An all-over-the-place assortment of stood-behind products culled from this very website that appears in the most recent March issue of New York Magazine.
Best in Class
On the hunt for a not-too-expensive, yet well-made, cashmere sweater, Strategist writers Brenley Goertzen and Arielle Avila sought recommendations from 19 people whose taste and expertise they trust, including stylists, clothing-brand founders, and boutique owners, and wore more than a dozen options over many months. The winner was Naadam’s the Original Cashmere Sweater. The cut is classic—a crewneck with ribbing at the collar, cuffs, and hem—and the fabric is soft without being mushy (a sign of a low-quality garment). It held up well for both Goertzen and Avila over the time they regularly wore it, though Avila did note that the arms have stretched out ever so slightly (but that’s mainly because she likes to roll up her sleeves throughout the day).
Celebrity Shopping
“I have a lot of things that I’m quite good at, but making coffee was never one of them. Then I bought this and read the instructions carefully. Now, I make gorgeous coffee. I can use it to make one-to- four cups, as opposed to a huge amount of coffee, which I really like.”
“This backpack is huge. It can be an outdoorsy camping backpack that can fit a lot of stuff into it, and it’s also the perfect traveling backpack.”
“It’s really hard to find the right shades for my makeup and especially for blush. This nailed it. The color is glowy and radiant, and the pigment really comes through.”
Painless Shopping
While I yearn for the $88 Gohar World dessert coupe, you can absolutely kit out your home in metal with this trick. –Erin Schwartz
A double-walled dish for your keys and knickknacks (or a sundae).
This small plate has rolled edges and is made of sturdy 18-gauge aluminum.
I could stare at the flanged edges of this tray for hours.
Strategist Explains
The juicy stuff that runs off your steak is the latest thing in moisturizing chatter. But does it work? –Tembe Denton-Hurst
The hype may be warranted: Beef tallow is packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K as well as fatty acids that support the skin barrier, and most skin types can tolerate it fairly well. But not all tallow products are created equal. Some studies have shown that grass- finished beef (from cows that eat grass or forage) has a higher omega-3 content than grain-fed beef. How much of those increased omega-3’s get passed to tallow hasn’t been studied, but the thinking is that the elevated fatty-acid level from the source would translate to better barrier support and more hydration. Also, there are two ways to process tallow—wet and dry rendering—and dry rendering is considered superior. While some brands disclose their sourcing, few discuss their processing methods. So how can you tell if you’ve picked a high-quality product? The more the tallow smells slightly beefy, the better. Of half a dozen formulas I’ve tested, only one had a beefy scent: My Neighbor’s Tallow Bambino Balm. It has three ingredients—tallow, jojoba oil, and vitamin E—and is lightweight and moisturizing. If you want to try the trend, this is the tallow I suggest.
Strategist Hunt
These rustic shoes ease my runner’s-knee pain and are stylish enough to pair with any outfit. –Mya Gelber
For the past year, I’ve been looking for an in-between shoe—something with the aesthetic appeal and versatility of a Birkenstock but not one. (I can never get comfortable in the Boston clog.) I tried a Dansko, attempted a Blundstone (which sold out before I could snag a pair), and considered Salomons that looked like water shoes. Then, while browsing at Macy’s, I stumbled upon the answer to my prayers: the Earth Kolia Casual Heeled Mules. My feet have never felt such comfort. The clogs have a natural-cork footbed with arch support and a platform sole that gives me some extra height. Best of all, my feet stay securely in place—no toe gripping required.
I Keep Seeing This
aA long last, a successor to Aesop’s hand wash has emerged: Loewe’s Tomato Leaves. Bowen Yang keeps it in his bathroom (“The scent is pretty confidently, brazenly tomato.
It does not try to cut it with anything else,” he says), and at the upscale fried-chicken restaurant Coqodaq, where guests can also choose between pumps of Diptyque, Byredo, and Trudon, Loewe’s soap is by far the most popular. It’s expensive, but could we really call something the next Aesop if it didn’t give us a jolt of sticker shock? Plus, half of what you’re paying for is the look of the bottle on your counter, and Loewe’s aesthetic is especially nice. –Bella Druckman
Ask a Cool Person
I interviewed stylists, Substack writers, and my colleagues at the Strategist to find an assortment of trusted options. –Bella Druckman
This is made ever so sexy by three- quarter sleeves and a peek of collarbone. But beware, says Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla, who owns it:
“It’s on the shorter side, so size up.”
With its lived-in feel and dropped shoulders, this tee is ideal for relaxing but can also work at the office with a belt and sweater.
This one approaches the realm of crewneck sweatshirt: It’s made from cotton jersey, which Strategist writer Dominique Pariso says feels hefty without making you overheat. She has worn it at least once a week since she bought it.
This is a great sturdy, canvas-y shirt to wear to work and then out to a nice dinner with friends. “It has a cool, chic kind of California vibe,” says stylist Conni Jespersen.
or most, this shirt hits around the hip. “It’s not so short that you can’t tuck it in, but it doesn’t feel too long,” says stylist Gab Saper. One client called it “the perfectly shaped T-shirt.”
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
