My 2024 Vibe Is Chic and Chill—Here's Exactly What I've Shopped This Month

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(Image credit: @nataliecantell)

I own five new things, and I feel really good about them. They've found their way into my wardrobe in a variety of ways: I spent a gift card at The Frankie Shop that I've been saving for way too long. I settled on some sunglasses that I've been mulling over for ages after finally accepting that my go-to pair is well and truly lost.

Before you go commending me for my considered purchases, not everything was so. I mean, the Toteme show pushed me over the edge, and now, I own a new handbag. I also accidentally bought a sweater. In my defense, it was under $50, and I have worn both of these things nonstop this past week. Anyway, here they are, my new loves. Just in case they sell out, I've included a handful of affordable and designer options for each—I hope they speak to your heart as much as they do mine.

Toteme's T-Lock Top Handle Bag

I posted on my Instagram about how I love when brands don't completely reinvent themselves every season. It tells me they believe in their vibe and instill faith they're worth investing in. Toteme's show in Paris last week did just that. Case in point: the coat-length iteration of its viral embroidered scarf jacket. It was the reintroduction of the T-Lock bag, however, that really got my attention. I'm now thrilled to have a stupidly chic bag that can hide a day's worth of actual crap in itnot just lip balm and a card case. I'm talking about a cap, my phone charger, a New Yorker magazine, my sunglasses case, a mini fragrance, hand sanitizer, a notebook, and, obviously, my good pen. It was an incredible impulse purchase, and shout-out to Moda Operandi for having this bigger size in stock. (The smaller version is honestly great too. You should probably take a look.)

IN MY CLOSET:

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The Frankie Shop's Ripley Pants

I absolutely love a gift card, and even more than that, I love a gift card for The Frankie Shop. A very cool crew I used to have the pleasure of working with when I was in-house at Who What Wear sent me one for a birthday an eon ago, and I've been saving what I had left on it for some reason. There are always 100 things I could buy, usually centered around some very good tailoring. Let me put it this way: These trousers (also stocked at Net-a-Porter) are so good I now own them in two colors. 

IN MY CLOSET:

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Zara's Soft Knit Sweater

It's been a minute since I've bought anything from Zara, so I wasn't prepared for how much I really liked this sweater. We actually had it on a shoot, and I ended up buying it from the wardrobe because it was hitting every note—truly warm, ultra-soft, a little boxy, and an excellent shade of gray. I've worn it far too many days in a row and received many compliments, and I am currently remembering the joy of knitwear that doesn't require dry cleaning. 

IN MY CLOSET:

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Agolde for Argent's Low Slung Baggy Jeans

My sweet friend works for Argent, which I know is the home of many great blazers. I didn't know the brand also stocks some cool pieces from brands like Agolde. Anyway, a very kind gift from them is how these creamy jeans found their way into my outfit rotation—I've loved them forever but rarely trust myself with anything so clearly begging to have coffee spilled on it. So far, so good! 

IN MY CLOSET:

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Saint Laurent's 654 Sunglasses

Firstly, does anyone know a good place in New York to get scratched sunglasses lenses replaced? Secondly, I finally bought these from Shopbop, and I'm very, very happy with them. I only took so long because I was going back and forth on black or tortoiseshell (the story of my life), and I was a little hesitant about just how thick those arms are. I suspected I'd quite like the drama, and it turns out I was right. They're actually not too hectic IRL—they have a little something going on, but they don't beg for attention, and I think that's the happy place. Anyway, the case fits in my new Toteme bag, which means I'm very excited at the prospect of owning sunglasses that my keys don't ruin. 

IN MY CLOSET:

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Natalie Cantell
Contributing Fashion Editor

Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and fashion editor, who regularly contributes from Paris. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects.