The Weekly Wishlist: Speed Reviews Of My Black Friday Buys

+ winter warmers, leopard print flats & my updated Wardrobe Report

This newsletter includes:

• The new basics brand that’s perfect for winter layering, a chic (but practical!) coat and my top pick from DONNI’s latest drop.

• My favourite style reads and videos to chew over and a list of everything that I picked up in the Black Friday sale (and what ended up getting returned).

• An updated ‘Wardrobe Report’ - it’s been a few weeks. Here’s what I’ve added to my wishlist.

• Plus, a video on why my black blazer is my number one party season essential and some ways I like to style it.

---

Free subscribers will be able to preview the first three items from the list, and paid subscribers will be able to see the full six-piece edit every week, along with the rest of my style digest (think screengrabs, recreations, my favourite reads and a peek at my Notion wish list). Paid subscribers will also have exclusive access to my Weekly Wardrobe Diary, which will detail every single thing I’ve worn in the week prior and hopefully arm you with ALL THE OUTFIT INSPO. Plus a monthly style clinic where you can send me your wardrobe woes for me to solve. A subscription works out at £1.15 per week if you sign up for the monthly plan - see it as a wardrobe investment because you’ll have outfit formulas by the bucketload. The next instalment will be in your inbox on Sunday evening/early Monday morning. See you then!

ARKET Leather Ballerinas* (I find ARKET sizing tricky, I’m a UK 6.5, so I would order the 39 and 40 to double-check sizes)

Thank you to Sasha who alerted us in the group chat to the presence of these on the ARKET website. It’s my favourite kind of leopard print (deep, rich and muted), however, the toe is just a little too round for me. But round-toe animal print lovers, this one’s for you. If you need some ideas for how to style them, then check out my deep-dive on how to incorporate animal print into your wardrobe.

Tove Selena Crepe Blazer* (I’d order this in a FR40 - there are more sizes available here*)

This blazer has been on my radar for a few months, ever since Reva first put me on to it. I imagine it styled with just a simple pair of straight-leg jeans, a small structured leather bag and a pair of leopard print flats. So chic. And it’s now 50% off, so I just HAD to mention it again. And it’s still available in my size. Can someone else get there before I do?

COS Arch Tapered Jeans* (COS sizing is all over the shop, especially for denim, so I’d try and get into store if I could)

I’ve had these on my list to share with you for like three weeks now, but they felt like a good dupe (kinda!) for the Loulou Studio Samur Jeans* that I’ve been getting a lot of wear out of - just a little shorter, which isn’t a bad thing necessarily. There’s a bit of volume to them, but not too much, if you know what I mean. I like how they are styled here.

Flore Flore Steffi Tee & Max Tee

Lucy first put me onto this brand, but think a DONNI-esque brand, but for cotton basics - mostly tops. It’s Amsterdam-based based and all pieces are produced in Portugal in family-owned factories. It’s not cheap, but I like the colour and the fits available - like this brown?! Yes, please. Has anyone given them a go and could advise on quality/sizing?

Toteme Oversized Quilted Cotton-Blend Jacket* (I’d actually try this in a small, Toteme can come up pretty oversized)

I feel like we are always looking for chic but practical coats, and this one completely fits the bill. If I had a small dog that required short walks around the town or well-paved park paths, then I could see myself wearing this with some black jeans and leather boots. It’s Toteme, so it’s pricey, but give it till next year, and ARKET will pump out a dupe no doubt.

DONNI The Pointelle V-Neck Long Sleeve* (I’d order a M in the cream)

Just because we’re all DONNI fangirls at this point, I thought I’d share my top pick from their last drop of the year. DAMN, this looks comfy. There looks to be some heft to it, like one of those tops that you can wear on its own as the weather starts to heat up, with jeans and sandals. Yes I’m dreaming about knitwear, jeans and sandals season already.

---

HAVE A SCROLL OF THESE…

POV: Style CAN be learned. And this is how we practice.

I’ve had this post saved for a full 20 days to show you, but it’s incredible. There’s just so much practical advice stuffed into this post for how to adapt and tweak your everyday outfit formulas. The kind of post you want to keep referencing again and again. WE LOVE YOU RACHEL!

089. Don't Settle For Mediocre Pants

And, of course, Liza knocked it out of the park with this one. I feel like I just took a class in style school. I want to make notes!

@caitlinmarwahaInteresting colour combos to try with your new yellow pieces 💛🌝🌻🐝🌙🍌 Vest is @showpo Drop me a 💛 if I’ve inspired you to try a new colour combo and tell me which look was your favourite. #stylemadesimple #personalstylistonline #cmstylesquad #aussiestylist #whatimwearingtoday #capsulewardrobe #colourtheory #

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

There are some great colour combinations in this one if you (like me!) see colour and think - well, I guess I can wear it with denim or black?! Substack doesn’t allow me to link TikTok’s that are photo carousels for some reason, but I enjoyed every single one of these outfits.

---

REVIEWING MY BLACK FRIDAY BUYS

Seeing as I’d try to slow things down on the clothing front, the one ‘clothing’ item I bought over the Black Friday period was something I returned (see my Wardrobe Report below for that). Although the discounts weren’t mega, I took it as an opportunity to pick up some underwear, home and beauty bits I’d been eyeing:

• Numi The Signature Seamless Undershirt* - I think I saw someone recommend these in a Substack chat that I was following, and then I went down a Numi rabbit hole and never came back. A sweat-resistant T-shirt?! It’s like wearing period pads under your arms, but not as bulky. It only just arrived, so I haven’t been able to give it a proper test yet, but I’m picturing wearing them under my knitwear all winter long.

• Negative Underwear Whipped Non-Wire Bra* & Whipped Boy Shorts in Espresso* - I hadn’t tried their bras yet as I was confused about the sizing. I ordered a 3 as per the size chart (I was a 34B the last time I got measured about 1689 years ago), although I think I could have handled a size 2 (which is a M), but I don’t like anything too tight around my ribcage so going for the larger size felt like a safe bet and by adjusting the straps I can make it work. It’s SO soft. I’ll be buying more (in a size 2).

• Revitlash Advanced Sensitive Eyelash Conditioner* - This is STILL 30% off!!! It’s the only eyelash serum that’s ever worked for me, so I stock up every Black Friday and buy a supply to last me the next year.

• The White Company 4.5 Tog Ultimate Pure Goose-Down Duvet* - We recently upgraded to a bigger bed, which meant we needed to upgrade all our bedding. Coinciding that with Black Friday was a smart move. White Company bedding always gives me hotel-vibes, in a good way!

• Away The Weekender Bag* - You’ve already heard me rave about this. I LOVE IT!!

• FORM* - They did 40% off a yearly subscription, so I took the plunge. I’m big on having lots of workouts available to me at home - it’s the only way I get them done. I had a monthly subscription at the beginning of this year and enjoyed the workouts (pilates-y, with light weights and mild cardio). They were a little long but never felt too repetitive. I’d like to incorporate some into my routine again.

• ….and A LOT from Medik8*. They had 25% off, and a person who certifiably has the best skin I’ve ever seen with my own eyes swears by their stuff. Seeing as I was ready to add some actives back into my routine, I thought I’d give some of their best-sellers a go. These are the standouts so far…

  • Crystal Retinal 1* - You’ve probably heard of this one; it’s like their big-seller, number one product. I haven’t used retinol for almost a year now, so I wanted to ease myself back in gently with this sensitive-safe formula. So far, zero irritation.

  • C-Tetra Luxe* - I’ve never really found a Vitamin C product that I vibed with, but I’ve started to look forward to applying this in the morning. It’s got an almost oil-like texture to it, which means it’s really nice to apply. Again, no adverse effects, only glow so far.

  • Advanced Daily Ultimate Protect SPF50* - No one talks about this, but I thought I’d throw in an SPF whilst I was there and it’s STUNNING. Really hydrating but not greasy and it’s almost primer-like in terms of adding sheen, without grease.

---

THE WARDROBE REPORT

There hasn’t been much movement in the wishlist since I last posted an update, which was a good three weeks ago. Here’s the need-to-know…

• Items added to the wishlist: 0 - I did add the Madewell x LESET matching set*, but it’s since been removed as reviews on our group chat were lacklustre (you can find the full chat here), and do I *really* need another matching set? The answer to that is a hard no. I have many.

• Items I’ve bought: 0 - Although I made a fair few purchases in the Black Friday sale, none of them are ones that I’d log in this category (if it isn’t something that I’d add into my Indyx app, then it’s not something I log as a ‘clothing’ purchase).

• Items I’ve sold/donated/returned: 1 - Sadly, the St Agni Snake Print Mules* were a return for me. I loved the shape and the heel, but they dug into my feet even just walking around the kitchen. I’m not a heel wearer at the best of times, so it felt like the smart choice to send them back, despite the very good discount.

---

IS A BLACK BLAZER ALL YOU NEED THIS SEASON?

…well, yes?! I’m not a huge wearer of a blazer all year round. I’m still scarred from all the years I wore business casual to the club (drapey blazer + skinny jeans + mega high-heels!!!). But for party season, it’s a piece I reach for a lot, so today, I thought I’d cobble together a handful of outfits that I’d be wearing if I actually had plans. The blazer in question is the Toteme Loreo Blazer (years later, and it’s still in stock* just in a slightly different composition - mine is 56% viscose and 44% cotton, so a little lighter than the currently available wool-blend). I feel like this & Other Stories one* has a similar feel.

(apologies, the lighting in these photos is AWFUL; we’re on our 17988th consecutive grey day in the U.K)

OUTFIT ONE: Earrings* + Blazer (similar*) + Trousers (similar*) + Shoes (similar*) + Vintage Bag

OUTFIT TWO: Earrings* + Blazer (similar*) + Trousers (similar*) + Heels* + Leather Bag

OUTFIT THREE: Earrings* + Blazer (similar*) + Jeans* + Belt* + Heels* + Leather Bag

I asked in the subscriber chat this morning what you’d like to see today, and it was a tie between this and a post on my honest reviews of all the things I’ve been gifted this year. So that will be with you early next week (or possibly tomorrow if I can get my arse into gear!). Anyway, I’ve missed putting these together. I hope you enjoyed your weekly style smorgasbord!

Anna x