Listening, Reading, Thinking, Shopping, Watching / 23 (Spring Things)
Notes on self-respect and motorcycle jackets in Paris; semaglutide's many applications; socks & loafers, the classic blazer for spring 2025, and so much more
At this moment, I am considering a recipe for Honey, Lavender, & Elderberry Basque Cheesecake—an artefact of aspiration I will preserve but never actualise. The light lingers now, stretches itself across familiar surfaces, and the clocks surrender to spring in twelve days' time. I find myself in that peculiar state of emergence, like a butterfly testing wings after the private darkness of transformation. Dreams form with new precision: café terraces with their particular geometry of afternoon shadows, the careful ritual of walks threading between Mayfair's pubs and Notting Hill's pink magnolias—those reliable witnesses to seasonal resurrection.
Winter had assumed the quality of permanence. Now, brightness arrives carrying possibility in its particular weight. There is something profound in leaving the house unarmored by wool, in the vulnerability of exposed ankles, in skin that remembers its capacity for dewiness rather than the defensive dryness imposed by artificial heat and natural cold. I exist in this interstitial space—pensive yet kinetic, contemplative yet productive—which explains the early arrival of this letter, evidence of a mind finally moving at its own necessary rhythm.
In this instalment, I return to the familiar cadence of "Listening, Reading, Thinking, Shopping, Watching"—that curated archaeology of consciousness revealed through open tabs, captured images, and the telling breadcrumbs of search histories. This week's constellation includes my reflection on Didion's seminal essay on self-respect from Vogue's 1961 pages; the trendy chicness of motorcycle jackets reimagined as Parisian bohemia; a new hotel’s grand opening in Litchfield, Connecticut; the cultural preoccupation with semaglutide's promises; the quiet statement of socks paired with loafers; and other fragments that, when assembled, form something like a portrait of this particular moment's preoccupations...
PS This email may be truncated in your inbox—if so, simply click on "View entire message" to see everything. Tap the heart above to like it xo
TRENDING /everyone in paris is wearing motorcycle jackets
The boho chic trend was revived by Chloé’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, which featured flowing fabrics, intricate lace, and romantic silhouettes reminiscent of early 2000s bohemian fashion. The MOTO BOHO trend is a fusion of the free-spirited bohemian style and the edgy, rugged aesthetic of moto fashion. According to Pinterest, Moto Boho features “chunky leather handbags, flowy skirts, moto boots and just enough fringe”. This trend involves mixing soft, delicate fabrics like chiffon and lace with tougher materials like leather and suede. Colours often include earthy tones and neutrals, with occasional pops of black.
Of course, if you'd rather forgo the Moto Boho but still wear the season's staple, you can style your jacket in shades of monochrome (above) for an elevated, sophisticated look. This approach maintains the edge of moto styling while creating a refined aesthetic that works beautifully for both casual settings and more polished environments. It's the perfect alternative.
1 - AMI Paris Black Zipped Leather Jacket // 2 - Alexander Wang Black Cropped Leather Jacket // 3 - The Frankie Shop Black Viper Leather Jacket // 4 - KHAITE Brown Shelman Leather Jacket // 5 - VETEMENTS Black Tracksuit Leather Jacket // 6 - DUNST | Black Spread Collar Leather Jacket
Both edgy and carefree, the Moto Boho trend blends the rebellious energy of biker culture with the free-spirited essence of bohemian style. This trend merges motorcycle motifs such as leather jackets, studs, and biker boots with traditional boho garments like ruffled skirts, fringed jackets, and peasant-style tops. The result is a balanced, contrasting aesthetic that is both edgy and feminine.
Byredo Super Cedar // Future Lash Mascara // Medium Olivia Hobo // The Anouk Platform Clog Sandal // The Hand Retinol // Lucien White Sapphire Leverback Earrings
What follows below: Notes on self-respect, semaglutide, socks & loafers, styling the classic blazer for spring, and so much more