Welcome to the Hot List! A monthly column from fashion sourcer extraordinaire Gab Waller. As a professional personal shopper to some of the best dressed girls—she gets about 100 requests a day to track down hard-to-find wares!—Waller spends her days sourcing the most in-demand fashion and accessories. Each month and exclusively for Vogue, she’ll deliver a cheat sheet of all the pieces she recommends you scoop up before it’s too late and the most dreaded three words in online shopping (“out of stock”) appear. This is a world in which I live and breathe,” says Waller. “I get to be a ‘fashion detective’ day in and day out and I have eyes and ears all over the globe.” Let the fashion snooping begin!
“What pieces should I invest in?” is a common question filtering into my Instagram DM’s on a daily basis (right before I’m asked if I can source them!). With the rise of timeless style, this question certainly comes at no surprise. When I consider investment dressing, my mind immediately goes to cost per wear – the metric used to determine the real cost of your item based on how many times you’ve worn it. I invest in pieces that I know I will receive a high cost-per-wear return on. In short, I want an endless and never-ending return (wear) on that item. Will you be wearing these items three years from now? Absolutely, yes! Better yet, you will be wearing them far beyond that. They have no end date. They will never go out of style.
When looking at investment dressing, we can allow our minds to ponder. We can look towards The Row’s highest caliber of quality remaining at the forefront of their designs (insert: their Kitan scuba coat below). We can envision Khaite’s perfect satin mini dress being styled in an endless amount of different ways. We can admire Totême’s unique twist on an everyday basic top. We can appreciate celebrity favorite Mimchik’s design philosophy of every single leather jacket being hand distressed, as seen here on Lori Harvey.
Below, you will find my key pieces to invest in for the season ahead. They come from designers that continue to sit high in my most requested folder (and continue to sell out just as quickly), and will continue to sit high in rotation for your daily uniform for many years to come, making them the perfect investment piece.
July’s The Hot List
- The It-Girl Swimsuit: Hunza G x Rose Inc One Shoulder Swimsuit, $225
- The Summer LBD: Khaite Strapless Mini Satin Dress,
$1,280$672 - The Going Out Top: Totême Cut-Out Top, $247
- The Buzziest Bag of the Season: The Row Off White ’90s Bag, $1,090
- The Open-Weave Flats: The Row Black Slingback Slippers, $1,090
- The Summer Blazer: Wardrobe NYC Release 12 Double-Breasted Jacket, $1,489
- The Quite Luxury Loafer: Loro Piana Summer Charms Walk Suede Loafers, $1,025
- The Absolutely Perfect Plain White Tee: Shop RLT White Tee, $65
- The Logo-less Sneaker: Saint Laurent Andy Logo Print Sneakers, $745
- The Pretty Pouch: Jil Sander Tan Small Sphere Pouch, $1,080
- The Best Travel Bag: Bottega Veneta Arco Medium Tote, $5,000
Hunza G answers one of our most difficult questions when shopping online: ‘What size am I?’. With every single piece being one size fits all, they couldn’t have made it easier for us. The color ways introduced in their latest collaboration with Rose Inc is truly an investment wardrobe dream.
The highest caliber of quality remains at the forefront of The Row’s designs. Featuring an off-shoulder neckline and fitted silhouette, this is your answer to the everyday black dress. It will take you from day to night, and everywhere in between.
The sun goes down, and you need a dress that will take you well into the evening. Enter Khaite’s little black satin dress. Effortlessly chic, in every single way. Personally, I would pair it with an elegant stud earring and tennis necklace. In the cooler months, style this with a sheer pair of stockings and black pump = chef’s kiss!
Totême has created a unique take on the everyday cutout top. Featuring a high neck neckline with a low back (my ideal combination!), the styling options with this piece are truly endless. Thankfully for us, it does come with a matching skirt option.
Coming in as one of my most requested bags by The Row is their N/S Park Tote. I call this THE errand tote – no matter what errand you’re running that day, this tote bag has you sorted. Produced in a variety of colorways, and bound to be scratch-free with its grained calfskin finish.
We all need a classic leather blazer, and this Ferragamo style, with its minimalistic silhouette and double-breasted button front closure comes in at number one. I particularly like the asymmetrical element and that it’s slightly cropped.
Day to night is my number one rule of thumb when on the hunt for my next go-to handbag. Will this bag take me from lunch to after-work drinks? The Lotus mini suede bag by Khaite most certainly will. Elegantly chic, and the baby blue colorway is a wardrobe must.
Needing no introduction is the ’90s Bag by The Row. We’ve now reached a point where I’m receiving sourcing requests for this bag daily (yes, daily!), and lucky for us, it’s currently available online. Sophisticated, understated, and timeless—the ultimate trifecta.
Although this piece is dedicated to investment dressing, I do want to make an honorable mention that fishnet shoe styles are certainly trending right now, with the sourcing requests coming through at a rapid pace. With that said, this new style by The Row beams timelessness. It will be a summer favorite, for years to come!
Recently spotted on Kendall Jenner, in numerous looks, this is the everyday go-to loafer that I can confirm is just as comfortable as they look. The crinkled leather elevates the style and provides a distinctive twist.
Jil Sander is a designer that continues to reign supreme with all things quiet luxury. This sphere pouch, which was produced in a number of colorways (including shearling), is a beautiful take on a classic bag. The gold-tone hardware is as chic as it is sophisticated.
Black boots for Fall are a wardrobe must-have, and this cowboy style from Coperni has continuously been popular in my requests folder. They ooze confidence, with their sleek design and pointed toe. I particularly love the wide calf design.
If there was an answer to the most perfectly tailored black coat, it would be this. Fun fact: the brand was named after Savile Row, London’s bespoke tailoring district. Featuring a buttoned front and made from a stretchy scuba front, it is ready to be layered over as many pieces as you wish.
An item we all need in our wardrobe? A double-breasted jacket. Powerful, professional, and polished – the x3 P’s that are essential in investment dressing. A particular feature I love in this ivory style from Wardrobe NYC is the contoured waist.
Sitting very high on my brand radar right now is Mimchik. Seen on the likes of Lori Harvey and Amelia Gray, their moto jacket is a standout piece and truly one-of-a-kind, with all pieces entirely hand distressed.
When Sofia Richie Grainge posted a TikTok last week with her latest errand day look, there was one question that the comments were infiltrated with: ‘Who is the belt by!?’. The answer was B-Low The Belt. The Kennedy style was produced in a number of colorways, and will elevate any look you desire.
An investment wardrobe can’t possibly exist without the perfect white tee (preferably, in multiple quantities, for easy rotation). Over the years, I’ve been on the quest for the perfect white one, and it was certainly no easy task. Having tried and tested many, Shop RLT’s design has ended my far and wide search. Lightly ribbed, relaxed, and effortless, made from 100% cotton—no further explanation needed. It is truly perfect.
No matter what day of the week it is, a white sneaker will always be easy to throw on. They will go with everything, and I mean everything, in your closet. I love the sharpness of the pristine white, with the very subtle hint of that iconic Saint Laurent logo.
This article wouldn’t be complete without Loro Piana. This brand is the epitome of investment dressing, and has been for years. Their Summer Charms Walk Suede Loafers continue to be highly requested, and continue to sell out just as fast.
A question I frequently get asked is ‘What is the best go-to airport travel bag?’, and time after time, I keep going back to the Bottega Veneta Arco bag. In the medium size, to be exact. It’s the ideal size to travel with; you can easily open it up, and even more easily place it under your seat. With an array of colors available, the options are endless.
June
For the start of summer, the items I’m eyeing share one thing in common—texture. In accessories, it means raffia and woven details. If each summer, a single raffia handbag rises to the top as the buzziest of them all—fashion’s equivalent to the summer anthem!—this summer, it’s Saint Laurent’s Le 5 à 7 in a mini shoulder bag in a woven raffia textile. Loro Piana, meanwhile, is also delivering a crochet and black leather bag that epitomizes quiet luxury goes to the beach. Fashion-wise, textures appears in knitwear. A particular ribbed pink cardigan with a ruffled hem was just snapped in a selfie from Hailey Bieber—and you can guarantee I will be tracking it for several clients—plus it comes in a matching dress designed to be worn underneath! Draped goddess-like gowns from Magda Butrym and Christopher Esber are the ideal summer night’s dress, with the sourcing requests already starting to roll in. The number one bag on my shopping list? Courtesy of one of my most requested brands right now, Alaïa’s smooth leather, heart-shaped Le Coeur bag—an accessory with as much edge as sweetness.
June’s The Hot List:
- The Heart-Shaped Bag: Alaïa Le Coeur leather shoulder bag, $1,290
- The Bieber-Approved Cardi: Khaite Zinnia ruffle silk cardigan, $960
- The Raffia Bag of Summer 2023: Saint Laurent Le 5 A 7 mini shoulder bag, $1,590
- The New Ruched Dress: Christopher Esber Pierced Orbit cut-out midi-dress, $539
- The It Espadrille: Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza Solar wedge espadrilles, $990
- The Cult Closet Staple: Éterne high-neck fitted tank top, $105
- The Cool Girl Sunnies: Acne Studios rectangle sunglasses, $350
- The Quiet Luxury Bag: The Row Slouchy Banana crossbody bag, $2,060
- The Tank Dress: Loewe Anagram ribbed midi-dress, $890
- The Naked Shoe: Totême City leather sandals, $500
If there is a brand of the moment that I’m receiving an influx of requests for, it would be Alaïa. Pieter Mulier is truly taking this legendary brand to a whole new level. Their now iconic Le Coeur heart-shaped bag is a must-have piece, with the all-new pink colorway an immediate favorite.
With raffia being one of the biggest trends I’m seeing for this Summer season, it comes as no surprise that Saint Laurent just happened to produce the most perfectly sized mini shoulder bag.
Loro Piana continues to rise in demand, with Mr. Sofia Richie Grainge certainly cementing it as the brand to know and have. With the term ‘quiet luxury’ on everyone’s lips, this Extra Pocket Medium crochet bag (who doesn’t love crochet for summer!?) is going to be very popular.
The Suzanne is chic, sophisticated, and ready for a night out. Embellished with crystals for a dazzling finish, it’s an immediate add to cart for those upcoming Summer evenings. Fun tip: it was also produced in black.
If there is one thing Loewe is going to come through with time and time again, it is great footwear (amongst everything else they do!). This wedge espadrille style tells me one thing: comfort is key here. I’m already spotting limited sizes available in some sizes, I recommend we run, not walk for these.
If Summer was summed up in a shoe, it would be these Totême sandals that would take the top prize. Simple, clean, and most importantly, comfortable. The potential styling opportunities for these are endless. An extra note: our requests for Totême have risen tremendously over the past 3 months. Could all things ‘quiet luxury’ be the reason for this?
It happens every single season. Christopher Esber releases a dress, a number of IT girls are seen wearing it, and boom – it has sold out. I can see this style below being the one for the season ahead. It screams ‘Christopher Esber aesthetic’, with the brand’s signature brass orbit details. Adds to cart immediately.
When Elsa Hosk posts a new full outfit look, my team braces ourselves for the influx of requests that will come. That is no different when she posts her latest adventure, her very own brand Helsa. Styled over a swimsuit, or with a relaxed pair of cargo pants, this denim shirt is the one to watch (and grab now).
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The more denim in our wardrobe for Summer, the better. This denim wrap by the current brand of the moment, Alaïa, will 100% sell out. I’m calling it now.
I couldn’t possibly curate a ‘soon to be sold out’ list without including Magda Butrym. The speed in which her designs sell out is unlike anything I have ever seen. Blink, and it will be gone.
All eyes are on Ferragamo right now, with their new creative director Maximilian Davis taking the brand and giving it a very fresh new energy. Recently spotted on Kylie Jenner, I can see this skirt being a sold-out style – sooner rather than later!
Back in stock, but for how long? Éterne has all the basics that you need, to wear here, there, and everywhere.
When Oliver Peoples creates a collaboration collection, we know it is bound to sell out. If that doesn’t tempt you, what if I told you that collaboration happened to be with Khaite? I can see this oval silhouette being a quick add-to-cart item.
Pink continues to be a highly requested colorway for us, with items selling out immediately upon release once they launch in pink. That stands true for this all-new Khaite cardigan. Constructed of pure silk, it is the most beautiful lightweight fabric, and those ruffled trims are the cherry on top.
Despite it not necessarily being a fresh new season style, requests do still continue to roll in for The Row Banana bag. As I write this, I’m genuinely surprised it is currently sitting available online.
Although my requests for Missoni do tend to be strong all year round, they certainly peak during Summer. Their iconic zig-zag multicolor print continues to be our most requested, and I don’t see this wrap style being available for very long. I personally love that it has the wrap tie side to personalize the fit.
With an increase in Acne Studios requests at an all-time high (perhaps the Kylie Jenner effect?), these sculptural black slides are a Summer and daily essential.
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All things cargo continue to reign supreme, and continue to sell out at lightning speed. The Attico Cargo Pants, which are the style that truly started it all, are available in green – but potentially not for long! Cost per wear (which is something very important to me) immediately comes to mind when I think of these pants, the styling options are endless.
This will be THE dress of the Summer season. I’m calling it now. With Magda Butrym’s iconic floral applique positioned on the hip and that chic high split, this is guaranteed to be seen in the wardrobe of many over the coming months. Will it be seen in yours?
Swim pieces via Christopher Esber? Say no more. This style will be spotted everywhere in the coming months. Designed to be worn as both a swim piece or bodysuit.
90’s fashion and all things vintage continue to be a highly requested era, with our requests for vintage currently at an all time high. These new Acne Studios sunglasses reference 90’s fashion, with their slick rimless look. I can see them being an immediate hit.
Elegance at its finest. If the fine gold metal chain (chic!) didn’t catch your eye, perhaps that low comfortable kitten heel will. I anticipate an incoming sold out style in no time.
Red is, and will continue to be, the color of the many seasons ahead – we will be seeing it everywhere. This crochet knit maxi dress from Ferragamo has Summer written all over it.
If the speed in which Loro Piana’s loafers sell out is anything to go by, we can place bets that the same demand will occur for their new leather sandals. Featuring an asymmetric strap and gold hardware for a unique, elegant design. Take me to the beach now.
Despite it being restocked multiple times, it continues to sell out. It’s a Summer essential in my opinion, wear it with your favorite pair of flats and a cute shoulder bag – it doesn’t get better than that.
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