17: Two Months In and Craving a New Wardrobe (Again)
Rebuilding my sense of self, resisting the urge to buy my way there.
It’s been two months since baby Thomas arrived, and somewhere between milk-stained tops and 2 a.m. feeds, I’ve found myself daydreaming about… shopping. A lot. Like, refresh-the-cart-for-the-tenth-time levels of shopping. Maybe it’s the hormonal cocktail. Maybe it’s the way breastfeeding makes me feel like I deserve a reward (I do). Or maybe it’s just that classic urge to shed the old skin and start fresh, especially when your body and identity are still recalibrating.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how easy it is to equate a new wardrobe with a new self. And while I’m all for a well-placed outfit glow-up, I’m also calling myself out: sometimes I don’t need another dress—I just need a nap, a stretch, or a reminder that this version of me is enough, even in last week’s linen pants.
So this week is part reflection, part reset. A check-in with the impulse to consume and a gentle reroute toward mindful dressing—because there’s nothing wrong with rediscovering yourself… but maybe not with five checkout tabs open.
TOP PICKS OF THE WEEK
I’ve been low-key obsessed with this dress all summer. The ruching, the subtle cutout, those marble beads—it’s giving elevated without trying too hard. Feels like one of those pieces that works just as well now as it will layered up in the fall.
Not sure if I’ve already shared these in the newsletter, but I own them and love them. The vintage-inspired shape gives such an elegant touch to a table, and it somehow makes even a bowl of olives feel fancy. I always get compliments when I pull them out.
I haven’t smelled these in person yet, but I’ve heard such good things about this brand. The notes sound dreamy, and this little discovery set feels like the perfect way to test them all without committing to a full bottle.
The kind of tank that makes basics feel elevated. The ribbed cashmere gives it that luxe, sculpted look, and the high neck with curved armholes feels subtly dramatic in the best way. Easy to dress up or down—just one of those effortlessly polished pieces.
These measuring spoons are almost too pretty to use—but I totally would. Hand-painted in a centuries-old pottery village in Vietnam, they bring such a sweet, handmade touch to everyday cooking. Honestly, I’d leave them out on the counter just to show them off.
I have the twill ones and wear them all the time. This linen version feels like the summer upgrade—same easy fit, just lighter.
WHAT I’VE BEEN READING
Most of us are trying to shop more sustainably, but figuring out what actually counts is tricky. A new Wired piece looks at recycled polyester, the fabric made from plastic bottles, and finds it’s not always the win it seems. Experts point out that those bottles might be better off staying in proper recycling systems, and once turned into clothes, they usually end up in landfills anyway. There are also concerns about microplastics and worker safety at recycling facilities. The takeaway is to look for brands with verified practices, not just a green label. | Yahoo
A new Kearney report finds that while circular fashion is becoming more common, most brands are still stuck in the “moderate effort” zone. Only 3–5% are actually doing the hard work of fully embedding circular practices like raw material reuse and scaled repair or resale. Many rely on capsule collections and take-back programs, but these efforts rarely extend across entire product lines. Brands like Patagonia, Gucci, and The North Face are leading the charge, but most companies are stalled between good intentions and real transformation. The biggest blockers? A lack of integration, scalability, and clear business incentives. | Fashion Dive
Andy Sachs is back, and she’s doing just fine. Anne Hathaway shared a first look at The Devil Wears Prada 2, set to hit theaters on May 1, 2026. Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci are returning, along with new cast members like Lucy Liu and Justin Theroux. Plot details are still under wraps, but the fashion is already delivering. | Entertainment Weekly
Fashion is embracing AI to tackle long-standing issues like overproduction, trend misfires, and waste. From forecasting demand to designing clothes and planning inventory, AI is helping brands like H&M, Zalando, and Stitch Fix work smarter and more sustainably. Tools can predict trends, simulate fabrics, and personalize shopping — cutting risk and speeding up production. Challenges like siloed data and creative resistance still slow adoption, but the shift is underway. AI isn’t replacing designers, it’s helping them create with more insight and less waste. | Fibre2Fashion
Second-hand shopping is booming in the UK, especially online. New research from Amazon and CEBR shows that two-thirds of Brits bought pre-loved items last year, with fashion leading the way. Shoppers saved £5.6 billion in 2024 and kept nearly 200 million products in use. Younger consumers are driving the shift, but concerns around product condition, warranties, and trust still hold some people back. Even so, second-hand is quickly becoming a major force in categories like fashion, tech and home goods. | Fashion United
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