dopamine hits from the sale section

quick emotional fixes from The Row, Khaite, Metier and more

I have complicated feelings on sales. The thrill of finding an item, especially one you considered at full price, is sort of an addict’s high.

We’ve been here before. The idea that a new dress can change your life. And yet, while we all know resetting course needs more than that - luck, perseverance, opportunity and back again - I fall for it often. It’s a gamble of hope.

E.B. White said you should never go to New York unless you’re willing to be lucky. I feel that way about new clothes. I bestow agency onto them, as if a wet satin Kallmeyer blazer, has the power to change my fates. I guess we all need a little fantasy.

The sales only perpetuate this feeling; it’s suddenly within reach. A deal! Maybe once in a lifetime? So, you buy it. And with the circular consumption and markdown cycle, it happens again. You buy another. And another; the sale goggles fully an extension of your own eyes.

E.B. White said you should never go to New York unless you’re willing to be lucky. I feel that way about new clothes. I bestow agency onto them, as if a wet satin Kallmeyer blazer, has the power to change my fates. We all need a little fantasy.

Inevitably, the mirage fades, usually by the time the packages arrive, which means you’re left with a hodge podge. A white Courreges mini dress that seemed like a good idea at the time, until you realized that you don’t really wear white mini dresses. Suede loafers from The Row that you bought a half size too small because the 60% blinded you, temporarily. But then it appears… the gem. The item that fits like it was tailored exactly for you, that makes you say “ooohhh” almost involuntarily when you put it on. Oh, and it looks perfect with those red satin slides you wanted so desperately back in January. Unexpected, but elegant. Its own idea.

You’re already debating which upcoming occasion is worthy of such a look. You have that cocktail for your child’s school… do you waste it? Or is this your occasion to show that mom, the one who has the chilly air of a gin martini despite your kids being best friends, that she isn’t doing you a favor every time she hosts a playdate? But maybe you spend too much time thinking about her, anyway. Maybe this is something you’ll pull out for that long awaited girl’s trip to Meadowood in Napa. Instead with that brown leather t-strap sandal you’ve been eyeing. With this one item, possibilities abound.

The satisfaction loop continues, and when sale season comes around again in just a few months (our promotional calendars a full on frenzy amid e-commerce declines), we gallantly enter back into the exercise.

If you’re ready for another hit, below, promising sale finds (mixed in with a little current season) for spring happenings:

A “casual” luncheon for the new Ruth Asawa exhibit at the SFMoma:

From top left: a lacquer dining room via AD, silk organza top, button down, gold earrings, suede skirt (size up), light suede ballet flats, Andy Warhol’s former studio designed by Jed Johnson, off white sweater, large incognito tote, paracord necklace, silk midi dress, crushed plisse bag,

The kind of pressure cooker work trip that requires you to be both elegantly composed and a sparkling conversationalist:

From top left: tweed dress (layer a thin black turtleneck under it for work things), black trousers, silk top (add a leather blazer if you’re shoulder shy), oversized jacket, sock boot, a room designed by Jacques Grange via World of Interiors, eggplant bag, my go to earrings, leather trouser

For the weekends, a flurry of kids birthday parties and early dinners, for when you want ease:

from top left: denim collarless jacket, chairs I’d die for via South Loop Loft, necklace, t-strap ballet flats, red leather crossbody bag, capris, red leather flats, shirt/jacket,silk and cashmere striped dress, white dress with belt, denim midi skirt, earrings that we probably all have at this point

“Oh, we forgot we had that black tie benefit at The Frick”:

from top left: evening jacket, drop earrings, satin slides (I love a fancy flat for black tie), asscher cut earrings, oddly comfortable soft knot heels, a perfect black dress, silver bangle, minimalist sandal, red heel, gold earrings, evening bag, paneled satin skirt, fil coupe dress

If you enjoyed this piece, please consider hearting below. It helps non-subscribers see this story. Also, if you click on something, I may earn a small commission You’ll see that I sometimes link to the same things as in past newsletters. That’s because if you buy something, I want you to wear it, and I think it’s helpful to see pieces you own in different contexts and outfits. Thank you!! xx NRB

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FROM THE ARCHIVES