Invest in the Base Layers, This OG Weekend Jacket Gets an Update + How to Prada-ize It
Sure a T-shirt is basic, but the right one makes a big difference. Starting now with transition weather, all the way through most of April, I rely on a few long-sleeve tees that look pulled together on their own and add that extra layer of warmth under a cashmere sweater when it’s cold (and keep you looking good when you pull off the sweater in over-heated restaurants etc.). Sheer, lightweight turtlenecks also fit into this category.
For years, these were the pieces I gave little thought or effort into acquiring, but I’ve realized how key having three or four options that aren’t ratty or worn out, can upgrade basically anything.
I’ve put together some inspo visuals on IG of how to wear them now….think Lee Radziwill in Capri in a navy tee and white jeans, Charlotte Rampling in a white tee, dark denim and cowboy boots, CBK in the black tee and carpenter jeans I ran in my last post and her again on Nantucket in a pale-colored lightweight turtleneck and khakis. You want something kind of fitted, but not clingy. Tight is only flattering if you’re 25 and even then….
Basically you need white/ivory, navy and black, perhaps grey as well. You could go Gap (fyi, Gap is looking really good these days, kudos to them for getting the styling right, which despite how J. Crew did everything right for their catalog, it doesn’t translate online at all—still looks catalog-ey), or this heavy-weight tee (online only) from COS looks good and comes in several colors. On the higher price end is this henley from Nili Lotan which I think I need in black, and finally my favorite tee designer, Alejandra Echeverria of Frances de Lourdes, has many styles, but right now I’m into the Hamilton (white for my Rampling riff, navy for the Radziwill take—which is basically the outfit that the model has on in the FDL image, above. Add this belt to complete the look.) FDL also has beautiful sheer turtlenecks to wear under things and J. Crew’s tissue turtleneck still does the job.
Then, something that I did find on J. Crew that is #worthit is the Barbour Catton Waxed Coat. However, unless I missed something, there is nothing different about the one on J. Crew and the coat here and here. Everyone is riffing on Barbour lately (see below), but I always vote to go OG/authentic—if, and only if, it works. When I went to Ireland in March, I took my old Barbour Beadnell, which I hadn’t worn in years because the shape doesn’t feel very modern; I needed it because it was basically a drizzling or raining every day, but I didn’t enjoy wearing it. I love this one because it’s looser (and I bought a US 6 instead of a 4 to add a bit more room) and I like the exaggerated hardware. The collar seemed a bit much until I tried it on at the Barbour store. I also thought I would want it to be longer, but I’m ok with a longer sweater peeking out of the bottom. I was contemplating the black, but this is going to be my weekend coat to wear with denim and fisherman knits so I went Sage Ancient. Of course, then I saw this on the Prada runway yesterday….
Maybe???? With this sheer black Khaite Alleta skirt (here, here and here), and one of my husband’s longer cashmere sweaters? I’m not sure. FYI—I did love the Prada show, those fluttering dresses and the shoes! I’m going to teeter around in heels again.
But honestly, I think the Barbour stays in my weekend wear, but I might try the Khaite skirt (since sheer skirts continue to be a thing) with a black blazer. This Khaite skirt is also another pretty option—just with a white button-down shirt untucked and some gold sandals? Chic.
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Buck Mason tees. Enough said. Made in the US. In an old Pennsylvania textile mill at that. Two different fittings - slim and regular. No need to spend ridiculous amounts of money and what you do spend, pays the salaries of your neighbors.
I’ve been loving your posts and saving the outfits to my fall needs wants board. T shirts for me me are one of the hardest items to find. And I agree about J Crew. I could go on a rant but I won’t. Let’s just say there is something off about their clothing from everything being cropped, ruffled or the weird color choices and forgoing the classics they were once known for. I spend my money wisely but on my list as a splurge is a Barbour or Barbour like jacket. I just don’t want one with obvious hardware.