Welcome to our free biweekly newsletter, Acquired Taste. Paid subscribers receive a weekly newsletter containing an in-depth lesson to cultivating an exquisite wardrobe while saving time, money and answering the age old question of “what should I wear today”.
As part of this series, we will bring you perspectives from people we like and admire, learning more about the things that have influenced their taste over the years.
Our first featured guest is Sarah from Fewer & Better: The Staple. Sarah and I first connected right here on Substack through a shared appreciation of well-made garments and timeless style. What I love about Sarah is her commitment to consuming less and treasuring the things she does own. Her wardrobe is a perfect blend of new finds, vintage and deeply personal heirlooms.
Thank you, Sarah! We’ve truly enjoyed getting to know you over the past few months and are thrilled to have you featured here.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR EARLIEST STYLE MEMORIES AND INFLUENCES:
My grandmother was an impeccably dressed, timeless influence on me. Something that particularly resonated with me was the somewhat chameleon-like aspect she took on in different settings: still recognizably herself, but dressed to suit where she was, whether in Kennebunkport, in Scotland, in Italy, in New York.
I also took a lot of my style inspiration from my mother. She skewed more—not trendy, but modern, I suppose—than my grandmother. She knew what suited her and she kept with it even after things went out of “style.” She had a great pair of oval-framed sunglasses I loved that she worn for over a decade until they broke. They just seemed very her. It was a great education on how to take what works well for you and keep tight to it, even in the face of trends.
MY STYLE AS A TEENAGER WAS…
I went to an all-girls’ boarding school outside of Baltimore, and during the time I was there it felt like the last grasp at an analog, old-school world. Baltimore (or parts of it, at least) has always been very traditionally preppy and, for the most part, my style was the same. I wore a lot of clothes I still wear today: my mother’s Barbour, her old chesterfield overcoat, slim jeans, boat shoes, oxfords, and vintage Fair Isles.
Because of that, I’d have to say my style was and is traditional—but that doesn’t have to be boring. The rituals and traditions at my school really shaped who I am today. There was one tradition in particular (that I’m allowed to talk about!) that had a profound impact on my style as a teenager. We had a uniform at school (knee-length kilt, white oxford, navy sweater) and while there wasn’t a lot of personalization we were allowed to do, there were exceptions to the rule. I had one kilt that had been handed down in a tradition from my “old girl” to me, going back multiple generations. We all wrote or embroidered our name on the kilt, and we were allowed to wear it even though it wasn’t “in uniform.” It rapidly became my favorite piece because of all the stories and lives that were so visibly present there. A good illustration as to why I find handed-down clothing more compelling than new!
MY STYLE PET PEEVE IS…
People who don’t know who they are! Experimentation is great, but when I can’t recognize you from day to day, that frustrates me.
THE ONE THING I WEAR EVERY DAY IS…
Besides my wedding band, my class ring—my boarding school was so important to me, and I haven’t taken the ring off for more than a few minutes since I received it in 2007. It’s a small signet ring that I wear on the ring finger of my right hand, with the school crest engraved on it. It’s a part of me: traditional, classic, slightly battered, and extremely old-school.
I AM ALWAYS TRYING TO FIND THE PERFECT VERSION OF…
Two things: a popover and cigarette pants! These two items have been the subject of endless hunts. I have great popovers from Ann Mashburn and they are as close to perfect for me as I’ve found. (Their new Liberty popover is really, really good, and perfect for spring.)
Cigarette pants are a bigger struggle. So many slim-fitting trousers are made of non-natural fibers. While I love Everlane’s work pant, it’s made of a stretch fabric, so that does bug me. What I want is a slim, closely-cut pair of trousers that moves well with me made of cotton or wool. Currently impossible to find!
MY FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP IS…
Ann Mashburn! I’ve been shopping here since the brand was founded. If you take a look at my Substack, it seems like 90% of my outfits feature at least one thing from Ann Mashburn! I’ve always loved their classic yet eclectic curation, and the staff in the stores are incredibly friendly. It’s such a great experience to stop in to any of the stores (particularly shoutout to the Georgetown store, where I spent many hours on my commute home during my years in D.C. I still keep in touch with some of the women I met there!) But what I really love about the store is that it comes the absolute closest to encapsulating my style in a single store. I could go in there and pick out an entire wardrobe and not look the same as anyone else because they have such a great edit—not just of their brand but of others. Their made-to-order program is also superb and something I wish more women’s clothing businesses focused on.
MY MOST MEMORABLE CULTURAL INFLUENCE…
I’ve been trying to think about this! I don’t think there was just one watershed moment. I’ve always dressed pretty out of my own time with the vast collection of vintage pieces that make up my wardrobe. I mentioned above that I wore a uniform in school—I rarely ever took my clothing allowance to the mall and instead I bought books or would spend it on theatre tickets. I was perfectly happy with the vintage clothes pilfered from my mother’s closet or passed down to me from my grandmother. So cultural influences and trends kind of passed me by.
Based on that, I’d have to say that a cultural influence that sincerely impacted me was the art installation The Gates, by Jeanne-Claude and Christo. I absolutely begged my parents to pull me out of school for the weekend to drive up and see it, and to their credit they did—we made a trip up, stayed with family, and walked through the saffron gates for hours. There was something there that really moved me—the contrast of the saffron with the blue skies and white snow around us was incredible. It’s the first time I remember being truly moved by modern art and the first time I actually experienced a large-scale art installation in that way. It was something that really shifted my world view, and made me look for inspiration not just in the past, but in the present as well.
I WOULD TRADE CLOSETS WITH…
No one! I am so happy with my wardrobe and the way it suits me. (Just missing a few things, like those cigarette pants…!) On balance, though, my wardrobe reflects my life, the people I’ve loved and been inspired by, and my personal growth. No one else’s wardrobe could ever encapsulate that.
I LIKE TO COLLECT…
Fair Isle sweaters, small enamel boxes, and books. (Pro tip for those in the DC area: The Lantern bookstore on P Street is INCREDIBLE.)
MY MOST CHERISHED POSSESSION...
This is a tough one, because I try to ensure that most of my possessions are cherished. I think that the clothing I've inherited is among my most precious (and not just my heirloom Kelly bag!) The connection with people I loved is so valuable to me that each piece is cherished just based on that.
MY FAVORITE PLACE IN NEW YORK IS…
I have so many favorite places depending on what day it is and what I’d like to do. That being said, I’d have to say JG Melon. It’s always my first recommendation for out-of-town visitors. Melon’s has looked the same my entire life and the food is so good—I love everything about it, especially the great neighborhood feel. It’s one of the few places I’ll proudly wear merch from!
WHERE I WANT TO TAKE MY NEXT HOLIDAY...
Barbados! We’re planning a trip next winter. In the meantime we’ll be heading down to DC fairly soon and out to Los Angeles for a stretch later this year.
FOR BREAKFAST I EAT…
When I remember to eat breakfast, I generally eat lightly: buttered wheaten bread, an avocado, or fresh fruit. I always have a glass of iced coffee.
MY LEAST FAVORITE TRAIT…
I definitely get sidetracked quite a lot—in some ways this is great, because I meander along paths and end up finding out interesting things that I wouldn’t if I traveled in a straight line. But I also find it hard to keep track of the minutiae of life. I do wish I was more organized, and I’m trying to do that this year!
THE PERSON, LIVING OR DEAD, I WISH I WERE MORE LIKE…
A trite answer, but my mother: she was such a strong person with a strong sense of self and a capacity for adaptation when things and circumstances changed. I miss her a lot!
WHERE DO I FIND INSPIRATION…
Old books, archives, and rarely ever online.
THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I’VE EVER HEARD IS…
Life is not linear—not everything is left behind forever.
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Cigarette pants - why are they so hard to find when they're so flattering? Please give the details if you find some. Loved the stories of inspiration.