Personal shopping for my friends: Jane

A new series!

Meet Jane, one of my best friends and roommates from college!

Jane is from Wayne, NJ but lives in D.C. now and works as an External Comms Specialist (I am so sorry — what was that meme about not understanding what your friends do for work??) I had an idea to put my online shopping powers to use for good and asked some of my friends, what have you been looking for in your wardrobe? When I asked if she would be willing to be featured on my Substack for this exercise, Jane DELIVERED. Here is the note she sent:

Jane has a big personality (if you can’t tell) so that was important to keep in mind as I shopped. She loves reading, gaming, and live music. She also loves Halloween! If I had to describe Jane’s style, it would be “dark eyeliner academia meets traditional East Coast.” Here is what I came up with.

Age-appropriate work tops

Clockwise from top left:

1. Ganni Black Cotton Poplin Wrap Blouse ($215): This is the most expensive item I’ve included in this list, only because it’s an aspirational work top for Jane. The blueprint, if you will. This would probably need to be a secondhand find somewhere down the road.

2. Everlane Mint Green Cotton Oxford Stripe ($68): A perfect layering piece

3. Sezane Cybele Short Sleeve Sweater, size XS ($100): A little more feminine

4. J. Crew Denim Button Up top ($92)

5. Ann Taylor Silk Navy Mockneck, size M ($20): technically a sweater, but silk

6. COS green check blouse ($24)

7. & Other Stories Smocked Blouse ($79): So nice, I included it thrice

100% Cotton Mid Thigh Non-Cutoff Jort

Clockwise from top left:

1. Everlane The A-Line Denim Short ($68): comes in four colors, many are sold out right now (a good sign?) so keep an eye out

2. AGOLDE Parker Long Clean organic denim shorts ($150): on the upper end of the price range, a little shorter than many of these but look as though they fit well!

3. Vintage Guess Shorts, 28” waist ($30): Jane didn’t ask for white, but I think these are cute and fit the bill

4. Liz Claiborne Women's Black Shorts, 27” waist ($30)

5. Vintage Orange Tab Levi’s 951 Women's Shorts Size 10 (28"): can never go wrong with an orange tab, looks like a little longer inseam

6. Rolla’s Super Mirage Short ($109): Not 100% cotton in the black color, but I thought the TENCEL was a nice, lighter weight option. 100% cotton in all the other colors!

7. COS High-Waisted Denim Shorts, size L ($22): Earlier in the summer, COS had the perfect pair of high-waisted denim shorts that I myself was thinking about buying but now seem to have been scrubbed from the internet?? I don’t think that these^^ are even the right ones, but I’m still on the lookout…

Non-Denim Non-Prince George Shorts

Clockwise from top left:

1. Guess pinstripe shorts, 29” waist ($49 obo): A non-pleated but cute option

2. Liz Claiborne black shorts, size 4 ($18): luckily there is no shortage of pleated shorts to be had on the internet!

3. Nordstrom Women's Black and White Shorts, 28” waist ($20): a silk option?? I actually think these are a great candidate for wearing with tights in the fall…

4. Regatta Women's White Shorts, size 4 ($18)

5. Liz Claiborne Women's Blue and White Shorts, size 6 ($12): The color is not coming across with the background removed, but these are a petite blue and white gingham

6. Vintage Giorgio Armani Women's Tan and Cream Shorts, 26” ($20): similar to the Aritzia Effortless Shorts, silk and Armani!

7. Tommy Bahama Women's Black Shorts, size 4/6 ($8): all silk, no pleats, a steal at $8

8. Uniqlo Linen Cotton Shorts ($39.90): A good staple option from Uniqlo

The Elusive “Going Out” Top

1. Ann Taylor Silk Crop Top, size 4 ($35): Cherry blossoms anyone?

2. Ann Taylor Green and Blue Crop-top, size 4 ($30): Close readers will know these silk tops from one of my other posts. I said in that post, I don’t think I have a place to wear these, but Jane might!

3. Ciao Lucia Kara Top ($132): Paris Geller if she slayed

4. Ciao Lucia Gio Shirt ($114): Masculine cut top with adorable seashell print? Yes please

5. Uniqlo Boat Neck Sleeveless Top ($9.90): Substack famous, felt worth including as a basic option. Out of stock now, but check back.

6. Ann Taylor Velvet Halter Neck, size S ($25): clearly I have a thing for vintage Ann Taylor these days…

7. Deiji Studios Halter Neck ($130): for when it’s just too sweaty in DC

Collection-worthy silver jewelry

Clockwise from top left:

1. Stone and Strand In A Twist Silver Hoops ($120): good staples for work, chunky without partaking in the “croissant” jewelry trend

2. Local Eclectic Silver Night Sky Cigar Band ($120)

3. Local Eclectic Simple Star Set Diamond Band ($120): I wasn’t sure if Jane would prefer the overt stars and moon in the cigar band or a little more subtle, so I gave two options

4. Merchants Gambit Ring ($130): Huge fan of this company’s branding, also comes in gold

5. Merchants Interlude Stud ($100)

6. Silver Spike Threaders ($34): Not strictly chunky but I think they still fit Jane’s personality

7. Tskies Spirit squared silver ring ($65): Very cool option to support indigenous artists in New Mexico

8. Sterling Silver Dainty Ghost Ring ($58): Just had to throw this one in there :)

Finally, Jane’s report card of my finds: