The COS, Scotch & Soda and Naturalizer items here are tried and tested. Bop Basics is a new-to-me brand that has a lot of potential and a unique vibe.
1. COS Cashmere Scarf
These scarves are timeless Modern Classics, very warm, and extremely comfortable. They drape like a dream and look awfully polished in a more relaxed way. GORGEOUS quality that goes the distance. Simple, elegant and luxurious. They’re a repeat style since I bought the Dutch orange last year, and came home with the citron a week ago.
2. Scotch & Soda Items
Scotch & Soda is a Dutch brand that is available in the US. They have stand-alone stores, but their items are sold at retailers like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Shopbop and Amazon too. The brand has a knack for creating casual pieces in dressier fabrics. Or adding a relaxed vibe to a formal look. Their patterns, textures, trims and colour combinations are a little different to the norm, and therefore well worth a look. The collections are interesting, pattern and colour rich, and full of maximal ideas on how to style a look. So far, I’m impressed with the quality. The brand is pricier in the US, but great if you score the items on sale, or shop in the Netherlands where the prices are cheaper and the assortment more diverse.
The brand stocks XS to XL in most items. The XS fits a US0/2, and the XL fits a US 14/16. I like shopping at Scotch & Soda when I’m in the Netherlands, and recently came home with four fairly timeless pieces. My 2018 holiday look.
3. Naturalizer White Booties
These three styles of white boots have been winners for me and some forum members. The best part about them is their extreme comfort, and their WIDE width availability. I bought the “Blairs” early in the season in regular width, and predictably they became instant workhorses. I duplicated the boots so that I have a new pair ready to go for next year since I’m wearing my current pair into the ground.
4. Bop Basics
Shopbop has brought out a line of simple and luxe items that appear to be well made, are relatively more affordable than the rest of their designer pieces, and look quite interesting. I haven’t seen these items in person yet, but the brand is on my radar as I continue to search for quality items at a more reasonable-than-designer price.
