Your Questions, My Answers

Truthfully, I haven't had a Kael Mail in the chamber for a LONG time so I needed to outsource this one. It's short and there are no pictures.

Im thinking about creating a series nested under the Kael Mail umbrella called “Hopefully This Helps” offering tips, industry insight, and answers to your burning questions. So welcome to the inaugural “Hopefully This Helps”.

First, some sales or promos that are worth your time. I talk about Halfdays alot, because I’m a ski mom now. The Murphy Ski Suit is the best ski suit I have found to date, and I’ve tried a lot. I have it in Black and Aperol in a size L. Their sample sale runs through tomorrow so get it while you can. Use the code SHOP40 for 40% off at Luisa Via Roma through Mid June, and Nécessaire has a 20% off sale until tomorrow. Get the sunscreen - it’s perfect for the whole family.

The best books I’ve read in the past few months — Wild Dark Shore, The God of the Woods, James, The Bee Sting, The Hunter, The Anxious Generation (I’ve been reading it in bits for months).

I asked you to ask me anything in the Substack chat and I got literally not one reply. So I went to instagram for more engagement, and I’m bringing the questions back here to answer for you. Does that make sense? Maybe not.

“What are your fave low cost brands?”

This is a bit thorny because right now, it feels like nothing is low cost other than the Shein’s and Temu’s of the world. And we’re not going there, so let’s take a look at our options. As a grown up, I think Roucha is an excellent choice. The founder, Jill, is an industry vet who founded Totokaelo (RIP) and absolutely gets it. I reach for this tunic all the time in the summer months. I’ve been eyeing this for a perfect summer rain jacket. The fabrics are great, and everything is easy. The sizing follows a similar model to hosiery, so it takes height into account as well. Bonus - they offer a slightly extended size range up to 16/18. I like Flore Flore for basics (The dresses are the best value IMO), if you’re local to Toronto you can get them at River Crossing. This may feel surprising but I’m also a J.Crew girl — this dress is speaking to me. Rue Sophie is a mid-price brand that does a good job of capturing trends without breaking the bank.

“Skincare tips”

A disclaimer - I am not a dermatologist. I do not have perfect skin. I am flying blind most of the time. But I will tell you what I do ( again, I feel like I list it all the time but I’m happy to continue), and you can take from it what you will. I do compile tips from dermatologists and Facialists as I go, so some of the recommendations have merit.

I double cleanse at night. First I use an oil cleanser (this one is what I’m currently using but truthfully I don’t know what makes one better than the other), after that I cleanse again with Oneskin Prep which makes my skin feel clean and shiny without any tightness. I have redness in my skin, so my dermatologist recommended these Complexion renewal pads (morning and night). Following that, I use my favourite product which helps absorb the rest of the serums I slather on — the Laneige Cream Skin Toner. After that I use (interchangeably, depending on my mood) P-tiox serum, or this multi-peptide serum. We’re almost at the end — hang on. I use the Zo Rozatrol serum before moisturizer, this retinol, and the Adipeau Volume Cream, newly back in stock. For evening, I like this eye cream. For daytime, there is no better eye cream than this one. For sunscreen, I like the Necessaire mineral or this one from Skinceuticals. And I am finally mature enough to use it every.single.day. Oh and I use the Exfoliating polish 2 or 3 times a week. Phew! A full time job.

Additionally, I am getting VBeam laser on Monday to address the redness and broken capillaries that drive me nuts. Let me know if you want to hear how that goes.

“Must have accessories/timeless jewelry?”

Ok if you’re going to invest in a piece of jewelry, my vote will be a tennis necklace. It’s classic, elegant, can be worn everyday or dressed up for evening. And it’s perfect for layering. Something with sparkle can really make a cord necklace or matte chain pop. For more reasonable pricing - Dorsey is a great option. This, this, or this would be my pick. Bonus - the Paracord necklace is very chic. I just got mine in Olive and I’m excited to layer it. For fine, Sophie Bille Brahe, Eva Fehren, and Mejuri have great options. For mid-range prices on more novelty pieces, I love Panconesi and Charlotte Chesnais. Should you wish to look like a wealthy art patron recently widowed under suspicious circumstance, I highly recommend Silvia Furmanovich.

“What Bags are you into?”

I think Métier is making some of the best bags and small leather goods at present. Beginning with larger, more travel-focused bags, their foray into small leather goods is lovely. This is what I have my eye on. I also am looking at this for a carry on — I have a lot of travel coming up this summer and I cannot make a hard-sided carry on work for the life of me. Lemaire bags are growing on me as well. The croissant shape has always felt challenging (sloppy) in the larger sizes but this small, net version with black accents is a perfect summer bag. I am also excited about the small baguette bags from Savette. I ordered this one yesterday — the Butter tone with Silver hardware is a beautiful combination. In the same vein, this Butter yellow bag from Reformation is very cute and a friendly price point.

“Least Dorky Sun hat with protection and how to style it”

Call it the Beyoncé effect — I love a cowboy-adjacent hat for the beach, but I recognize that’s hard to style for day to day. I have a few hats I’ve collected over the years from Janessa Leone - this is the one I’m eyeing for this summer. I like how they’ve styled it here - a softly tailored blazer over a simple white t-shirt. Add some long and loose jean shorts and you’re GTG. Would you consider this type of hat? If so - it works with the same type of outfit. Take a good peruse of Clyde’s offerings - I think they are some of the best around.

“What to wear to a new wave/80’s party?”

People tend to fall into the same 80’s trap of Spandex and neon, but the decade gave us so much more. This is the moment for the YSL oversize suits we saw all over the runway last season - don’t let it pass you by. I’m talking Dick Tracy big, baby. The key here is that the suit still needs to be tailored. Check out Acne for something oversized and a little weird. The Attico typically has a big suit on offer each season - this one would be perfect. Don’t fall for the trap of oversized or one-size fits most where you end up with a floppy, single-seamed “blazer”. You want craftsmanship. I would love a look akin to Gaga in Marc Jacobs in 2018 but to make it on theme add a button down and a tie. For a different look, I think this Grace Ling dress would be dynamite. Or - hear me out - a catsuit. It feels like the best of the 80’s and with an oversized blazer it would be perfection.

“Shoes to Elevate day to day style - flexible budget something versatile?”

Loafers and boat shoes are very on trend right now, and if you want them to stand the test of time I’d lean more toward the loafer option. These are cute and fairly timeless. I love a soft moccasin style shoe too- Le Monde Beryl makes a great one. Also from LMB — the Babouche flat. They make this shape in a heel that I’ve talked about 1000000000 times because it’s the only heel I wear these days, but the flat version is chic and great for everyday. Very day to night if you’re into that kind of thing. For warmer days, this platform leather thong sandal still manages to feel sophisticated. Last thought - I am a Birkenstock fan to my core. I love these with a slouchy, silky pant.

“What to wear on first dates”

I’m going to tell you right now I haven’t been on a first date in 2 decades. That said, If I was going on one tonight, I’d think about getting dressed in this way: what can I wear that shows my approachability, but also my uncompromising sense of identity and style. Something that says “I’m not the type of person to change my style on vacation.” So I’d go with a loose jean (with a slight barrel - entry level weird), a red baby tee, a great belt and something with massive shoulder pads and a cinched waist just to retain the strange. I would wear my aforementioned LMB heels because they’re sexy and comfortable. Jewelry is essential, and I like the idea of a necklace like this one. If you wanted to be fancier I’d do the same thing on the top but swap out the jeans for a bias slip skirt. I have this one and I love it — I think the colours would work well together.

Ok those are the only questions I can answer in the time I gave myself. I’ll answer the others in another Kael Mail shortly. This June, I’m headed to Paris twice, once for vintage sourcing and one very important meeting which I’ll tell you about if and when it becomes relevant. I’m headed to NY after that, for a few market appointments and a haircut, obviously. And then finally, I’m back to Paris at the end of June for the Pre Collection market. Whew. Is there anything you want to know that relates to any of that travel? Let me know.

See you when I see you!
x

Kael