The Goods #5: Old is New

OG styles making a comeback this summer

The Inspiration. L: dELiA*s 1996 Summer catalog, R: Take Ivy by Shosuke Ishizu and Toshiyuki Kurosu originally published in 1965 in Japan (the whole story of how this book came to be is incredible and documented in the Articles of Interest pod)

Here’s the deal—I love fashion. I truly do. This Substack was started to share the things I'm passionate about, so naturally, fashion is on that list. This month, I'm exploring the nostalgic resurgence of classic styles that make fashion endlessly inspiring and fun to me, playing with history and personal storytelling.

As temperatures across the country finally warm up and summer vacation feels around the corner, there is a collective itch to ditch the layers and shop. And with that in mind, what I’m seeing is a comeback of styles from my middle and high school years.

Designers are deconstructing and reimagining classic styles to not only revist the past but also comment on the current cultural climate - nostalgia provides a comforting anchor in our fast-paced digital age. So today’s Goods features a few things that I have been considering both today and definitely reflecting on how they felt to younger me.

BOAT SHOES

Boat Shoes on the runway: Shots from last fall’s Miu Miu SS 24 show at the far left and right with Bally in the middle.

Boat shoes, named the IT-shoe of the year by Vogue, have seen a nostalgic resurgence, straight from the Miu Miu runways to everyday fashion. This revival is a nod to American prep heritage that's finding new life in today’s fashion scene. Shoes specifically have shifted away from sneaker styles to more refined styles in the past few years from loafer to ballet flats and mary janes to boat shoes. They play well with the Wrong Shoe theory shared by stylist Allison Bornstein and make sense in the context of a shift towards more sporty/athlesiure styles on one end and the rise of sheer/boho looks on the other end that have permeated every day wear. Boat shoes are the perfect foil to complete a look.

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While the Miu Miu boat shoe, with its higher vamp, clean stitching, and thin sole, stands out from typical boat shoes, there are plenty of fun ways to embrace this trend without breaking the bank - from classic Sperry’s, G.H Bass, and Land’s End.

Clockwise from top-left: Miu Miu ($925), Bally ($850), Sperry ($110), G.H Bass ($145), and Sebago ($185)

OVERALLS

L to R: Rachel Cohen Smolyar, Laurel Pantin in Still Here, Jalil Johnson in vintage, Courtney Grow in Carhartt WIP, Kia Desiree Goodsby in Alex Mill

A few weeks ago, white overalls literally took over my feed - specifically two recently launched versions from Still Here and Alex Mill (thank you, influencer marketing!). Overalls are as American as you can get, and their newfound fame aligns with the broader trend of classic workwear that we are seeing with Carhartt work jackets leading the space.

Tried on this Tibi jumpsuit which feels like an elevated play on the overalls trend and more like where I’d land.

In a similar vein of what a boat shoe does to create friction with a sporty or more feminine leaning outfit, I like the idea of juxtaposing overalls with the sharpness of a preppy element like loafers (or boat shoes) and a button down. The tension of the opposites (especially in American fashion history) makes it feel fresh, modern, and interesting but most importantly, a lot less like I’m running out for recess.

Vintage Sears Hickory Stripe ( Etsy, ebay) Still Here ($345), Levi’s ($108), Alex Mill ($215), Carhartt WIP ($185), Denimist($465)

EMBELLISHED BELTS

Belted Inspiration: Leandra Medine, Yumi Shin, Tamu McPherson, Ramya Giangola

Belts, a clear staple, are experiencing a revival, echoing the early 2000s' fascination with statement pieces that had no real functional benefit. Today's styles, however, blend past influences with contemporary flair—like Tibi's canvas web belt, which merges practicality with the punk/skater vibes of my youth. The insanely popular Khaite Benny (especially at that price tag!) belt, while sleeker than the grommet belts of my Pac Sun days, similarly adds a touch of rebellious style to modern outfits.

Imagine me as said skater girls above.

Clockwise from top left: Massimo Dutti ($100), Khaite Benny ($580), Heaven Mayhem ($200), Banana Republic ($80), Dehanche ($200; On Sale in Latte for $80), J.Crew ($60), Tibi ($325)

I could keep going and going here (should I??) as lots more from the 90s and early aughts are making a comeback from capris and jorts to shell necklaces and bubble hem skirts. I loving seeing these pieces that feel so inherently familiar, but have been modernized in interesting ways. It feels like a portal where I can play with ideas and styles from a younger version of me that are undoubtedly still a part of me today.