objects of our affection: things we bought and cherished

what made us excited to get dressed in 2024

A great purchase hits you twice. The first time: when you decide to buy it, intoxicated by possession… of the garment, yes, but also of who you are - fleetingly - in the moment you try it on.

The second is when you wear it. Sometimes, it’s a piece awash in occasion dressing, one that will forever live on as “that gorgeous thing I wore to that wild ball in Morocco/ that surrealist themed New Year’s Eve party/ that night on the Orient Express.”

But, the truly fantastic purchases, in my opinion, are the ones that we reach for early and often, the pieces that help us through hard days, that make us excited to get dressed… even when we dread going anywhere.

That Prada evening jacket I just had to have. The printed silk cardigan I found half-hidden at my favorite vintage store in Paris. The black cropped brushed cashmere sweater that I never knew I was desperately missing. The little known brand I discovered who makes gorgeous pants in soothing shades of eggplant and oxblood.

From top left: Prada Evening Jacket, Loafers in a Perfect Shade, Belt, A Classic Riviere Necklace, Toteme Croc Bag, Sophie Buhai Long Pendant, the Le Teckel, Best Cashmere Crop, Barrel Jeans, Celine Cardi Jacket, Asscher Cut Earrings

The things that made me excited to get dressed in 2024:

• Prada Evening Jacket - I love a coat that moonlights as a top and when I found this kid mohair and satin evening jacket on TRR, I gasped. The crystal buttons make it unapologetically glam. It’s just as good with barrel jeans as it is with my favorite Attersee satin cocktail pants.

• Iris von Arnim Brushed Cashmere Cropped Sweater - This perfect iteration of a cropped cashmere sweater! The crop skims a high waisted pant at the ideal spot, it’s slightly boxy but not overly so, the cashmere is cushiony and soft and brushed but not wild. I just discovered the family owned brand this year, but it’s been trading in gorgeous cashmere for 45 years, helmed by an impossibly elegant older German woman.

  • If you prefer a non crop, this Toteme one is gorgeous and majorly on sale.

• Celine Double Faced Cashmere Jacket - I reach for this for the most, as a jacket in LA, an extra layer in New York. It’s a toss over anything tool to make you look more polished. It’s expensive, yes, but a purchase I’m proud of. Call it shopping math, call me delusional, but I think it’s my most practical purchase of the year.

  • Here’s one in a rare brown and here is a similar black version, both for a bit less on Vestaire.

• Toteme Blazer - We all need a quintessential black blazer. This single-breasted crepe one is my holy grail - and it’s the first time I’ve seen it on sale. I often put a little lace trimmed black cami (this one is good) underneath it and have the blazer double as a top.

• Khaite Monroe Satin Loafers - An added dose of fancy that makes every outfit better. And if satin isn’t your thing, I love them in this to-die-for eggplant meets chocolate color.

• Vintage Prada Silk Jacket - There’s one vintage store in Paris where I can’t leave without buying something. A 1980s white Lanvin scarf coat (the precursor to the viral Toteme one) for $800, black Prada nylon pants with an extra low belt ($300), a sheer organza YSL jacket ($700).

• By Malene Birger Belt - A styling trick that elevates any outfit, especially a monochromatic one. The buckle and loops are chunky and sculptural; not so much that it’s noticeable, but just enough that you look a little cooler.

• Agolde Barrel Jeans - The BEST barrel jeans. I love pairing these with more feminine tops and jackets, like the vintage Prada one above, for some needed juxtaposition.

• Toteme Croc Bag - Equally chic as a top handle or a crossbody, this was my constant companion this winter. Plus, it’s under $1k, which feels like a steal for the quality.

• Sa Su Phi Eggplant Slacks - I found this brand through my friend Amanda who hosted a trunk show with the designers, and later discovered they’re available on Net. But it’s the kind of quality you have to touch to understand. I bought what I consider a perfect pant: a soft silk wool blend with a pintuck down the front, in a rare shade of eggplant I haven’t seen before. It’s the kind of pant that makes you feel your own power.

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And because I’ve realized that Objects of Desire readers have the best taste, I asked you guys to give me your favorite purchases of 2024 - and as expected, they’re good.

The things that made you excited to get dressed:

“For sure my jewelry pieces from Sarah Sabeldyne. I feel like her pieces feel like modern heirlooms. The rings with the personalized symbols are ICONIC and tell a story in a way that does not feel cheesy.” -

Victoria de la Fuente

(sidenote: she has a great substack)

“I bought a Cathrine Hammel mohair cardigan with reverse covered buttons in Oslo. It is the color of dawn. The color is perfection: somewhere between taupe, beige, faintest lavender and chalk. I should also mention it was 90 degrees in Oslo on the day i bought it. The mohair REALLY had to call to me to justify putting it on in that heat!” -

Jenna Drumright

“I’d say a never used old Céline leopard tote in calf hair with leather inlay panels and zippers for a ridic price. Close second is a Malin Appelgren hammered brass sconce. She isn’t making many anymore so very glad to have scored.” -

STEPHANIE GRAHAM

, my OG goop girl

“A vintage Christian Dior brown jacket, every time I wear it I feel gorgeous and get so many compliments.” -

Carla Tomillo

“I think it’s my red small le teckel that I somehow snagged via my SA in April!!!! I live for her.” -

tariro makoni

from the must read

trademarked

“Those CompletedWorks pearl and diamond earrings. I bought these after seeing them on your Substack and you didn’t do them justice.” - my chic friend who doesn’t like to be named

“I got this Toteme dress. I swear it’s even better on and in person. Just perfect!” -

Emma

“Pajama set from By Signe. Everyday it delights me because the poplin stays so crispy.” -

Lee

“I finally bought the Dorsey Lucien Earrings. So chic and they go with everything. I bought three and styled them like the ad campaign, with two in one ear and one in the other, and I feel edgy and cool.” - anonymous

“Earrings that look like nails from Heaven!! And the stuffed bear❤️” -

THE A LIST

“These little melamine 🍎 dessert bowls from the John Derian x Target collection. Use them almost daily and never fails to delight me.” -

Jess

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 (very 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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