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The Guardian
31-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
Birthstone rings, luxury loungewear and a genius overnight bag: what you loved most this month
Never has the term 'fool's spring' been more fitting. When the sun came out early in the month, many of us began to prepare for the summer that felt just around the corner. Hundreds of you, like me, bought the most genius overnight bag for the weekends away that were surely about to happen, and the perfect nail colour for the new season. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. But let's be real: it's not summer yet. A fact evidenced by just how many of you were also buying practical raincoats, stay-in-all-day satin pyjamas and – less glamorously – microwave rice cookers. Here are the Filter recommendations you loved the most this month. Anyday Hennriette Point£49 at John Lewis Jess Cartner-Morley declared the pilates pump to be 'the new ballet flat' in her style essentials for March – and so many of you seem to agree. 'Something about the way a ballerina flat leaves the top part of my foot flat lacks grace, visually,' said Jess. 'I've found the solution in a new genre of ballerina/Mary-Jane hybrids, with a strap across the top – like the socks people wear at pilates, hence the name.' Sistema rice steamer £7.99 at Amazon We were as surprised as anyone when this £11 microwave rice-steaming bowl managed to hold its own in our recent rice cooker group test. 'Using its suggested ratios and timings, my basmati emerged after 15 minutes with individual fragrant grains, with no starchiness or chalky middle,' said our reviewer Joanne Gould. It also performed well for sushi and brown rice. It's no YumAsia for complete rice perfection, but if you're nervous about cooking rice in a pan, this is a great starting point. It does get incredibly hot, though. Antler Essential overnight bag£125 at John Lewis £125 at Antler This bag 'has had complete strangers stopping me in the street and on the Eurostar platform recently', said Cartner-Morley in her March style essentials. 'The clever thing … is the integral back strap, which allows it to slide over the pop-up handle of your wheeled suitcase. This keeps it sitting securely on top of your luggage without everything falling over in chaos when you try to buy a coffee or get on to a train.' It also fits easily into a luggage rack or under the seat in front. Fussy natural deodorant£10 at Fussy With more and more of us wanting to cut back on plastic, it's no surprise so many of you loved Anita Bhagwandas's roundup of the best refillable beauty products. And especially popular was this refillable deodorant from Fussy. 'Unlike many 'natural' deodorants, it genuinely works,' she wrote. 'Choose your recycled plastic case, and pick from several scents (I'm obsessed with Parma Violets) to create your own bespoke deodorant.' Nails Inc Turks And Caicos Beach nail polish£8 at Amazon Not only do 'cappuccino-coloured nails look great with everything', said Cartner-Morley in her monthly style essentials, but also the 'shade is subtle enough that if – like me – you're not exactly a dab hand on the DIY, a few application wobbles won't show'. Rains unisex long jacket£71.50 at John Lewis Scandinavian label Rains 'is one of the brands I reach for whenever the weather takes a turn', says Ellie Violet Bramley in our guide to stylish raincoats. 'Its long jacket has seen me through countless soggy commutes, playground trips and walks in the woods.' It's machine-washable, too. Stacking family birthstone ringFrom £21.60 at Etsy This sentimental gift idea was popular for Mother's Day, but it would also make a lovely gift all year round, for mothers and friends alike. 'If in a few years, my now three-year-old decided to give me one of these, her birthstone nestled next to mine, I can guarantee I would melt,' said Bramley in our gift guide. Satin pyjamas£34.90 at Uniqlo Lounging around must have become much more glamorous around the country after hundreds of you bought these satin pyjamas from our Mother's Day gift guide. They even have pockets, so they're practical too. Smol laundry capsulesFrom £6 for 24 at Smol We've been overwhelmed with responses since we asked in this newsletter for your tips on cutting down on plastic. So many of you told us how much plastic you'd saved by switching to Smol refillable cleaning products, and now many more readers have cottoned on to this as well. Thank you so much for sending in so many great tips – read below for more we've received. From smash-proof cases to updates: how to make your smartphone last longer The best cordless vacuum cleaners for a spotless home: 10 tried and tested favourites Is the Simba Hybrid Pro mattress worth the hype? I slept on it for three months to find out Always roll your clothes! 13 travel packing hacks to save you space and money – according to seasoned travellers 'Reminds me of sun cream': the best (and worst) supermarket coconut milk, tasted and rated It's been nearly 11 years, but I can still remember the number of bouquets that filled my flat after the birth of my daughter. Don't get me wrong: I love flowers. But in those magical, insane early weeks there are, with hindsight, other gifts that could have lightened the load a little. A week's worth of meals, for example; or a care package filled with treats. Someone did buy me the Mother's Balm from this Neal's Yard trio though – a moisturising treat for my skin. Don't forget the new mums in your life. Hannah BoothEditor, the Filter Feel like you need that extra bit of help waking up in the morning now that the clocks have gone forward? Our expert Sasha Muller tested 10 of the best coffee machines for the Filter – having reviewed them for the past seven years, he knows his way around a drip tray. Not interested in a machine, but want tastier coffee? He's also given us all the kit you need to make great coffee at home – and what not to waste your money on. Our article on how to use less plastic resonated with you, and you've been writing in to tell us all the ways you're cutting back on your consumption. Libby Hutchings told us how she switched to plastic-free baby products for her two young children. 'I used cloth nappies with my now five-year-old, and I'm now using them with my six-month-old. While I bought a lot of them new with my first, I also bought several secondhand and, with proper care, have been able to use the same nappies this time. The extra laundry isn't that bad and any stains come out in the sun! Once we're done with them I'll sell them on to others as they'll have loads of life left in them. And we use cloth wipes instead of wet wipes: they're much kinder to delicate skin as well.' And Elise Rayner emailed to tell us how she avoids plastic in her food shopping: 'I use my local refill shop for lentils, stock powder, porridge oats and chocolate raisins. I only buy plain yoghurt in the largest tubs to avoid the small pots. If there's a glass option instead of a plastic option, eg mayonnaise, I buy the glass. Cheese from the cheesemonger wrapped in paper.' Have you ever been surprised by a brand or retailer going above and beyond on customer service? Maybe they repaired an ancient raincoat for free or brought a much-loved kitchen appliance back to life with a new part. If so, let us know by emailing us at thefilter@
The Guardian
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Cappuccino nails, boho blouses and pilates pumps: Jess Cartner-Morley's March style essentials
We think before we buy these days, right? And so we damn well should. Shopping should not be a pastime. Style is eternal, not disposable. Each piece that has made the cut into my edit of March treasures has earned its place. A pair of £10 socks that are an instant wardrobe update. A £39 blazer that would pass for a designer investment. The ideal new-season nail polish for £8. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. And you don't have to buy anything at all for it to be worth having a look at my list. See below for my thoughts on what makes a boho blouse cool rather than twee, and a tipoff about the return of the brooch. That's what I love about fashion: you don't have to buy it to buy into it. But whatever you do, don't buy anything until you read this. Yves Saint Laurent tricolour logo brooch £49 at Vestiaire Collective Yves Saint Laurent gold and crystal brooch £99 at Hewi The favoured accessory of minor royals and secondary-school art teachers is making a fashion comeback. The return of the brooch was my number-one takeaway from a recent trip to New York fashion week, where the chicest show-goers all had something fancy pinned to their coat lapel or beanie. I don't think many people are on to this yet, which means that now is the time to pounce on a bargain vintage brooch before they get in on the act. Why wait for the high street to catch up (although it will, mark my words) when you can source something original and preloved? I have my eye on two fabulous Saint Laurent brooches: a tricolour logo brooch on Vestiaire Collective, and a sleek gold-and-crystal number, £99 on in-the-know resale site Hewi, which stands for Hardly Ever Worn It. Bow socks £10 at Calzedonia It is impossible to overstate the importance of socks in fashion right now. These are adorable. If you wear them with jeans, you flash a bow now and again, but they come into their own with a party dress. They come in white with black bows or all black, but the pink-on-pink is giving Simone Rocha, for a tenner. Essential overnight bag £125 at Antler£125 at John Lewis After 20 years in fashion, I have a pretty tasty handbag collection, but the bag that has had complete strangers stopping me in the street and on the Eurostar platform recently is this Antler overnight bag. The clever thing about this bag is the integral back strap, which allows it to slide over the pop-up handle of your wheeled suitcase. This keeps it sitting securely on top of your luggage without everything falling over in chaos when you try to buy a coffee or get on to a train. It's designed to go with Antler luggage, but I find it works with every case. Fits under the seat in front of you when you fly too. Anyday Hennriette Point £49 at John Lewis Ballerina flats never quite live up to their elegant name, on me. Something about the way a ballerina flat leaves the top part of my foot flat lacks grace, visually. And yes, I know we have bigger things to worry about in the world right now, but it still bugs me. I've found the solution in a new genre of ballerina/Mary-Jane hybrids, with a strap across the top – like the socks people wear at pilates, hence the name. Looks much more pleasing, and is more comfortable, being more secure to the foot. This John Lewis pair, with a ruched strap and pointed toe, look very classy for the price. Cheesecloth blouse £75 at Me+Em There's a fine line between boho and trad-wife, and it feels important to stay on the right side of history here. A boho-style blouse is a useful buy because it works for daytime but can be easily dressed up with a kitten heel and some nice jewellery when you're going out for dinner and want to make a bit of an effort. But I've learned the hard way that what feels charming and feminine in the heady atmosphere of a store changing room can seem costumey and twee in the cold light of day. Me+Em is never cheap, but its clothes are thoughtfully designed and beautifully made, and always walk the right line in looking feminine but not cloying. This cheesecloth blouse has an elevated neckline that gives a pop of interest poking out under a crew-neck knit, so it's great for layering and will come into its own in summer. The peach sorbet shade is delicious, but it also comes in white and two alternative blues. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Heart resin ring £15.99 at Mango Rings are so cheering to look at if you spend your day with your hands on a keyboard. Show yourself some love with a heart cocktail ring. Black tailored buttoned jacket £39 at River Island And that, my friends, is my favourite kind of blazer. I always keep an eye on River Island for tailoring, because I've got a cropped, caped tuxedo-style jacket that I've had for more than a decade from there. It's one of my high-street treasures. This jacket has a beautiful silhouette, flaring very gently at the waist in a wearable take on the peplum shape. An alternative is this collarless boucle jacket. Snap up. Melie Bianco Larissa bag £88 at Anthropologie Squishy basket-woven leather is a fashion flex because it instantly calls to mind the artisanal delights of ultra-high-end Italian house Bottega Veneta. The real thing calls for some serious saving up. In the meantime, this faux-leather Melie Bianco Larissa bag, £88, has caught my eye – I love the chocolate brown. Turks And Caicos Beach nail polish £8 at Nails Inc£8 at Amazon Cappuccino-coloured nails look great with everything. This polish shade is subtle enough that if – like me – you're not exactly a dab hand on the DIY, a few application wobbles won't show. Aurelia waisted check dress £139 at Aligne£139 at Liberty I'm calling it now: check is going to beat florals and stripes as the print of the year. Do you know Aligne? Really cool British brand (and yes, I know the name sounds French, deliberate perhaps) with affordable, interesting pieces like this navy and white dress with cleverly shaped side panels.
