A couple of decades ago (can you believe it?), a teenaged Kate Moss leaned against a sun-cracked stucco wall somewhere tropical and took a puff of a cig (again, it was a couple of decades ago) in a moment immortalized by Corinne Day for The Face. Naturally, I still want everything she was wearing in the picture, and the good news is: I can still get it, more or less. And so can you:
Prada Saffiano Lux Double-Zip Tote Bag : “Just feel this zipper pull,” Ali Michael instructed, holding up her new Prada bag outside of Juice Press yesterday. Indeed, it was one of the more weighty, luxurious-feeling zippers I’ve felt in a long time. (Not that I have much of a thing for zippers, but you can tell when hardware seems cheap vs. when it screams “MONEY.”) Beyond the heavy metal, the bag induced envy because of its anonymity, classic lines, and simplicity. You can’t spot it across the street like a Céline Trapeze; from a distance, you sort of think, “That’s a nice bag…” and ponder its origin; up-close, you inspect the structured, pebbled leather, and nod your head: “Ah ha. Prada. Of course.” It gives you I'm a serious grown-up bag, without the usual bells or whistles (i.e., tassels, grommets, mixed textures).
Miguelina Jaya Crocheted Cotton-Lace Shorts : When it comes to porous summer materials, some (Selena, Vanessa, Ashley…) might lean towards mesh; I reach for crochet. It’s a little less Cancun and a little bit more South of France. You might consider these shorts perfect for the beach. I consider them perfect for anywhere except, maybe, The New York Times Building, a courthouse, a funeral, or the first meet-the-parents.
Diptyque Eau Duelle Solid Perfume : Tabitha Simmons first introduced me to Diptyque’s solid perfume; she rarely goes anywhere without a compact in her bag. I’ve since picked up Eau Duelle, a clean, subtly sweet-smelling blend of vanilla and black frankincense that reminds me a bit of Tocca scents back in the day. The compact has a paperweight-like, old-fashioned feel that produces a pleasing magnetic snap! sensation, like a vintage Zippo lighter. But more importantly, the perfume smells personal, thus making the application of the balm—with a finger, behind ears, on wrists, elbows, and collarbone, several times a day—quite an intimate experience.
Birkenstock Arizona Sandals : Birkenstocks: they’re everywhere. No really, I’m not kidding. Maybe it’s the whole “ugly shoe” thing that’s happening (at least in my closet), but a sensible, ergonomically correct sandal has never felt so right. Aside from being the most comfortable shoes I have ever known, the slight upward curl of the sole hugs your foot and shields it from NYC sidewalk sludge, and, hey, Kate Moss wore them (or a version of them). And: I spotted Inez van Lamsweerde in this exact pair yesterday, which is just a huge, huge vote up for their cool factor, in my opinion.
T By Alexander Wang Classic Jersey Racer-Back Tank : I’m pretty sure this exact tank was part of the founding T collection, and I have about 8 colors, from different seasons, to prove it. Perfectly soft and slouchy, with an ideally sized decorative chest pocket, the fresh white version is essential for August. Just watch it with the watermelon/ketchup/etc.
—Emily Weiss
Photo of Kate Moss by Corinne Day.
