Sticky Note: September 2024
What's your lantern fly body count?
I made some updates to Gumshoe’s “About” page this month. I’ve been reflecting on what makes this newsletter different from other fashion content you might come across, and I wanted to capture that clearly. This is what I noted down:
I share real outfits for real life. This may not sound groundbreaking, but think about how often you see photos of outfits online that look cool but impractical — like something that’s never walked around a single city block, or seen a the inside of a subway station. I’d rather show you the tried-and-true outfits I reach for multiple times in the span of a week, or the workhorses I’ve had in my closet for years, or what shoes I wear on days I barely have time to sit down. I think it makes for more interesting, useful content when there are higher stakes than just playing dress-up.
I primarily link to clothing made from 100% natural fibers. This commitment requires a much more time-consuming market research process, but I consider it integral to building a wardrobe that lasts. I explain more in this post.
I want to help you to shop less. Shopping smarter means shopping more selectively — and with less frequency. That’s why I write about nurturing the relationships we have with our existing wardrobes — what we wear the most, how we wear it, and why. It’s our most valuable data for evaluating future shopping decisions, including knowing when not to buy something.
With so much content competing for your attention — on Substack and beyond — my goal is to make this newsletter worthy of the space it occupies in your inbox each week. Thank you, as always, for being here.
Highlights from this month’s Sticky Note:
A breakdown of the silk pants and button-down outfit formula I’ve been iterating on — ideal for those no-plans days when I still want to feel a little polished.
A selection of fall-appropriate footwear I’m eyeing.
Some stuff I’ve been recommending to anyone within earshot, including my new favorite glowy skin product and a TikTok recipe that’s made my mornings easier.
My quest for the perfect vintage striped rugby.