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Amna's avatar

I love following your style journal because it has honestly stopped me from buying items that are super trendy right now. I’m tempted to, but I always ask myself if I will be wearing this 3 or 5 years later. Or is this good quality that will last me a long time? I’ve also rediscovered Gap thanks to you!

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Sana Ali's avatar

And I hear you on Gap! I think they did a rebrand a few years ago and now I consistently find a few good quality, stylish pieces every season.

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Sana Ali's avatar

I'm so glad it's helpful! It's hard to resist trends sometimes, but as long as many of the things you buy have longevity, you're going to feel really good about your closet year after year.

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Noreen's avatar

loved reading about your trip and seeing your style choices. love you xoxo

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Kelly Williams's avatar

I am already mentally preparing to pack my family of 5 for an international trip. It’s both a good thing and hard that I can’t be selfish and only worry about dressing myself!

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Sana Ali's avatar

Haha, yes! Not sure if you read my newsletter on our trip to Italy, but I shared what I packed there as well - thought not a packing list. Packing for the whole family is a humbling experience! My tip is to carve out an evening after the kids are in bed and try on a bunch of looks. That's what I always do and it's just a fun way to prep for the trip and make sure you have some outfits you know you're gonna love. Have an amazing time!

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Krissy Walsh's avatar

That Gap top is so cute! Love seeing the packing list..,

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Sana Ali's avatar

Thanks Krissy! I almost wasn't going to put it in there, but I'm glad I did! Going to be wearing that top into the fall for sure. I wish I could find a link for it. This boatneck style is cute though: https://www.gapcanada.ca/browse/product.do?pid=540610033&cid=17076&pcid=17076&vid=1#pdp-page-content

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Emily's avatar

Love this, thank you for sharing! So interesting to see what you packed - you did it smartly!

Looks like such a dreamy trip! I bought the dragon diffusion but didn’t love it on me, so my mum bought it off me… I have instant regret after seeing how well it went with everything you wore, here 🥲

I did read through but couldn’t see it - where are the pink trousers from, please? They’re so nice!

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Sana Ali's avatar

Hi Emily! Thanks for you comment. You know what, if your instinct was that it didn't work for you, then you were probably right. It is very much (to me) a summer bag and also very laidback, but I think being forced to have it as my only bag while travelling made me realize I could wear it with loads of different looks. Perhaps another one is in your future ;).

The pink lounge pants are also Gap, but I can't find them anywhere online. They have pink pajama pants on their site right now, but they're a lighter colour way. I feel like they'll make more though, so keep an eye out.

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Emily's avatar

Thank you! And good point 😂

I also wanted to say - I love your Substack and I get so excited when I see it in my inbox! It’s so thoughtfully put together. This might be in your archive (I’m a relatively new follower) but would love to see a post on what you wear day to day, like a typical week or something? Particularly at work during the summer? It’s 30 degrees here in Montreal and I am so struggling to be corporate in the heat 😅

I’m so boring at the moment and would love the inspiration!

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Sana Ali's avatar

It means so much to hear you enjoy my Substack. I do put a lot of effort into it so I'm glad it comes through. I'm currently in stay-at-home mom mode, thought I'm one of those moms who likes to get dressed most days. If you want some quick inspiration you can head over to my instagram @wordslifelemons, but you've also given me some inspiration for another post! In the meantime, shirt-dresses made of pure cotton are a great summer corporate look. Other ideas are wide leg linen pants with cotton collared shirts or poplin skirts with airy blouses. If you can do open toe then sandals for sure or then a ballet flat or mule style loafer. :)

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Emily's avatar

Oooh thanks I’ll follow! And great ideas, thank you! Do you have any specific brand recs for good cotton shirt dresses, please? I feel like the quality is terrible on some of them!

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Sana Ali's avatar

I do like Aritzia - the Babaton line for work wear, Madewell may have options and then Gap at a lower price point, though the quality depends from item to item. I find Aritzia pieces have lasted for years for me, though anything black cotton in general seems to fade with time so maybe stay away from that colour.

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Aug 2
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Sana Ali's avatar

Thanks Madeline! So glad you enjoyed the read.

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