Off Season Shopping

There's a method to my madness

When I was 14 I dreamt of a wardrobe full of DC shoes and Roxy t-shirts, fantasizing about running around a French playground looking like a Venice Beach surf rat. A few years later, during the peak seasons of The OC, I took a job at a Concept store called ‘French Fries' and saved my hard earned euros to purchase a pair of Marc Jacobs mouse flats. I’m proud to say the shoes had a longer lifespan than the television show. I wore them into the ground until the mice were fully diseased, their remains still live in my childhood bedroom. 

My taste has never matched my bank account. Whether I’m picking out a dress or cocktail napkins, I will always be drawn to the most expensive option. Now apply this to renovating an entire apartment. Yet, I cringed when I received my first Black Friday email of the season just a few days ago. Black Friday! The best American invention after The OC, apparently. For context, in France, sales dates are government regulated. And while I am definitely not above the thrill that comes with finding something you love for less, I am first and foremost a small business owner attempting to make a quality product, living in a hamster wheel of constantly revolving flash sales. It’s horrifying. What type of dark magic goes into making something only to discount it just weeks after hitting the shelves? I don’t have the answer but I’m positive our planet is the one subsidizing the cost.

What I CAN get behind is buying off-season. “Thanks, it’s old [Prada]” has a better ring to it than “Thanks, it’s [Prada].” The LA Dries Van Noten store (arguably one of the best stores in whatever city it’s in) has a whole Archive section ranked by collection year. Of course this is a ruse to elevate what could end up on The Outnet to bodies of work worthy of methodical classification, but still I’ve always found it impossibly chic.

Trends can be fun in small doses, if they complement your own personal style and what works for your body type. But if you ever see me in an oversized blazer, please ask me how I’m doing because it is likely something will have gone wrong in my personal life.

Shopping off season makes it almost impossible to show up at dinner wearing the same piece of clothing as someone else at your table. I’m currently switching my closets over from summer to winter, unpacking Joseph turtlenecks, and Courreges boots, some of which have been with me for almost a decade and further prove there’s a method to my madness. This past summer, on the hottest day of July, I snagged 2 Proenza sweaters for under $100 each that I plan to wear for many seasons to come.

I also hate waste (and plastic - more on that later), so there’s something about getting a piece that will last long and get passed down that helps me justify buying an item of quality. And yes, it makes me feel better about hyper-consumerism. So with all that said, here’s my off-season edit!

Cotton Merino Sweatshirt from Everlane. This Funny Hood, to layer over your favorite trench coat, or under an actual hood. And last year’s Toteme Shearling Shoes, outside-world appropriate slippers that will look chic sticking out of your Highsport pants.

Acne Mohair Sweater, tickles my soft spot for “fuzzy sweather” wihtout making me cave for another Toteme piece. Bottega Backpack on TRR. This Etro Belt I just influenced myself into buying. A Proenza mini < $200 - side note, I love a green hero piece because it pairs well with warm or cool tones - shades of brown or black or grey. Proenza OTK Boots. I have a similar pair from Courreges from a few years ago and I love them more every season.

These Khaite boot, half statement half neutral. A $45 Nili Lotan Sweater on TRR (I like this one too). Missoni belt with just the right amount of snakeskin and red - this one will get a lot of love over white shorts this summer. Balenciaga Sunglasses.

My favorite Swimsuit from Dries Van Noten. A tie-back Missoni suit if you prefer prints > knits. Another Missoni, knit this time. I have this one and it feels lux - can also be worn as a bodysuit. Versace Sunnies: business in the front and party on the sides. I’m really buying these for my future daughter. Christopher Esber Top + Bottom at a great price. Jacquemus Hat (spoiler, it’s red underneath!)

This Jil Sander Sheer Set (Top + Bottom, also in Navy but pricier), on top of more sheer things and a Manolo mule (The Real Real has tons of very affordable Manolos, and mules in general, MBs are narrow so size up).

See you next week!
Mélanie