Honest Homecoming Haul
My frank evaluations of the ten things that were waiting for me when I got back to the US.
Hi!! As I mentioned last time, I just moved back to the US after 1.5 years in Argentina, and ten items were waiting for me in the States (shipping to Argentina is, in a generous word, fickle)—four sale purchases plus six lucky gifts. Below are my thorough thoughts on each, from short-person-specific jeans to a partially-digested baseball cap.
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I am very, very short (5’2 by generous accounts), so I was thrilled to discover Nelle Atelier through my friend
—the brand specializes in denim tailored for people 5’4 and shorter.I was immediately drawn to the Claire straight-leg style in its platonic ideal of a medium wash, thinking that these could conceivably be the white whale I’ve been searching for going on ten years: a jean that ticked every box, that I could wear with the ease of sweatpants and the pride of a trouser, the kind that would finally make me look like the greasy 90s boyfriend of my dreams without the obnoxious and frequently heartbreaking process of tailoring to my stubby-legged specs.
The brand generously sent me a pair in a size two lower than I usually go for, which made me nervous, and when they arrived, the waist was a tad tighter than I’d have liked, but they stretched beautifully to a comfortable circumference and the hips and thighs feel designed for my body. The inseam is a dream—I actually think 5’1-2 is the sweet spot for these jeans, as they perfectly puddle just the slightest bit and wouldn’t on someone taller. It was wild pulling on a pair of pants that didn’t get stuck on my heels or trail on the floor like a child playing dress-up.
The denim is thick and smooth, in a gorgeous, grainy-looking mid-tone blue with the perfect amount of whiskering, the hardware is detailed but not distracting, though I’d rather it be in silver than gold, the jeans have a button fly, which I used to not like but have recently come to appreciate—what you sacrifice in ease of wear you recover in spades via the lack of an awkward/gaping fly—the waistband doesn’t roll or crease. They’re beautiful jeans.
My only gripe is I wish the waistband were about an inch lower, as I’m really not a fan of high-rise jeans and from the photos had thought they’d sit below my belly button, but they migrate to my natural waist and are definitely designed for people with an appreciable curve (which I barely have). I pulled them down a bit for the above photo, because that’s how I’ll attempt to wear them, but that’s the literal only thing keeping these jeans from a perfect 10/10 for me, and I’m starting to accept that 10 might not exist on this mortal coil. I’m VERY happy with this consolation prize.
My mom got me my second Brooke Callahan necklace during her BFCM-ish sale, I believe it was about $35? The inky, resin-y flower isn’t as big as I expected, which I actually like, I was worried about its pendulousness but it rests comfortably on my chest, its subtle texture kind of anchoring it to my skin. I don’t love when necklaces don’t have actual clasps, especially when they’re heavy, but I had worn a BC necklace before and knew I had to double knot it for security—the slick cord unties readily enough that it’s not a miserable endeavor to untie, though I am thinking of maybe attaching a clasp. It’s such a summer necklace, and I can’t wait to wear it in warmth.
I got the brown tie skirt in a different sale for 20 or 25% off. Brooke recommended size medium to me because she likes the bunching effect around the waistband of the skirt that occurs when you size up. I do like that look, but I wish the skirt were a few inches shorter on me, ending closer to knee than sock as shown on the model, so I might get it tailored at some point, but that’s a problem with my shortness, not the garment. I do like how it’s designed to sit at the hips, not the waist, and so far I haven’t had any problems with securing the skirt via its side tie, no slippage. I still really want the matching top.
I got this SC103 skirt for $150 in the Nordstrom Black Friday sale. After agonizing about unclear sizing, I went with a medium, and am probably going to have to get it taken in, as its elasticized waistband is much looser than I thought it’d be, though I like how lightly it sits upon my hips. The fabric is sturdy and well-finished, though it wrinkles easily, which kind of sullies the origami-like effect of its folds. Its length is PERFECT—I’ve never been so pleased with the hemline of a miniskirt before. I love its choose-your-own-adventure draping, and plan to experiment with it all summer, preferably with a ribbed tank top or a cut-up vintage t-shirt.
I didn’t realize that this Hommeboy t-shirt would be in an exercise-ready polyester, but it’s a nice alternative to the litany of Gildan-style cotton and sleep-ready jersey tees I already owned. Its print is well-done, not chintzy, and I’m so excited to wear it in public when it’s warm enough to display and I hopefully am feeling myself a little more—would be auspicious to meat the LOML while wearing it. I like that its tag is sewn onto the sleeve like a little accessory. want to wear this with a black miniskirt or huge cargo pants.
I ordered these back in November for my sister and I when they were maybe 40 or 50% off? Their bright colors live up to their images, and though I’ve noticed a few errant threads, they seem fairly well-made—I like the padding on the soles. Their length is also perfect. I'm hoping they’ll stand up well to a few wash cycles.
I ordered this SC103 t-shirt forever ago for like $30 in the last round of the SSENSE sale, and I think it’s sold out everywhere now. It was a pretty pointless and frivolous purchase—I never need another t-shirt—and unlike how it appears on the model, this one isn’t specially constructed or anything, it smacks of Gildan, though the tag is customized. It’s also gray, not white, which is disappointing. The graphic is awesome and well-printed. I should have ordered a few sizes up, or not at all, but I’m hoping I can find a way to work this into my wardrobe in a cool fashion.
I was sent these Dickies overalls by a rep who has since proceeded to email me twice a week for like four months “checking in” on when I was going to write about them, which stressed me out endlessly as I wasn’t in the same country as the garment that whole time. Pretty sure I’ve burned that bridge, but the overalls are excellent.
I actually like how they look on me much better than the model—this is size S but they’re very big, which I think looks better, the waist hitting at the hips instead of the natural waist like on the model and the cuffed legs bunching up. The fabric is thick and sturdy and the color is great in-person. There’s a random tag on the inside of the chest that’s annoying, as I like to wear these one-shouldered, as pictured, and it keeps popping out but will look weird if I cut it unless I perform careful surgery. I recently saw a video of someone riding a motorcycle in a pair of hickory striped overalls looking hot and blissed out, so I feel they’re primed for a good year.
Though I was unimpressed by its Bode t-shirt rip, I was more intrigued by the idea of LMX’s logo cap, ostensibly “soaked in a synthetic blend of human digestive enzymes,” which they kindly sent me. It’s a nice cap—a little too shallow to wear in strong winds, and another case of a gigantic tag on the inside (though this one didn’t surprise me, as LMX’s branding is fervent, to say the least), but the color and dye job is great, the material is not cheapo, and I like the custom logo “charm” or whatever you’d call it on the back strap. I wish the logo on the front were 70x more “digested” a la the below model, but I cannot say I won’t be wearing this cap as both sun protectant and radar to locate potential fellow sculpture dickheads In My Area. LMX, you win with this one!
My sister got me these earbuds for the holidays, and they’re great. I had to switch the tips to a smaller size, but they were very comfortable once I had, and they’re easy to put in—stick ‘em in whatever way is easiest, then swivel the circle until it lies flat inside your ear, tucked a bit behind your tragus. I really like how the silver looks like a weird, inexplicable piercing in my ear hole, and would love to go to a show ASAP to test their mettle in a decibel-heavy situation. Anyone in Southern California who has a lead on a metal gig and a car with which to ferry me, please HMU.
Thanks so much for your patience this week, guys, and inshallah I’ll be back to a normal clip of posting from now on.
<3 HR
love my loops, good for going to loud movies as well !
Hi there & the very best (& honest, hilarious, endearing) homecoming haul ever .. welcome back to SoCal.. I am a recent east coast PT transplant to Silver Lake, more your mom’s age probably.
You WILL meet the LOYL in that T-shirt
And last night a verrrry much Harvard-y friend on east coast kept texting me
Where you at?
& I was like, “who took ur phone”
Now im fully on board w LOML WYA RN
You’re a great writer… have no idea how I ended up on ur Substack feed but so happy I did xo