053/ #ICYMI no.1: Stuff I've Shared In Stories That You're Still Asking About

Cotton poplin pyjamas, the conclusion of the Raey coat saga, COS-playing, "Prada by Mango" & more

Pretty much what the title says!

My Instagram stories is a mishmash of things I’m seeing, thinking and doing in my day-to-day and, naturally, fashion features heavily in it. Long after their 24-hour lifespan, I often get DMs asking about this brand, or that link, or my thoughts on a particular piece.

So, from time-to-time, I thought it would make sense to immortalize on Substack the stories that get the most engagement so you can refer them at your leisure.

I can see in Instagram’s insights that these stories get shared, and likewise, if you think someone would be interested in the contents of this newsletter, please share away!

1) Starting with these cotton pyjamas by Princesse Tam Tam:

I love a crisp set of poplin cotton pyjamas, and based on my DMs, it sounds like those of you in North America also have a hard time finding a good set on our side of the Atlantic. Derek Rose makes luxurious ones with a price tag to match, while on the more affordable end, many of us have turned to this classic J.Crew piped blue set.

Princesse Tam Tam’s line hits the sweet spot of better quality (and thicker cotton) than the latter, but at an accessible price. I picked up this plum pinstripe set (not the olive colour I posted in stories).

Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but while silk-as-sleepwear feels lovely on, the benefits are quickly outweighed by the downsides for me. I’m conscious of how I move/roll over/curl up in it lest I pull at the seams of the delicate fabric. And as my perimenopausal night sweats ramp up, I prefer cold sweating in cotton and not worrying about staining and dry-cleaning. I overthink enough at night, and don’t need to add something else to think about!

2) Speaking of perimenopause, thank goodness for my nixit menstrual cup.

Based on my enthusiasm for the product on Instagram, nixit gave me a code to share with you for a 15% discount: IRENE15!

Some background: three ago years, my period went from a like-clockwork, 27.5-day cycle to … whatever it is today. My cycle ranges from 21 to 40 days, and I bleed for anywhere between 7 to 21 days in a row.

Sometimes (like, right now) I barely get a week between the end of one bleed and the start of another. I finished my period when I left for Paris nine days ago, and two days ago it started again while on the same trip.

On average, I’m bleeding for more than half the month, and it’s a miracle that although I have low iron (how could I not), I have a decent amount of energy. I’ve had all the blood tests, ultrasounds, biopsies, and even a polyp removal, and so far my tests have come back negative, but my doctor and I are keeping an eye on it.

Apart from the health considerations, there’s the practical matter of collecting all of this blood. I was going through an outrageous amount of tampons, so I switched initially to the Diva Cup, and then to nixit. Both cups have been a game-changer for me, and I wish I had started using menstrual cups sooner!

It took a cycle to get used to inserting the nixit, but once I figured it out, I prefer it to the Diva Cup for a number of reasons:

• Most importantly, because the cervix and pubic bone are clear reference points, I’m more confident about insertion, which means fewer leaks. When I can feel the rim move behind the pubic bone and can feel the opening of the cervix behind the cup itself, I know the cup isn’t going anywhere and that I’ve positioned it properly.

• It collects more blood.

• It self-empties!!! For the Diva Cup, you have to pull it out to empty it, which you should be doing at least once a day to clean it. But if, for example, you’re in a public restroom without a sink nearby, pulling out your menstrual cup can get messy very quickly. With the nixit, when you “push” your vaginal muscles (kind of like doing a reverse kegel, or pushing out a baby), the rim of the cup moves just enough to pop away from behind the pubic bone, thereby spilling out the contents into the toilet. You still have to insert your fingers into your vagina to reposition it, but it’s an overall much cleaner process than removing the whole thing.

• (A humorous anecdote here: the nixit was originally my back-up cup but became my main cup when I pushed a little too hard and my Diva Cup flew into the toilet! I wasn’t about to fish it out, so here we are.)

• You can wear it during vaginal penetration! Only one exclamation mark for modesty, but this is a big one for someone who is on her period for half the month. I mean, empty it out first (!), and use lube because the source of natural lubrication is covered, but it works!

Based on my enthusiasm for the product on Instagram, nixit gave me a code to share with you for a 15% discount: IRENE15!

3) COS-playing dupes

I shared these COS-playing Alaia flats multiple times last season, and they’re back in stock. Er….at least they were four days ago when I posted them in my Stories. Unbelievably, they’re pretty much sold out already, but like last season, sizes will likely come in-and-out of stock, so turn your notifications on.

The Raey-coat saga has come to a satisfying conclusion with a friend spotting the coat for me on The Real Real at a reasonable price. This COS-playing dupe served me well last season, and it’s back in stock in three colours: black, beige and charcoal grey. Update: a friend claimed the coat I’m selling, so it’s officially off the market!

Many of you shared in DMs that you purchased this Zara dress and love it. Yay! It comes in blue and white.

4) “Prada by Mango”

…just kidding! The official campaign name is “The City Will Follow”.

The suede jacket is my favourite piece of the collection, and the one I would most likely purchase. Do I need it? I’m still thinking about it, and will let you know… The suede is soft, the colour is warm and rich, and I could see it lasting through the seasons. Ultimately, it’s a classic jacket that, say, Ralph Lauren would have made at any point in the past 30 years. I’m wearing large here because it was the only size in store, and while it could work, I’d probably go down to a medium or maybe even a small.

• The leather jacket in the top picture was a bit stiff, and while it looks cool, I would prefer more movement in the fabric.

• I liked the cut of the ivory bias cut skirt (and loved it paired with the suede blazer), but I didn’t like that I could see the seams along the sides.

• Most of the wool and cashmere knits were a little too thin for my liking, except for this ribbed wool polo, for which the sheerness felt like a considered detail of its design (although it probably wasn’t, lol).

• The ballerinas were a good shape and the toes en pointe.

• The cashmere crop top and knicker set felt really nice, but come on now, where would I wear it? Maybe as sleepwear?

• Same for the sequin-embellished knickers. I know, I know. I could just wear a pair of sheer black tights and a longer jacket and I’ll be good, right? Right.

5) Handmade in Capri

Someone DM’d saying they visited Laboratorio Capri five years ago, fell in love with a dress, promptly forgot the name of the store, and had been searching for it ever since! When she saw my story, it was kismet! She reached out to the store to see if the piece was still available! And for that reason alone, Laboratorio Capri deserves to be on this list.

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In the next couple of days, I’ll be sharing the consignment and vintage shops I visited in Paris! It will be for paying subscribers, so if you aren’t already, become one today.

Pressing “publish” at baggage claim, because that’s how I roll! Can’t wait to see my boys on the other side of the sliding doors.

Love and gratitude,
Irene