#058: How to be devastatingly hot and cool
Unfortunately or fortunately, another shopping guide.
Happy day after Thanksgiving!!!!
I wrote this little piece called “Gratitude list” yesterday and hit send but it has come to my attention that this unusually went into some of your guys’ spam folder?! So some housekeeping today… if it went to your spam please mark it as ‘not spam’ and drag it into your main inbox. And here it is below in case you missed it <3
Today’s post is a shopping guide. Which may come as a surprise to some of my new subscribers and as a delight to my OGs. Today’s post is also inspired by the Elusive Hot Girl, a term brilliantly coined by tariro makoni:
I love the Elusive Hot Girl, so much so that I am inspired to write my entire cyber week shopping guide based off of what one would buy. I’m particularly interested in this phenomenon because I, for one, believe that I am one (hehehe hahaha). I am also surrounded by Elusive Hot Girls in New York and am constantly inspired by their work, the way they move thru the world, the way they present themselves. I also like to think that my readers are all Elusive Hot Girls (yes, you!) Or you maybe want to date an Elusive Hot Girl. No, but really, they’re truly everything.
So, in sum, what is an EHG? It’s not reserved for the conventional definition of “hot”which I am sure (or at least I hope) you can deduce. An Elusive (International) Hot Girl is:
Devastatingly hot but doesn’t try too hard. She just is in her confidence, her aura, her brains, her style, her taste and her well-travelledness
Elusively everywhere but nowhere. As tariro makoni so perfectly put it, her most frequently asked question is “Wait, are you in town?” But she doesn’t travel for the sake of tourism or filling up free time, she is just ~vibing~ and being a citizen of the world
Effortless ease in which she lives her life and achieves her goals, also known as “lucky girl syndrome”. But! She doesn’t just manifest things to happen, she lives and breathes knowing exactly who she is and what she wants even though she doesn’t have it *all* figured out yet
A true citizen of the world, speaks multiple languages, has worldly observations and has a foot in various corners of the world because this is how she stays plugged in and connected
Into very specific hobbies and meticulously cultivates them to her perfection, enjoyment and self-elevating aura
If our purchasing power is one of the most straightforward and telling ways to craft our identity and make personal neoliberal choices to upgrade our lives (free market capitalism, etc), it’s time to take full advantage of the insane online sales these next four days to be a devastatingly cool Elusive Hot Girl.
There’s a lot of noise in fashion journalism about the luxury market’s decline and how this downturn is an ominous sign of what’s to come, a larger signifier on the state of the world economy. I don’t have all my bearings on this subject to formulate a definitive analysis so I won’t say much other than what I continue to iterate: fashion is more important than ever and so is supporting designers and brands with a clear vision of beauty, aesthetic, quality, mindfulness and lifestyle. We, as consumers, get to dictate who we want to be in this world, who we choose to give business to and this is reflective of so many multifaceted interests and experiences we live through on a day to day basis. It’s actually a beautiful thing—to cultivate your outward image as a reflection of who you are on the inside: worldly, global, passionate, sensual, curious… It really makes the world a more enjoyable place when you live it with beauty and intentionality.
So, without further ado, happy shopping ౨ৎ ˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩
CLOTHES
SSENSE continues to be the perennial favorite among the coolest girls I know because of the sheer volume of products across brands we know and love, both big and niche
Flore Flore basics are made of 100% cotton and in the most flattering silhouettes that hug your body just right, like this boatneck tee, perfect high neck tank and baby tee
Toteme, the Scandinavian brand that has taken the world by storm, always has a deep selection of items on sale. I’m in the market for a classic black double breasted blazer, a dress that’s begging to be worn to a holiday party, relaxed trousers that I’ll reach for over and over again, a grey sweater with a fuzzy character :)
Lauren Manoogian’s own sale on her website isn’t as extensive as the selection on SSENSE, and for that, we thank SSENSE. All of her knits are so EHG coded, made with so much love and care. I’m into this cardigan for all the easygoing dinner parties to come, this tote begging to be taken to the farmer’s market and this easy sweater
Jil Sander is one of the typecast brands hot girls wear and some very good pieces are on mega sale, like the classic Goji Bag for 40% off, the perfect slingbacks, good mittens because winter is coming, a crossbody in the perfect year-round shade of yellow, these insanely cool pony haired loafers
The Elusive Hot Girl shops under-the-radar international brands like Loulou Studio, Birrot, Aeyde, Auralee, By Malene Birger
Khaite… what can I say that hasn’t been said already? So many styles I’ve been eyeing for many seasons are finally on sale and surprisingly not sold out?! Like this perfect poplin dress, once-viral circa 2021 Maddy Top, this halter dress I’m dying to own and this truly insane leather trench that is so discounted that I’m tempted…
St. Agni is verrryyyyy hot girl coded, with minimalist silhouettes that say a whole lot about understated style. They’re doing 30% off a large selection of styles with the code TAKE30 like this perfect crochet tank, this open-back knit in that shade of powder blue you are seeing everywhere, this olive linen dress begging to be taken on vacation and these very good trousers.
Jenni Kayne makes the sweaters that go viral on TikTok and everyone subsequently covets. Don’t underestimate the power of a good, thin long sleeve layer made of merino wool! Does someone want to buy me these ribbed cashmere socks?
Ciao Lucia makes the easy, breezy pieces for the vacation you’ve long-waited for and they’re 40% off, like this dress for your next Italian summer
AERON makes the pieces that embody that ultra cool, confident edge I always want to exude. I own this suit set that I get sooo many compliments on but now I’m also eyeing this satin turtleneck for all those chic New York nights where I’m surrounded by everyone cool
DÔEN rarely goes on sale so when it does, you know it’s time to snag your favorite cottage core, dreamy bucolic pieces you’ve been eyeing year-round. Their dresses, as always, are very cute and majorly discounted but will look to their other offerings like this button down shirt that looks like the perfect layering piece
Reformation is another classic hot girl brand with styles so vast there’s truly something for everyone and they’re currently having their only-once-a-year sale where EVERYTHING IS 25% OFF. I want this bag that’s kinda like The Row’s 90s baguette bag for a fraction of the price, a very Prada-esque cardigan and very flattering, simple cut dresses like this and this
Kallmeyer is one of those brands if you know, you know. They’re actually very popular in Japan, which is very unsurprising because of their modern styles in smart tailoring and high quality fabrics. Hellloooo perfect ribbed tank and cashmere polo
Leset is a very under-the-radar cool girl brand that makes my favorite summer tank top. I’m eyeing this off shoulder dress, these satin pull-on pants for all the days I want to look put together with minimal effort and these boxer pants that I’ll definitely wear outside the home
Nikki Chasin’s fun clothes always bring levity to my days when wearing them. I love her cute bikini tees and colorful sweaters!!! Up to 30% everything
Studio Nicholson makes my most asked-about trench and I always love putting people onto this Japanese-inspired British brand. I love their Lemaire-esque silhouettes and this puffer that is anything but frumpy for the cold weather ahead
Live the Process’s beautiful and design-forward workout clothes are 25% off. Get me in this bodysuit to a pilates class asap!!
Literally EVERYTHING CHRISTOPHER ESBER!!! With a further 20% off!! Someone be the hottest one at the holiday function in this dress, please
Janessa Leone makes pieces that elevate your outfit without saying too much. This bucket hat is my favorite bucket hat silhouette on the market for sure, this belt is my go-to for easy accessorizing and this is a very good wool fisherman sweater
Mytheresa is very international hot girl coded. The multibrand retailer is based in Germany and has a very extensive offering of international brands. They have crazy sales pretty much year-round but their end-of-year sale (aka now) is the craziest. I always like shopping brands like Magda Butrym, Acne Studios and Loewe (sigh) on Mytheresa
A classic pair of Ray-Ban wayfarers, polarized and 30% off. For some reason, this style still seems to be the go-to for all the most stylish people I know
Aritzia’s clothing doesn’t do much for me but they make the best sweats and activewear on the market!!!! Everything is on sale!!
Very niche, but hot girls don’t like to wear bras. Instead, they wear nipple covers lol. HOLIDAY20 gets you 20% off site wide on these bra alternatives!!!
Loafers made with quality without spending a fortune. Or what about this more clean cut version? Really all you need.
Cesta Collective makes my favorite vacation bag, this super cute woven bucket pail that makes me feel like a modern Jane Birkin, now 25% off with the code Merci. Also, this suede bag???? Wow <3
SKINCARE + BEAUTY
Medical-grade skincare is really, like, the only thing that works. And oftentimes that means unsexy packaging and marketing but I’ll take clear skin over a cute bottle any day. Dermstore, as always, has the best selection of brands with up to 30% off their site. My code LAURA will get you the maximum discount + a free gift, too! I’m stocking up on my trusty iS Clinical cleanser and the warming cleanser, the only vitamin C serum that matters, the best skin perfecting exfoliant and a good sunscreen
U Beauty is having a 20% off site wide sale (you can use my code LAURAJUNG) and it’s the time to stock up on this hydrator that is like magic juice on the skin, this face oil that I slather on at home whenever I’m deep in work mode and this lip treatment that does lip treatments better than that other lip treatment brand lol
Chanel N°5, in all of its beautiful iterations (L’eau is my fave), is a fragrance hot girls always have in their rotation. The new purse spray doubles as a bag charm and makes for the chicest, cutest on-the-go accessory. It comes in black too. The limited-edition holiday bottle with the frosted glass is the perfect gift, too.
Sephora is a great place for gifts and hot girls are always buying gifts for their friends and family. My sister is obsessed with this lip gloss that usually never goes on sale. While you’re at it, browse all of Fenty Beauty that’s on sale, why not?!
This in-shower moisturizer has litchhhrally changed my shower game… and I panic if I don’t have this multi-purpose salve in my purse for these frigid, dry months
Hot girls are into super niche new skincare brands that are about to blow up. I can’t stop talking about KOBA Skincare, a skincare line infused with safou oil, an African beauty secret ingredient. I live for their foot cream which has now become a staple in my nighttime routine and also carry their hand cream in my bag at all times. They also just launched this face cream and cleansing balm
OKAY, that’s a lot of links and I think I’ll stop here. I do plan on creating a gift guide(s)… but this could be used as a starting point.
I love you all so much. Very grateful for my community and a space to “do my job” in a way that feels so so liberating and authentic and right.
Hope you all are having a restful holiday weekend.
With love always,
Laura
also your picks >>>>>>>
Omg 🥹 you are so EHG, loved reading this xx