Sometimes inspiration hits and you can’t unsee it. This happened to me a few weeks ago while mindlessly scrolling Instagram. I saw a photo of an outfit and I melted off my chair. I screengrabbed. I regrammed. I sent to my fashionable friends. This was it! The ultimate spring outfit. The casual elegance. The excellent proportions. The layers! The jean-free, sneaker-free answer to so many of the “not quite sure the dress code” events as the weather turns. I became obsessed. And it’s been haunting me as I’ve gotten dressed ever since.
On first glance, you’re probably saying: It’s JUST khakis and a chore jacket. RELAX! But no. It’s an amalgamation of multiple things that are the perfect version of themselves. And worn like second skin. The chinos thick and baggy but perfectly cropped. The chore jacket, softly draping. The boat shoe, extra chunky. Extremely sharp shades. A crisp tee. A belt that looks WORN. It feels intimate staring too long! So I’ve decided to get off my phone and get the look. And, of course, break down why it works so well as a jumping off point for a failsafe formula. Today, FIVE outfits - all sort of the same, but all different - that I’ve been wearing and wearing and wearing and wearing.
As you read this, I will likely be half way to the crown of the Statue of Liberty. The things we do for love! And you know what I’m wearing? Khakis, a white t-shirt, a blue jacket and my memory foam mocs. I bet you can guess what I wore to dinner last Wednesday at a long table full of extremely fashionable people. Yes, that’s right. The same, but evening-afied. The same khakis, a navy Chanel jacket (see below!) and a white t-shirt. This is the most powerfully brainless transitional weather combo I’ve played with in a long time. It seems to be working for me 1. because it’s so concrete. The pieces are clear. And 2. because the fabric weights needed to produce the final look are so flexible. Extremely important when its 45 deg when you wake up, 85 at pick up and then back to 50 with a breeze when you’re eating dinner al fresco.
But there are other reasons why this combination of clothing feels like it. The overall look is not precious, whether the actual pieces involved are, or are not. The extremely utilitarian base of functional pieces (in reality or theory) make sequins and a sparkly shoe feel rational. But it also can be put together from the biggest of the big box stores without giving up one ounce of personal style. (See outfit 1.)
And there is something, lately, about a really loose, easy going khaki on it’s own that is pulling me in with the intensity of a black hole. They barely even make it to my closet. Repeat, repeat, repeat. They’re somehow easier to pair with shoes than denim (everything looks intentional!) They’re not overbearing when the temperature spikes (jean season is fleeting!) I’m not nervous about getting them dirty (spot treat and wash on hot!) and they just seem to create that perfect masculine/feminine balance - masculine fabric and cuts, with a cinched feminine waist. I guess nothing about this concept of khakis is new. It just happens to be sitting right, right now. So I’m leaning in.
Now go enjoy your day. Uncrisp your khakis. Get dirty. Get going! Look infallible!!!!
Yours TRULY,
Becky
when dockers are sold out by 7:30am on the west coast 🙄 you’re really messing with old school standard bearer american brands, becky.
This is so so good perfect mom outfit but with style …perhaps also with a flat espadrille??