Tried & True with Maddie of Gems I Loved
An interview series! Learn about Maddie's go-to outfits, favorite recent finds, brands on her radar and more!
Welcome to Tried & True, an interview series where I speak to friends about their wardrobe and the items they reach for again and again. I think that all of us are curators of our own lives; everyday we are trying new things, testing out our purchases and iterating based on the information we gather. I love to learn the nitty gritty, not just what someone loves, but WHY they love it.
MEET MADDIE:
I am thrilled to kick off my new interview series with my friend Maddie of @gemsiloved. Maddie and I have been instagram friends for years. What started as connecting through social media has grown into a real life friendship for which I am so grateful. Maddie is truly a GEM! She has the best taste - colorful and fun but also chic and timeless. We initially over our shared love for a patterned top or dress with fun poufy sleeves! But more importantly, Maddie is so kind and thoughtful. I am always inspired by Maddie's authenticity, she just says things how they are, in the best way! I am excited for you all to get to know more about Maddie! I know you will love her just as much as I do.
THE FACTS:
Name: Maddie
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Title: New Mom, Content Creator, Occasional Substack Writer and Full-Time 9-5’er
Self description: I’m a new mom, living in Chicago with my husband and fully embracing homebody life in my 30s, after years of moving between five cities! I’m passionate about discovering products that are genuinely worth the money and sharing unique, colorful finds that aren’t tied to trends. As someone who thrives in structure but loves being creative, I have a deep passion for interior design and spend way too much time designing my own home. Outside of my 9-to-5 in consumer health, I write for my Substack, which feels like a rare and cherished luxury these days!
FOLLOW:
@gemsiloved on Instagram
on Substack
What is your go-to outfit or uniform?
I love a tailored pant with a puff sleeve and ballet flats. This is what originally inspired my Instagram—my love for (and fearless embrace of) a voluminous top. My uniform is almost always something tailored, something unexpected, and something classic, and I always opt for navy over black as a neutral.
I love this sweater from LoveShackFancy because it has a classic silhouette with a slight puff sleeve so it’s work appropriate but still fun. For trousers, Nili Lotan’s Flavie Pant holds a special place in my heart, though I’m also a big fan of these from Veronica Beard (really, any pant they make). **note, the Flavie Pant is an older style that is no longer made, we found a few sizes still in stock here.
At 5’11, ballet flats are a staple for me. Trendy or not, they’re my favorite shoes. While Chanel ballet flats aren’t currently in my budget, the pairs I own are truly cherished investments for me. For everyday wear, I love the Margaux Demi Flats and recently got these from Le Monde Beryl which have also been added to my rotation.
When it comes to jewelry, I stick to timeless pieces: family heirlooms, diamond huggie earrings, and my charm necklace from Henri Noel Jewelry. The charms—sourced from Vana Chupp, Fewer Finer, Julz Gold and vintage from Etsy—make it deeply personal, and I never take it off. Watches are another staple in my wardrobe, as a self-proclaimed watch enthusiast.
Where do you splurge vs. save when shopping and building your wardrobe?
I tend to splurge on shoes, sweaters, and jeans or pants. Being tall with an athletic build means finding a great fit often outweighs finding a great deal. I’m meticulous about inseam and arm length, which makes fast-fashion purchases, like Zara, hard to justify since they rarely fit well. With size 12 feet, investing in comfortable, high-quality shoes that last for years is always worth it. I spent many years trying to squeeze myself into brands that weren’t right for me, so I now find really high quality pieces and rarely have to replace them.
What is one of your favorite things you bought last year?
It’s hard to pick just one favorite, so I have two!
The Doen Ischia Dress is hands down my most-worn piece. I spent most of 2024 pregnant, and this dress was my go-to during hot summer days when nothing else felt right. It carried me through the last months of pregnancy and postpartum, proving you don’t need a huge wardrobe—just a few pieces that make you feel good.
My other favorite is a silhouette charm from Vana Chupp that brings me so much joy every time I look at it. I worked with her team to create a custom silhouette of my daughter, Nell, and it’s so deeply meaningful. It’s a piece I’ll treasure forever!
Can you suggest a few smaller brands that you think more people should know about?
Andion Clothing -- I discovered this brand mid-COVID and instantly fell in love with their pieces. I’m not sure if they still offer made-to-order, but it was a total game-changer for my long arms.
Elwood Clothing -- A friend recently recommended this brand for athleisure, and I can’t get enough of their sweatsuits. I’m basically living in sweats these days—and honestly, as often as I can.
Leset -- Definitely on the pricier side but I love their tees.
Minicoton -- I’m obsessed with Minicton. Their bassinet sheets and stroller bags are favorites in our household. Their shipping isn’t the fastest, the quality more than makes up for it—I’ve admittedly stocked up on way too much from them.
Is there an item that you have owned for more than 10 years and still love and wear to this day?
Yes, my Veronica Beard Dickey Jacket. A forever tried-and-true favorite, Veronica Beard has been a brand I’ve loved for ages. I was thrilled when they reached out to partner with me! The Dickey Jacket was one of my first big purchases when I could afford it, and I wore it endlessly to work (always with the hoodie insert). Now that I work from home, I still find ways to style it—it’s just that good.
MADDIE’S TRIED & TRUE FAVORITES
Abby Landers design is a good friend of mine and has been encouraging me to add layers to our home. These lamps are priced well and range from modern to vintage. I love the bases and the shades and they’re the first place I look for lighting!
A splurge, I know. But the fabric is perfect and it’s the right amount of cozy but structured, and still lets you sink into it for movie night. Trust me, it’s the best.
I found this right before my wedding and love the smell, how it makes my skin feel, and I keep repurchasing. I’ve added things here and there to my skincare routine but this stuff is my tried and true.
The only sweater you’ll ever need. I love the wide-brim neckline, the material is fabulous, and it’s an absolute staple for me. I do wish they made them a little longer, so I tend to size up in this one.
If you live somewhere with cold winters, just buy it. It’s the only way I survive Chicago from December through April. I’m not exaggerating.
Even if you don’t have kids… it’s so good!!!
I was influenced by someone on TikTok to buy this and I now can’t dry my hair without it. I put this on from mid to ends and then this oil on the ends.
And there you have it, a little peek into Maddie’s world and some of her favorite things. Be sure to follow Maddie at @gemsiloved on Instagram and here on Substack.
And stay tuned for more interviews in this Tried & True series in the coming weeks.
Love this series and can't wait for more! Love following Maddie on IG and learning more about her favs here!
As a fellow tall size 12 shoe wearing fashion lover. I wonder if Maddie would share her go to brands. So hard to find stylish twelves. And all of us big footed ladies know a 42 is not a 12!