Sticky Note: May 2026

This one's free for all subscribers

Welcome back to Sticky Note, a Gumshoe column where I chronicle what’s “sticking” for me each month. Things like: the outfit I’ve been hyper-fixating on, the individual items I’ve been wearing the most, what’s earned a place on my wishlist, what I’m passionately recommending, and what I’ve spent a lot of time looking for on the internet.

Sticky Note is usually reserved for paid subscribers, but this month it’s free for everyone to enjoy thanks to Sézane.

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The outfit I hyper-fixated on this month…

The tunic I’m wearing here is from Posse, and the shorts are very old Aritzia but any simple white cotton shorts with a short inseam will do the trick. These look nice. My bag is from Sézane and the shoes are from Margaux.

Sézane jacket and bag, Maryam Nassir Zadeh shirt, La Ligne shorts, and Margaux flats

One of the first newsletters I ever wrote for Gumshoe was about styling shorts, and the two outfit templates I rely on most. One such template — short track or boxer-style shorts + long tunic-style shirt that *almost* covers them — has been on heavy rotation for me on warmer days this month.

Individual items I wore the most this month…

Styled as both headscarf (top two photos) and belt (bottom two photos)

There’s something particularly addictive about an accessory that makes outfits instantly better without much thought or effort, which explains why I’ve been wearing this vintage leopard print scarf so often lately. Not all leopard prints are created equal. My advice is to eschew quirky in favor of sexy (i.e. less Jenna Lyons-era J.Crew, more Eartha Kitt in her heyday, Anne Bancroft in The Graduate, or Kate Moss off-duty in the 90s and early 2000s). Etsy is a good resource — I like this one.

It’s rare when a brand new item in my wardrobe immediately escalates to the status of MWP (Most Worn Player) but these suede flats from Margaux that I got at the beginning of the month are so comfortable (immediately, no break-in period required) that I’ve been reaching for them basically any day it’s not raining outside and I’m in the mood to wear something nicer than a sneaker.

Sézane tote styled with a Loeffler Randall skirt and Brandy Melville baby tee

Bags are one of the thing Sézane does best and this patchwork tote from their spring collection is resounding evidence. Perfect color scheme, perfect size, and perfect strap options (can be carried with short handles or worn crossbody with a long strap).

In all their soft, rumpled glory

Happy inception of Little White Cotton Nightgown Season to all who celebrate!!!!! I sleep in one every single night this time of year. Three out of four of those pictured above are from nightgown GOAT If Only If (I’m also excited to use this one as a swim coverup this summer), and the bottom left one is from P.Jamas.

What I’m passionately recommending…

Experiencing the aesthetic thrill of a fun tissue box cover, one of the ultimate small and kind of random but surprisingly impactful home decor touches. I ordered this one on Etsy for the bathroom that connects to my son’s room and it took awhile to come but it was worth the wait!!!

What I spent time looking for on the internet…

1. Freda Salvador’s fisherman sandals in the color “crimson,” which seem to be sold out everywhere on the internet ☹️. I had lunch with Christina a couple weeks ago and she corroborated the rumors I’d heard that these are some of the most comfortable walking sandals that exist, so now I am on the hunt.

2. A handful of summer clothes for my daughter, some new and some secondhand. I love this embroidered romper and this smocked blouse with matching bloomers from Sézane. Oso & Me makes the softest casual cotton clothes, like this T-shirt and bike shorts. I bought the little floral dresses on Poshmark.

3. Breastfeeding-friendly dresses for my very newly postpartum (!!!) sister to wear this summer. She ended up ordering this one.

Obviously I support this

3. An outfit for my friend to wear to a wedding this summer when she will be quite pregnant. Her style is pretty laid-back, at times a bit androgynous, and she gravitates toward pieces with some structure — usually in solid colors (vs. patterned). She shares my obsession with things made from quality materials that feel pleasurable to wear. Dress code is cocktail attire. We haven’t landed on something yet so if anyone has suggestions, please share them in the comments.

xo Harling

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