Plus eye-catching drinking glasses and $24 candles.
The Strategist Logo

Every product is independently selected by editors. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.

 

August 02, 2026

 

OUR SUNDAY CIRCULAR

8 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: Birkenstock Alternatives and $24 Candles

By The Editors

8 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: Birkenstock Alternatives and $24 Candles

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

We write about hundreds of products each week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, we’ve plucked some of our recent favorites: expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didn’t know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and very good deals we uncovered while trawling through the vast online-shopping universe.

In This Week's Edition...

  • A Patagonia Baggies alternative for people with curves …
  • … and a cuter Birkenstock sandal alternative.  
  • Under-$100 pleated twill trousers (that are nicer than J.Crew).
  • Eye-catching drinking glasses.
  • The best $24 candles are from Quince.
READ THE FULL STORY
 

More From the Strategist

There’s a New Generation of Window AC Units. We Found the Best Ones.

They’re quieter, more efficient, and cheaper to run than the ones most of us have been using.

There’s a New Generation of Window AC Units. We Found the Best Ones.

I Slept Through the Night in Susan Orlean’s Favorite Earbuds

Ozlo’s newly relaunched Sleepbuds are comfortable, even for side sleepers.

I Slept Through the Night in Susan Orlean’s Favorite Earbuds

I Tried Rag & Bone’s Trompe l’Oeil Denim Swimsuit

First, there were sweatpant jeans. Now, there are bikinis.

I Tried Rag & Bone’s Trompe l’Oeil Denim Swimsuit

I Tested 20 Lip and Cheek Stains to Find the 3 Best

They really do last all day.

I Tested 20 Lip and Cheek Stains to Find the 3 Best

45 Fun Drinking Glasses

For when simple and clear doesn’t cut it.

45 Fun Drinking Glasses

The Very Best Nice-Looking Pill Cases

For taking the drudgery out of your pill-taking routine.

The Very Best Nice-Looking Pill Cases

Everyone at New York Loves This Sexy Sofa

A cool sofa from an engineering-nerd brand.

Everyone at <em>New York</em> Loves This Sexy Sofa

There’s a Lot of Excellent Patio Furniture at Article’s Summer Sale

Shop before summer-soirée season ends.

There’s a Lot of Excellent Patio Furniture at Article’s Summer Sale

Quince Makes the Best $24 Candles I’ve Ever Tried

They smell as good as my fancy candles and are less than half the price.

Quince Makes the Best $24 Candles I’ve Ever Tried

The Very Best Workout Shoes for Women

Including a $30 pair of sneakers you can wear outside of the gym, too.

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-running-shoes-workout-shoes-women.html

The 13 Very Best Women’s Leggings

For running, stretching, and replying to emails.

The 13 Very Best Women’s Leggings

Sign up for more of our newsletters

  • The Strategist Deals Freaks Daily: Weekday dispatches and exclusive sales from our deals-obsessed editors. Click to sign up.
  • Beauty Brief: Our beauty writers share their must-trys, can-skips, and can’t-live-withouts every Wednesday morning. Click to sign up.
  • Secret Strategist: The most special stuff we’d usually save for ourselves, sent every Thursday morning. Click to sign up.
  • The Strategist Kids' Department: The best stuff for kids of all ages, vetted by picky parents and their even pickier kids, sent every Tuesday morning. Click to sign up.
 
 

ADVERTISER CONTENT
 
Learn more about OpenWeb
New York

follow us on instagram • tiktok • twitter • facebook

unsubscribe  |  privacy notice  |  preferences


This email was sent to [email protected]. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get this newsletter in your inbox.

View this email in your browser. 

Vox Media, LLC 1701 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
Copyright © 2026, All rights reserved

https://link.nymag.com/oc/67e8b765fd87c886310c41b5rvueg.1ibg/6bef9310