Shirts, Belts + Other Spring Thoughts

It has been hard to get excited about Spring dressing when it’s in the 50s and raining all the time, but it finally feels like we’re turning a corner and here are some things I’ve been looking at and some things that didn’t work out.

Last style post I talked about wanting a white suit, then I went to the Resee pop up at The Carlyle and one of the founders, Sabrina Marshal, handed me a Phoebe Philo era white Celine tux…well it came home with me (the pants need some taking in, but I’m ok with that).

Then I received the off-white Nili Lotan blazer I wrote about, which is a better day option. It was ok. The 4 was too oversized, but more importantly, I have a good white blazer from Vanessa Bruno I bought a few years back and frankly, I don’t need two. More and more, I am trying to wean myself off the feeling that I “need” something new, when I already have the better option sitting in my closet. It’s not always easy, but I’m trying. Plus, I find it harder and harder to find those “wow” pieces that I want regardless, but that’s what I’m holding out for when it comes to big purchases. So, since I don’t need any major pieces for Spring, and my evening white suit is my “wow” splurge, these are smaller things that I am adding to update my wardrobe.

Shirts. I like button-down shirts not only to wear in the most basic way, like my young style crush model Vivienne Rohner is in the holding image, but they are great worn open over a tank top or slipdress when it’s warm. This image of Rosie Huntington Whitely still is something to emulate.

So, I bought this Xirena shirt in an XS. It is large, but the cotton is light and the price is right. I also swear by their short sleeved Channing shirts for summer, and need a new black one as mine has stains now. I paired it with three of my silver Mariner Link necklaces the other day–I like the crispness of white/khaki and silver.

I also bought this striped shirt from Maria McManus, this is more fitted and the XS was a little tight in the bust, so I sized up to a Small. I will wear both shirts with white jeans and my Matteau linen pleated pants which I bought in khaki last summer (size 2) and then in black recently when they had a 25% promotion. These two shirts, the black short sleeved Micky Paris safari version I ordered, and three pair of pants and my white blazer alone create a serious core wardrobe from which I can mix and match. Then, I’m having a belt moment. I bought this Khaite Julius belt in python printed leather, below. I cannot find a size small anywhere else now to share with you, but there is also this option and the larger version.

Vivienne is wearing the Matteau Classic belt (I think wide version) in the top image, but I prefer the narrower Everyday version.

These are other chic options.

I am not onto shoes yet. Again, I don’t need that many pairs right now, but am veering towards a flat sandal and then a bit of a heel in white….maybe these?

Or these….which seem more wearable and don’t seem to be anywhere else but their site.

That’s all for now!