The Lo Down: 7/24/26
Gin & tonic & the perfect white tee...
Shopping
There seems to be a collective yearning for wardrobe staples right now. Any time I’m wearing a white tee, I get asked where it’s from, and I keep hearing the same lament: why is it so hard to find the perfect basics? While this is by no means an exhaustive list, these are a few of the tried & true staples in my closet - the styles I wear constantly, replace when necessary, and happily buy again & again:
Tees/Tanks:
Gap: The Modern Crop T-Shirt can’t be beat. I also love the full length version, and their classic Rib Scoop Tank Top. They’re always running a sale, so they’re usually no more than $20, but they’re often sold out of sizes.
Reformation: I tend to gravitate towards ribbed tees, but for a sleek non-ribbed option, I always reach for The Dusk Knit Top. Another cropped ribbed option I love is the Muse tee.
ETERNE: I only like the styles made in their ‘butter rib’ fabric, and particularly in any color other than white (I find their white to be too sheer). The Short Sleeve Baby Tee, The Long Sleeve Boatneck Top, and the classic Long Sleeve Fitted Top
Other white tees on my radar that I want to try: FLORE FLORE Car Tee, any top from Tank Air
I’m a sucker for a graphic tee - usually something vintage and a bit quirky, or concert merch. But for a non-vintage, reliable option, the fit and shape of RE/DONE’s classic graphic tees are amazing. Here’s a cheeky one that I’m loving, and another cute one.
Shoes:
Sneakers: Salomon all the way. These XA Pro Forces have been my lifeline. And you cannot go wrong with a classic pair of white XT-6’s.
Flats: Aeyde’s Delfina flats (mostly sold out everywhere, but these look to be the updated version). I’m partial to a Chanel slingback flat and default to those frequently - I’ve walked countless miles (comfortably!) in those babies. And I recently tried on the Loewe Pebble ballerinas, and they altered my brain chemistry - they were unbelievably soft and comfortable and I’ve been dreaming about them ever since.
Misc items in my closet I can’t live without:
Comme Si Yves socks (a splurge, but very worth it)
CAKES body sticky bra (truly life changing)
Commando classic solid thongs (not the cutest underwear, but they’ve prefected the seamless style)
Loren Stewart Riley Hoop Earrings
Anything I missed? If so, drop a comment.
Food & Drink
A Completely Unscientific West Village Gin & Tonic Crawl by Caleb Nickels:
The World Cup third-place match between England and France started as
a watch party, but with goals flying in seemingly every few minutes,
the afternoon quickly became less about the futbol and more about the
bevvies. Rather than staying planted in front of one TV, we took it
upon ourselves to pop into as many Village bars as we could, sizing up
the vibe and, more importantly, their Gin and Tonics.
First stop was Yesterday's on Bleecker. Real hot spot for all the
youths these days but let me tell you... it ain't the vibe. A bunch of
too-cool-for-school employees and bouncers acting like they're doing
you a favor by letting you order a drink. The gin and tonics were
flat, each one somehow tasting different than the last. Then came the
bill. An upcharge for tonic. As if they were serving individualized
bottles of Fever-Tree with a silver platter. That was the final straw.
They won't be seeing me again.
Onto the next.
After a brief tiff in the street brought on by early heatstroke, we
ducked into The Grisly Pear in search of immediate hydration. Talk
about a complete 180. The quintessential no-nonsense MacDougal
dive-bar was exactly what we needed in that moment. A tall, icy gin and
tonic. No frills. No BS. Just Old Faithful. There's something
refreshing about leaving all the pomp and circumstance at the door,
bellying up to the bar, getting exactly what you ordered, having it
taste exactly how it should, and paying a price that reflects it. The
AC was crisp, the TVs were on, there was plenty of room to stretch
out, and a comedy show was about to start in the back. I'll absolutely
be back.
The soldiers packed up their gear and trudged onward to The Village
Tavern. "Drinking Constituents Since 1998." I've recently become a fan
of Village Tavern and the vibes were certainly there, but it was
shoulder-to-shoulder and the AC might as well have been on vacation.
We slammed our drinks and got out before we became part of the
humidity. The gin and tonic was perfectly respectable. But not having
air conditioning in July should be considered a criminal offense.
Stop four brought us to WXOU Radio Bar. I'm embarrassed to admit
that after living one block away for nearly a decade, this was my first
visit. Word on the street is Rihanna frequents the place and some say
she was even spotted that afternoon. I cannot confirm or deny. What I
can confirm is these gin and tonics were absolutely slapping. Cold,
crisp, perfectly balanced and hands down the best of the day. The room
is small but the energy is huge, the AC was working overtime, and they
earn automatic bonus points for charging just six bucks a drink. Fair
warning, it's cash only, but at $6 a pop you can afford to stay
awhile.
We rounded out the afternoon at Corner Bistro. While I normally come
here for a burger and beer, science demanded one final gin and tonic.
This place seriously doesn't miss. No frills, no attitude, just good
drinks, good food and a room full of people actually enjoying
themselves. Say Brooke at the door, give the bartenders a confident
nod and settle in. I promise you'll have a good time.
Final Rankings:
1. WXOU Radio Bar
2. Corner Bistro
3. The Grisly Pear
4. The Village Tavern
5. Yesterday's
Bonus picks to keep the night going...
Make a quick pit stop at Art Bar for a Jello shot syringe. It's
kitschy, it's ridiculous, and maybe you'll even steal a steamy couch
makeout in the back room. Truthfully though, the drinks aren't worth
lingering for.
Finish the night the right way in a sexy, smoky booth at Hudson
Bar & Books. Skip the gin and tonic altogether and order a Vesper. A
Vesper and a stogie should have you sleeping like a baby. Just be sure
to shower and throw your clothes in the laundry before crawling into
bed.
On My Radar
Kallmeyer sample sale this weekend. My wallet is thankful I’m out of town.
Tin’s, a new Lower East Side bar
MUJE, a new restaurant from the Jungsik team
Wild Sorrel Cookbooks, a new cookbook store in the East Village from
Sailor & Siren, a new spot in Greenpoint for lobster rolls
Hungry Spicy, a new Thai spot in Chelsea from the team behind Hungry Thirsty (and formerly Ugly Baby)
Until next week -
xo
Lo
Welp. I’m drunk.