Lux Couture’s 2023 New Year Essentials

Hi Lux Couture Readers. I am excited to introduce our NEW blog to the site. This is where we will share our picks for the new seasons, styling tips, new brands we bring into the store, insights on trends from the ready-to-wear shows, some insider info… and more. 

For our first blog, Beth Bernstein - author, freelancer luxury writer and one-time fashion photo and TV wardrobe stylist - shares our picks for the essentials for January 2023. Together we discussed, tried on and had a ‘friends’ day of what we would want to wear as we head into the New Year. We curated what we deemed the must-have pieces that we thought would be great for a range of demographics and what we thought every wardrobe might need.

Here Beth lets you in on our day of playing with Lux Couture’s ready-to-wear, accessories and jewelry.

January is the month after holiday gifts are exchanged between friends and family and more often than not packed up and exchanged back to the stores where they were bought or regifted. These might include items that are perfect for someone who is coveting another kitchen gadget or a lovely towel warmer (someone whose bathroom is en-suite and isn’t scared of electrocution) like me.

Instead, I hanker for some new comfortable jeans, a jewel that goes with everything and anything cashmere. When Sari and I met at her store - it was like being in New York City’s FAO Schwartz when I was young. I wanted everything and tried out all that mesmerized me. Sari would bring over another cushy cashmere sweater, a scarf that would not only warm my neck but that could effortlessly be styled in numerous ways. We have similar tastes so it was easy to get down to what we thought January’s foundation pieces should be: soft, warm, cozy yet stylized, and ultra-chic.

Here are the pieces we chose together. And these are the pieces that I went home with that day with a little more debt on my credit card, but a smile on my face and clothes that I could wear out or around the house. These are pieces for  when I want to feel as comfortable as if I am in my jammies but look like I just stepped out of my own version of a fashionable  streaming TV series, similar to And Just Like That or Emily In Paris without the tutus, nine inch heels or a riot of mismatched colors that work great on those shows. But in my world of “Ask Again Later” or  “Beth Double Masked In Manhattan,” pieces have to be more laid back and minimal. Sari gave me her thumbs up on all of my choices, not just for me but for all of you reading. 

Cozy-Up

This Lisa Yang 100% cashmere soft pink pullover is everything I want in a cashmere sweater. It has a bit of slouch but is still elegantly proportioned to skim the hips with a neckline that can take a longer charm necklace or pendant—or instead can be worn with a variety of earrings—studs, double drops or front facing hoops. It’s neutral enough to go with everything in an existing wardrobe yet has that hint of color that works with a range of complexions. Mine is pale and in search of the perfect tint of petal cream or stick blush and a sweater in this hue. I also love the longer sleeves and the ability to wear it with everything from a leather midi skirt to a pair of favorite jeans.

T-ing Off 

I must have tried out 20 or more different brands of 100% cotton t-shirts as I wear both the long and short sleeve styles under everything from leather jackets to blazers to cashmere cardis. Then Sari turned me on to Georg Roth LA v-neck t-shirts in 100% cotton. Once you slip this one on you will want them in every color. They are soft, the perfect weight, not too light or too heavy, and they come in four shades: white (my favorite), light pink (which I bought for colder days to layer under my light pink cashmere sweater), black and, medium blue. 

Going Long

I was actually longing for when Red Card Japan would launch its 30th Anniversary Long jeans as they are usually cropped. These are the 30” length. Neither high rise or low-rise, they are thankfully and forgivingly than hit the right place on the body - the hips - which works for all size and shape women and do justice to every part of the body. The wash is like how you got your favorite jeans after wearing and washing them until, well they began lived in and well loved. But unlike the jeans of your youth, these seem to last and last - they are enduring, timeless and can be worn with any top or shirt in your wardrobe including the T-shirt and sweater mentioned above.   

All Wrapped Up

I was much younger when the late and great Nora Ephron wrote the essay which was also the title of one of her books, “I Feel Bad About My Neck.” As my favorite writer of all forms and all times, I could understand and laugh with her but I hadn’t yet had a neck that turned from swan-like into chicken skin. It since has. And so like Nora, I wear scarfs and buy them whenever I go into a shop that carries them. I might now have as many scarfs as necklaces even though I am more known for my antique jewelry collection. (But we will discuss my antique jewelry addiction at a different time). Right now I want to discuss the Ama Pure 100% cashmere scarf, which is named “Overseas”. To me it looks more like inkblots of color scattered around but this is not a Rorschach test. It is a comfy cashmere scarf that hides the wrinkles on my neck when I wrap it around two times or tie it just once. It can also be worn as a shawl. I will wear it like this with a cowl or turtleneck, but if you are not yet obsessed with the way your neck looks as you move your head up and down, you can wear it wrapped around your shoulders with one of the Georg Roth T-shirts. It is available in multiple patterns and colors but I chose this one as it seemed to work best with my new pink cashmere sweater. 

Longing For It

I stopped feeling “bad about my neck” the minute Sari showed me the Joanna Dahdah White Diamond Cravate Necklace. A cross between a high style bolo and a jewelry version of a tie, this elegant jewel is stunning enough to forget and forgive your ‘wiggly bits” and just go for it. The diamond centerpiece moves up a down creating different lengths for a variety of necklines. You can wear it alone as your singular piece or if you are going for a more spare modern statement. But you can also bling it up with layers of other shorter diamond accented station necklaces or a single solitaire and graduated gold chains. It is versatile and ultimately wearable and is one that has enduring style.

-Beth Bernstein

Let us know what you think

And see you again soon!