Welcome to This Is Cute. We’re Jenna, Jayna, and Verena. We text all day about cute stuff so you don’t have to. If you’re interested in seeing the previous and equally unhinged editions, they’re here.
Hello hello! Who wants to buy a (gently used, probably fleece) coat?? That’s right, it’s the first-ever This Is Cute SALE, starring 19 of Jayna’s coats. Cute vintage parkas and bombers, fun corduroy shackets and so much goddamn fleece—it’s a perfect winter-to-spring collection and we’ve already done the styling for you, yay!
Take a look (and read our cute commentary) and if anything catches your eye just reply to this email (or drop us a line at thisiscutenews@gmail.com) and let us know. There’s only ONE of everything, so move fast if you’re interested! Payment will be by Venmo, and you can come pick up your adorable new coat in Brooklyn or, if you’re in the U.S. and willing to pay a little shipping, we can send it to you—how profesh??
We’ve come a long way since our debut edition a year ago but some things (Jayna’s inability to stop buying fleece) will never change.
Madewell Denim Jacket, Size M, $40
Everyone needs a jean jacket, and ideally two or three: for layering over turtles and cute cardigans, for adding texture under other coats, for wearing with dresses, and for reminding us what was so, so, so great about the '90s. - VvP
Aritzia Baboon Coat, size 2 (fits like a M/L), $75
Okay, so here's my favorite in-the-know secret about Aritzia as a born-and-bred fellow Vancouverite: Their coats are great. I can't speak to more recent years, but I do know that previously, they treated their coat category as a loss leader, basically reeling you in with under-priced, super high quality outerwear so that you might overlook some of the more Zara-esque aspects of the rest of their stuff. I have it on good authority that they source their alpaca and wools from a lot of the same mills as Max Mara, my friends!!! Do yourself and your bank account a favor by buying this coat because I promise you'll feel extremely rich wearing it. - Verena
Patagonia Reversible Vest, Fits like an M, $25
Who has witch nails and an absolutely unacceptable fleece addiction? You know who, bb. I also have a (somewhat improved) vest addiction, which is unfortunate because I never wear them for fear of looking like a doofus. What I want to look like is a cool, easy breezy person who enjoys the outdoors in a cool easy breezy way. I got this at the Patagonia flagship in Boulder (speaking of cool easy breezy outdoors) and it is vintage aaaaand reversible with nylon on one side and cute fleece on the other. I think with a big wooly sweater and slouchy pants and thick socks and a clog or a Birk or a sneak this would be cuuuuuute and I'll see you wear it and be like goddammit why can't I do that. - Jayna
Vintage Bomber Jacket, Fits like an M, $50
I'm contemplating buying this one because it's everything I want out of a jacket (and that is for it to turn me into Maverick, from the ORIGINAL Top Gun). I don't think there's much cooler than an aviator bomber, and this one feels extra timeless, and ever-so-less costume-y in khaki and chocolate. Who's gonna be my Ice Man and beat me to it?? - JG
Uniqlo Fuzzer, Size L, $35
I don't know what to tell you other than I tried this coat on in Jayna's closet and had it been even one half size bigger, it would be hanging in my closet instead of for sale in this newsletter. - VvP
Patagonia Quilted Zip-Up, Size L, $50
I definitely got this because I saw someone wearing it (possibly the impossibly chic Joyce Lee) and had to have it and still sort of want it but the fleeces have got. to. go. It's as cozy as it looks and I also love how it came already sort of looking like a well-loved fleece that someone's dad gave them from the 80s. Ugh, fleecies I love you so. - JM
Vintage Patagonia Fleece, Men’s Size M, $100
Ok I tracked this down as a replacement for a long lost fleece in this exact color that I've already written about (remember Haystack???). I was so excited when I found it online but then once it arrived it filled me with...overwhelming sadness! I think because I wanted it to be the original one and because time is NOT a flat circle and because of a bunch of other age-related reasons that are for therapy and not for cute newsletters. It's a great great color tho. - JM
Patagonia Fleece, Men’s Size S, $50
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME WHY DO I HAVE SO MANY OF THESE. Honestly, I know the answer: I have a very deep and resounding love for soft things. Stuffed animals, fuzzy slippers, faux fur blankets—it's the boldest throughline of my life. At summer camp they sold Charleston Chews at the little store and I was the only camper who never wanted mine frozen. Soft and melty, thank youuuuu. This is a sort of sporty one, so I think it's best layered under a slouchy overcoat or worn with something a little femme? A denim skirt and little socks and sneaks and a cute hat? Adorable! - JM
Nike Hooded Fleece, Men’s Size S, $30 - SOLD!
Definitely the sportiest fleece I've ever owned, and I want to say I first spotted it in an issue of Gossamer (VVP is that right??). The colors are so good! I love that bright red zipper and the kangaroo pocket (who doesn't love a kangaroo??) and it has a hood! This is another one I feel would be cute sort of feminized but still sporty with a cute skirt or dress and sneakers or cute bright crocs even?? - JM
The Tiny Big Sister, Size 40 (fits like a M/L), $50 - SOLD!
The only ridiculous thing about this coat is the brand name. Otherwise, it's pure practicality, with a length that actually falls protectively mid-shin (or even longer on shorty shorts like me!), a rain-protective fabric, and it’s in universally complementary navy. - JG
Vintage, Size 38R (fits like an M), $50 - SOLD!
For a little insight into how this newsletter sausage gets made, we put pictures of all the coats into one giant google doc and then said everyone should initial the ones they wanted to write about. I was so, so, so behind that not only did I not initial, I basically ended up with coats by default because Jayna and Jenna did all their writing by the time I even re-opened the doc to look. That's a very long pre-amble to express my utter SHOCK that neither of those two walking billboards for '70s style wrote about this one. And like the teddy bear Uniqlo, I ALSO tried this coat while shopping Jayna's closet and, once again, had it been even an inch or two bigger, it would be mine, and NOT YOURS. If Jayna was better about selling her clothes, she'd be posting this on Etsy for $250. - VvP
Ludlow, Size M/L, $150
Okay, Miss Penny Lane. Need we say more? Yes, of course we do, because we couldn't not tell you that this is a one-of-its-kind "Blanket Coat" from Ludlow, a brand that magicks jackets, vests and dusters out of 18th century coverlets (that's a real Jayna sentence, if I've ever written one...). In this quilted masterpiece, who even cares what you're wearing underneath. - JG
J.Crew Men’s Fleece, Men’s Size S, $30
Another cute fun J.Crew Men's find! I got it because it sort of reminded me of an old Lebowski cardigan I found on ebay and loved despite it being one of the more unflattering sweaters I've ever owned (so much wool puffing out from the hips!). This one sort of ultimately had the opposite problem for me, which is that it's cut for a Johnny No Hips so I always felt a little stuffed in when I zipped it. But still -- very cute! Good for bopping around the neighborhood on a Saturday in cute gray sweats and Birks with socks. Maybe even paired with a vest?? - JM
Vintage Inuit Parka, Fits like a S/M, $150
Etsy-sourced, esoteric, fuzzy...and with PATCHES. I'm a little shocked Jayna is selling this one, because, to me, this vintage Inuit parka ("they're a thing!" - JW Maleri) is maybe the most Jayna coat in the whole world. - Jenna
Madewell, Size M, $50 - SOLD!
LOL, because guess what: I ALSO own this jacket. Frankly, I can’t believe she's selling it because I love mine and wear it all the time. If you're into layering, it's so good under a super oversized car coat but also on its own. I especially love it with a floral print something and mid-blue, wide-leg denim. - VvP
Caron Callahan, Size S, $150 - SOLD!
To me, this one is less of a jacket, more of a styling piece. It's so special, with the quilting and Little House-esque florals, and the kimono collar. I want to wear it now with big jeans and mary janes, and then in summer over utility shorts. - JG
Scotch & Soda Zip-Up Fleece, Size 2 (fits like an M/L), $50 - SOLD!
I was on a video shoot a billion years ago and the very cool director was wearing this with cropped vintage jeans and big sneakers and a beanie and I secretly took a pic and sent it to JG and was like "must find" and an hour later she sent me a link and if that's not true friendship than I don't know what to tell you. I'd still style it the exact same way that cool cutie on set did, and I'd leave it unzipped because that's what she did (and that diagonal zip sorta confuses me). - JM
Emerson Fry Fleece Parka, Size L, $100
Awwww Emerson Fry! There was a time when Jayna and I were OBSESSED with this minimalist, made-in-the-USA label. I think their leather slides were the only shoes I wore for about 3 years (literally these, I’m dying). But I digress, because it was their coats that were (and still are!) the real standouts. High quality, cozy and low-key, but in a "I have a place in Maine—but in the chic part" kind of way. - JG
SEA NY Fleece, Size M, $75
Absolutely adorable, wear her with slouchy jeans, the end. - JM
TO PURCHASE reply to this email (or drop us a line at thisiscutenews@gmail.com) and let us know. There’s only ONE of everything, so move fast if you’re interested! Payment will be by Venmo, and you can come pick up your adorable new coat in Brooklyn or, if you’re in the U.S. and willing to pay a little shipping, we can send it to you—how profesh?? Happy shopping! You’re going to look so cute.
Omg, so much fleece … I love it!