I am so excited that the weather is finally turning and cannot wait to get into more Spring dressing. Some of you have been asking for my Spring outfit inspo and I have been holding off for one reason–the cornerstones of my wardrobe revolve around pieces from one of my favorite brands, Nells Nelson. And….the designer Sisi Li has cut a small run that will be available to TFI readers soon (within the next couple of weeks, as you can imagine, everything is slightly delayed these days). I am beyond excited (plus it will coincide with my new launch–save your pennies)!
So, I’m going to share my list, and if you’re a Nells Nelson fan like I am, stay tuned and wait for these gorgeous pieces. If you’re not, or they are not your budget, there are plenty of other similar options which I will share now and in future posts. Note: so much seems delayed because of supply chain issues, there will be more options for everything later. Also note: This is Spring, not summer, which is another post and a lighter color palette. Two categories I’ve left out for the time being, which will get dedicated posts: dresses and bags. I did find another good COS dress, but it’s not online yet. (And if you can figure out what category I’ve left out here, it might give you a hint of what’s to come on my end, wink, wink.) Ok, so number one is….
1. A black lightweight suit. The Nells Nelson one pictured below is a graphite color, but it is being produced in black. I like the looser pant (fitted at top) and the shorter jacket. To wear separately and together, day and night, with a white tee, a button-down shirt or camisole. Sandals, sneakers, heels. If you are looking for affordable alternatives, I went to COS yesterday and am liking their clothes more and more (and purchased two things, one farther below). There is this jacket, and this navy one with these pants, plus there are other pants to mix and match. Another splurge are these Pietro pants from The Row and matching jacket.
2. Another pale color blazer–either this off-white or icy blue, both from Nells Nelson. To wear with my black suit pants, jeans and white jeans. Toteme has a good bone colored blazer (with matching pants below) but currently there aren’t other great alternatives, stay tuned.
3. A trench coat. Always. I have a gorgeous Celine I bought a few years back, and this Toteme one–I wear them in rotation. COS has a really good cropped one and longer version. Not a lot of other faves yet.
4 & 5. White pants and jeans. These ivory pants from Nili Lotan, these suit trousers from Toteme (that match blazer above), the white jeans I posted before but also these B Sides, and these from AGolde and this new (but classic) style from Toteme.
6. White blouses. I bought the blouse below, left, with voluminous sleeves from COS yesterday. It’s great. The smallest sizes are sold out online, so you have to visit a store if you need one. Then, this is the first time ever, I’m spending money on white shirt, the one right, from Nells Nelson. Why? I call it the Carolyn shirt, because you can wear it buttoned-down straight, or crossed-over (as shown) like that iconic white shirt Carolyn Bessette once wore with a black evening skirt. Enough said.
7. Some good and some cheap tees. I need a couple of Frances de Lourdes updates, I just purchased a Frankie tee in black and thinking I might need a Johnny in navy. (I also know the designer has new Spring arriving soon so there is that.) Then Uniqlo white tees, always.
8. Shoes. I’ve already posted on three pairs of the shoes below, here. New additions are the Celine mid-heel (can’t call it a slingback because it’s not) which to me are an updated version of the classic Manolo slingback. I ordered them. Love. Plus Vans sneakers, which I’m copying from Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. And always Stan Smiths. And yes, I know it’s a lot of black, but the luggage browns and whites are more summer to me.
9. Belts. I was going to buy a belt or two for fall, but it just didn’t happen. Now I really need a couple. This Nili Lotan and this Toteme have my eye.
10. Sunglasses. Because the sun is finally out! I always rely on my classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers and Celine oversized frames. Am still thinking of a more oval shape in black like this or this.
Happy Spring!
Christy Turlington photos courtesy Harper’s Bazaar
This is really helpful! What about your handbag’s wardrobe, if I could ask
Greetings from France
Stay tuned for that post!
Excited to see what secret project has been. Beautiful choices for Spring and I love Nils off white blazer – reminds me of my husband’s white dinner jacket.
It is so nice. And it’s knit, so lightweight and easy to wear.
I was so happy to see this post yesterday! I went a little crazy with the Birks. I bought the black ones in the croc print back when you posted the lower price and then when the tan leather with the gold buckles appeared, I knew they’d be perfect in the middle of summer. With the loser fitting Frances t-shirts such as the Frankie and Johnny, how much do you adjust your sizing as opposed to one of her more fitted tees like the Sadie?
Those tan Birks look good too. I am still doing a Small for FDL shirts…the Frankie is a bit oversized, but I want it that way.
Such beautiful options! Thank you for the inspiration and turning me on to the Frances t-shirts. I love them. Looking forward to your handbag post. Have a beautiful weekend, Jennifer.
Love this list — and thank you for confirming my purchase today of the pants and jacket from The Row. It was my (upcoming) birthday treat!
So many beautiful items and an overall wonderful list. Thank you.
The matches links aren’t working for me – it says their site is under construction.
What is it with the Birkenstock 1774’s? They are much more beautiful to me than standard Arizonas but so much more $. Do you guys think it’s worth it or crazy? Perhaps I’ve lost my discernment????
I think it depends upon how much you wear a Birkenstock and when you wear them. I have a pair of white Proenza Birks from a few years back that I wear constantly in the summer, but also a pair of black regular Birks with big buckles that have gotten just as much use.
I find Birks in the city to be a good idea because they keep your feet from touching the sidewalk (which is fairly eeeww in NYC in summertime), and an 1774 pair or designer collab just take things up a notch.
In the end, I think it’s a personal choice. I will spend extra for a pair of Birks but I wouldn’t spend $650 on a pair of jeans from The Row.
Go figure!