deep dive 01: Babette

with thanks to the Secret Strategist

Last Thursday, there was a tiny mention by Hilary Reid of a brand called Babette in the Secret Strategist newsletter (thank you Hilary!) with a few links to some Babette pieces on Poshmark. I went down a Babette rabbithole (expecting hordes of Strategist readers to buy up everything before I could get to it? lol) and discovered a largely cohesive line of very appealing clothing that is best described as the love child of Pleats Please and Black Crane. I immediately sent some links to my aunt, asking if she’d ever heard of this brand.

My aunt is one of the most fashionable people I know, and was one of my first and strongest core style inspirations. She’s had the same chic bob my entire life, and it is usually accompanied by a glamorous pair of sunglasses, an intentionally oversized cardigan or jacket, and a pair of Camper shoes or something equally as cool. Whenever I visit her in Boston, I think I pack with her approval and joy in mind—things I can’t wait to show her, to try on for her. In my early twenties, I’d walk to the Goodwill down the street from her house and bring back treasures for her to marvel at (a beautiful old Pendleton coat is the most memorable one.) She took me shopping on Newbury Street, introduced me to Muji and COS. I have several treasured hand-me-downs from her—a floral scarf, a cashmere sweater, a faded and soft James Perse t-shirt. So many of these Babette garments remind me of things I’ve seen her wear, or coveted in her closet.

I ended up ordering one of the wool coats I found. It came the other day and I’m unfortunately not sold on it. It’s well-made, but each time I put it on it just doesn’t feel right. It’s slightly curved at the waist in a way that feels incongruous with the silhouette, as cool as the uneven snap closure and visible seams are. Maybe it’s just that I’m missing my aunt, having not seen her in over a year now, and this is yet another garment I’m not excited to show her, a find I’m not proud enough to brag about.

(This is the coat by the way. I ordered it from a seller who accepts returns, so I’ll be sending it back.)

Here are some of the best Babette garments I found on eBay, in my opinion!

BABETTE San Francisco Size XL Pleated Pleats Wide Leg Ankle Pants Olive Green

Babette Silk Linen Blazer Coat Button Chocolate Brown S USA

Vintage Babette San Francisco Crinkle Pleated Top & Midi Skirt Set Medium Green

BABETTE SF ART 2 WEAR GREEN LAMINATED 100% LINEN FABRIC SNAP FRONT JACKET/COAT M

BABETTE SF darker brown polyester pleated asymmetrical hem top S

BABETTE San Francisco Size M Black Pleated Pleats Tank Top Travel Scoop Neck

BABETTE DARK GREEN & BLACK CHECKED WOOL & LINEN WAFFLE OVERSIZED JACKET, SIZE M

Babette SF Rain Jacket Coat Blue Striped Pockets Packable Hooded Women’s Small

Babette Top Womens Small Taupe Brown Gray Check Button Up Crinkle Blouse

Babette SF Brown A-line Pleated Skirt Art to Wear-S

Babette 100% Boiled Wool Black Oversized Open Front Cardigan Sweater Jacket Sz S

BABETTE 100% POLYESTER BLACK PULLOVER TOP SLEEVELESS SIZE S

As always, send pics if you get anything!

<3 E