Five Great Things

Sometimes that's all!

Hi everybody. Missed you last week! Back from my little family trip with a hodge podge of five things and theories that I’m thinking about in my current state of vacation withdrawal. Hope you enjoy!

A Diamond-ish necklace

Last February I went to dinner in Milan with a group of luxury brand executives. The lighting at the restaurant had me staring at their necks the entire time…fast forward a few bottles of wine and I just blatantly asked. WHAT IS UP with your strands and strands of diamonds!? Basically in unison they shouted, “They’re Dorsey!” “$600!” “Can you believe?!” So of course I deep dived. And here is the deal. The company uses lab-grown sapphires which allows for the shockingly low price tag (bear with me, this is fine jewelry we are talking about!) If you care to learn more about lab-grown stones, I wrote about it last year for WSJ. So I won’t go on about that…back to this necklace.

Its been great to wear all summer. But the best part, which I didn’t actually realize until I started wearing it, is that the price is allowing me to really WEAR it. I am the number one advocate of wearing your fancy stuff and not being too precious. But like, come onnnn…we all know if I spent $100k (lol) on a diamond necklace I would stress out on the subway. I wore this necklace for a week of vacation. I sunscreen-ed it. I showered in it. My kid pulled on it. And it was fine! Will also wear to black tie. And breakfast. And just to sit at my desk and write like I’m doing right now. HERE SHE IS

The “tennis” necklace I never thought I would have. Tiny happy tears! (Yes I know its actually called a Riviere)

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A pink stripe t-shirt

But not any pink stripe t-shirt. This particular dark pink stripe doesn’t feel too sweet to me. I’m feeling the super skinny stripes and the thick, high neckline. The body is structured. It doesn’t feel flimsy but more like a proper top (that happens to be machine washable.) And finally, the hem sits in the right place to be left untucked and still feel tidy. Here I am wearing it at 6am on “vacation” but also with two summer skirts and a light wash denim. It’s a good balance!

Top left: highly recommend buying your child a squirt bottle. Endless entertainment. Top right: A white cotton skirt from Jil Sander found on TRR. Here’s a pretty similar option. Bottom left: Citizens jean shorts.

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A medium thick belt

I’m not a huge belt person historically speaking, though this is changing. Maybe its because I’m getting older? Or because after you have a kid you become more obsessed with a waistline? Either way, I’m new to the world of belt dissection but studying hard. And this is the current favorite by Refine, a very chic little brand off the beaten path. The quality feels substantial. The width feels wide enough for jeans or dressy shorts yet dainty enough to work over a silk dress. And the buckle is just really pretty without being identifiable in any way. I also included it in my recent belt round up for WSJ.

The Refine belt making my shorts and muscle tee look pulled together!

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Corduroy in summer

Corduroy has been sizzling (again) for a few seasons, but I struggle with corduroy during its intended season. It never feels quite right to me with closed-toe shoes. Heels seem weird. Sneakers too little boyish. A loafer or brogue some sort of preppy halloween costume. So I’ve resorted to wearing my corduroy in summer, with sandals exclusively. It makes Birkenstocks feel more intentional and cooler than straight jeans/t-shirt styling. The trick here is to choose a corduroy pant that is casual to start with. The pocket and trim on mine are cut like jeans, not a pleat front trouser. I still love wide-wale and trouser style corduroy, but they’re not it for the purposes of a casual summer jean replacement.

Maybe I’ll do a post on how to wear dressy corduroy in winter when we are all sad in January. It will take some time and research to find the winning formula.

The pants I’m wearing in this picture are old Officine Generale.They’re a size 27 even though I usually wear a 26. Too tight corduroy….not the look. I also love these and these. Both on sale. :)

And some more: The Best Ones $$$$, The Ones I’m Wearing, The Steal (SIZE UP!!), The Pair I’ll Probably Buy Next. Wait no, actually these.

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A sailor top

I got to wear a Miu Miu sailor top for a party in June. It was the most fun getting dressed I’ve had in a long time. I felt like my outfit was great even from behind, which I don’t often think about. Then my friend posted this which I hunted down but alas, is sold out. Now I feel I really need one.

When I told another friend I was including a sailor top in this week’s edition she said maybe too tricky. But I like what I like! So here is my advice for styling: Jeans. Nothing more. Strip away the statement accessories. Throw on your favorite summer (light wash, preferably) jean, said sailor top, some K.Jacques and be on your way. Consider it a way to embrace girlish-ness, without resorting to smocking.

Love these two! Left: T-shirt version Right: Ladylike version

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Me and this picture of the most fun outfit I’ve ever worn are signing off.

Yours TRULY,

Becky

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