028: HANNAH RICHTMAN
lives in vintage cowboy boots and $8 Target tank tops.
Good morning and happy Thursday from my desk in NYC. Actually, I know for many it’s not a very happy Thursday at all, given the state of affairs in our world at the moment. It always feels strange to write about fashion during times of conflict and upheaval but, at least for me, shopping and getting dressed are a wellspring of connection and joy in a very tumultuous world. If you feel the same, I hope this newsletter brings you a bit of inspiration.
A few fashion-related items made me happy this week. This Hermes bracelet (below) was one of them. I clocked it at their Spring ‘24 press day on Tuesday. Chic, right? Typically I don’t like leather bracelets, as they often lean too punk for my liking (no shade to punks), but I love the low-key equestrian feeling of this piece and the contrast of its dark, supple leather and sculptural silver. This doesn’t even feel like jewelry to me - it’s more like a belt for the wrist. This guy won’t hit stores until springtime and will likely be beyond my means, so I sniffed out a few similar options.
And in other jewelry-related news, last Friday I saw the movie Corsage at the Metrograph downtown. It’s not about jewelry at all, it’s actually about the rebellious Austrian Empress “Sisi”, but I left feeling very inspired by actress Vicky Krieps’s completely bare, nearly ruddy face in contrast with her bold, opulent jewels. I know the movie is historical fiction and they probably didn’t really wear makeup back then, but still, it’s a very chill way to wear jewelry. Meg Strachan of Dorsey, who certainly knows her way around an opulent jewel, has also talked about mixing her baubles with a bare face. Just a thought!
Anyways, these are my jewelry thoughts for the time being. And now for this week’s Habiter feature, meet the cool and confident Hannah Richtman. I think you’re really going to love her and her picks. Onward!
Hannah Richtman is the founder of The Break, a retail and events production concept where the best-dressed buy and sell their clothes. She hosts beautiful retail events (I went to a Break pop-up two years ago and it is still the inspiration for every dinner party I’ve ever hosted) and has an amazing vintage collection. Lately, Hannah and her cohort of “break babes,” as they’re called, have been selling their wares at closet sales around New York City. Hannah is also the founder of Gush, a company that specializes in nothing more or less than the perfect little thong. I asked Hannah to tell me what she’s living in these days.
I have recently transformed the way I shop and dress by leaning into a “uniform”, and it’s revolutionized the way I feel about myself.
I pulled out every piece from my closet and separated the pieces that I actually wear from anything I have literally never worn, or haven’t worn in over a year. I looked at my most used pieces and analyzed the color palette (basically all black), the silhouettes (off shoulder/shoulder pad tops, open back dresses, wide leg trousers, cropped jackets, classic black leggings, knee high boots), the materials (LEATHER, silk, lots of sheer)… Turns out I don’t ACTUALLY wear the 20 pairs of jeans I own, that realization was WILD. But that clarity changed everything.
I sold or donated every piece that wasn’t truly sentimental from the “never worn” section. Now when I’m shopping I invest in versions of the pieces I truly use, and anything for an “occasion” should fit in with the daily wear vibes. I don’t even consider a pattern, even if I love it, because Hannah girl, YOU WON’T WEAR IT!!!
I think that personal style is what we grab first and most. Even if it’s a hoodie and leggings, get yourself the nice hoodie and leggings! When you get honest about the things you consistently wear, your confidence skyrockets and you can expand in a way more conscious direction. Your closet will feel like peace.
Maybe it’s also the fact that I’m in my 30s, but I have never felt more myself and finally feel like my wardrobe truly reflects who I am, and not who I think I should be, which is really freeing (and makes getting dressed for anything SO much easier!)
HANNAH’S MOST WORN:
Target tank. THE PERFECT TANK, so flattering and so affordable.
Target $8 
Cos $150 Vintage Black Cowboy boots. I wear to the beach, to walk my dog, to run errands, to do literally anything. So easy to slide on and go. I legitimately ONLY wear boots. I don’t even own sandals or an open toe shoe. If it’s not the vintage cowboys, it’s a black leather knee high.
Obviously a Gush LITTLE THONG every day!
Gush $42 Vintage super stretchy, super thin leather trousers. Mine have a slight flare leg. I want to remake these because I’ve never found a better pair and have worn them for years.
Helmut Lang $292, Stella McCartney $275, Joseph $436, Gianfranco Ferre $73, Dolce & Gabbana $171, Gucci $495 Chunky sterling silver rings. I’ve been collecting these for years (and now I also wear my white gold donut engagement rings and wedding band).
Clockwise from top left: Monica Vinader $135, Goosens Paris $70, Tiffany $105, Mejuri $68, Faris $145, Wolf Circus $158, Tiffany $201 Vintage “cross” earrings. I’ve held onto these for over a decade and started wearing them last year. Now I wear them with almost every look.
Clockwise from top left: Santangelo $210, Laura Lombardi $175, Agmes $270, Stolen Girlfriends $60, Vintage David Varsano $112 Chanel Lipstick in Bright Raspberry. EVERYONE asks me about this lip!!! I have a few colors and the formula is truly iconic. Will probably never use another lipstick.
Chanel $45 Live the Process Naia Bra and Set Active Luxform leggings in black.
Live the Process $98, Set Active $78 Acne Studios SS21 Buckle Bag with the super wide strap. I wanted this bag SO badly and found it at the archive shop in Copenhagen. It was the only one and I got it for a steal. I recently went into the Acne Store in Soho and one of the sales associates noticed it and was gagged because he doesn’t think the size actually went into production. I may have a sample. I didn’t do any further research because I want to believe that’s true. Here’s a photo of it on the runway!
Acne Studios $1300, Balenciaga $333, Acne Studios $950, Yves Saint Laurent $295, Osoi $380 Labor Driver Sunglasses.
Labor $700
Thanks for reading this week! I’m about to buy 10 of those Target tank tops, how about you? See you next Thursday. xxx
Really really interesting. I want to go back through my closet. The things I love.....chinos, jeans, striped cotton tees funky shoes. Time to purge 😁.