I (Jo) recently spent four days in New York City visiting my daughter, with a specific FabList side mission in mind: scouting the retailers currently dominating my Instagram feed, Substack, and inbox. I wanted to touch, try on, and test-drive the pieces I can’t see in person in Seattle, and give you the scoop straight from the streets of NYC.
My main takeaway is this. Every retailer has T-shirts, pull-on poplin pants, and button-up blouses—the on-trend items this season. And, you can find these basics at low prices at Gap, Uniqlo, Zara, etc. But if you want a more personalized fit and an item that makes your body look and feel better, you need to buy better. The T-shirts at LESET are $78 and feel better, look better, and will last longer than less expensive ones. The shirting at Ann Mashburn is pricier than other brands, but the cut, the Italian cotton, and the Trocas shell buttons all make the shirt look and feel better on your body. Invest in better clothing, buy less of it, and you’ll have a wardrobe you feel good in and can wear year after year.
With that in mind, here are the retailers and items that caught my eye:
The Margot Tee: Often rated the top tee, I now see why. A slight boxy cut and a wider arm make this great for the 50+ crowd. I also liked the higher round neck. Ringing in at $78, I was pleased to see that the material was more substantial than Gap and Buck Mason’s T-shirts. It’s available in 14 colors, comes in a 2-pack for $140, and runs true to size.
Another LESET item that is often featured is the Kyoto Carpenter Pant. Pull-on pants in cotton poplin are trending for sure and are available at Gap, Uniqlo, and other cheap-chic outlets. Are these $280 pants worth it? Yes! The material is nicer, made from garment-dyed Kyoto Cotton with a crisp feel. The cut is more elevated, with topstitched utility panels on the front, an adjustable waistband, and patch pockets at the back. The array of colors is vast – there are 6 classic colors and 12 seasonal colors, and I especially liked the Chocolate. They fit true to size. They are out of stock of many of the colors online—be sure to sign up for first access when they restock.
We’ve featured Loeffler Randall shoes before, specifically their “event” heels, because they are good-looking and comfortable. This time, I was more interested in their everyday shoes, like ballet flats (which are definitely trending on the NYC streets) and sandals. All ran true to size.
Leoni Ballet Flat: A soft ballet flat with an elastic bridge strap. Available in 14 colors, and made from leather, suede, crochet, and beaded materials. The woven style is very popular right now.
Cooper Mary Jane Sneaker: These checked all the boxes: Mary Jane style, a sneaker, and fun colors. Plus, they have a bit of a platform for a bit of a lift compared with most Mary Jane options on the market.
Devon Slingback Sandal: Top seller at the moment, this is a perfect summer sandal if you want something a little more feminine/dressy that you can still wear with jeans. I loved the leopard pattern, and there are 7 other colors available.
A Kate Spade spin-off, this store on Madison Avenue is pure color and fun. If you need a dress for a summer party, this is the place to shop. A FabLister friend joined me here and showed me the Slim Pleated Maxi Dress that a friend of hers is wearing as the mother-of-the-bride dress to her daughter’s wedding. Another item that caught my eye is the Charming Caftan.
This was my absolute favorite stop, and such a treat to try things on in person. The fabrics (primarily Italian), the cuts, and the styles are worth the money. These are classic items you’ll have forever. A few specific favorites include:
The Frankie Trouser: Perfection. Fitted where you want it fitted, and loose where you want it loose. Available in a variety of fabrics and colors
Leather Wraparound Belt: If you’re looking for a great belt to wear with pants or to cinch in an oversized dress, this is the one. It has a wide part that you can place in front or back – lots of options with this one.
Icon Shirt: Shirting is where Ann Mashburn shines. The material, the cuts, the colors – all classic and gorgeous. This striped shirt is a little more fitted, with a classic, scaled-down point collar and a slim cut.
The Sidney Shirt: If you want a button-down that is not as fitted as the Icon, this one has a looser fit, a larger pointed collar, and a pair of pleats in the back. Made from Italian cotton with French seams (sewn twice).
I was eager to try on the Buckle Shoe because they are so highly rated. This shoe features a demi-heel that clocks in at just under an inch and has a slightly cushioned insole that feels like a dream on your feet. They run true to size and come in a variety of leather and suede materials.
The Mia Loafer is another top seller and is often mentioned in the “best loafer” discussion. The Mia comes in suede and leather, including a Navy suede, which is hard to find and goes with everything, especially jeans!
This was my second visit to Alex Mill, and I really want to like their clothing because I like their marketing (the brand was started by Mickey Drexler’s (Gap/J.Crew) son, and Mickey has his hands in this, but I don’t find many of their materials or styles to be worth the price tag. One exception is the Jo shirt – Chrissie has multiple Jo shirts and loves them. I really liked the Jo shirt in cotton poplin in the sand color. The tote bag, seen all over the streets of NYC, is really cute and practical. It comes in four sizes and a slew of colors, and it can be monogrammed.
45r:
We have Buck Mason in Seattle, but the stores in NYC had a larger stock list. Known for their T-shirts, I tried on the Pima Boxy Crew, and it was no comparison to the LESET Margot Tee. The fabric was thin, and the style was less flattering than the Margot. I really liked their Vintage Interloop Oversized Crew sweatshirt. The fit was flattering, with dropped shoulders, and it was made from yarn-dyed cotton French terry with ribbing at the collar, cuffs, and waistband. The colors were great, especially the Natural Venice Wash. I also really liked the Field-Spec Boyfriend Mariner Tee, a boxy striped tee perfect for summer, made from sturdy, substantial, and soft cotton jersey. I tried on their Mainstay button-down cotton shirts, but nothing compared to the shirting at Ann Mashburn. They carry great menswear, and you can see a write-up on the best everyday essentials for a man’s wardrobe here.
I saw a lot of women wearing ballet flats in NYC. I tried on a bunch, and my favorite was the Rosalind Bow Leather Ballet Flat from Aloha. The material was soft, it features an elasticized back and a flexible yet supportive sole, and I liked that it had a little more style than a basic ballerina with its drawstring and aglets. These are made to order, so they require a little patience (two weeks), but I like the style and price point.
We’ve been featuring BonBon, the Swedish candy company, products for a few years, and it was so fun to walk into their actual candy store (they have 6 locations in NYC). We LOVE their sugary products, but were just introduced to their new potato chips, and they are SO GOOD, especially the Dill & Pickle flavor, which tastes just like a dill pickle.
My favorite (and only) daughter introduced me to this brand a while back, and we are big fans. We went into their store on the UES (Upper East Side) and were so happy to see all of their products in one location. We especially like their Favorite Pant, and their Easy Trench Coat is a classic.
After all that pavement pounding, I stopped at one of the All Seasons Body Work locations for a 60-minute foot-and-leg massage for $39. You can drop in or make an appointment online. They have luxury reclining chairs that are perfect for a well-needed nap after days of walking and shopping.
