Hiya and happy Saturday!
Greetings and welcome to a textile-laden newsletter. For this bad boy I was super inspired by the first Bode women’s show that was presented in Paris a couple weeks ago. I’ve long-admired Bode’s respect for the past and the extreme lengths she goes to honor it (have you seen her archive room? Nuts.). Quilts, pillowcases, rice sacks, seat covers, curtains! No textile is off-limits and everything is cherished, blemishes and all.
While the Bode line has been around since 2016, it feels right that she has expanded this year. As we’ve seen in recent home goods trends, there’s been a tidal wave of popularity for the hobbled-together, well-loved wonky goods, and her clothes feel similar. It’s no surprise that we turn so readily toward a cozy, lived-in version of the past when the present feels so bleak and uncertain. Reasoning aside, what we’ve got today is a big list of things that are reminiscent of the Bode vibe. Some of the items could walk the runway and some are much more ~in the vein of~ but not exacting. Honestly I had to whittle this list down from about 100 items, so there’s plenty out there to choose from! The beauty of Bode being so deeply inspired by and using fashion history is that it makes it pretty easy to approximate! Some key words for when you’re searching: soutache, chenille, chainstitch, embroidered, quilted, patchwork, cowichan, gabardine, novelty, varsity, 1940s, and any and all leather fringe.
Before we get to that, though, if you’re in the market for some new Bode-style goods without the (sadly unattainable for me) Bode prices, allow me to share two accounts that can provide bespoke clothes made of vintage textiles. 3WomenCo dabbles mainly with rice and flour sacks to create super cool, modern silhouette clothes. Hola Aida mainly uses lace and embroidered goods for a more directional and stylish take. Regardless, you can’t lose with either!
And now…lots of stuff! Happy shopping!
1. Woven Guatemalan jacket, $225 (short version here). Stunning.
2. Sally LaPointe cords, $50. Lounge-y but chic.
3. 40s ski sweater, $84 (cropped alternative here). LOVE a novelty sweater.
4. Patchwork rainbow top, $86. Click the link! Fab textile.
5. Yellow ribbon dress, $34. Like 40s ribbon dresses but more affordable.
6. Outlander sweater duster, $50. I think my favorite in the list.
7. Bread sweatshirt, $52. Love a vintage goof.
8. Pinstripe/angel vest jumpsuit, $68. The back!
9. Cream lace button down, $33. Perf layering piece.
10. Rust chenille duster, $150. Might be a robe? But I’d wear it out in the world.
11. Flocked star sailor pants, $38 (classic navy here). SO many sailor pant options on Etsy.
12. Guiri striped knit polo, $35 (brown option here). Knit polos forever! The slinkier, the better.
13. Marbled green roll neck sweater, $50. Wear over #16.
14. Muted floral mohair sweater, $40. Great colors.
15. Chestnut corduroy pants, $40. The embroidery!
16. Yellow stripe silk blouse, $18. Forever classic.
17. Green embroidered button down, $42. Super Bode.
18. Brown collarless faux fur jacket, $60. Great closure detail.
19. Red embroidered cropped pants, $70. Mega Bode.
20. ‘Big Fish’ blouse, $55. More vintage goof!
21. Anne Klein gingham blazer, $75. A nod to the 20s while maintaining modernity.
22. Wine chenille cardigan, $55. Real good silhouette.
23. Sequin/beaded tank, $54. The pattern of this is v special.
24. Green floral chenille jacket, $30. Also kind of Marni-ish?
25. Navy corduroy & patent coat, $99. Patent pockets!
26. Marching band pants, $50. Classics.
27. Gray & red striped cardigan, $48. The color combo.
28. Yellow stripe wool jacket, $75. Hudson Bay-esque but affordable.
29. Brown slouchy linen blazer, $53. Unassuming but very Bode slouch and length.
30. Red chenille-top dress, $34. Comfy yet bold.
31. Donna Karan quilted silver velvet dress, $100. Click the link! Gorgeous.
32. Gold tinsel jacket, $89. Mellow glamour.
33. Melon striped cardigan, $48. Cool with #2.
34. Dried flowers sweater, $35. This pattern!! And it’s a set!
That’s it for this week! Stay warm and safe and thank you so much for being here! xx Maggie
(also p.s. as it’s so cold, can I suggest some delicious South Asian comfort food by my friend Uma? Paro is delicious and easy and I’m so proud of her and this incredible line! This is a legit suggestion, I’ve tried it and it really is so good n easy!)