Suede for Summer
Why It’s Worth a Look: Specifically, suede bags. Though the fabrication is typically associated with fall and winter dressing, I’ve been loving pulling my suede pieces out for the warmer months. (And TikTok seems to agree with me.)
Know Before You Go: The texture adds such a nice contrast to typical summer outfits of poplin and linen, and in a neutral hue, can really go with anything. My favorite pieces of the moment are the Prada Bonnie bag and the Coach Brooklyn bag—both are big enough for schlepping all your things and easily work for both day and night.
–Kristin Corpuz, Social Editor
Algospeak by Adam Aleksic
Where: Fittingly, from a store on the Internet
When: Releasing July 15
Why It’s Worth a Look: Adam Aleksic, also known as @etymologynerd, might be my favorite TikToker. That can’t be too much of a surprise coming from a writer. His high-energy etymology lessons are referenced regularly in my conversations—particularly one of his lessons on the evolution of the term “rawdogging,” which I sent to my parents so they could understand how the cardinals were “rawdogging” the conclave earlier this year. Algospeak is the Harvard grad and linguist’s summary of how online communication has fundamentally changed the way we speak to each other. (Yes, rawdogging is now appropriate to say to your parents and on CBS News.)
Know Before You Go: Despite not being released yet, Aleksic’s book has already become embedded in the incessant online churn he writes about. In a recent video, he shows off three A.I.-generated books that were published through Amazon in an attempt to rip-off his own posthaste. “We’re cooked,” responded one user, in fluent algospeak.
–Sophie Lee, Associate Digital Editor
Yellow & Pink Sam T-shirt by Gimaguas
Where: SSENSE, The Real Real, Shop Bop, FARFETCH, Gimaguas
When: Year-round
Why It’s Worth a Look: Gimaguas makes off-kilter basics, beachy cover-ups, and a certain type of playful, breathless aesthetic that never feels too kitsch, but never feels too pandering either. For this top, it’s more than just the name—although that did catch my eye—which makes it special. With this versatile, long-sleeve offering, a simple jean or white slack can be thrown on, or the top can be tied over the shoulder with a fun tee. It’s light, interesting, and easily workable into any look.
Know Before You Go: The brand is hard to access in-person outside of its home country of Spain. However, they host pop-ups every few months, with past locations including New York, London, and Los Angeles. Stay tuned on their Instagram for news of the next location.
–Sam Falb, Assistant Editor
Using Your PTO
Where: OOO
When: Ella Martin-Gachot sent an automatic reply. Hi there, I’m out of office until mid-July. I will be regularly checking my email but for any urgent inquiries, please contact my colleagues.
–Ella Martin-Gachot, Senior Editor
BUNGKUS BAGUS SAMBAL GORENG CHILI TOPPING
Where: This belongs everywhere
Why It’s worth a look: I am so deeply committed to this chili topping from the LA-based sister duo Celene & Tara Carrara. They’re excellent chefs, and now their sambal goreng (fried shallots, garlic, and chili mix) can be purchased online. Happy day.
Know before you go: They sell a $138 mega jar if you’re serious.
–Mara Veitch, Executive Editor
Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age by Vauhini Vara
Where: Your favorite bookshop or the Kindles of journalists everywhere
Why It’s Worth a Look: This genre-defying book about our evolving relationship to the Internet, and large language models in particular, is written by a former technology reporter at The Wall Street Journal. Part reportage, part memoir, and part A.I. experiment, Searches chronicles Vara’s engagement with technology from childhood to adulthood, when she began covering the rapidly transforming industry.
Know Before You Go: The most potent parts of the book—including an adaptation of “Ghosts,” a viral essay by Vara first published in Believer magazine in 2001—involve the author’s attempts to process and narrate the death of her sister with the help of ChatGPT. I can’t think of a book I’ve read in recent memory that I think about as often as I do this one.
–Julia Halperin, Editor-at-Large
Dior Prestige Le Nectar Intégral
Why It’s Worth a Look: A famous dermatologist once told me that for every hour spent in the air without a proper moisturizer, upon touch-down, skin will look one year older, splotchy and dry, and it takes a few days to re-plump. And so for ages, the first thing I would do was glop on some suffocating wet-blanket salve. Until this summer!
Know Before You Go: On a recent long-haul, after I dabbed on a few drops of Le Nectar Intégral, the new ultra-concentrated super-serum from Dior Prestige. My skin felt so fresh and so clean and so hydrated that I skipped my usual slug layer. Sixteen hours later, I deplaned looking better than when I had boarded: my skin was juicy and bright, as if I had just emerged from a two-hour S-tier facial rather than a 16-hour flight.
–Emily Dougherty, Beauty Editor
Phoebe Philo’s Collection C
Where: McMullen, San Francisco Boutique
Why It’s Worth a Look: Cult favorite Phoebe Philo is launching Collection C in Sheri McMullen’s well curated designer boutique. Phoebe’s collection has thus far only been available on her own site and Galleries Lafayette in Paris and Bergdorf in New York. These are the kind of modern classics you want to try on. I’d say it’s worth a trip to San Francisco if you are West Coast-based.
Know Before You Go: My particular favorite is this burgundy Pocket Bomber Jacket that will be available on-site.
–Ali Pew, Fashion Editor-at-Large
All products featured on CULTURED are independently selected by our editors, contributors, and interview subjects. We may earn affiliate revenue when you buy something.
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