Shit I Bought and Liked: The Goldilocks of Linen Pants
Shit I Bought and Liked: The Goldilocks of Linen Pants
Shitters! Welcome back! It’s mid-September, temps were in the 60’s this morning in NYC (!!!!), and by now, if you’re adding anything new to your wardrobe, it’s probably something for fall. But my best attempts to adhere to my New Years shopping resolutions meant that I spent a whopping THREE MONTHS this summer on the hunt for the perfect pair of white linen pants, and I refuse to let the opportunity to snag them pass you all by. (Plus they also come in black, which is very wearable during the season change if you’re looking for something more immediately useful.)
My search first took me to Reformation, where I found myself in a Goldilocks situation (firmly in between two sizes of pants that everyone seemed to be raving about) and at 5’5, the hem pooled on the floor. My attempt to remedy this via the petite version failed so spectacularly that we won’t even get into it.
It then took me to J. Crew, where my hopes were high! But the inseam was a bit too short and the leg opening a bit too straight for the look I was going for. It took me to Revolve, where I was briefly considering this probably-too-pricey-for-what-they-are version—thankfully they were out of my size. And finally, via TikTok, it took me to a new-to-me brand called Parke.
Parke was founded by Chelsea Kramer, whose day in the life TikToks regularly inspire me to get off my phone and accomplish 1/8th of the things she seems to get done in a day. The brand focuses primarily on reworked denim, but has since expanded to include other things, including these perfect pants!
I am definitely skeptical when it comes to trying out new brands I find online, especially ones started by influencers/content creators/internet people. The pieces aren’t always the best quality, and most of the time it feels like a money grab. But Parke is, very delightfully, different!
After seeing the pants on Chelsea for weeks leading up to their drop, I was curious. I liked the look, the fit—all of it. Plus I saw another TikTok user praising the brand’s quality, which if I’m being honest, is what really sold me. That’s the power of a rave review from a regular person!!! (“Rave Reviews from a Regular Person” probably could’ve been the title of this whole newsletter…) So on the day of the release, I decided to roll the dice and place an order.
I was so pleasantly surprised when the pants showed up! They looked exactly like they had on Chelsea—perfectly relaxed with a wide-but-not-too wide leg opening. The fabric was nice (not Zara-style linen for anyone who has attempted), as was the construction—solid stitching, not see through!—boxes checked left and right! I had debated between sizes and originally chose the larger of the two I go between, but when they arrived they looked a little roomy. I emailed customer service asking about the sizing and they were immediately very helpful, advising that I exchange for the size below.
It was a very easy process (which is especially helpful when a brand only offers exchanges/store credit), and I’ve lived happily ever after ever since! Ok, maybe not entirely, but I do love this style because it’s so lightweight, relaxed, and the drawstring waist lends itself to more casual styling/everyday wear, as opposed to linen trousers (at least for me). I end up reaching for them all the time, especially in the place of workout clothes, to feel a little more put together on an errand or outing on a hot day, but I’ve also dressed them up for dinners out. And the next time I’m on a trip somewhere warm, they will certainly be coming with!
If you’ve already moved on to clothing for crisper temps, I do not blame you (I currently have several shopping tabs open on my browser—if you’re on the fence about upgrading your subscription, October’s On My Eye letter is gonna be a good one!), but a good pair of linen pants is a staple that I know I’ll be wearing for several summers/trips to come, so it was worth it to me to grab them, even late in the season.
Other things I’m loving lately: I’m obsessed with NYT’s newest game, Connections—it’s quick and fun and my newest time-killing activity for waiting in lines or for the subway. These gigantic terry scrunchies (also influenced by Chelsea!)—they’re comically large, but I love wearing them around the house/at night. I had a gift card to Vuori so I grabbed a couple of these simple sports bras—so soft and comfortable, plus easy on the traps for those of you who also hate a racerback. Will buying Meghan Markle’s shorts give me Meghan Markle’s legs? My pair is en route, so I’ll keep you posted! Also loved this Trader Joe’s pizza recipe via TikTok (I used prosciutto, swapped the peppers for vodka sauce, and baked for 25 mins—chef’s kiss!).
That’s all for today—perhaps next time around we’ll go with something a little more seasonally appropriate? Keyword there once again being *perhaps.* As always, let me know what you think, and if you’ve found something here that you love! Always happy to hear from you all!
xx,
Priyanka