My tolerance for inferior fabric and bad fit has been even lower than usual since the industry prioritized price over quality over the last few seasons. It makes the cream float to the top right away. These items have been winners with clients and friends recently, and a few of them earned a place in my own wardrobe.
1. Bella Vita Luc Sandal
This is what I call a no-nonsense “Euro sandal”. Made in Italy, super soft, supportive, tidy, practical, and comfortable. Fab cushioning footbed. Its clever design looks as modern as it does classic. It’s visually a LOT better on the foot so don’t judge the photo too harshly. The studs remain visible when on the foot adding a fun dressy touch. The gold hardware is divine. They are available in US sizes 5 to 12 across a range of widths. I disagree with the reviewers who say that they run small and narrow. They run true to size in my experience. Because they look more refined in person, the white in a narrow size earned a spot in my wardrobe. They’re replacing a pair of white Naturalizer sandals I wore into the ground.
2. Boden Lyla Midi Bag
This bag is beautifully made because it’s from Boden – one of the few brands interested in prioritizing quality over price. It gives designer bags a run for its money at a fraction of the cost. The hardware, tassel, and topstitching are impeccable. Perfect matte gold hardware and fab pebbled leather. The bag is NOT structured, so consider yourself warned. Although I prefer a structured bag, the red earned a place in my wardrobe and works well with my red loafers. The bag is that well made and beautifully polished that its lack of structure is forgiven. It’s a roomy bag that can be converted into a crossbody. It also comes with an adorable polka dot bag cover.
3. COS Spring Knitwear
Greg and I are big fans of COS items and we do particularly well with their knitwear. The quality is great, the silhouettes are quite unique, and the assortment of colours and fabrics is fab. You never know exactly how something will look because the silhouettes can be somewhat avant-garde. You simply have to take the plunge and try things on, keep an open mind, and possibly manipulate the size to make things fit the way you want. When I was in COS last week with Inge in Arnhem (the Netherlands), I saw most of these items in person, tried them on, and can vouch for them. The tomato red textured jumper with three quarter sleeves followed me home because it drapes over a slight frame and smaller bust really well. The fit is neater and more structured on me than on the model. It’s a repeat style since I bought the white and light blue last year and love them for Spring. Can’t go wrong.
