Where a Writer Gets Her Vintage Chanel
Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Lily Sullivan
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Lily Sullivan, the writer behind Love and Other Rugskeeps basics on hand from Everlane and Free People and layers them with sentimental pieces collected from her mother and vintage stores like Nice Piece in Paris, Shop Feels Goodand Stella Dallas. “Every garment comes with a rich history, whether vintage or inspired by the past,” she says.
Below, see where Sullivan got the pieces that made their way into her curated wardrobe and home.
Still Here. I met the founder at a dinner recently and I’ve been seeing their stuff around; their stores are cool. One day I had time to kill so I just went to a store and got these. They’re easy, comfortable, and the shade is great. I want it to look good and flattering but I don’t want the suffocating, and these are the perfect mix.
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Photo: Meghan McNeer
Amazon. That is where I got my magazine rack. I launched the print version of my newsletter last year and another this week, and I needed something to display it at the event. I was on the subway and saw the religious subway proselytizers who offer free Bible classes and they had these racks, and I thought, That’s what I need. I was Googling “religious pamphlet rack” and this came up.
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Photo: Meghan McNeer
I also love this giant disco ball from my godmother. I moved into this apartment three and a half years ago and I got a cryptic note from her that said, “sent you a little something to light up your space.” I got home late one night and there was a huge box outside — I was worried it wouldn’t fit through the front door — and it was a disco ball. She had one in her house and I always thought it was amazing. I threw a party and put it up and decided never to take it down. It’s from the last US factory that makes disco balls; it’s an OG factory that probably supplied Studio 54; it’s so authentic and cool.
Photo: Lily Sullivan
Byredo. My friend used to work there and I smelled it in the store and really liked it. It’s darker and musky and a little smoky. it’s called Mixed Emotions, and the name is perfect for me. I wear it mostly because of the name. There’s humor to that, branding and naming really gets me. One of my favorite lipsticks is called Divorce.
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My nightstand is a display box from a Madewell store. I had a weekend job at Madewell when I first moved to the city and these were used in the window and they gave them away, so I’ve had them for almost a decade. I’m in the market for a replacement, but I don’t want a junk drawer. I want a bedroom space to be so simple. There’s almost nothing in my bedroom, so my sleep is protected.
Photo: Meghan McNeer
On my nightstand I have my earrings, and my Maude vibrator — I used to work there, and I like that it’s so beautifully designed you can leave it out and it doesn’t matter. I also don’t like the shame of keeping it in secret drawers or boxes, I don’t subscribe to that.
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I also sometimes have some beauty products. I’m not really a routine person, at night or in the morning, because every day is different. Some nights I go to bed at 9 or 10 and some nights I go to bed at 2 am, it depends. I have a simple skin-care routine that’s just The OutsetLa Mer La Concentrate, and Sofie Pavitt’s mandelic serum. So the routine is just Moon Juice Magnesium and taking my earrings off.
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Photo: Daniela Spector
My Chanel Pumps from Millennial Decorator. She posted these Chanel shoes with ankle wraps; they’re sheer in some parts and subtle. I wear them a lot, I’ve worn them to weddings and to my launch party. I had them wear-proofed because I’m so hard on things and I didn’t want to destroy them. The cobbler puts Goodyear tires on the soles.
Photo: Daniela Spector
My mom. She made it. I took this dress from her while I was in college. She was a dancer and learned to sew at a young age from patterns. The silhouette is structured and tight at the top, almost corseted, but it’s just a beautiful cotton fabric. The skirt is a circle skirt and it feels ’50s retro but modern. After she passed away I wore it a lot, to her funeral service and a photoshoot. I like wearing her clothes. It’s the way that she lives on in my day to day. Having something she stitched feels really unique and feels really powerful.
UniqloEverlane, and Free People. I don’t ever want to be too cold or too hot, so I want to make sure I have that piece that’s going to change with the season. If you see me out, I’ll have a leather trench and cashmere sweater wrapped around my shoulders. I want to be cozy and warm, and go from day to night. If I have a date and want to wear a tank top, I can be in the sweater all day. I have cashmere from Free People, which is surprisingly good, and Baserange.
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Photo: Lily Sullivan
Nice Piece in Paris. I saw this leather blazer and was like, “You win, Nice Piece, I’m going to buy this.” I wear it all the time; it dresses up every outfit, and it was only $200. I could wear Lululemon pants and a baseball cap on the way to Pilates, and it looks amazing. He has such sick stuff, and every style is represented.
Photo: Meghan McNeer
I have glasses from CB2 that are affordable and good for everything from cocktails to water. I like a low bowl that can do everything: breakfast, yogurt, rice, dinner. I don’t want to have a lot of options; simplifying is better. My flatware is from Saber and it’s so stylish. Everything else is layering pieces; I have these amazing brocade placements in bright colors and a tablecloth that’s fully embroidered. I love a tapered candle; I get a lot of ceramics from travel. The table is really bright and eclectic.
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