What I Got (and Didn’t) From The Row and Khaite Private Sales — And Why
Lara only splurges on shoes and forever denim.
Lara: In case you have missed it: The Row and Khaite launched their (private) sales. For fans like myself (read: borderline obsessive), this feels like a high-stakes treasure hunt where the rewards are silky, minimalist trousers, perfectly shaped denim, or boots I’ve had bookmarked since forever (finally got the Khaite Low Nevada boots in white snake, on sale here). And because I apparently like to double down, I also added their Corben jeans (on sale here) to cart; slightly unsure of how they’ll flatter my frame. I’ll report back.
When my favorite brands announce their private sales I always ask myself the same questions: what’s actually worth investing in? And what can I skip or find for less? I start by sorting the online sale section from low to high. Sometimes there are five items under €1,000. Sometimes none. Which is wild - and yet, here we are.
Splurge: from The Row Astra bag to shearling flats
So what do I actually wear? Spring technically began weeks ago, but the weather changes faster than I can update my wardrobe. True spring dressing feels more like fantasy than reality here in the Netherlands, where it rains half the time. Investing in typical spring pieces like barely-there dresses, linen tops (Arket has a 20% linen sale if you are in the market), or open-toe anything, just isn’t practical. I’ll wear them a handful of times, at best.
Instead, I stick to pieces that suit how I actually live: great jeans, shoes that can handle a day of walking or biking, and accessories that elevate even the simplest outfit. Shoes and bags are where I splurge. Recent finds include The Row MJ Boheme ballerinas via Vestiaire Collective, barely worn (here another pre-loved one in a 40), and the brand’s shearling-lined Awar flats via The Real Real in pristine condition (they are on sale here). Using my birthday as an excuse, I treated myself to The Row Astra Bowling bag, a low-key standout piece that I love and is not permanently sold out like most of their styles. Each season, I wait for the Sophie Bille Brahe archive sale that has become a personal ritual. This summer’s pick: the Petit Soleil Simple necklace, just the right sparkle for a plain tee. My boyfriend recently gifted me the Zoë Kravitz-Jessica McCormack-inspired Dorsey Lucien earrings, a perfect everyday pair.
Forever denim
Next to shoes, my favorite category has to be jeans. They have become my signature styling piece over the years and they’re the one thing I reach for most and therefore never mind indulging in. Khaite jeans are my absolute favorite, hence the Corben try-on (on sale here). I also love the Sowen cargo style, and the Callum. While I can't justify the pricing, I have a thing for the ink blue Eglitta’s from The Row (the brown corduroy Eglitta’s are now on sale). High street normally doesn't really do the trick for me jeans wise, it's very hard to find a good pair (meaning: a good fit and good quality) in my opinion. One’s I recommend are the classic jeans from Toteme, and I really like the look and feel of denim from Skall Studio and By Malene Birger.
I didn’t buy anything from The Row private sale, since the pieces I truly wanted I had already found elsewhere. But in a world where money is no object, I would absolutely go for The Row’s Stanton shorts (also on sale here). They’re the epitome of understated luxury: clean lines, crisp cotton, and that nonchalant silhouette I love. Still, for a piece I’ll only wear a handful of times, I went down the rabbit hole and found great alternatives at Baserange and COS. A fraction of the price and surprisingly elegant for what is essentially a pair of glorified pyjama shorts.
Striped T-shirts as the ultimate summer piece
Still, I need something fun to liven up my painfully minimal summer wardrobe that contains not much more than four dresses, a few tanks, and three pairs of shorts. After buying Kallmeyer’s striped tees in NYC last fall (they’re having a sale now that is worth checking out, these cotton pants are on my wishlist), I’ve been craving more quirky striped tees. COS has a great short-sleeved version, plus a long-sleeved one I love. I'm also eyeing this Polo Ralph Lauren tee that gives off The Row Juhi vibes. Normally, I stick to timeless shoes, but I somehow can’t stop thinking about Chloé’s pink jelly sandals, they may not be the most practical, but a fun pop for my otherwise simple outfits.
In the end, what I got and didn’t get from my favorite sales says a lot about how I shop now: selectively, with an eye on what truly fits my lifestyle and what brings real joy. It's a mix of splurging where it counts (shoes, jeans, bags I'll wear endlessly), saving on pieces I can replace or rarely wear, and adding just enough playfullness. These sales are tempting, but they’re also a reminder that the goal isn’t a perfect wardrobe, just one that works for me.
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