WEARING LATELY: PART ONE

In the WEARING LATELY series, you’ll notice a lot of pieces marked as old. It’s a testament to consistency in personal style and confidence in how I want to dress. When an item is no longer available, I always try and link new alternatives for you. They’re thoughtfully selected and what I’d purchase for myself. The hope is you’ll find some gems worth holding on to while building a wardrobe reflective of your own personal style.

stripe tank, pant, sandals, jacket, jeans, ivory jacket, earrings worn throughout

In today’s newsletter, I’m sharing the pieces I’ve been styling lately – some old, some new. I went through my closet and pulled out all of the items I’ve recently worn. Most are very basic, much like my personal style. There’s nothing ground breaking, just simple pairings. I’ll show each piece worn at least two ways. It was an informative exercise in quick styling, one I highly recommend. I laid out everything on my bed and took stock noticing a theme and formula of how I dress on a whim. The pieces were simple, good, wearable, and not to overuse the word, but truly effortless. All the looks could be notched up or toned down with accessories and shoes.

This is Part One of a three part series. Today I’m highlighting a navy pant, ivory sweater, white chinos, a couple of jackets and white jeans.

shirt, pant, shoes (old), these and these are similar

NAVY PANTS: I’m starting with a new pair of Veronica Beard navy cotton pants. I recently noticed my closet was lacking in casual pants that weren’t jeans. I’m also on a navy binge. These pants solved for both of those issues. I like a cropped pant for summer to style with sandals – flats or heels. These have a good amount of stretch for comfort and keep a flattering shape. Wearing with a COS white poplin top and Dries Van Noten sandals from 2023. These burgundy sandals or these from Dries Van Noten are both great options.

pants, shirt, sandals as above; striped tank (old – others here and here) and flats (old) – try these or these

The pants paired with a knit tank and flats for a more casual look. Could’ve swapped the Chanel flats for sneakers here too and would likely toss on a blazer to complete the look…or a sweater tied around my neck. Two front patch pockets on the pants add nice detailing. Other tanks: here, hereand here or for long sleeve stripes look here.

same pants, cropped sweater (more colorshere), sandals (old) but these create the same look, earrings

ADD A SWEATER: You can see more of a flare in the silhouette with this pose. The pants work with almost any shoe…minimalist or chunky sandals, loafers, heels. For tops, I prefer something cropped or tucked in to balance the bottoms. The La Ligne Mini Marin sweater is one of my favorites (there is a longer version here). I have two colors in cashmere and will probably add another in cotton for summer. Size down. I’m wearing a small.

Left: as above; Right: sweater, pants, loafers (also here and here)

A GOOD, BASIC WHITE PANT: Taking the same ivory cropped cashmere sweater and styling it with a great pair of Vince cotton chinos in white. My closet has lacked a pant like this for years as I’ve favored a wider leg silhouette. These sit slightly below the waist, have a bit of stretch and hit above ankle. My rule for white pants is the same in all fabrications…always slightly loose.

A neutral tonal story is a go-to. I prefer when things don’t match perfectly but instead compliment. Wearing an older La Ligne cashmere sweater with the new Vince pants and shoes. I’ll swap cashmere for a cotton or linen sweaters as it heats up. La Ligne Mini Marin and Jenni Kayne are my two top resources.

Left: jacket(similar), pants, old sandals but these and these are both great); Right: jacket, jeans, sandals

TRY WITH A JACKET: A jacket quickly elevates the vibe of the white chino. I don’t actually love the look on the left…it feels a little too uptight and nautical but I kept it in the post for a visual. I think worn open with a tank would be a better option. See Nili Lotan styling below for a successful look. But, I also love the Nili Lotan jacket worn with a wide leg pant and then think it works best buttoned up like a shirt.

Nili Lotan jackets in ivory, tan and brown; Celine black jacket

jacket, jeans, sandals (similar), earrings

JACKET WITH DARK JEANS: This is what I mean about effortless. For some, effortless may read as relaxed and undone, but I correlate it with simplicity. To me, ease in getting dressed – wearing three simple pieces – is the definition of effortless. It’s unfussy and straightforward. Here’s the same jacket in a stripe and beige.

jeans (also seen in this post) with shrunken blazer left, then styled with white jeans and sandals (LOVE these and these are a great price). More shrunken blazer styles here, here, and here.

JEANS WITH A BLAZER: Introducing a shrunken blazer to the mix. If you’ve been a longtime reader, you know how much I love a shrunken blazer. Mine is a black linen Dries Van Noten from 2024, with The Row heeled loafer (old), and a pearl tassel necklace I dug out of a drawer from many, many years ago.

And lastly for this Part One of Three post, I’m bringing in my favorite new white jeans from Frame with the old DVN jacket and old Hermes sandals (similar).

Next Tuesday, Wearing Lately: Part Two will pick up where this leaves off.

I highly recommend this exercise in styling your closet. It’s especially good whenever you purchase something new. Actually putting it on with pieces you imagine wearing it with solidifies if it was a strong or weak purchase.