Deep Rest: Argentine Style
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Deep Rest: Argentine Style
It's nearly my Argentinaversary, here's what Jim Carrey has to say about that! Feat. clothes.
Every time someone asks why I have stayed in Argentina for the past year, I find myself at an embarrassing loss. I have a laundry list of issues with the politics (as I obviously do with the U.S.), cultural values (ditto), music (this one’s…uniquely bad, sorry), and FOOD (I’ve never eaten meat, and I think that if a restaurant can’t manage to make one passable dish that’s not just a hunk of steak, it’s no better than any given dad, and that’s a surprisingly hard hurdle to clear for 80% of Argentine locales) in Buenos Aires. Ask literally anyone who’s been here for more than six months what it’s like to date in this city, and if they don’t respond with a long fable about the truly compulsive, almost impressive infidelity and skullduggery amongst porteñxs, they know they’re lying.
I have found two things here that have made my life immeasurably better: a fast track to learning Spanish, the proudest thing I’ve ever done, and of course, this cryptid:
Somehow, I still feel like there’s something for me here, a reason to stay. I’m going to stay until that changes. All that being said, it’s been a long year.
It is very funny to see how my understanding of the economics and aesthetics of the fashion scene here have changed over the past 300-odd days. Below are a selection of pieces I either own or wish to, most fall and winter-appropriate, as we’re just edging out of the cold season (can’t wait to be SMUG at y’all in the North), and surprisingly subdued compared to my normal approach towards clothing, what I look for in a piece.
Maybe I’m a little exhausted (my mental health has obviously been in the shitter for quite a while, as you can tell by the timbre of my posts these past months) and it’s showing in muted color palettes and prim silhouettes. Lots of skirts and slide-on shoes (I had an epic realization that I HATE SHOELACES EVEN THOUGH THEY’RE MORE PRACTICAL and it legitimately changed everything for me) and black.
I think that it’s all ok. This is so stupid, and like, not correct, and I know Jim Carrey is probably a grotesque creature (I’ve been listening to too many blind item podcasts as a method of putting my brain on ice when it’s not typing so as not to fry it with ~thoughts~, and now I know that every single celebrity is, as the people [who watch Vanderpump Rules so I don’t have to] say, “rotted”), but apparently he once bonded with Ariana Grande (before they, allegedly, hooked up? I am literally completely dissociated from this information, it feels like watching Sims WooHoo to think about this going down, I get no pleasure from these newsflashes, only blissful mental static) by telling her being “depressed” meant one’s body was necessarily in a state of “deep rest” and needed to be treated as such.
Even though the apophenic nature of that wordplay is rooted in such an unholy union, it’s stuck in my mind. These are clothes that I’ve been drawn to in my state of deep rest. I hope they can inspire or interest you at some point if you ever cycle into a similar chrysalis.
I’ve included their costs on the Argentine Peso and the approximate equivalents in USD on the Dolar Blue, though that changes literally every day—though I have plenty of issues with this country, I do love it, somehow, and everyone here is REALLY getting fucked by inflation, so it’s a great time to show love to the Argentine brands below, either by placing an order (I’m happy to facilitate, if you send me a DM), or just following them on social media and boosting them to your followers.
Vamos!
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The makers of this beanie personalized mine with bows and can add rhinestones upon request! I love both the above and below colorways and the cool, sketched-looking sparkles.
The below scarf would look so good with the first beanie. Perfectly coordinating without matching. A truly unique color story.
The curve of the below bag is downright erotic. Click the link and look at the pic of the model holding it while full. Its gaping arm hole and louche slouch! I am so enamored!
Note: I have complicated feelings about buying new, real leather AND fake leather. Both pose problems to our environment, obviously. I 100% think the best option is unequivocally thrifted/secondhand real leather, and that’s where 90% of any leather-looking products I own are sourced. I see zero ethical problems with that.
You don’t have to agree, but I’d rather someone buy new, real leather that they use for 20 years than new fake leather they throw away in six months. I have never eaten meat (intentionally/consciously) in my entire life, so I feel pretty secure in the breadth of my overall footprint on the environment and upon animal life, but I still understand that buying new leather is problematic and might make you feel uncomfortable. Especially if you eat meat, I encourage you to pursue that feeling! I think that if we all consume animal products at a 10 or 20% rate relative to plant-based, we are doing really well.
Speaking of, the below is plant-based leather—I love the cream color and the ruched waist, not sure how I feel about the slit—what do you think? I tried it on in a store, and it felt pretty hardy.
The below coziness reminds me of this Björk!
Ugh, all the shoes from the below brand (available in NYC, too, I think?) are ineffably sexy. The seamlessly incorporated heel and the squared-off toe are unbeatable.
I use the below bag every single day, even though the strap has ripped halfway off the bag on one side. I wear it crossbody. It’s the perfect size, shape, and hardiness for anything from a literal hike to a rave.
White lace with black undergarments is my favorite way to breathe life into this flagging trend.
I can’t get enough of the tie sleeves on the below shirt.
I have the below clogs—they’re kind of like a consolation prize for not having the above Dubie slip-ons. They’re pretty stiff at first, but they give me a glorious extra few inches of height.
This top is incredibly comfortable, even the collar is comfy enough to sleep in, and amazingly librarian-alluring.
The below would be a cute DIY (but these are $4, so you don’t have to feel like a tool for purchasing!).
You all know how I feel about convertible garments (love them), confusing patterns (love them), and a guy drinking beer on your chest (love him).
I also have the below—they run HUGE, but have supportive soles and are very well-made.
I just want to be a void, or a censor bar, sometimes:
Ripstop dress with a HIGHER THAN EMPIRE waist. I LOVE this silhouette. And the way the straps subtly slant? I swooned.
Another great DIY:
Got this coat at the weekly market in my nearby park, and it’s virtually flawless:
You can’t tell here, but the shoulders and arms of this leather jacket I got at a thrift meet are really sculptural and curvy:
I like this drop-waist slip. I got it in a dollar store. I kind of want to tie-dye it, because you know I can’t suffer stains…
Have a good day! And in case I don’t see ya…
<3 HR
Deep Rest: Argentine Style
We love a nuanced take on leather! Also I'm so obsessed with that ultra empire dress