#066: How to be devastatingly hot and cool, March '25
It's still kinda winter edition.
This Substack I wrote back in November has taken on a life of its own, so I’ve decided to make it a regular monthly edition on here. In honor of the toxic dance we are currently partaking in with New York’s fake spring, I present to you the March edition.
I think this piece resonated with so many of you beyond the immediate needs of wanting to be cool and hot. How to be devastatingly hot and cool is an inside look at current shopping habits, product trends and timely seasonal wants and needs as observed thru the lens of someone who is deep in it. But also, yeah, being HOT and COOL as defined below:
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
March’s edition comes at a time when we’re nearing the end of winter but we know full well we have some more weeks to go. For me, personally, I just came back to New York from 3 weeks of travel. As defined by the second point above of being everywhere but nowhere, I was in Mexico’s Riviera Maya at the the newly renovated jungle haven Belmond Maroma, then home to Seoul for a family dog emergency then straight to Whistler for a ski trip with Halfdays & ILIA.
There is something really crazy about going from feeling sexless and frumpy in a black puffer and ugg boots with a cracked face and chapped lips for months and then slipping into a bikini walking around barefoot only to go back into a puffer and shoes with soles worn down by ice salt. Yes, we New Yorkers need humidity and a beach vacation while we wait out real spring (spring break exists for a reason, I’m reminded), but let’s start with what we can do in the immediate… like moisturize and show a little midriff.
CLOTHING
Madewell is having quite the resurgence—or dare I say revolution—in their branding, design and reach. Lately, they've been focusing heavily on the product that has made the brand a perennial favorite among those who get it: the perfect pair of jeans. I'm so honored to have been included in their launch for The Dean Easy Straight Jean, a low rise relaxed straight jean inspired by Japanese denim to wear over and over and over again. It's the kind of jean that reminds you that you don't need much, you just need quality. The Monessen Wash is the hero for everyday but I wanna shout out this dark navy paisley print colorway that I will surely wear this spring.
Now is around the time I start teasing a little more skin underneath my layers and I always look to DÔEN for inspiration on feminine dressing. Their spring drop has been filled with the silhouettes we know and love from them so much. Their classic universally-loved Henri top now comes in this eyelet print, this alpaca wool crop short sleeve sweater is so subtle in how it teases just a little skin and this perfect polka dot dress will be worn under my trench coats until it gets the weather it deserves.
I’m kicking myself for not purchasing the perfect pair of drawstring trousers by Kallmeyer when I had the opportunity. For those who are a size 8, run and I mean it. But new to the brand is a delicious leather blazer with Victorian edge and slinky jersey dress.
I don’t care that I don’t have another warm weather trip planned in the near future, I’m still eyeing swimwear and the like. I’ve always loved Peony’s styles for nostalgic print that still reads minimal and a price point that won’t exceed $300. I’m eyeing their take on the classic black triangle bikini (peep the little embroidered details) and this ruched olive cutie. I also always love Solid & Striped.
SSENSE’s sale still goes strong but it’s their new spring arrivals that get me excited the most. Again, I keep looking at swimwear and I just know this JPG spiral set is guaranteed going to be on our feeds very soon. This Marc Jacobs floral appliqué bag is New York spring personified and I will surely be wearing this all season long. The coolest European girls I follow who are galavanting across city to city are carrying this little pouch purse in their perfect trousers. And I’m going to say it now, but it’s time we start looking at going out tops again.
Ulla Johnson is soooo elusive hot girl coded for her ethereal designs that pack a punch. Wearing her pieces makes me feel just as dreamy as I feel COOL and her new spring collection, made in collaboration with artist Lee Krasner’s (Jackson Pollock’s wife but accomplished artist in her own right) foundation, embodies everything right about a city that’s warming up. This sheer embellished tank is very New York and these pants with Lee Krasner’s painting printed on are so special. Also, this one-piece swimsuit should deffff be worn as a bodysuit with trousers/jeans.
The cool girl is always discovering brands that specialize in few products and perfecting them. Cissa makes the perfect poplin shirts that can be worn two ways: as a relaxed button down or as a wrap shirt cinched ever so subtly at the waist for a little shape and character. The weather now still calls for a striped button down but when it warms up a bit more, I’m leaning towards this pink.
RE/DONE has consistently made some of my favorite denim and basic tank tops over the years but less known is how good their cashmere is. The crop is perfected in this sweater and it’s perfect for all your mid and low rise pants this spring as we tease our midriffs!!!!
High Sport, the maker of the pants that made its round on literally every fashion Substack, has expanded their product category and also their availability on various retailers. The famed stretch cotton knitwear pants now come in many different colors and lengths and prints (including a fringe iteration?) and fit just as good as ever. Naturally, they make really good sweaters, too. High Sport will be inescapable this season, I fear.
I’m obsessed with whatever éliou is doing right now. While their designs skew more towards summer, I’m very into the idea of shopping for the weather you wish to have, for solace or whatever. These spiral earrings have already been purchased, along with this charm necklace to keep me patient :)
I can’t stop wearing LESET. Their March collection is full of color and I’m buying my favorite cropped cardigan in this new cute color way called ‘radish’. Also really good are these chocolate cargo trousers and these knee-length shorts that are a much cooler version of Bermuda shorts.
BEAUTY
Aesop released their 12th and latest unisex fragrance last month—an unconventional floral that goes by the name Aurner. It’s exactly the kind of floral fragrance you’d expect Aesop to release: herbaceous and nuanced. It’s what the hot, elusive girl wears when she wants to be feminine but not too obviously so.
The sign of a luxuriously-minded makeup artist is that they’ll use a good mask to prep your skin before application. If I’m lucky, they’ll use 111 Skin’s Black Diamond Mask that is unfortunately worth every bit the price tag. For spring outings, I’m splurging on these masks and also the serum because what the hell, I just endured a crusty face for months.
Victoria Beckham Beauty makes the eye makeup that makes me want to leave the house for once and have a good night out. The release of these eyeshadow palettes have excited me in a way makeup rarely does. Paired perfectly with the eyeliners every beauty insider has declared the holy grail.
The moisturizer that I’m currently obsessed with is ILIA’s Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream. This isn’t just because I’ve spent a week with them in Whistler skiing for hours in the elements and staying moisturized and protected all day long but I think it has something to do with it. I could go on and on about this product and how it has singlehandedly become my go-to moisturizer, my psoriasis soother, my makeup primer and my slug all-in-one.
Agent Nateur is one of those brands that quietly exists among the most in-the-know, chic crowd I know. The brand makes everything from collagen supplements to toothpaste to low key the best body moisturizer out there. Speaking on the latter, there is skin to be moisturized if I’m emerging out of winter looking hot and cool. This body balm’s formula is very unique and gives me the skin I want to SHOW.
While I was in Seoul, I picked up some new & fun skincare and beauty items I’ll share with you soon but I have to quickly mention this highlighter stick that is the closest dupe for the Chanel one. The Chanel Baume Essentiel is still my holy grail but it often goes out of stock and is steep for those who don’t want to be too precious with their balms.
And speaking of Chanel, the N°1 de Chanel Serum Duo is a surefire way to switch up your skincare routine for the spring and welcome in the revitalization we all need. This serum has been in my rotation for several years now and it’s always the best product to reintroduce when the weather shifts because the smell and illuminating effects mirror exactly how I want to feel for warmer days ahead.
March is always the hardest month for me. The teasing of spring weather feels cruel when it’s stripped from us just as fast as we are blessed with it. Admittedly, my mind is scattered across a multitude of life’s verticals that feel neither here nor there. BUT it is important to note, at this time, that when I send out my next newsletter, my Substack will be called something else!!! That’s all I’ll say for now but the gist will be more or less the same, just a bit more elevated and worthy of taking up space on this very saturated platform.
Thank you all for being here and talk to you so very soon!!!!!!
Lots of love…
Laura
CELESTIALLY HOT ANGEL PRINCESS <3
A lot of the links aren’t working 🥺