Retail Diary: Sunday Scoop - Sports, Functional Fashion & Substacks to Scroll
Fashion + Sports, when function & fashion meet, many of the Fashion Substacks I love this week plus a bit of retail news at the end.
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Sports, but make it Fashion:
Making Baskets
Congrats to Angel Reese who announced her entering the WNBA draft via an amazing Vogue piece by Leah Faye Cooper. Vanessa Friedman wrote for the NYTimes why Reese might have chosen this manner to launch her professional sports career. “Why Did Angel Reese Announce her WNBA Draft Eligibility in Vogue” (gift link to read behind paywall) explains that this might lead to future opportunities in fashion and beauty for Reese and she is modeling her career perhaps after Serena Williams who announced her retirement via Vogue Magazine. Business of Fashion wrote about how it is time for more brands and media to get behind the Women Athletes.
Tennis Time
I started taking Tennis lessons about two years ago and after a few months off I’m excited that I lined up a new class to take. Of course I was into it for exercise and an activity I’d love to be skilled enough to play with my husband (who has played since he was a kid.) BUT I’d be lying if I wasn’t honest that part of the reason was for the cute outfits. Anna Wintour’s love of the game and often highlighting the amazing stars like Coco Gauff who is currently on the cover and Pickleball also trending all impact trending moment too.
Zendaya is promoting her new Challengers movie and the looks are Ace (see here and here.)
Data But Make It Fashion has a fun round-up here of the tennis trend. Personally I love the Girlfriend Collective Skirt, Tuckernuck dresses, Beyond Yoga’s soft pieces, these sneakers and this Racquet tennis sweatshirt my brother gave me. And I’m sure it won’t surprise you that I have a super cool all black Pickleball paddle. (My Mother’s Day gift last year if anyone is looking for early gift ideas.) Oh, and let’s not forget the coolest “tennis” piece - a tennis bracelet. (Do you know how the tennis bracelet got that name?)
Functional Fashion:
Alaia Flats: In the WSJ, “These Shoes Look Chic and Feel Like Sneakers. Good Luck Finding a Pair” (gift link to read behind paywall) Rory Satran wrote all about the comfortable Alaia’s that many love and are snapping up as quickly as they become available. Retailers are happy to see an item that retails for over $1k be a hot commodity. Alaia iterations come in grommet, mesh, studs (my personal favorite), eyelet and gold metallic. Just a reminder that flat Mary Janes are having a moment. Doesn’t have to be Alaia - there are plenty of fantastic flats out there (legit, there is no shoe I love more or have worn more than a ballet flat of any kind. My tried and true whether it is “in” or not forever. I mean, since I first wore the bow flats by Sam & Libby and owned in every color.)
Boat Shoes: Or are you more of a Boat Shoe style? (or both!) The NYTimes “How Designers are Revisiting Boat Shoes” (gift link to read behind paywall) by Guy Trebay talks about the resurgence of the Boat Shoe (Miu Miu) along with the original preppy take by Sperry and G.H. Bass. You can find many versions now at spots like Mango too.
Sportswear: This article hits the nail on the head why I love certain current collections and designers. “Keep It Moving” by Brooke Bob for Bazaar magazine discusses the commuter core trend. My standard for work shoes has always been “could I run to catch a bus in them?” It’s been awhile since I commuted in that manner, but I want my clothing to be functional and fashionable. This article mentioned designers/fashion houses like Miu Miu, Bottega Venetta, Kallmeyer, Rachel Comey and Luar who focus on these designs. It also had me thinking of American Sportswear and brands that are nailing this right now like Attersee, Khaite, High Sport, TWP, Tory Burch etc. I wrote about it in this Fashion 🌀 Spiral all about American Sportswear.
Stylishly Chaotic Bags: Then I saw Sidesel Alling post this image from her work with Elle Denmark and I loved it immediately. I’m so drawn to the handbags and styling - I love that it is curated, messy, functional and aspirational at the same time. I didn’t buy anything new, but I’ve shopped my closet using this bag, with this coin purse, and throwing on some leather laces, beaded bracelets I’ve made and my bags are always overflowing with magazines, my kindle, various make-up essentials (like my current picks from Sephora), a lightweight travel scarf for varying temperature changes and snacks.
Substacks to Scroll:
- introduced me to my new favorite show. I wasn’t going to jump into something new until I finished so many others I’ve started and haven’t gotten too far in…but had me at “Styling The Girls On The Bus.” (Holmes also wrote “HBO’s ‘The Girls On The Bus’ Nails Campaign Trail Dressing” for Instyle.) Loving this show! And not just because of the numerous Diet Coke cans shown on the screen. It is smart, entertaining and a thoughtful behind the scenes look at political campaigns. TGOTB shows an industry I’m so curious about - the deals, conversations and life in general. At a time when politics is so heightened this is just an enjoyable watch. I’m already bummed I’m halfway through the season and hope there will be more seasons to follow. The two pieces linked above give a great peek at the styling choices and how the costume design came together for the show. Another smart and thoughtful detail.
We’ve seen
incredible art collection and listened to her podcast interview on Second Life and been inspired with her thoughtful approach to branding. Plus, we all love Crown Affair based on the times I’ve seen it pop-up in Sephora round-ups this week. Now we are ready to Mood Board with the lovely tips, notes and supplies she shared. Who else spent the weekend mood boarding? “The Magic of Mood Boarding”- wrote a lovely piece about Sherman Fields incredible heirloom jewelry. Come for the jewelry, stay for the interview and swoon worthy interiors notes. “Sherman Field’s Modern Heirlooms”. If you aren’t familiar with Sherman Field check out the gorgeous lockets, pearl tassel charm and incredible chain link bracelet.
I have a running list of what I want to do/visit/eat next time I’m in NYC. Attend a Beading Bar event with Don’t Let Disco is on the list. I loved reading about Ashley Harris’ style and company in this piece “Treasure Hunting with Ashley Harris” on
(a Tory Burch Substack.)- has me calculating how I use my hours each week “There’s 168 Hours in a Week.” I’m not even sure where to start. So much of my reading is also writing time now and vice versa. Personal and professional bleed together for me.
Anyone else read and love the book “The Idea of You”? Thanks to
we have a write up of the movie to look forward to. “Harry Styles, Anne Hathaway's Collarbones, and Me”- shared some of her reads on “Famous bread, Jeremy Allen White’s flowers, and why we love rainy days”
Last bits - news to wrap up the week 🧵
Brands have called in lawyers to help negotiate with the Matches bankruptcy, and BoF has a full look at the impact as well as Farfetch thoughts and labels swinging back to DTC as a channel to manage through a volatile retail environment. With the high price of clothing, many consumers are looking to brands that retail for under $1k but also consider when it is worth it to splurge.
is the latest to have a special smoothie at Erewhon. She has a Beauty Elixir Smoothie.What have you been reading this week? Add to the comments so we can all check it out.
Enjoy your Sunday Scoop.
Sarah Shapiro
Catch up on Sarah’s Retail Diary:
Tuesday’s This Will Be Quick 4.2.24 - Reading list, podcast I loved, icy blue
Thursday’s Deep Dive - Week of April 1st 2024 - Phoebe Philo, Levi's, Beauty news & more
Last Sunday’s Sunday Scoop - Spelling Bees, Designer Shuffle & Substacks to Scroll
Fashion Spiral 🌀 Trench Coats, Fashion 🌀 Re-Spiral: Seeing Stripes, Fashion Spiral 🌀 Kick Flare Pants and American Sportswear is Having a Moment (just updated the links here as its been awhile but it is still so relevant!)
Retail 101: Math & Financials and Retail 101: Math & Financials Part Deux (Markdowns)
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I really hate that Substack doesn’t calculate the true amount of time your posts take to read. It says 11 mins? Make that four days of links and love. Girl you do sooo much and this Substack is worth it every single post.
Tennis totally changed my life. I’ve never had so much fun playing a sport. Everyone should give it a try!