The Group Chat | Vol.2
we're talking high summer with a splash of pre-fall: beachwear refresh, a moment of sheer bliss, falling for unconventional hues and getting into the suede of things
Welcome to volume two of The Group Chat, a monthly download of things on my radar — from new brand discoveries and emerging trends to beauty obsessions and home decor gems. High summer is in full swing and pre-fall has started to arrive — here's what I'm loving and what's catching my eye...
High summer style
If you're gearing up for a late summer getaway and need to refresh your beachwear, check out these bold pieces from the Issimo x Lido capsule. I recently stumbled upon Fisch, a standout swim brand that's caught my attention. Their best-selling Regatta swimsuit (currently on sale!) has this eye-catching zig-zag detail and comes in a range of vibrant colors and prints. To complete the look, I'd pair it with a Soleil Soleil pareo (bonus: they're under $100) and some square Havaianas. Perfect for soaking up those last rays of summer!
For al fresco dinners, I’m all about the effortless yet polished vibe of a sheer top over a simple slip dress and barely-there sandals (I wore a version of this for a dinner on Cape Cod). The Donni organza top is a standout in my book, as is The Frankie Shop's take on the trend. My heart skipped a beat when I found this blazer version on Etsy, which is currently sitting in my cart. For those daring to go head-to-toe sheer, Salterhouse offers a dress version aptly called Ghost Dress. Theory's version comes with built-in coverage, so no need to figure out what to wear underneath (brides, take note of this option). If you’re hesitant about this trend overall, may I suggest this shirt as your gateway. By the way, Maria Hyde of Essential Reads published a fabulous post on all things sheer — it’s worth checking out!
To me, accessories are eternal game-changers. If you're looking to refresh your vacation pieces without splurging on an entirely new wardrobe, adding interest through accessories is your best bet. Bags, in particular, can completely transform your outfits. I’m drawn to the unique silhouettes of Ines Bressand’s raffia bags as well as Cesta Collective’s stunning lunch pail and taco tote. A perennial fave of mine, Dragon Diffusion just dropped this two-toned woven beauty (here’s a wallet-friendly alt).
And let's not forget about your hair! If you're like me and prefer to skip styling in the summer (air dry for the win!), these chic hair claws from Machete might just become your new best friend.
On my (pre-fall) radar
I know I just said summer isn't over, but can we talk about fall for a sec? This season, I'm all about embracing color — but not your typical fall palette. I'm particularly drawn to pops of butter yellow, key lime green (brat summer is extending into fall — I’m calling it), and pale pink, all grounded in rich chocolate brown and cherry red. This is quite the departure from my typical fall palette of greys, camels, black, navy, and cream (don't worry, they're still my staples). But I'm itching to freshen up my fall wardrobe with pops of color here and there. Maybe through accessories — after all, cooler weather means more options. Hello, scarf weather!
Speaking of accessories, suede is set for a major moment this season. Freda Salvador just launched their first fall drop featuring a stain-resistant suede version* of their quintessential Elba loafers (LWSF15 gets you 15% off your first purchase). High on my wishlist are these gorgeous Le Monde Beryl flats with western-inspired buckles — I'm utterly obsessed! Bags are fair game as well — Aesther Ekme's FW24 collection showcases sumptuous yet understated suede creations, embodying the designer's signature blend of Brazilian modernism and Scandinavian minimalism. I’m crushing on the Lune bag (wallet-friendly alt here) and the Sac Tote (wallet-friendly option) — both are excellent options for an everyday bag this season. The Charlie and Lee* bags from Parker Thatch, a small, female co-founded brand in the Bay Area, are fantastic options too. Don't forget to accessorize yours with bag charms, another trend taking off this fall.
Field jackets are marching straight into fall's fashion frontlines, emerging as another major trend this season. This week Jess Graves of The Love List published a deep dive on the field jacket that's an absolute must-read. After scouring the web, I've rounded up my top field jacket picks which includes knockout options from Shaina Mote, Doen, Buck Mason, Everlane, Quaker Marine (a borrowed-from-the-boys moment!), and of course, vintage Carhartt.
I’ve got denim on my mind too. Specifically, Jamie Haller’s long awaited denim collection which could drop any day now — no specific launch date but in her latest newsletter, she mentioned it’ll go live once the first pair hits the warehouse. Buckle up bb’s!
High summer beauty
Post Cape Cod, I've mastered the art of the 5-minute no-makeup makeup face. It starts with my holy grail Fara Homidi essential face compact to blur out imperfections, followed by the Saie dew liquid bronze (so easy to apply!) for a sun-kissed glow and my favorite blush of the moment. Blush is my desert island makeup must-have, so I'm always excited to try out the latest releases. I'm v impressed with the formula of Danessa Myricks blurring blush balm (I love the shade rose n brunch) and my newest fave is the Rhode pocket blush in Freckle (I also have Toasted Teddy which I sometimes layer under Freckle in lieu of bronzer). I’ve heard amazing things about Ami Colé blush and lip multistick —it's on deck for my next product test drive!
I also took advantage of my summer getaway to try Vacation, a new-to-me sunscreen brand that's been on my radar for a while. I tried their Classic sunscreen spray and Mineral lotion — I was impressed with both formulas and especially loved their non-greasy and invisible finish. The Mineral lotion is unscented while the Classic sunscreen boasts their signature scent — spoiler alert: it smells divine!
Despite having oily skin throughout my teenage years and adult life, I've come to embrace luxurious oils that I’ve discovered works wonders for my skin type. From tresses to toes, these are the elite oils that have earned a spot in my (beauty) hall of fame — hair: RŌZ Willow Glen Treatment Oil* and RŌZ Santa Lucia styling oil*; face: Le Prunier Plum Beauty oil; nail/cuticle: TenOverTen Rose cuticle oil; body: OSEA Undaria body oil. Did I pack travel sizes of these oils for my summer vacay? You bet I did.
Speaking of travel sizes, the team at RŌZ graciously gifted me their discovery kit*, which includes mini sizes of their essentials. I've been singing RŌZ's praises for months now, and it's safe to say I've ascended to full-fledged devotee status. Having my hair care favorites at my fingertips while on holiday was truly a delight. For those intrigued by the brand, their discovery kit offers an ideal introduction to their best-selling products (LINKSWESENDFRIENDS grants you a 15% discount).
I'm naturally a mosquito magnet especially in the summer, so I always come prepared with my essentials. I've been using Kinfield's natural mosquito repellent (I love the wipes for ease of travel) for several years now and swear by it. Their relief balm is also highly effective and conveniently comes in patches for travel. I'm intrigued by the Kate McLeod natural insect repellent stone, but it might be better suited for cooler weather since it has a tendency to melt in extremely hot conditions.
Summer home delights
I recently discovered La Romaine Editions, a French tableware and decor brand founded by former fashion buyer Pauline Vincent. I'm smitten with their La Mer collection — an assortment of sea-inspired tableware and linens.
I've been obsessing over splatterware for some time now and have been wanting to start a collection. I have a few enamel bowls from Crow Canyon, and I'm eyeing this enamel serving platter from Toast. Handmade Italian splatterware ceramics are the ultimate dream, of course, and I'm loving the options from March, a local home store in SF and Ivoangel, an Italian-based web shop that works directly with the expert local artisans from Tuscany and Umbria.
In case you haven't heard, tomato-scented everything are all the rage these days (blame Loewe). My tried-and-true favorites are Flamingo Estate’s Roma Heirloom tomato candle and hand soap — both have earned a permanent spot in my kitchen. Hotel Lobby Collection’s newest Hamptons candle smells like fresh summer bounty from the farmer’s market — it sold out immediately, so sign up for notifications to get your hands on this delightful scent! On the topic of candles, Sidia's candle collection has piqued my interest and is next on my list to try.
Chat soon,
xx Angela
Items marked with an asterisk were kindly gifted by brand partners. This post also includes some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. As always, I only include links for products I genuinely use and love, or would happily buy for myself.
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So many good new to me finds in this post! Loving your fall color palette too
This post is a treasure trove!! I love that you included beauty and (esp) home finds! Loving the green slip dress for pre-fall.