Embracing Your Inner 'Wintrovert'
Plus a MATCHES discount, my thoughts on why investing in loungewear makes sense, and try this one weird trick for getting a good night's sleep (hint: it's a new mattress).
This issue of Add To Wishlist has been kindly sponsored by MATCHES and as such - no paywall this month. Happy reading (and shopping) to all!
Greetings Spendthrifts!
As demonstrated by the numerous boxes in that signature marble print piled up around my flat, I have a little bit of a MATCHES habit - so when they got in touch recently to suggest a newsletter partnership, it was a no brainer. I find MATCHES’ product curation really excels when it comes to the items I think of as wardrobe ‘building blocks’ - workhorse pieces I end up wearing week in week out, year after year - and to that end, they’re offering all Add To Wishlist subscribers 15% off with the code OTEGHA15 (full T&Cs at the bottom of this email).
Choosing a piece from their new season line-up to spotlight, this Raey dress really spoke to me - January through to March is ‘cosy season’ in my books, and this oversized jumper dress looked the definition of. Personally I feel I shouldn’t have to leave the house at all in winter, but if I’m forced to… well, then I insist on dressing for comfort. Plus, I’ve always liked white for winter - it just makes you look 🫰🏾expensive🫰🏾 (as Rihanna herself would no doubt agree), and here especially it offsets the more casual vibe of this oversized jumper dress.
Having embarked on a huge wardrobe clearout over the Christmas break (more on that in a future newsletter), I’d also realised that what I desperately need more of in my wardrobe are items that can do double duty, and work across a variety of scenarios.
Case in point: I wore this dress on its own when I had friends over for lunch the other day, so super low-key and relaxed; and with the belt and boots pictured when I wanted to add a bit of polish for a coffee meeting later in the week. I reckon it’ll carry me from right through spring as well, so I’ll get at least two seasons wear out of it (and knowing the British climate, probably all four). A workhorse dress for sure.
The belt, bag and boots I’m wearing here are all my own (well actually the belt, to quote Mean Girls, ‘was my mom’s in the Eighties’) but MATCHES has plenty of similar options: I reckon this white Raey belt would work equally well with this look, and I reeeally like the double-wrap detail. These suede Reformation boots are a good substitute for the boots I’m wearing, as are these Jimmy Choo ones, and this woven leather Dragon Diffusion bag keeps it all tonal and super chic. The conveniently colour coordinated tree clinging stubbornly on to those last few leaves was supplied by Mother Nature.
Happy shopping guys - and Happy New Year! I’ve got a good feeling about 2024.
If you’re reading this from the UK, solidarity - the weather at this time of year really is so miserable isn’t it. As I write this it’s literally snowing, an occurrence that stopped being charming as soon as I became an adult, one whose brain at any given moment in time is at least 37% occupied by how upcoming weather events might affect public transport.
It’s cold, it’s dark, the weather sucks, and there are no more parties – we’re probably all going to be spending a lot more time at home over the next month or two. With that in mind, I’ve dedicated this month’s newsletter to the art of hibernating or, per the subject line, embracing your inner ‘wintrovert’.
Until a few years ago, I used to mainly sleep in whatever old t-shirts and random pyjama bottoms I could cobble together, and I definitely never intentionally bought ‘loungewear’. Clothes just slowly got demoted from ‘going out clothes’ to ‘chilling at home clothes’ to ‘sleepwear’ over a period of time, never again to be seen by the outside world. It felt pointless to spend my money on things that the outside world never saw, and loungewear as a category just felt like a ploy by the fashion industry to sell me stuff.
Obviously that all changed during the pandemic - having to stay home nearly 24 hours a day for huge chunks of time gave me a new found appreciation for loungewear, and bit by bit I’ve built up a collection of nice matching pyjamas, robes, and cashmere sets. When you actually think about it skimping on the clothes you probably spend the majority of your time in, just because no one will really see them, is actually quite weird and self-flagellating. I sort of wish it hadn’t taken a global pandemic to make me realise that.
Plus, I love walking around my flat pretending to be the lead in a Nancy Meyers movie! I love putting on a pair of silk pyjamas and lighting a scented candle and making a cup of tea with one of my ‘nice’ mugs (gotta love Peter Shire) and climbing into bed with a book my phone. Not to get all #TikTok main-character-energy-romanticise-your-life on you but... maybe that?? I also guarantee there is no better night’s sleep than the one you’ll have lying on a freshly made bed, wearing a fresh pair of pyjamas (bonus points if you iron them all beforehand – I can almost never be bothered to do that, but trust me when I say that sleep hits different on those nights).
And while in principle I like the idea of starting the year by committing to new habits and goals, I’m increasingly seduced by the line of thinking that January actually isn’t the ideal time for all of that. The lack of sunshine and general post-Christmas blues tends to sap my energy levels anyway, so I’m leaning into the indoors-ness of it all, and letting the soft animal of my body love what it loves (sleep, being inside, carbohydrates) until springtime – so obviously I need the wardrobe to match.
Anyway – enough pre-amble. Here are the things keeping my body warm and my spirits lifted this winter, plus a few more that are on my wishlist. Please take this newsletter as an invitation to treat yourself to something nice this month.
SLEEPWEAR
Okay so I definitely don’t wear silk pyjamas every night – I do have quite a few sets though, so tend to wear them a few times each, before taking the entire lot to the drycleaners every few months (I tried hand washing them, and it works, but hand washing is never not a faff. Dry cleaning is easier and they arrive back all lovely and steamed smooth. I dare not machine wash them). They are so comfortable to sleep in, and of course, extremely chic - the sort of pyjamas you might save for when you’re travelling or staying with friends, and want something a little more pulled together for those morning cups of tea.
Most of my silk pyjamas are from Asceno, who come out with new colourways and patterns each season – I like this midnight blue striped set from their current collection, or perhaps this black and white striped set. These steel blue ones are currently on sale.
I’ve also got my eye on these more affordable COS alternatives – I loooove the 70s colour palette and geometric print, and honestly I can see myself wearing just the top out and about.
Even more affordable are this silk-blend pair, also from COS (top here, bottoms here). And they’re machine washable too, which is a bonus, because I’ll concede that sometimes drycleaning can be a bit of a faff.
And Olivia Von Halle is arguably THEE fancy pyjama queen (her home is also insane - check out this FT spread), and this green velvet pair are 50% off right now (as are this green silk pair, though availability is limited).
Uniqlo’s flannel pyjamas are my every day set during winter time – they’re cosy as hell and very soft, and I don’t have to be at all precious with them. If in doubt buy one size up (this goes for all pyjamas FYI) as there’s absolutely nothing worse than slightly-too-short pyjama sleeves or trousers. If these red ones are a little too Christmassy for you, then how about the white version?
I first tried Tekla’s sleepwear when they did a collab with The Gentlewoman a few years back, and I was sent a pair of their cotton poplin ones. I’d happily add these yellow flannel ones (currently on sale at Harvey Nicks) to my collection too, especially as you can choose between boxer briefs or full-length trousers on the bottom.
If you’re more of a boxer-shorts-and-tshirt kinda gal then you’ll love Comme Si. I first became aware of them via one of my favourite fashion follows
(here’s her Instagram), who I believe spearheaded the brand’s impeccable art direction and styling in its early days. Their boxer shorts are so f*cking cool, and they also do great-looking trousers if you’re after a bit more coverage for wintertime.
Sorry I don’t care if they’re a bit granny-ish - I love a nightgown! There’s something so comforting and wholesome about wearing them. I feel like a pioneer woman on a homestead tending my hearth whenever I’m wearing one, or the fifth Little Woman (like - are you really gonna make me pay council tax? A precious little bean like moi? I didn’t think so).
If Only If make the best ones around IMO - their Julia style is really pretty (I like the pink version best), as is the Clara nightdress with its adorable smocking detail, which you can get in either blue or pink.
NB: I do in fact pay my council tax in full and on time every year.
LOUNGEWEAR
When it comes to robes it’s all about towelling or plush dressing gowns during winter – I’m wearing this Desmond & Dempsey towel robe as I type, although I’m also hankering after a dressing gown that deviates from the standard colours of navy or grey, and this striped forest green Tekla robe looks absolutely lush.
I tend to save lighter silk or kimono style robes for summertime, but given we’re on the subject – I have a short Olivia Von Halle robe in a very similar pattern to the one above (currently on sale here) that I love pretending to be Carrie Bradshaw in, and this is the robe version of the patterned silk PJ set from COS I linked to above. Buy now and save for spring.
I basically lived in two different sets of cashmere jumper and sweatpant sets from (sadly now defunct!) Venstore during the pandemic. Sadly I’ve since managed to shrink one pair in the wash and outright lose the other (sidenote: how do clothes literally disappear from your home? I live alone… where could they possibly have gone?) I’m eyeing up the following sets to replace them: Everlane’s Cozy Stretch wool-blend jumper and sweatpants are currently on sale for a really good price, though if you really want to push the boat out, Chinti & Parker’s 100% cashmere sweatpants look extremely luxurious, with the added bonus that lots of their colourways (e.g. green, or blue) are currently on sale for those of you who are bored of neutrals. The matching patch pocket jumper is almost too good to be worn solely at home.
You’ll never be properly cosy if you neglect your feet guys - I’m often astounded by how many people I know don’t really ‘do’ slippers. My existing pair of sheepskin slippers have definitely seen better days and I think this UGG pair might be the ones I replace them with. I also like this Toast pair as they’re a bit more enclosed and snug-looking. These cashmere socks from COS are really half slipper, half sock (but 100% cosy), while I love the colours of these HAY waffle bathroom slippers (which are currently on sale here). These feathered La DoubleJ house shoes are as absurd as they are glamorous, but that’s why I like them. Definitely one to save for when you’re hosting - and speaking of guests, why not keep a few pairs of these Muji slippers for when people come over.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Venturing outdoors - if we must - I’m of the ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing’ school of thought, something my mum has tried to impress on me for much of my life, but which only really sunk in a few winters ago.
My favourite addition to my cold weather arsenal this year has been this red & Daughter snood (also available in navy and grey) as I really don’t get on with scarves - I find trying to jam the ends inside your coat or finding an elegant way to tie them fairly tedious, so I’m a recent but very enthusiastic snood-convert. They seem to be everywhere at the moment too, which means there’s plenty to choose from - I’d recommend going for one in a jaunty colour like this green wool-cashmere blend version from Jigsaw (also currently on sale). I’m considering going full balaclava with this buttermilk yellow Nanushka snood (and it’s half price!), but I’m also a bit worried my friends will laugh at me so… let’s see.
Comme Si, whose boxer shorts I linked to above, also make excellent socks in all sorts of chic colours and luxe fabrics - these are definitely socks designed as an accessory rather than an afterthought.
The fashion girlies seem to be wearing their coloured socks with loafers these days, which I endorse - and honestly, if Greta Lee can’t convince you to buy a pair then I’m not sure I can either. My current favourites are the Yves style in any colour, and the shorter Agnelli pair in olive green.
I also cannot sing the praises of this genuinely indestructible umbrella enough - even the New York Times agrees with me! - so please do yourself a favour and throw away that crappy half-broken one you panic-bought in Boots. Get yours in a cheery sunshine yellow like I do, to offset those dreary grey skies.
INTERIORS INTERLUDE
If you can’t remember the last time you bought new sheets, then you need to get some new ones. I bought a whole bunch last summer as my existing ones were looking a bit tired, and although my primary motivation was aesthetic, the immediate difference in my quality of sleep was really quite drastic, and an unexpected bonus. Fresh new sheets are genuinely more comfortable - who knew?
And they should be white! Sorry but I don’t make the rules. I, like everyone else, frequently save interiors inspo featuring artfully rumpled mustard yellow and burnt orange linen sets, but when it comes to biting the bullet I’m afraid I opt for clean white bedding every time - it’s just easier to mix and match.
I recently discovered Cologne and Cotton, who make lovely cotton sets at reasonable prices - their broderie anglaise trimmed Bandol set is extremely cute. Volga Linen are also extremely chic (if somewhat pricey, although they’re currently having a winter sale so get it while it’s hot - and if you insist on getting a coloured set, then Casa Parini’s soft pastels get my vote.
And finally, if you’ll allow me to wax lyrical about something very mundane for just a second, I cannot recommend Brook + Wilde mattresses more highly. I bought mine a few years ago when I moved into my flat, and while it took me a month or so to get used to it (to the extent I almost sent it back - they offer a 200 night trial period), once I did.. pure bliss. My favourite place to be in the world is my bed, to the extent that even hotel beds I’ve stayed in since have invariably fallen short (which is funny because when I bought this mattress it was with the specific goal of “hotel level comfort”).
I can’t remember how I came across them to be honest - I did tonnes of research and read lots of online reviews - but their mattresses are God-level comfortable.
They’re not cheap (although decent mattresses are just quite expensive I think…) but mattresses in general are absolutely worth investing in, for obvious reasons. I went for their Elite model in the end - and lucky for you, they’re currently on sale for 50% off until January 22nd.
ONE LAST THING
A letter of recommendation for Jo Malone’s Velvet Rose and Oud Dry Body Oil, which I’ve been using for years, and which smells so frickin luxurious. I tend to slather it on after a nighttime, pre-bedtime shower, and it’s not at all greasy. I’ve bought other body oils since but this is the one I keep returning to (also it’s a spray which makes it easy to apply). I’d describe it as more of a winter-y scent, but then again I also use it year round so - who’s to say.
That’s it for this month Spendthrifts! I’ll be back in your inboxes next month talking wardrobe clearouts, and the wardrobe building blocks I’ve got my eye on right now.
Until next time,
Two updates:
1) a friend just texted me asking "who actually irons their pyjamas/sheets" and the answer is.. my mother. Literally every single time.
2) apparently you can wash silk pyjamas (specifically Asceno ones) in the washing machine!!
I have only just got into slippers and I honestly dunno how I existed without them...