My Favorite 70° Outfit

You can Carven + how to have a vicarious South of France summer now

I know I have been posting, but somehow it feels like I haven’t been paying that much attention to Spring clothes. Frankly, it’s been chilly in NYC except for yesterday (the high was 83°), but it is leveling out and we’re in for a stretch of glorious 70-ish degree days. I am ready for it and have my outfits planned. I am “so organized” because what I want to wear is based on a theme: A trench coat, a light weight knit, cotton trousers, a belt, flats, jewelry.

I find this pairing is a simple, effortless way to get dressed and feel pulled together. For trench coats there is this Celine (similar to one I bought a few years back and was worth the investment), I rotate mine with this Toteme Pisa trench I’ve had for even longer that they continue to produce. The one pictured above is Toteme’s latest motorcycle version (prefer the others).

Then thin knits: Maria McManus’ striped knit top , shown at top, is feminine (it has a scoop back), and I like her polka dot polo too. I have the Attersee whisper knit polo and love it. Nili Lotan also has a short sleeve cashmere polo in many colors, and that John Smedley one I featured here, is a fave, but is super lightweight (it can make it through summer). I am considering this striped version.

My Smedley

Then, this is where I would go all-out summery and choose white pants. As often as possible. But not drawstring super-casual ones, those are for high summer and they will be part of my summer round up I’m going to post soon. I would choose flat front or pleated, even jeans. I have some old white Levi 501s and my new oversize Tibi jeans (they run super big). I want a pair of cotton trousers, so I am going to try the Toteme ones pictured, and Matteau’s summer chino and utility trouser. (I have Matteau’s summer linen trousers in black and beige and live in them once it’s hot; did I mention that they now ship from the US, so you don’t have to deal with Australian shipping?) These from Another Tomorrow in linen are beautiful as well.

My Celine trench, Attersee knit, Tibi jeans and Nili Lotan belt.

I think a belt adds the polish. I have this Nili Lotan, then there is this Toteme. You could go silver with this Matteau and one my silver Mariner Link pieces of jewelry to balance it (see my friend Nikki Kule below who did it so well). If you want a standout belt—say The Row, Bottega or Hermes, you might need to source at a store, there aren’t that many out there online right now that seem worth it.

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CARVEN EST ARRIVÉE

While I was busy getting last week’s trunk show together, Carven launched online. I have been waiting for this for forever, and would like to tell you how the pajama shirt I have been OBSESSED with (to wear with my new emerald earrings and moi et toi ring), and the nylon bomber in a pale non-shade color that I ordered are, but they are stuck in customs in France, so…..You can head over to Net-a-Porter and check out their selection. I might add a double belt. And I love the sheer skirts, which were featured in WSJ. Mag last weekend (see below), but I know I won’t wear one. And the square-toe mules….maybe I will want them once they are sold out, but also not for me. I still love all the pale shades together.

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VICARIOUS SOUTH OF FRANCE SUMMER NOW

These two new cookbooks I read about in WSJ and Yolo Journal (do you subscribe? if you travel, you should) that give me major South of France FOMO. The first is Le Sud by Rebekah Peppler of recipes and her take on Provence, the Alps and Côte d’Azur.

Le Sud

Then there is Niçoise by Rosa Jackson, a book of recipes that I hope will alleviate the sameness rut in my meal planning. Both books would make excellent gifts for say Mother’s Day or your favorite host. Of course, you can always gift yourself.

Niçoise

xx Jennifer

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