All Things Considered: March edit
An edit of 31 things to wear, plus rugs, mugs and question time
Hello all and welcome if you’re here for the first time. Come on in, the water’s fine! Except for the water that’s currently pooling in my empty washing machine or the water leaking from my kitchen sink. That’s not fine but at least the drip-drip-drip is being muffled by a dish sponge…
If you’re unfamiliar with my All Things Considered series, it’s a chopped salad of fashion and homeware from my wishlist, plus a few other thoughts, links and things you might be interested in. These round-ups are never trend-led and I don’t care whether some of the below items have been around for a while. Newness doesn’t interest me but longevity does.
As of this week, it’s officially spring and I can’t keep wearing big wool jumpers to everything, so All Things Considered #5 is particularly fashion-heavy! I need a few new bits to make me feel less like a shabby and under-seasoned sausage roll every time I get dressed.
I rarely buy anything new and I wear the same few outfits on rotation (ask the brown checked trousers and navy cardigan that I wore for the whole of Feb), so don’t take my shopping edits as a signal that you need more stuff. You don’t. Having said that, if you do need inspiration, treat these as a resource for the brands and styles that I turn to when I’m window shopping. Everything below was chosen because I’d happily own it myself and I believe it’s timeless enough to transcend any social media ‘moment’.
I’ll hold my hands up and acknowledge that I have expensive taste (without the bank balance to match – freelance journalism is not a known money-spinner). The thing is, I’d rather buy less and buy better, so I’ll save for an occasional nice piece and then not buy anything for months. I also revisit my edits once the shops have gone into sale, plus I use them as sort-of mood boards to discover other pieces by the same (or similar) brands and to remind myself of what I like.
Some useful pieces that I’ll wear constantly in spring/summer
*This post contains some affiliate links, meaning I have the chance to make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Top: Velika sandals, £315 from Soeur. Bottom: Pesca sandals £387 from Hereu.
I know everyone loves a mesh shoe but I’m not a foot fan in general. Mine swell up like pufferfish and turn bright red at the first sight of a warm day, so maximum foot coverage (with a breeze) is my ideal sandal criteria. Just a note that the Hereu sandals are cheaper on Matches but I didn’t link since they’re in administration and I don’t know what the risk is.
This cheerful green vest is going to look just as groovy with jeans and a t-shirt as it is with no top underneath, plus palazzo pants and espadrilles.
Left: Linda Farrow X Cos sunglasses £120. Right: Mansur Gavriel Cabas canvas and leather tote, £590
The Linda Farrow collaboration with Cos keeps selling out and then coming back into stock as people return sunglasses that don’t suit them. I’m biding my time for the retro aviators. The canvas tote is an absolute classic and the leather will look better with age (just keep the fabric well away from indigo denim).
TOAST full-length Annie jeans, ecru, £135
I’ve always failed to find nice ecru jeans or trousers for summer because I’ve got a very narrow waist in relation to the width of my hips and waistbands almost always gape on me, but not these! They fit perfectly and the deep hem is easy to fold up for a flash of an ankle.
Sessun Sidi leather sandals, £185
Just another leather sandal with maximum foot coverage! The tan version is currently sold out on the UK site but it’s available everywhere else. I bought sandals from Sessun a few years ago and they were more expensive than these but I still love them and the quality has stood the test of time.
A great cotton top for tucking into things or layering under open shirts. It also comes in a few other colours.
Top: Chloe sunglasses, £330 Bottom: Zara beaded clutch, £59.99
I’m a retro sunglasses addict and I have nothing more to say on the matter. I also have a gigantic moon of a face and this Chloe style actually fits me. The beaded bag is going to be a great evening-on-holiday piece.
The humble denim jacket is a wardrobe staple that I haven’t owned since my early twenties and I might change that this year, it also comes in black or cream.
Gucci Ophidia small shoulder bag, £1,490
Do you know I don’t own a single ‘proper’ designer bag? They’re just too spenny for me now (remember when they were about £600? It wasn’t that long ago) but if I did throw caution to the wind, retro-leaning styles like this are my instinctive go-to preference.
Left: Adidas Tischtennis trainers green/white, £85
I feel like the Adidas Tischtennis is the trainer equivalent of a sandal as it’s so airy, plus it’s not seen absolutely everywhere. I’m slightly peeved that the new release (on the left) isn’t as nice as the old style on the right. Note that the main material used to be a simple cross-hatch and the placket around the laces was a sturdy contrasting cream colour. I’m biding my time for the older style to come up in my size on eBay or Vinted etc, but the new green version isn’t a bad option!
Fine multi striped poplin Boyfriend shirt, £95 from With Nothing Underneath
With Nothing Underneath specialise in shirts, though I’m sure everyone knows them by now! I love their linen styles for summer but the new striped cotton poplin is very useful for making a casual weekday outfit look a bit more polished. Just a handy note that on their website, they offer 10% off.
Arket ribbed long sleeve t-shirt, £37
I’ve always loved a Henley shirt or anything resembling one, especially with non-stretch blue jeans and a leather belt. They make me want to go on a long walk through a meadow without my phone and pretend it’s the 1970s.
Braided leather sandals £149 from Massimo Dutti
Massimo Dutti is a bit like Zara in that their leather sandals often look much more expensive than they are. These aren’t cheap by any means but if you told me they were Bottega, I’d believe you.
Cefinn Tiana red leather midi skirt, £390
I already have this skirt in navy and I wish I’d held out for the red instead. I can tell you from experience that it’s butter-soft and just the most beautiful fit. Wear it with knee-high boots or a heeled sandal and a knitted vest.
Alighieri gold-plated necklace, £227
My friend has this necklace and I loved it the minute I saw it. Might need to ask her permission to copy as I rarely buy jewellery and I hardly own any but the chunky chain is perfect.
M&S blue pure linen relaxed shirt, £35
One of my most-worn pieces for the last two summers was an affordable green striped linen shirt from M&S, which I bought to be intentionally oversized. This is the same shirt in a different colour and I’ll probably be buying it.
The sun is a friend to no one where premature ageing and melasma are concerned. I have a smudge of pigmentation above my lip line from years of being on the pill and it really comes out in the sun, so I am all about the big hat! If this is too pricey, try Uniqlo as I have a few wide-brim styles from there too.
Ferrat sterling silver puffy heart earrings, £78
I’ve shared these puffy heart earrings before in gold. I think they’re just the coolest and I’m not even a hearts and flowers person ordinarily. I own the gold already and they’re not painfully heavy, plus they’re great quality for a fair price!
Soeur has so many great denim cuts but I’m keen to try these in particular as I’m a sucker for an oversized patch pocket and I don’t like stretch denim – it’s 100% cotton all the way for me.
Tory Burch ivory denim jacket, £293
You know what, I will admit to never having considered Tory Burch before but I stumbled across this jacket by chance on The Outnet and then I scrolled through everything they had by the brand, there’s actually so much that I would wear! It was giving holiday in Palm Springs and if you have particularly big or very small feet, they have some excellent sandals in your size.
Striped cotton shorts with elasticated waistband, £19.90 from Uniqlo
I bought these shorts last spring for a holiday to Marrakech and I wore them relentlessly – they’re so easy to pull on and off over bikini bottoms and they look great with a big linen shirt. As they’re so affordable, I’ll be buying these to add to the collection.
Left: Mansur Gavriel Candy raffia bag, £670. Right: Gucci navigator sunglasses, £340
I use raffia and woven leather bags alllll summer long and the one I’ve used for years finally kicked the bucket last summer. I’m in the market for a new neutral style that will go with everything and this is that bag. The sunglasses on the right are a pair I regret not buying from Liberty a couple of years ago – so happy I’ve finally found them! Plus, they’re giving Oscars night Robert Downey Jr, right?
A handful of five colourful raffia summer bags…
Just throwing in a mini bonus section at the end as I noticed I’d saved a few different colourful raffia bags recently. I think the Jil Sander style is my fave of all but it’s also the one I can’t afford to buy. The Sezane basket is already in my virtual shopping basket (
already has this and I think our personal tastes are very aligned, so her Instagram post yesterday nudged me closer to the checkout). If you like the gigantic Gabriele Frantzen tote, click through to her website as there are so many stripe options on there.
Etro woven stripe tote bag, £938
Sezane Justine basket, khaki, £220
Jil Sander raffia and leather tote, €1,320
Second hand Prada basket tote, £475 from Reluxe
Rattan bag, from a selection from Gabriele Frantzen, €375
And a few homeware buys, just for good luck…
The Draped Shelf by Heroldian Art Concepts, price on request
These magnificent trompe de l'oeil plaster shelves are the genius creations of art dealer and curator Katharina Herold. I believe she’s soon to retire this style but she is taking final orders at the moment, so contact her if you’d like more info!
282 x 211cm wool kilim rug, £945 from Nain Trading
Nain Trading is one of my staple go-tos for large wool flatweave rugs under £1000. I’m very into the colours on this one.
London Living coffee table book by Simon Upton, published by Vendome, £41
I think most people likely know the work of photographer Simon Upton so this book was already a surefire hit, but just to confirm, I flicked through it in Waterstones on Piccadilly the other day (gorgeous shop) and it’s full of so many brilliant references. I’m going to order it.
Muuto Dedicate table/desk lamp, L2 long arm, £449
A very decent desk lamp in a great colour – I like its angular arm.
Penny Worrall Ewe Kente cloth patchwork cushions, £225 each
Penny often has a selection of the best cushions made from authentic African cloth. They’re not the cheapest option but they’re made from beautifully crafted fabric and they look 11/10 great.
All from TOAST: Cove stoneware deep plate, £25, Cove stoneware bowl, £23, Rag rug, £95
You know I love TOAST and I spotted this blue stoneware from their new homeware release. Such a lovely colour! Also, this little rag rug would be a great pop of colour in a warm-toned kitchen or bathroom. Especially if there’s an orange hue involved. Think mid-century Reath Design / Commune Design vibes.
McCully & Crane / Matt Garlick turned wood lamps, £390 each
McCully & Crane gallery in Rye is right up there as one of my favourite shops in the UK. Their curation of art is superb and they also have a small selection of other homeware such as lamps and sculptures. This pair of tall lamps would look cracking on bedsides or either end of a console table. I’d also like to see them with black fabric shades.
I’m extremely particular about my mugs (it’s all about the feel of the handle) and I’ve picked this one up in-store many times. It’s beautiful to look at and to hold, it also comes in white.
Zara Home travertine side table, £499.99
A considered purchase but if you need a simple, chic side table with visual weight, this is your guy. I don’t think anyone would guess it was from Zara Home and I love the dupont edge profile on the top – it makes it look far more elegant than if it was squared off. Would work well in a bedroom or living room.
I have this exact linen throw and it’s pleasingly large – actually way too big for our measly double bed but it would be perfect for dressing a king or super-king bed in summer. It comes in other colours too.
Hadeda are best known for their rattan furniture (or at least that’s what I always think of them for) but I just spied this rug on their website and I loved it immediately. It’s so versatile and being a flatweave, you can use it in any room in the house.
Some other things to mention before I go…
I can barely remember what I did yesterday let alone over the last month (a lie: I didn’t leave my flat yesterday as I was working on this newsletter), but there are a few things I’ve watched, read and generally enjoyed in Feb/March…
I was gripped by this New Yorker article about the mysterious life and death of London teenager Zac Brettler. It will surely be adapted as a TV series or film soon? I’m extremely boring so true stories like this blow my mind.
I don’t go to the cinema anymore (despite loving films) and haven’t in years as other cinemagoers are rude as hell with their relentless chatting, manspreading and phone scrolling, but I finally streamed American Fiction last week. We loved it but I also felt like the ending came quite abruptly and definitely before I expected it. I could have kept on going. This coming week, I’ll finally watch Poor Things as I adore Emma Stone and can’t wait to see the costumes.
Yesterday, my boyfriend watched the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animation written by Seth Rogan while I worked at the dining table and although I would never have chosen to watch it, it was surprisingly hilarious in parts! Good fun for a Sunday afternoon.
Last night we watched the documentary about The Barkley Marathons, known as ‘the race that eats its young’. It’s an endurance test over 100 miles long and includes oddities such as buying the race organiser a flannel shirt in order to enter and someone playing the bugle if you quit before the end.
I’ve touched on this a few times (including above) but being neurodivergent makes me very sensitive to noise and I have misophonia, which means a hatred of [specific] sounds. I’m tempted to buy those Loop earplugs that Instagram keeps advertising to me. Has anyone tried them? Did they help?
In my last All Things Considered newsletter, I was on a mad mission to find custard. I still need to get to Lannan Bakery in Edinburgh as they seem to do many custard-first pastries and cakes but until then, I’ve been buying takeaway cold custard from Humble Crumble. I pre-order it on their website for collection from Spitalfields to avoid the mad queue. I also had probably the best custard I’ve ever eaten at The Audley pub in Mayfair on Friday (it’s the casual sibling to Mount Street Restaurant above). This spectacular custard came with an apple pie and it was so heavy on the fresh vanilla that I sent a euphoric video to my boyfriend, pointing out the number of black seeds.
I’ve spent all week reminiscing/working alongside a Spotify playlist called ‘All Out 90s’. It’s ten hours of jams and a real mixed bag of musical genres.
Journalist Rachel Hagen recommended this article on The Cut a while ago and I finally read it today. It’s a wild story about a financial advice columnist who was scammed out of a huge sum of money. I’ll let the headline do the talking: ‘The day I put $50,000 in a shoe box and handed it to a stranger’.
Right, I’m off! I haven’t left the flat since Friday evening and it’s now 3pm on Sunday. Before I go out and stretch my legs, I’d love to know if you have any questions for me? I shared an ‘Ask Me Anything’ question box on Instagram last week and I wanted to extend that to my readers here. Feel free to DM me if you’d like to ask your question privately. I’ll pick a few to answer in my first Substack Q&A in April. To give you an idea, I’ve already had questions about everything from personal style to whether we’ll move out of London.
I hope you’ve all had a great weekend and if you enjoyed this newsletter (or any of my other newsletters, if you hated this one), please consider recommending my publication to your readers. I’d also love you to restack this post or like/comment/subscribe – you know the drill. It’s getting harder by the week to reach new people on here and word of mouth truly is everything when it comes to Substack.
Your support makes a huge difference, so thank you for reading!
E xx
I always love your suggestions, and the mixed price points – nothing makes me feel more like a loser than the impression that everyone else is wantonly buying whatever strikes their fancy, and I spend a lot of time on here wondering what the hell everyone does for a living and where I went wrong. But most of all I love your writing. You’re a natural writer, and believe me, as someone who edits for a living, that’s rare.
That necklace! May need to order it myself 🫶🏻
Also the last time I went to the cinema a couple sat next to us and pulled a full rotisserie chicken out a back pack. That was my last trip to the cinema….