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Style Notes: A Fall Sneaker Worth Sharing and What I Saved This Week

And my silk pants testing has finally come to an end...

Alisha Ramos

Oct 8

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This post is part of the Style column at Downtime. You can customize which columns you want to get in your inbox here.

Before we get into it, one quick non-style thing: Bookshop.org is offering free shipping that ends tonight! Your purchase supports indie bookstores. You can even select which specific bookstore you’d like your purchase to go towards. K, onto the main event…

A fall sneaker update worth sharing: the new Sézane x New Balance collaboration launched this week (!!), and I’ve already worn mine more times than I’d like to admit. The details are perfect: the knit/mesh body adds just the right amount of texture. The tan and navy suede combo is precisely the kind of palette that’ll pair well with basically everything already in your closet (jeans, trousers, skirts, leggings) for that farmer’s market run or walk to the office.

That knit/crochet detail with the suede. Swoooon.

The sneakers are available for a limited time on sezane.com. They’re gorgeous and I have a feeling they’ll sell out. [ETA: Indeed, they’re now sold out, but the team tells me that they’ll drop on the New Balance website on October 16th. Mark your cals!]

Today’s letter is sponsored by Sézane, a brand I’ve loved and worn for years. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me and Downtime.

WHAT I SAVED THIS WEEK

This oversized cotton crewneck from Gap looks perfectly slinky—and quite similar to the ones I own from Donni, for a fraction of the price. It’s also all over my TikTok feed…
I just ordered this cotton-silk blend sweater from Banana Republic as I felt my closet needed a zing of bold color for fall. Crossing my fingers that the fit is right.
This new goldenrod color from Sézane is gorgeous. (Btw, file this cardigan under the thickkk knits category; if you’re in a moderate climate, it’s likely not for you. I love it for those extra chilly days and wear a tee underneath.)
Another solid 100% cotton cardigan with pretty tortoiseshell buttons.
I just got this navy striped tee from AYR and it’s perfect: the weave is almost knit-like, it’s got a bit of stretch, and it’s an ideal boxy shape and length. It’s not a crispy tee, but it’s not a flimsy tee either. I sized up from a S to a M; I enjoy this fit better in this style.
Wore it twice this week.
I picked up the Donni rib knit pants in a charcoal gray color as I liked the espresso color so much. Feels like pajamas, but thick enough to wear in public. A+.
These ballet flats come in the prettiest hazelnut shade of brown.
I ordered this elastic, stretchy skirt to pair with taller boots and lug-sole boots + knits for fall and winter. I wanted ooone more bottom option other than jeans, my silk pants, and my Donni pants.
I’ve been on the hunt for a new waterproof rain-and-winter-slush-friendly boot. I like my trusty LL Bean Duck Boots, but I want an easy-to-slip-into pair. Two on my radar: these from Barbour and these from LL Bean. Let me know if you have any solid weatherproof boot recs for winter!

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WHAT I SAVED THIS WEEK, CONT. — JACKETS AND COATS

I just can’t quit browsing jackets...

I scrolled past this checkered wool jacket before, but when I saw it on a creator, I knew I had to try it. It has an easy, swingy A-line shape that I like for my coats and doesn’t feel too fancy for everyday wear.
As seen on Shirey Quigley / TikTok
I love the high funnel-neck trend in jackets right now…but I can’t see myself wearing a leather version of that (too fancy, too city for this suburban gal). I like this sporty version from Lululemon.
A sleek scarf jacket coat from COS. It’s 60% wool, 40% Tencel. I recently visited the store and was impressed by the feel of their materials and their price points.
Another perfect swingy, casual coat.
A solid herringbone wool-blend trench option at a palatable price point, from Gap.
The price was right for this oversized 100% leather bomber jacket at $600 (everything I’d saved was well over $1,000). Unfortunately, my chest makes this fit awkwardly on me, but I just know this will look incredible on one of you.

WHAT I WORE AND LIKED RECENTLY

1 // A secondhand find: A Prada bag on TheRealReal for about 14% of the retail price. I love this shape and have been searching for a more structured top-handle, “ladylike” bag that can add a touch of polish to my look, particularly for meetings with clients or partners. And while I usually don’t love logos on bags, this one feels subtle enough, and plus…it’s Pradaaa. Love it and am very happy with my purchase.

I found the same bag on TRR - there are a lot. Search for “Prada Saffiano Galleria”. Here, here, and here.

I’d love to make bag charms to add to my bag, like the inspiration photo I screenshotted below…

How fun is this?! Love the idea of “dressing down” and personalizing a fancy bag with playful and quirky charms.

2 // When the loafer still hits. Forgot how comfortable the Margaux loafers are. They’ve got padded footbeds!

What I wore to our family’s Rosh Hashanah dinner. (Dress - Doen; old, Bag - Madewell; old, Shoes - Margaux)

3 // Kitten heel boots. Speaking of Margaux, they just created a collab with Alex Mill and made a great pair of everyday ankle boots with a kitten heel. I love the sharp, elongated shape. The dusty blue flats are adorable, too. *gifted by the brand

My one note about the boots is because they're more of a supple leather, they will crease and fold. This picture was taken after about an hour of walking around downtown.

4 // On J.Crew’s Silk Pants vs. Reformation’s Silk Pants: I tested out both the petite J.Crew cosmos trousers and the Reformation mid-rise bias cut silk pants, and….*drum roll*…the J.Crew pants won in the end. They’re more of a true wide-leg pant, loose throughout the entire length of your leg. I’m excited to pair them with all my knits + flats.

*Silk pants! I sized up to a Medium Petite. (Also wearing: Jcrew perfect cashmere crewneck, studded ballet flats, bag is Prada from TheRealReal)*

Whew, that’s all I’ve got today. I feel very set and happy in terms of my fall wardrobe and hope to keep my spending in check these next few weeks. I’ll continue to deliver these goods, though, for those of you who are still searching. Let me know if you’re looking for anything specific. xx

💬 Tap into the Downtime hive mind: If you’re shopping for something specific, our reader chat here is a great resource. Paid subscribers can start threads.

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