentence and just kept grinning at those around me (the people actually, not the products). But maybe that’s why it was still worthwhile.
To the hip, to the hip (TIDBTW #4)
Back to the task, do you remember how I kind of ditched (and complimented) Paloma Wool last week? Well, that came back to me with a double whammy: While on instagram, stylist Sissy Chacon and her newly established Substack The Sort had me scrolling. It was this particular outfit on the very left, that took me right back to the Paloma Wool Website and got me thinking: How damn good is a Sarong skirt with flower jacquard. Feeling playful? Put it on. Heading somewhere festive? This little lace number feels the same. Over it? Just go with what’s underneath. Arthur commented that it looks like an apron and I don’t completely disagree, but I still really really like it.
Anyway, the Paloma Wool curse led me deeper into substack and in my brain I went straight from skirt to belt and I will show you how: Of all of Leandra Medine’s creative compositions, I’m especially enjoying her shoutouts, featuring looks that moms really do wear. As moms are people with often limited capacity to plan their outfits, I consider this a great take away for everyone who knows early mornings and getting dressed. My favorite portrait is the one of Nurit Quinters who does belts the luxury way, and why the hell not!? If your night was short (for whatever reason), at least you rock up at Kindergarden with your friend PRADA, the bum bag:
Speaking of Leandra, her latest styling of SANTAGELO’s jewelry belt left me lovestruck. It’s chic, it’s minimalist in a maximalist way and I’d really wish to buy it. If you dare, you find it here. Instead of going for it, I went down a rabbit hole to find similarly nice, dangling pieces. My first instinct took me to the APOC store, where ISA collection was looking right back at me: I love that you can wear the SPIRAL MOTHER NECKLACE (I swear I’m not making this up), as a necklace or a belt, depending on the length and usage of the silk band:
One tab further, a quick walk-through with ETSY left me with this cute vibe:
From low back to high, this Paco Rabanne belt chain is also a bit more reduced with its iconic coin pattern, while still delivering a certain bling effect.
And lastly, if this came in silver it might be in my shopping cart - but here you go, I selflessly present you this JACQUEMUS sun chain belt size S/M for a steal:
The archive finds (#4)
So after a restless chain chase and in an effort to repurpose what’s already here, I took a good look into my closet. No strappy gold in sight. There are essentially two belts: one has the actual function to hold my trousers up and is very basic, black leather, silver buckle. The other one is the most bohemian stretch you will find in my belongings and goes back to a very beautiful sighting on instagram, followed by a short but successful Vinted hunt that left me with something with a slight resemblance: A big shell on long leather bands that tie around your waist or hips, as you wish:
I like how the belt adds something unconventional to the otherwise very simple pairing. I usually go for the most uneventful outfit, but it’s nice to push the silhouette a bit and shift the dynamic. I personally think it’s exciting to match a broader shoulder with an accented waist, especially when your trousers appear pretty narrow. Here I’m wearing a HELMUT LANG longsleeve that I bought second hand (similar yet new here) with a necklace from Berlin vintage store HARDT and a pendant that JOHANNA GAUDER gave me with our son’s first name initial (<3). On top I styled the normally pretty oversized LITKOVSKA blazer (similar cut, different colour here) with some HUND HUND trousers that I bought circa 2019. I love the pockets on the outside and the loose leg, also a nice break from the overall present extra long hemlines. Speaking of - HUND HUND offer an incredibly good pair of wide-legged petrol coloured trousers. Please take a look at this fit and someone must get them instead of me. Oh I wish I could unsee them… moving on to mules which are VAGABOND Eyra and I feel like they bring them back every season. If your feet are tiny and you don’t want to wait, I found a size 36 on sale here.
The second outfit features one of my favorite matches, that I don’t appreciate often enough: Tracksuit meets blazer, which adds a bit of an odd run-away-attitude to a business meeting, keeping your counterpart on their toes.
In this case I chose an oversized LITKOVSKA blazer (very fantastic, very droopy but yes, very oversized shoulders, ideal icebreakers for any conversation. Find the grey version currently on sale here.) with unisex trackies from the ARIES x FILA collab. They’re sold out in this version, but if you fancy a golden logo, this one comes with a big discount.
Looking at it now, I would add a plain white T-shirt instead of the HELMUT LANG longsleeve, there’s a bit too much going on for me. But hey, we’re short on time, so you get the idea. Thank you for sprinting with me through this week’s edition, I hope you are inspired to gently tie something or someone around you, whatever makes you feel hugged the most. xoxo
PS, this just hit my inbox:
I see you Paloma, I see you.
Things I didn’t buy: 4
PALOMA WOOL SKIRT 165,00 €
SANTANGELO RANE SUPREME JEWERLY BELT $560
PRADA BUM BAG ON VESTAIRE (yes, I like that one, someone please get it away from me) 449,40 €
HUND HUND KOY TROUSERS 139,00€
„the level of things we wish to complete us with rises, the more dismantled we feel.“ -so true!!
oh the shell belt! surprisingly wonderful