Taeste Bud is many things, one of them is a place to share some of the products bringing me joy. For my first edition of Taesty Recs I’m sharing a few Fall-ish items I’m eyeing or wearing that I think you might like too.
In the week or so since the time changed, I’ve found that the early darkness puts a hamper on my willingness to leave the house past 4p.m, so I spend lots of time on the couch in loungewear. This early in the chilly season, temperatures that feel balmy come April currently have me bundling whenever I do happen to leave the house. That means layered jackets and chunky knits, and finding final clever ways to wear my favorite cotton skirts and light silk dresses.
On my to-do list this week: Finally getting around to the biannual New York ritual of finding space in my closet for cold-weather staples by stuffing my summer goods into a suitcase under the bed. All this rustling up is also when I begin to clock the gaping holes in my new season dressing needs. I’m mixing and matching with fresh eyes, fussing to get pieces to work together.
With all this in mind, I thought I’d take you through a little shopping list that marries both my current wish list, and the pieces that I’ve found to be particularly essential to my style this fall.
Dunst Unisex Mac Coat ($231 on sale!)
Dunst is a Korean brand that’s new to the U.S. and still only at a few retailers (W Concept and Ssense). Usually, when I get an email about a new brand that piques my curiosity, I head to Instagram. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t so sure what to think in this case — the photos didn’t feel super unique, a bit of a Zara carbon copy. Ultimately, I think the branding is still being figured out. But having touched a few pieces in person, I’ve been impressed with how nice the materials feel and how their styles hang. This Mac coat is a blend of wool and polyester, and has the perfect slickness when I put it on. It has the right weight and the right oversized fit so I find myself picking it up over and over.
Uniqlo Merino Wool Cardigan ($50)
Not long after reading this alarmingly-titled article (Your Sweaters Are Garbage) by Amanda Mull, I began to pull out some of my lighter mid-October knits to find them punctuated by not one, but at least a dozen holes. I began a frantic search for any signs of moths in my closet (none to be found) and was left both bereft and a bit confused. There are lots of affordable sweaters out there that I would probably accept a few eventual holes in, but what I love about this Uniqlo sweater is that it’s made 100% of Merino wool. If you didn’t know, Merino wool is sweat-wicking, temperature regulating, odor-resistant, all of the things you want in a middle layer.
Hereu T-bar loafer ($328)
I first discovered the Spanish accessories brand Hereu a few years ago when I was generously gifted a pair of their loafers. Since then, I’ve actually gone on to buy two additional pairs of shoes from the brand, these T-bar loafers and a pair of mid-calf boots. Fall’s transition into my leather footwear usually means I find myself nursing blisters and raw skin. As someone with knobbly feet, I’ve accepted that rubbing is an unavoidable consequence of nice shoes. But, with Hereu, I’m surprised by how easily these shoes molded to my feet in a way that allows me to wear them for an entire day of intermittent walking.
Alex Mill Frontier jacket ($225)
If there’s one recent purchase that has quickly made itself into a regular part of my wardrobe, it’s this perfectly relaxed cotton canvas jacket from Alex Mill. Though it’s technically menswear, it’s the type of piece that looks good on everyone. This fit is loose, but not baggy, which makes it ideal for layering my chunky sweaters underneath. But, it’s light enough that it can be worn under my heavy-duty winter jackets and still get some mileage in the months down the line.
Comme Si Wool Socks ($38)
I’m kind of an idiot for taking so long to understand the warming power of a pair of wool socks. Coming from the Bay Area, I remember studying abroad in Prague and for the first time feeling the cold cobblestones sucking my heat out straight through my flimsy boots. Now, I swear by SmartWool socks for hiking or boot days, but for times when I’m planning to flash some ankle, it’s always Comme Si that I want to wear. Bonus: the brand just opened a new slick shop in Dumbo, so NYC friends, if you want to touch some socks IRL pre-purchase, I highly suggest you visit.
Babaá Jumper #6 ($225)
Continuing on the knitwear train, the brand Babaá is one that I’ve been waiting for the chance to purchase from for about a year now, and I think it might be finally time to pull the trigger. This perfectly shrunken roll-neck sweater is made in Spain at a family run factory and from the wool of local sheep. If that isn’t a quaint pastoral scene to inspire a little feel-good purchasing, I don’t know what is.
Herbs For Relaxation Shroom Jeans ($375)
Growing up I had an aversion to mushrooms that I think maybe comes from a childhood fear of death by poisonous fungi. But in adulthood, my sister’s love for mushroom hunting has warmed me to these cute little caps, enough so that I’ve had these jeans from my friend Sue’s brand Herbs for Relaxation saved in my notes app as a potential holiday gift. Sue sources vintage pieces and hand paints them, so these are truly a one-of-a-kind gift!
Maria McManus Split Sleeve Sweater ($990)
For those feeling splurgy, I spent a recent few days spent wearing this Maria McManus sweater (with the matching knit hot pants that I can’t currently seem to find online, no less!) and I am now convinced I need it permanently. It was the kind of chunky, slouchy cashmere that made me feel like I moved through the world wrapped up in my own little cocoon of silky protection. I also kind of love the soft yellow — lemonade as they call it — as an unexpected color that I’d usually consider more springy, but plays nicely with the neutrals I’ve been wearing (see Dunst coat above). In a move that’s also a little kooky but kind of genius this sweater also features split sleeves, arm openings that let you get a little more creative with the sweater, wearing it in a more capey way or with the arms tied around your shoulders for a kind of funky pseudo-scarf moment.
Kule The Gigi Hood ($148)
Over the last month, my weeknight comfort watch has been Yellowjackets. I know it’s weird to say that I’ve been stirring on some fashion inspo pulled from a show about a plane-wrecked cannibalistic soccer team dressed in salvaged rags. And yet, and yet! As I’ve watched them creatively ensconce their heads in reappropriated sweaters and coats, I’ve thought about ways to keep my head warm aside from the usual beanie, whether that be through wrapping of a scarf, balaclava, or my favorite, the quilted hood.
Attersee Cashmere Pants ($795)
Last month I had the chance to visit Attersee’s new showroom on the Upper East Side, a space that sold me on finally committing to adding a piece or two from the brand to my closet. There was a curious wrap that I was drawn to for styling reasons, and I’d say in general I’ve been pulled to the brand’s tailored styles like the Duchess Vest with fabric that feels substantially sturdy yet silky to the touch. But, for cozy winter purposes, it’s the luxury of a pair of cashmere pants that I might find most appealing of all.