The Sunday Circular, Volume 7: Just a Bunch of Pictures of Me in Some Light Jackets and Sweaters
Come with me as I try on a bunch of stuff!
Man, what a strange week! If the approaching Fashion Weeks for the spring 2026 season—featuring a whopping 15 designer debuts—didn’t already feel like this big, generational changing-of-the-guard moment, well, with Anna Wintour semi-passing the torch to a new “head of editorial content” and Giorgio Armani shuffling off this mortal coil, it certainly does now.
You can read my tribute to Armani’s influence for GQ here. What I was trying to get at was how steadfast and committed he was to his singular vision of fashion. This was not always considered a good thing. The fact is, while the Armani look is definitely having a moment right now, for the last 15-20 years or so it’s been considered pretty passé. Hedi Slimane’s skinny suit and then streetwear were the dominant menswear aesthetics until just the last two or three years, when younger men started embracing tailoring again. And when they did, they gravitated to that looser, draped style: elegant, fluid, sensual—the Armani look!
You never got the impression Mr. Armani cared about something as pedestrian as “being in fashion,” though. He did his thing and didn’t really pay attention to what was “cool” or not. Even though he was respected, that sometimes left him on the sidelines. Still, you really have to respect that sort of dedication and self-belief. Obsession, really. It’s rare today, when everyone gloms onto whatever the hot trend of the moment is. It’s rare to say a person changed the face of fashion and mean it, but with Mr. Armani, it’s actually true. It’s also impressive that he resisted the corporatization of fashion and remained independent to the very end. And as
pointed out, he didn’t even start a brand until he was 40 years old—there’s no such thing as “too late.” Rest in power, king.I always like the productive hush that falls across the city in the week leading up to NYFW—you can practically hear all the worker bees buzzing away: sewing machines humming, finishing touches being put on dramatic gowns or sculptural blouses, designers chain-smoking during endless fittings, casting directors making call after call, publicists sending off thousands of harried emails and polishing off lists of who’s in and who’s out. And—my favorite—suddenly there are all these willowy models among us, traipsing through the city like attenuated aliens. Reminders that we are mere mortals given short shrift in the grand game of genetics. Oh, the anticipation of it all!
And yet … nothing feels settled this year, everything’s so chaotic. All this minor drama is playing out against the fall of American democracy—it’s too much to process! To quote WB Yeats (and, later, Joan Didion): Things fall apart; the center cannot hold. I, myself, had been feeling restless, jittery, all week. So, I took some time to “touch grass,” as they say—which, for me, translates to “go shopping.” Nothing like stepping away from the cold, hard glare of a computer screen and running your hands over some new-season merch to get your mind off all the madness. It was good timing, despite the late-summer heat—store racks are starting to fill up with the best of a new season. Here are a few standouts from an afternoon of shopping.
Dries Van Noten Double-Breasted Blazer, $1,195
I stopped by Ven. Space in Brooklyn, and the shelves were freshly stocked, and, despite it being midday on a Thursday, the place was buzzing. I’ve written about the store a few times, and I do believe it’s one of the best multi-brand retailers in the city right now. The store’s owner, Chris Green, was there, as he usually is, helping out customers. Ven. does not have any way to shop online, and that seems to work fine—if you want to buy something, you have to visit in person.
I walked in and BOY what a RUSH! So much to try on. I’ve already told you that I’m in the market for a double-breasted suit jacket, and this one, from Dries, was really excellent. The perfect shade of brown, a nice bit of structure in the shoulder, but still cut in a relaxed silhouette, and rendered in great all-season wool. I’m still convinced a DB is the new chore coat. I think that with Mr. Armani’s death, we’ll see a lot more of them around, too.
Rier Fleece Sweatshirt, $1,280
Rier’s bread and butter is making “I’m not a regular fleece, I’m a cool fleece” pullovers. It all stems from its designer, Andreas Steiner, and his childhood memories of growing up in the Italian Alps. It’s very Gorpcore 2.0.
I tried on a few last fall and remember thinking they were solid, but when I shimmied into this one earlier in the week, I was practically euphoric. The material is one of a kind: 100% natural wool that’s an impossible combination of compact and downy yet breathable and airy. It has a substantial weight but moves with you well. The cut, too, was great, super boxy and cropped. It’s just begging to be worn under a light jacket. I like that the zippers are not only functional but serve as just the subtlest design element. And while the black was great, I’d love to try to get my hands on the blue or gray at some point.
Bottega Veneta Cotton Twill Blouson with Intrecciato Collar, $3,300
On Thursday, there was a party celebrating the launch of DVF x Henry Zankov at Bergdorf Goodman. I used it as an excuse to see what was new over at the iconic retailer and did a quick sprint around the designer collections on the third floor to check out the new deliveries.
Since seeing Pedro Pascal wear a Bottega jacket like this one in the spring, it has been on my mind, almost constantly! So when I spotted it giving me a come-hither look from a rack, who was I to ignore it? Well, it’s heaven on a hanger. Lightweight and shapely on the body, with that distinctive collar giving it just enough capital-F Fashion. It’s a dream. Does anyone have $3,300 I can borrow??
Zankov Julienne Sweater, $625
As mentioned, I was at Bergdorf to fete Henry Zankov’s capsule with Diane Von Furstenberg (who wasn’t there but was instead holed up at her Venice abode—nice work if you can get it!). It’s wonderful, and you can check it out here (the sequin hoodie is [chef’s kiss]).
I’m lucky to consider Henry a friend, and it’s no big secret that he’s just a really wonderful designer whose work is hopeful, joyful, and optimistic in a time when we need exactly that. Why, he’s so good he won the CFDA Award for Best Emerging Designer last year! And, as you can plainly see, this sweater is a showstopper, so when I passed by the rack it was on, I immediately had to try it on. I think the color-blocking is irresistible fun. She’s a good time girl who gives you a surprise from every angle!
Phobe Philo Jacket with Attachable Scarf, $9,350
I actually mentioned this jacket a few weeks back, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see it in the flesh and shrug it onto my very own shoulders. Well, reader, it did not disappoint. The most luscious leather my undeserving fingers have ever caressed in a singular putty-toned shade of taupe. Earlier this week, Phoebe herself was spotted in a black version, and, of course, as soon as I saw her in it, I immediately wanted to throw the entire contents of my closet onto the street, douse them in gasoline, and throw a match on them! Because I had seen the platonic ideal of a perfect outfit! Loose trousers, slim crewneck sweater over a white tee, and this very leather jacket! Nirvana had been achieved!
Small side note: While I do not love this photo, I’m posting it because the Bergdorf employee SHOUTED at me, “No photos!” So, consider this a little fuck you. It’s a store, you should be able to … take a photo of yourself? He did immediately follow up, saying it’s a request from Phoebe herself. Look, I respect Queen Philo, but the BG employees on the floor were being a little too c*nty for my liking on Thursday. Like … let’s take a breath, everyone. There are pictures of the jacket online. It’s an expensive garment, not the unreleased Epstein files, for Christ’s sake.
The Row Diano Jacket, $2,990; The Row Striped Cotton Shirt, $1,350
I’ve got it on good authority that Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles are pretty much wearing head-to-toe The Row in the recently surfaced photos of them together. Makes sense, they look incredible. Also incredible was basically everything from The Row over at Bergdorf, but these two green items stood out from the sea of calming neutrals. The jacket was a superb update to the now-ubiquitous barn coat, cut in a just-so oversized silhouette in a minty shade of green with a contrast collar. The shirt was in a similar vein: oversized, easy, rendered in a lush shade of green in preppy stripes and crisp, creamy cotton. It’s giving Dior, it’s giving Dior-giving-J.Crew. I’m in!
Miu Miu Nylon Windbreaker, $4,100; Miu Miu Wool Zip-Up Bomber, $3,500
I have written about Miu Miu boys, and I feel in my soul that I am one. If only my wallet would catch up! 😭 Bergdorfs didn’t have a ton of MM, which surprised me—the salesperson said they sort of trickle in slowly. However, they did have a pretty solid selection of mid-season lightweight jackets. The nylon anorak on the left is just the perfect summer-to-fall sporty moment—I saw Josh O’Connor wearing it way back in January and have dreamed of it ever since. The navy one on the right is just the perfect blouson shape—cropped, boxy, breezy, carefree. Just like me!
Bode Lace Shirt, $459
I have around 150 pictures of me in this shirt, which I stumbled across at my local
store (the Brooklyn Court Street location), and yet not a single one turned out good enough to post. TRR: I need y’all to work on that dressing room lighting, for the love of God! Still, this shirt embodies a genre of clothing I love: Secret Sexy. At first glance, it’s just a black button-up in an effortless silhouette. But on closer inspection, it has strategically placed lace cutouts(!). So picture this: we’re talking at a party and suddenly—surprise!—you’re like Oh, excuse me, Max is showing me some skinnnn. Skin is in, baby! Get into it.Balenciaga Loop Sports Icon Fleece Jacket, $3,590
Is this jacket absolutely ridiculous? Yes. Do I adore it? Yes. The heart wants what it wants!
I am experimenting with affiliate links, but I swear on Liza Minelli’s life that every single thing in this newsletter is something that I would personally buy if I were rich!!
wtf phoebe!!!!
that minty Row!