Three Easy Pieces

Years ago I wore Wayfarers daily, then I gave them to my daughter. Now I’m missing the style and will try this Saint Laurent pair. A brown linen shirt over a black swimsuit would be chic, and an inexpensive raffia shoulder bag is always a good idea.

Show & Tell

In a comment on the post Thank You, Helene, RM suggested “a post on where women find great basics. I have a go-to t-shirt, for example, while someone might have a staple crewneck sweater.” Then Yasmin weighed in with “I love to shop but with the lack of brick and mortar stores these days as well as inventory it makes the Saturday afternoon stroll unappealing. It’s great to know where and what ladies of like shopping mind find the best.”

So, I will start off the conversation — using this picture I took yesterday after visiting interior designer Katie Ridder and her stunning Millbrook garden — by sharing two of my tried-and-true basics. My favorite T-shirts are by Petit Bateau. I love the neck on the non-scalloped version. It lays flat and looks great peeking out from under a crewneck sweater. I have loads of them in white and black and have shortened many to wear untucked with a skirt.  No need to go to Paris to snag a few, either.

I cherish a number of pairs of Saint Laurent sunglasses, but for running around, Ray-Bans win the day. They don’t break the bank, and when they go on sale I try styles outside of my comfort zone. Like reading glasses, I keep pairs scattered about.

Slingbacks, clogs, hobos, pleated knee-length skirts, short-sleeved knits, peacoats, Belgian Shoes, Adidas sneakers, and lambswool crewneck sweaters are the foundation of my wardrobe. I’m sure I’m forgetting a few items.

Okay, your turn!

Three Easy Pieces

A parka for the bakery run this morning did not make me happy. I look forward to sporting an easy summer dress, sandals, and BIG sunglasses — my squint lines are doing me no favors. #SummerUniform

Thank You, Helene

Dear Helene,

When you recommended the J. Crew polo in a comment yesterday, I went to try it on. Fits like a charm and it’s on sale — a win-win for sure.

Thank you for the tip!

xPreston

Sophie Theallet’s Room 502

I’ve often wondered what happened to the phenomenally talented French designer Sophie Theallet, the ’90s Azzedine Alaïa alum who shuttered her namesake label in 2018.  My question was answered when I ran into my dear friend Adrienne wearing the perfect shirtdress by Room 502, the DTC line Sophie launched from Canada in 2021. I went up a size and it fits perfectly. The dress is with my tailor being shortened and the buttons swapped to black. Thanks, Adrienne!

Polo Player

A short-sleeved, knit polo is one of my wardrobe staples. Perfect on its own right now, then under a blazer in the winter. I love the zipper on the Varley left. And the Bottega Veneta right is pretty nice (and here).

Mon Review

Monica Ainley de La Villardière recently launched a blog on Substack, Mon Review. I love her personal style and I’m thrilled she is posting on it. Blogs are back big time.

Officine Générale

Officine Générale just gets better and better. I love the SS23 campaign with Malgosia Bela and a field trip to the store is in order.

Chanel 2024 Resort

When I spied this pale yellow jacket in the Chanel cruise collection, shown yesterday in Los Angeles, my heart skipped a beat. Nicole Phelps, Global Director, Vogue Runway, is spot-on when she says “Viard’s stamp is the more feminine, youthful hand she’s brought to the house since taking over as artistic director in 2019.”  It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Virginie Viard and her designs for Chanel.

Transitional Dressing Nailed

This morning I went with friends to see Thirty Are Better Than One, an exhibition of over 100 artworks by Andy Warhol at the Brant Foundation — it opened today. As I was following these two, I realized that they’ve  nailed transitional dressing. You can’t go wrong with a blazer, jeans, and flats — truly a fail-safe combo. This outfit lets the accessories define the wearer’s personal style.