Does the Internet’s Favorite Bra Work on Bigger Boobs? And the One Thing I’d Buy From the Reformation Sale
Plus J.Crew finally brings back chinos. I ordered instantly.
The only newness, sales, restocks, and pieces worth your attention. Each email closes with a section for paid subscribers devoted to independent brands and small-batch makers.
Negative is one of the most enthusiastically reviewed underwear brands. Reddit agrees that the brand makes exceptionally comfortable bras. I wanted to know whether they actually worked on a larger chest. I’m a 32E, and finding a bra that is genuinely supportive and comfortable remains one of my most tedious shopping quests. I bought two:
The Whipped non-wire bra: this bra is not suited to larger chests. It provides zero support, and the 0-to-5 sizing system shows its limitations here: I was spilling out at the top and sides (which usually signals a bra is too small), but also underneath (which usually signals the opposite). The fabric is insanely soft, and I can see why people with smaller boobs are obsessed with it. I’m returning the bra, and buying the Whipped Henley.
The Sieve non-wire bra: this bra is more supportive and far more comfortable than most of my underwire bras. I ordered a size 2+. The Sieve range has + sizing with extra support built in for larger cups, and it works. The fit is phenomenal. My only quibble: the brand calls it sexy. I’d call it an exceptional everyday bra. On me (I’m 4ft11), it has considerably more coverage than the photos suggest. Perfect under crewnecks, less so under anything low-cut. I will be wearing this every day of winter, so I’m buying more colors and adding the Sieve cutout bra. Yesterday evening, I had 38 minutes to do my hair and makeup, get dressed, run to the bakery and beg them to fill eight cupcakes with blue frosting for an impromptu gender reveal party for one of my closest friends. I ripped the tags off the bra and threw it on. At the end of the night, while getting ready for bed, I realized I had forgotten about the bra. When you have big boobs, you don’t just forget about your bra. An underwire digs in. Straps pull. You readjust it countless times. Forgetting about a bra is about as good as it gets. IYKYK.
Last Week’s Most-Loved Links:
✿ Jamie Haller high vamp ballet flat
Reformation has been on a particularly good run this summer. Its new sale is…just fine, but it is an opportunity to pick up my number-one cold-weather styling secret: a lightweight striped Reformation cashmere sweater. Not to wear, exactly, but to tie around your waist. That’s what I do every day in winter to break up neutral outfits. I’ve tried doing the same thing with other striped long-sleeved tops, but the weight of these is just right to give an outfit that bit of ease. There are a few in different colors, like this warm-toned multicolor stripe or this white, brown, and red one. Outside the sale, things are more exciting: the Sandy shorts now come in silver satin, these red cargo pants are every bit as good IRL as they look online, and this top is a perfect TOTEME lookalike.
DÔEN’s Aliette top has finally landed. I’ve been keeping tabs on it since I first saw its scarf-like, open-sided silhouette and vintage-inspired equestrian illustration, knowing it would be right up my readers’ alley.
J.Crew’s customers have been begging the brand to bring back the old chinos for years. They’re back, but in a silhouette that isn’t even close to what I picture as a classic chino. I, for one, am delighted: the Boy chino is mid-rise, slim through the hip, wide from the knee down, and available in Petite. That describes my dream pants, so I ordered them instantly. The Luna pants are touted as the perfect LESET Kyoto dupe. If you spent the summer wearing yours on repeat, or, like me, waited in vain for your size to be restocked, there’s now a green colorway available in poplin and a lightweight corduroy fabrication with plenty of sizes still available. They run large, so size down.
Reduced
With code SALE10, you can get an extra 10% off Le Monde Béryl’s excellent sale selection. Get up to 50% off these beaded sandals that have been featured in all your favorite Substacks, these Row-esque thong sandals, or these croc-embossed micro wedge sandals.
The DISSH end-of-summer sale just started, with up to 50% off pieces like this chic scalloped-hem linen minidress.
Frame offers up to 60% off a selection of transitional pieces like this cool plaid mac coat. Size down.
The Maria McManus sale ends this weekend, but in the meantime, with code SUMMER20, you get an extra 20% off runway pieces like these bias-cut oxblood trousers, this deep-V satin tunic, and this striped godet dress.
Frame has a few noteworthy new arrivals, starting with the collaboration with Sotheby’s: a preppy unisex capsule fit for gallery hopping and coastal weekends. I’m not sure we need the Sotheby’s logo on the chest of our $700 cashmere crewneck, but I’m easily swayed by the sweatshirts with auction phrases embroidered on the back: ‘Going, Going, Gone’, ‘Fair Warning’ and ‘Highest Bidder’. If you’re feeling fruity, new arrivals also include the Gray in a high-shine leopard motif, and the Rodeo in suede.
From Aritzia’s pre-fall, I’m drawn to the lazuli blue of this half-zip sweater (also in a hoodie). It’s a pop of color that looks hyper-modern against fall neutrals. The color combination in the check on this 100% silk shirt is also very cool. Style this jacket with an Olsen tuck.
Jamie Haller releases the best-selling Crease jeans in Petite length. The knee break hits in the right place on someone shorter. When the brand fit-tested them on a woman who is 5’0”, she said it was the first time a pair of flared jeans fit her properly. Note: the model in the pictures is 5’10. If you’re taller, they wear as a cropped flare.
Rachel Comey’s first fall arrivals have landed. I love the zesty color of these wool pants. The accessories are especially striking, from the pointed-toe Clemmie pumps, revamped with dimensional color blocking (also in cream and mint), to these leather and metal chokers.
Ciao Lucia’s fall collection includes the controversial babydoll dress (my take: women’s clothes aren’t responsible for men’s failings). There’s also a dupioni dress with dangling pearl details, the fall cousin of those bright pink embellished pants many of you bought this summer.
I often compare House of Dagmar to the more established TOTEME, even though the former predates the latter by 9 years. Both Stockholm-born brands are designing minimal, long-lasting pieces. Their fall collections landed this week with plenty of overlap, including tonal wool tailoring and shirting classics. House of Dagmar wins the round with these lightweight flannel wide-leg pants and this scarlet chiffon scarf blouse.
If you still want to know what TOTEME has in store this fall, these mules with a silk scarf tied at the heel are worth the detour.
Yuni Buffa’s Marmi boat shoe arrived in Burgundy. This is the first brand I’m ordering from on my September US trip.
Kallmeyer has recast some of its best denim silhouettes in a chalky white wash, including the cool Ellis skate shorts, which are already selling out fast, and the loose-fitting Callum barrel jeans.
Spotted in Store
Pieces that caught my eye while shopping this week and look even better in person than they do online.
LESET’s Margo tapered pocket pants: feel like sweatpants, look elongating.
The Row’s mini Barn woven tote: plastic, $870, annoyingly great.
Maria McManus’ caramel crescent-leg corduroy pants: straight to my wishlist.
Our Legacy’s unisex button-down: criminally undersold online; the photos don’t do the beautiful embroidery justice. Pieces like this make the case for IRL shopping.
Small Brand Finds
Independent brands, small-batch makers and the pieces you are unlikely to see everywhere else. Because these finds are made in limited quantities and often priced more affordably, they are reserved for paid subscribers. The links beyond the paywall are not affiliate links.
In this week’s edit: a brand to know if you like Gimaguas, silk dresses for $200, beautiful jewelry made in a tiny London studio, the under-the-radar artisan label that dresses Hailey Bieber for Coachella, and a very good Etsy shop.
I spent all summer searching for a colorful, beaded clutch at a sane price, until