I hope you all had a restful and peaceful holiday season and here we go…2026!!
Welcome to the Monthly High-Five and our new weekly time (Well…almost! These newsletters will now be sent on Tuesdays but I had a bit of a delay on my end so it’s being shared on Wed for this week!)
I’m keeping this one short as I know we are probably all easing back into routines this week but I’m excited to be back in your inboxes and for another year with you all at The Found Journal!
5 Things I’m Loving
This is a weird time period to be trying to shop — there’s a hodgepodge of leftover winter sales and a lot of resort/pre-Spring product coming in but the weather is forcing us to push forward with cozy layers for another couple of months so I thought I’d focus this month’s top 5 on some things I’ve seen or purchased that would be helpful replacements or updates if you’ve been on the hunt for them!
You probably don’t need these pieces but if you’ve been looking for similar pieces, I hope this can point you in the right direction.
1// THE ULTIMATE RELAXED CHIC TROUSER- The Didi Pant is a TWP signature and while I’ve been loving a tapered straight trouser, I think there’s nothing better than a slouchy trouser that looks and feels as cool as it does comfortable. (I also love this color on major sale here + TRR usually has good options) 2// THE EVERYDAY ELEVATED CARDIGAN - A no-fuss cardigan that will look more polished than most blouses or knit tops. Finding well-made, simple essentials at a good price point can be hard to find so I’m loving 440ME’s focus on wardrobe essentials of pullovers, cardigans, and polos. (This Uniqlo alternative will always be my cost-friendly option!) 3// AN UPDATED BELT - From my favorite belt brand that does classic but modern so well. I love the slightly more narrow width and hardware shape. The embossed croc will add texture but I think it will look equally nice in gloss or smooth leather! 4// A MODERN EVERYDAY BAG (on major sale!) - I shared this on my IG stories recently and got so many comments about it. It’s my favorite bag at the moment. Minimal 90s vibe and The Row-coded but feels more interesting and unique. I love that it has zero logos (not even an embossed brand stamp), is a mix of leather and suede, and has a magnetic closure. (Fun pop of red here and laptop size here for under $600). 5// SUBTLE STATEMENT EARRING - Another thing that can be hard to find is a refined statement earring that feels easy to wear for everyday. This is a new-to-me brand but I love their modern designs. These earrings are giving me Sophie Bille Brahe vibes for less. Sterling Silver Double Orb + Freshwater Pearl Drops
Some Try-Ons….
I tried (and purchased) the Didi pant while I was in New York. I went up a size so it would fit lower on my hips (definitely run very long fyi). This version is in a satin-faced wool which I think is sold out now but I love that it has a tuxedo trouser feel. The pant felt amazing on and one of my clients who is 5’8” and a size 10 just purchased the regular wool ones and they looked and felt incredible on her too! I love this type of low slung trouser with simple tanks and sandals in the Spring/Summer. Easy way to expedite your chic!
The 440ME cardigan(mine was kindly gifted but I don’t have any obligation to share or post about the product - I actually have been in convo with the brand for months now but finally got around to ordering some pieces). It’s the perfect weight to tuck into trousers or skirts or wear untucked with jeans or flowy pants. It’s nothing “special” but I think our true wardrobe work horses rarely are! Their essentials collection reminds me of one I developed for a brand back in the day - my goal was to create everyday work essentials and the styles and designs looked very similar to this! I feel like this is the type of style I can never find when I need it so I like having one brand that I know just carries the same pieces every season.
St. Agni Slim Wonton Bag - I purchased these because I was curious to see them in person. The leather is a bit stiffer but it reminds me of my Celine Cabas twist tote when I first got it and it should softly break down and age nicely with wear. This is a great size if you want something to wear as an option for daytime but also as an easy going out bag. Bonus points for the internal magnetic closure - I’m not a fan of zipper tops so this is a great design decision!
I also tried on the larger option that fits a laptop. I don’t need it but I’m a sucker for an oversized bag. I love how the color variation comes through between the leather and suede and how it looks a bit different depending on the colors its paired with. A great everyday work option if you are looking for something simple but interesting. (If you are looking for more of an investment bag for the new year, I’ve been recommending this to clients. Dreamy!)
4 Ways To Style
As always, here’s 4 ways I’d think about styling them across end uses!
I hosted a mini style challenge last January and got really great feedback from readers whether they participated or just followed along for inspiration, so I’m kicking off a new one next Sunday in our group chat!
I am someone that uses my mood to get dressed so with last year’s challenge, I felt like having to stick to a specific styling prompt everyday felt a bit hard. So this year, I decided to switch it up a bit and use a theme for each week — this way, you have some prompts to get you started but can tweak it to how you personally feel on a given day and let your creativity lead the way!
How this will work:
Save the challenge + styling prompts to an album on your phone so you have it handy
Each week, you can participate as much or as little as you’d like - I’d love people to join me in sharing photos in our group chat but you can also take your own outfit selfies and save to your album for future inspiration
#2 - The Wardrobe Edit’s recent newsletter
Anna Newton from The Wardrobe Edit created an incredible post this week where she tapped some of Substack’s fashion writers (including me!) to share their tips and tricks for the days where it feels hard to get dressed. There’s so many great insights so I highly recommend reading and saving for the next time you don’t know what to wear!
What I loved about reading this was:
A) We all find it hard to get motivated to get dressed sometimes…yes, even the most seemingly “effortlessly stylish” people!
B) We all rely on tools in our style toolkit for these days…every one of the writers had those pieces that they reach for that make it easier on lazy days, the reliable formulas, the failsafe favorites. Some of us use the same tools but it all comes through in our own unique ways, which is both exciting and comforting!
I’ve opened up the last two weeks of my calendar and you can grab a spot here.
These are 1 hour sessions that I try to open up every season dedicated to covering whatever topics you like. I find these sessions to be a great way to get the creative juices flowing when you are feeling stuck or bored with your wardrobe. Most sessions are a mix of auditing your wardrobe, styling your “how to wear” pieces, and identifying key gaps — but I’ve also had clients share their screen with me and we’ll review wishlist items or gain clarity around inspiration images.
You can learn more about the details, BTS, and client testimonials here.
some recent client feedback from hourly sessions :)
2 Recent Inspiration Images
Sharing a couple screenshots I took recently and why I like them. I think it’s a helpful exercise to break down what it is about a look that you like and how you can use the themes to create a version of your own.
I love the nipped in waist detail of the coat and the non-neutral neutral color. And how she styles it partially undone so it stays fitted but you can also see what’s being worn underneath. One styling tip I shared in this newsletter was to take a fur collar off from a coat and attach it to other coats and jackets. If you don’t have one, I personally like to get stoles from vintage shops or Etsy. I’m bummed mine are packed away but this is how I’d style mine for Winter and I also love it attached to a leather jacket! (I just secure mine with little safety pins - like the kinds used for garment tags).
My favorite styling lever of shades of white/cream with black accessories - I love how it still looks and feels so fresh here for warmer dressing! The main thing I’m drawn to is the boatneck tee - I like that it’s a bit more slouchy and oversized because that feels more me but I think a fitted boatneck tee would look equally as great if a more feminine fit and feel is your vibe. Also, notice how she’s wearing a kind of shapeless and oversized outfit but then balancing it by showing skin around her feet and styling with a mini bag to offer structure and balance?
1 Quote I’m Resonating With
More of looking in vs viewing out + embracing this year as 365 days of opportunity!
Thank you for being here and I’ll see you next Tuesday!
All my best.
xx,
Angie
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I love love love the look of the slouchy trouser but at 5'3" it's hard to find ones that can be hemmed and not ruin the look. Can I ask if you hemmed your TWP Didi pant, and if so, was it simple to do?
this didn’t feel like a “new year new you” email, and that was refreshing. Happy new year, Angie. Xx
I love love love the look of the slouchy trouser but at 5'3" it's hard to find ones that can be hemmed and not ruin the look. Can I ask if you hemmed your TWP Didi pant, and if so, was it simple to do?