I was one of those teenagers who dreamed of becoming the kind of woman who wore matching lingerie sets. Maybe it was my incessant consumption of French Girl media or a counteraction to the anti-sex, anti-frivolity of the evangelical church. Whatever it was, the first year I moved to New York, I marched into Journelle for a set of my own.

What business did I, an eighteen-year-old who often sported a debit card balance of $73, have being there? The sales associate didn’t seem to mind. She offered me a water, a piece of chocolate, and for the first time since middle school, measured me for a bra. Back in my dorm, I folded the lavender Journelle bag lovingly, sliding it under my twin bed. Saving the set for big test days or dinners I hoped would turn into dancing, I fulfilled one of those sacred, private teenage montage moments of what I thought life as a grown up would feel like.

Then life as a grown up actually happened. I made $42,000 in fashion. Then I nannied. And grad school wasn’t really the place to splurge on a $120 bra. So I built an underwear drawer that felt like me, not the version of me highly influenced by Vogue fashion closet videos and Funny Face.

A Sports Bra That Feels Enough Like A Shirt—

I always come back to this sports bra. It’s under $50. I’ve had one of these for 8 years of washing almost weekly. As someone who needs support, but doesn’t want to feel like Im serving a sexy workout look all of the time, I love that it’s high-necked.

Grown Up Hanes Underwear—

Trust me. It does not get better. 6 organic cotton pairs of underwear for under $10. I buy a pack pretty much every year. Sometimes these sell out, just saying.

Chic, Ideal Self Underwear—

If you work for Cuup, please respond to this email. There’s hardly a brand I have more affinity for than the brilliant, always cool Cuup. I have a 3-pack of the high waisted pairs and lots of the thongs, too. It’s a splurge that’s 100% worth it, especially in the summer (read as: breathable).

The Best Bra—

Speaking of! This is the bra to end all bras. I’ve tried them all so you don’t have to. I have three of these and feel like all my close friends wear this one too. Bonus! Cuup does fittings online, which I find very relaxing versus going in-store. Here’s my second fav.

Honorable Mention Brand—

I love Knickey. Cute colors, great materials, the sort of price point that feels approachable but not annoying for this sort of thing. This bralette is great and these are my fav underwear from them.

Actually Affordable Period Underwear—

This is my new favorite product in my period arsenal. If you get a period, you get it. I also love, love having a pair in a nude color so I can feel confident and cool wear lights, all month long. (candor alert)

It’s a mini installment this time around! There are lots of great guests coming up soon, even more amazing vintage finds, but wanted to take a beat this week. Remember, we’re resting, people.

I’m going to start linking my notion template, Wear Your Clothes, at the bottom of every newsletter. See here for a quick explainer on what it is. If you’re looking to cement your personal style or support this (forever and always) free newsletter, go forth.

Honorable Mentions

So, I only bought ONE thing. And it’s because I sold something very similar on Noihsaf. Ignore the horrible image quality. I bought this Dries alpaca wool sweater for $98 on eBay. It turns out, 27 is the year I start investing in sweaters.

Ok, I promised fun podcasts! Here are some recent favs. And these are not curated or cool. These are the weird conversations I listen to on my walks and I refuse to feel shame.

The Unedited—two gal pals in Chicago without a clear outline

Him & Her—unfortunately, I am obsessed

Work Party—female founder chats

Perelel Lives—mom/cool women interviews

Common Shapes—all about life as an artist

In The Sauce—all things food CPG

Thresholds—writer talks

Now books!

Talk Stories—installments from Jamaica Kincaid's "The Talk of the Town" and first impressions of NY

Saving Time—my favorite of Jenny Odell’s books, very personal and less academic/boring (sorry!) than her first

What Bravery Looks Like—memoir on grief alert! very sad, totally compelling

We All Loved Cowboys—love a short road trip novel, explores romance + female friendship

BONUS! I bought this planner and feel a. more motivated b. like a kid in the best way c. organized.

Thank you for reading! See you next, next Thursday x