“This is a movement. We find freedom in following our instincts. There’s a desire to add texture to a life more considered. Strip away the unnecessary. Authenticity rules. Let your senses be your guide. Laugh out loud … louder. Ease into effortlessness. Comfortably confident & confidently comfortable. Nothing is ever defined by one thing. The ampersand is who we are.”

The first thing you might notice about this newest member of Ann Inc is that Lou & Grey looks and feels more like your favorite coffee shop than a clothing store. Walk into their boutique at Avalon (or Westport, Natick, North Hills, Pasadena) and you’re enveloped by dusty landscapes along the walls, touches of warm wood and hammered jewelry, and welcomed in by the kindest stylists.
Wander past peppered sweaters, fresh succulents, cozy scarves, and the perfect leggings, and you’ll find the makers – Lou & Grey’s careful in-store curation of jewelry, beauty, and home goods, created by independent designers from Brooklyn to Marfa to Portland. One of my favorites was Janessa Leone’s made in LA wool hat, which seemed to match everything I tried on.



Beyond glittering metals and touches of pure cotton, past the familiar sounds of Washed Out, you’ll find hints of bourbon and balsam fir in bottles of small batch perfume, along with the faintest catches of the soft smell of old books. Everything in the shop engages your senses, and it feels like coming home after a long day – calm, comfortable, and relaxing.


Thoughtfully, there’s also a hiding spot for your partner to browse a book as you meander through comfy jackets and hand-built pottery.

While trying on favorites I noticed that nearly every piece in the shop fit well with any other piece, regardless of whether it was in the fall or winter collection. The tightly edited selection of colors made room for a much wider range of textures and little details, like this asymmetrical marled jacket lined in quilted cotton. One sweatshirt could even be turned seams-out to reverse the woven texture for a different feel. As someone trying to do more with less, you can imagine how happy I was to find how easily one could build a capsule wardrobe from a few pieces.

Trying on: Lou & Grey Quiltist Moto Jacket | Lou & Grey Ponte Leggings (also in top outfit) | H by Hudson Horrigan Booties (mine)



I window shopped so many gorgeous pieces (if you’re familiar with this blog you’ll know I’m just one month shy of a year without retail). One of the reasons I endeavored to take on that project was to focus on wellbeing, and as I hit the home stretch, I am getting back into the groove of yoga and continuing to take care of my body – and eyeing some staples in the new year! Many of Lou & Grey’s luxe staples double as stylish workout gear, and the shop had phenomenal perfumes, lip remedies, and all sorts of organic lotions and potions that had me swooning.
Skipping over so many perfect office wardrobe items was so difficult, but (thanking my lucky stars) the Nothing New rules allow me to skip the thrift shop for athletics and unmentionables! This weekend I plan to share a few yoga favorites I found, along with more on their wonderful natural skincare offerings.



Trying on: Lou & Grey Moleskin Cargo Leggings (sold out, comfy similar style here!) | Grey Melange Sweater (sold out, Spring 2015 version here) | H by Hudson Horrigan Booties and vintage gold bangles (mine)