What W Editors Are Buying to Stay Sane
Shopping has its pros and cons at this difficult time. But with the W staff working from home, retail therapy offers the alluring Idea of fulfillment.
Welcome to How W Editors Are Staying Sane, a weekly column featuring a selection of items, practices, and sources of entertainment that are keeping all of us here at W magazine afloat during these strange, if dire, days. Some of the things listed here are newfound interests—others, we’ve just plain loved forever, and have been seeking solace in their comforts of late. Each week, we’ll bring you a new theme based on what’s bringing us as much balance as we can muster.
Nora Milch, Fashion Director
During these weird times, to get my mind off the latest news reports, I turn to good old-fashion retail therapy to keep me sane. But what do you shop for when all you really need these days are non-perishable groceries? I’m eyeing Birkenstock’s latest fashion collaboration with Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.
Lynn Hirschberg, Editor at Large
These very chic and practical reusable/washable face masks are being made by Makie, a local New York City small business. They are made of 100% cotton fabrics in plaid and, also, cheerful prints. The materials are sustainable—leftover textiles from their main business, which is wonderful French- and Japanese-inspired baby and children’s clothing. Sofia Coppola, Tilda Swinton, Greta Gerwig and Inez and Vinoodh are just some of Makie’s many fashion world fans and customers. These face masks are both necessary and great-looking. I’ve been using a face mask of theirs and I love it!
Andrea Whittle, Features Editor
I just ordered a bunch of really chic, all-natural bath products (including the Herbivore Botanicals coconut milk soak and the coco rose body polish) from Credo Beauty, because baths are one of those things that always feel luxurious and comforting, no matter what.
Oona Wally, Senior Visuals Editor
Watching The Morning Show on my Apple TV
Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston star in this new show available to stream on Apple TV, about women in the news media during the height of the #MeToo movement. The program features a stellar cast, who are running in and out of the office and various broadcast rooms—bringing me back to the days of regular work life in my own office.
When the periodic waves of stress hit, I throw on my savior: my Gravity weighted blanket. I instantly go from anxious and worried to cozy and warm.
Jenny Oliver, Social Media Manager
For comfort, I wear Bandier’s Bolt Sweatpant joggers. I would not be able to focus if I stayed in my pajamas all day, and yet it feels strange to put on a pair of jeans just to do work sitting on my bed. The solution? An easy sweatpant in a cheerful color to keep my body at ease while trying to find the most comfortable spots to work in my apartment.
To feed my body (and mental health), 305 Fitness is doing free 45-minute dance sessions on YouTube. My roommate and I moved our ottoman, put on cute workout outfits, and sweated out our anxieties. Because it’s so easy to just sit on the couch and binge, I may have to splurge on a new workout outfit to continue my motivation throughout this quarantine. I’ve been eyeing this matching set from Bandier, which is currently doing a site-wide sale.
Jenna Wojciechowski, Fashion Market Editor
Since we are experiencing more screen time than ever, my thoughts immediately went to how to protect my eyes from the over-exposure. The first purchase I made was Warby Parker’s blue-light filtering glasses; I stand behind the brand’s business model, which states for every pair of spectacles they sell, they distribute a pair to someone in need.
After I knew my eyes were protected, I thought about the next most vulnerable thing: my skin. Supergoop makes one of my favorite products, the Unseen Sunscreen. It protects your skin from photo-aging, is extremely lightweight, and acts as a primer for makeup (if you’re still doing that sort of thing.)
I also took this time to look into a new multi-vitamin, which I’m hoping will address all of my problems in wide swaths. I ended up ordering Ritual vitamins. The purchase process was quick and easy—and overall, this product seems like the best option for a working gal like myself. Hopefully these will counteract the effects I’ll feel as a result of eating copious plates of nachos from my at-home work station.
Whether or not these items will keep me sane is another question—but it’s a start.
Related: What W Editors Are Cooking, Baking, and Eating to Stay Sane
