Footnotes 014

How I justify a new purchase—five outfits featuring Nu Swim's fantasy merino sweater.

I subscribe to One Big Rule when buying clothing. Before tapping “check out,” I open my Notes app and attempt to make five unique outfits with the contender. If I do so easily, with even more ideas bubbling to the surface, I’ve justified the purchase. The outfits don’t need to be wildly different from one another, but just enough so that I feel the new piece will assimilate into my wardrobe nicely.

Does this always work out and yield a closet full of pieces I wear for years to come? Lol no. I’ve done this exercise many times only to fail at execution as the weeks and months go on (The RealReal’s 20-minute countdown clock has also been known to impair my judgment). Since the entire process happens within the confines of my Notes app, you will now read all about it here.

Earlier this month, Nu Swim offered 24% off its entire site. If you’ve been here a while, you may have noticed I’m a fan. I have several of the brand’s organic cotton pieces, and when worn together, they constitute a go-to uniform I reach for when I don’t feel like getting dressed-dressed. Specifically, I own and love multiple colorways of the brand’s organic cotton tanks, t-shirts, stretch shorts, and smile sweatshirts.

The brand’s v-neck unisex wool sweater has been on my radar since it came out, so I felt compelled to take advantage of the rare and generous $100 discount and began to mull my color options. I ultimately landed on black after easily jotting down five outfits with pieces already in my closet.

Here are five ways I plan to wear my Nu Swim ‘Fantasy’ Merino Sweater…

OUTFIT 1

• Brooke Callahan tie pants

• E Porselli ballet flats via Vestiaire Collective: ThredUp is practically giving this (36EU) gold pair away.

• Vintage 90s Banana Republic Bag

Where I’d wear it: A good outfit for mild winter days.

OUTFIT 2

• Maryam Nassir Zadeh dance pants

• MNZ ‘Pablo’ belt

• Vintage Manolo Blahnik lace pumps via The RealReal: Here is my exact pair on Poshmark in a US 8.

• Hai ‘little silk bag’

Where I’d wear it: To dinner, drinks, a work event, etc., etc.

OUTFIT 3

• Gil Rodriguez ‘bellevue’ longsleeve tshirt

• Adidas track pants via eBay: There are so many pairs of these pants available via eBay, but here’s a men’s large and medium (what I’m wearing).

• Maison Margiela tabi slingbacks: Track pants paired with ballet-inspired shoes is still a big “yes” for me.

• Arq ‘wes’ socks

• Vintage Bottega Veneta intrecciato large hobo via ThredUp

Where I’d wear it: This is something I’d pack in my suitcase for a comfortable daytime outfit while traveling, or wear to school drop off followed by a day of errands.

OUTFIT 4

• Toteme ‘cropped compact knit’ capri (no longer available)

• Vintage Max Mara leather trench via Vestiaire Collective: A similar coat here.

• MNZ ‘Olympia’ wedge via TRR: Available in a 36 via Carmen Amsterdam.

Where I’d wear it: An outfit I’ll save in my Notes app for spring. I’d love to break up the black with a belt like this, but until then, I’ll wear it as-is.

Outfit 5, two ways

OUTFIT 5

• Vintage Levi 501s via General Store: One of the final selling points on this sweater was the prospect of reintroducing an old pair of light wash Levis back into my wardrobe—an idea triggered by the sweater styling on Nu Swim’s site. I bought this pair on a trip to San Francisco in 2016 and wore them so much that the material has softened into something more akin to a well-loved t-shirt than denim. I think we all collectively grew a little tired of light wash Levis a few years ago, but they’re starting to feel fresh again.

• Tory Burch ‘tubo’ knee boots (no longer available): I found them in a US 7.5 on Poshmark.

• Vintage Bottega Veneta intrecciato large hobo via ThredUp

Where I’d wear it: I’d wear this anywhere—a timeless outfit, in my opinion.

That’s it for now—thank you, as always, for being here. See you soon with February Outfits. 💌

p.s. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of the links in this newsletter.