Issue Twelve
Fall Equinox
Hi, everyone! Tomorrow we officially say goodbye to summer and welcome the first day of the autumnal equinox. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, that means the sun crosses the celestial equator and, as The Old Farmer’s Almanac says, “plant life slows down and so do we”. The end of September has always felt more like the beginning of the new year than January to us. It’s a time to turn the page, to trim off those summer split ends, to get a new project off the ground and to walk over fallen leaves in a shiny new pair of penny loafers.
We’re ready to freshen up an old room with new wallpaper, refresh our top drawer, get a good skincare and hair-brushing routine together, invest in unusual jewels and incredibly useful kitchen tools, and wear cozy men’s cable knit sweaters—sleeves pushed up, Audrey Hepburn cigarette pants on—with absolutely everything.
And with that, we wish you all a very, very, very happy return to sweater weather season!
Alexa, Courtney & Aaron
Ralph Lauren Fall Winter Collection, 1980, New York City, Getty Images
You pour yourself a steaming hot cup of coffee, throw a supremely soft sweater over your head and watch the chilly sunrise. Nothing beats an oversized men’s knit come fall and RALPH LAUREN’S CASHMERE CABLE KNIT is truly the best there is. An icon since they were first designed in 1973, this classic is hand-linked from pure Italian cashmere and never pills, a fact that’s worth its weight in dollar bills. We recommend investing in one because you’ll have it forever (and will probably buy another one once you do). We also love J. Crew’s slightly more affordable version. Either way, we’re very into black or navy right now (we’re wearing a men’s size medium) with a messy ponytail and black skinny pants (more on those below!) for early morning drop-offs, fancy dinners and literally everything in between.
Curled up by the fire, he has never been happier. If we had our wish, not only would we have one of Howe London’s made-to-order armchairs and sofas, but one of their GREAT BEAR DOG BEDs, too, which are inspired by a 19th century spindle-turned chair and can be ordered with a removable fabric cover of your choice. And if this English delicacy feels a little out of reach, we’re also coveting one from Nickey Kehoe and this striped mini couch from Funny Fuzzy.
You walk through the park with a shine on your shoes and the smell of burning firewood in the air. G.H. BASS WEEJUNS are the eternal fall flat, with their glossy leather, signature strap and moccasin stitching. Though fashion houses will continue to copy its classic lines and riff on its humble prep school charm (and charge ten times more for it), there is no version more spot-on, more comfortable or more affordable than the original. We love them with cigarette pants and black socks, with no socks and mini skirts and shift dresses and leggings. There’s nothing they don’t look good with and nowhere they can’t go.
In the wee morning hours, when time is scarce and chaos rules, you use a few dabs of this and go. RMS BEAUTY’S UNCOVERUP is truly the best under-eye concealer we’ve ever used, and when we’re in a rush to get out the door, it’s often the only thing we’ll put on our faces besides moisturizer and a splash of cold water. What makes it great? We suspect it’s the certified organic coconut oil founder Rose-Marie Swift mixes inside—which brings us to another one of our RMS favorites, the Raw Coconut Cream (translation: 100% pure, raw, unrefined organic coconut oil), which we use as a cleanser and makeup remover at the end of the day (it’s very hydrating and naturally antibacterial, too!) A new discovery we’re also loving from RMS, thanks to fellow Substacker
, is their tinted moisturizer with SPF 50.
When nothing else feels quite right, you slip them on and smile. A well-executed pair of BLACK CIGARETTE PANTS is something we should all have in our wardrobes, not just because they’re foolproof, but because there is almost nothing chicer. Wear them with killer stilettos and a satin-trimmed tuxedo blazer for black tie or wear them with loafers and your RL cable for everyday. Attersee’s sharp silk and wool pant (above) is a truly worthy investment as is High Sport’s newest narrow-legged style. And if you’re on the petite side, try these tuxedo pants from Brooks Brothers’ boys department in a size 14—they’ll look dangerously good with a black ballerina.
The kitchen is filled with the busy sound of water at a rolling boil. A SKIMMER SPOON is one of the most useful—and graceful—cooking tools you can have in your arsenal. Handy for extracting veggies, poached eggs, pasta and more from your pot, this implement lets you save your cooking water for a second round of use. Made by the venerable French cookware company du Buyer, founded in 1830, it’s also pretty enough to serve with thanks to the rustic stonewashed stainless steel spoon and beeswax-coated beechwood handle.
As you spear a bubbling escargot from its shell, you admire your ring finger in the warm candlelight. The perfect accessory for a cozy evening at your favorite new-old restaurant? DE VERA’S APPLIQUÉ WOOD RINGS, decorated with antique flower ornaments, adds an elegant fall feeling to the simplest of outfits and makes even a plaid shirt and cords dinner worthy. (And if snails aren’t your thing, this bauble also enhances the experience of drinking a gin martini.)
As it makes its merry way around the table, glasses are filled and spirits are high. SHREVE CRUMP & LOW’s ORIGINAL GURGLING COD pitcher is one of the Boston-based company’s true classics, designed in 1964 after traditional English ‘glug jugs’. Whether you fill it with water or highly-drinkable table wine, this ceramic beauty makes a satisfying sound you’ll come to love. We like having a few of them running down a long farm table for a sunny harvest lunch outside (they’re a big hit with children, too!)
As beautiful as any lipstick case or perfume bottle, it rests on your vanity waiting. A well-made hairbrush is one of life’s small pleasures and their health benefits date back to medieval boudoirs where women brushed twice a day in lieu of shampoo. There are lots of fancy brush brands popping up these days (and of course there’s always Mason Pearson), but the impeccable Parisian apothecary L’Officine Universelle Buly’s WILD BOAR BRISTLE HAIR BRUSH is our favorite. It’s crafted in partnership with the sixth-generation French brossé maker Fournival Altesse, where they hand-shape each brush from oiled beechwood. Buly will also engrave yours in their signature gilded lettering online or at their very special store in Paris (a must visit if you’re in town).
If you’re going to have a bad habit, you might as well make it as glamorous as humanly possible. GIULIVA HERITAGE’S TOBACCO POUCH will elevate your experience while slowing it down, transporting you to a simpler era when indulgences were to be savored. With spots for rolling papers, tobacco and filters, this Italian leather and suede-lined holder snaps closed and is the ultimate cocktail conversation piece.
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As always, all of our illustrations are original and hand-drawn in ink by Courtney Broadwater
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