Is There Anything A Khaki Button Down Can't Do!?

The ultimate summer cardigan is not a cardigan at all

There were two incidents in the past couple weeks that sparked this newsletter. The first was that four clients asked me for an answer to the summer cardigan…that isn’t exactly a cardigan (or a jean jacket).

And then shortly thereafter, Ralph Lauren invited me to a lunch in the Hamptons and graciously asked if I’d like to pick something to wear. With the event still three weeks away at the time, I started to spiral. What if its hot? Or cold? How was I supposed to commit to an outfit with the extended forecast still days away!? The Eastern tip of Long Island can be chilly…or humid. Or both.

Beyond the whole temperature thing, I kept obsessing…what if everyone is basically in cocktail attire? Or I pick something too fancy and everyone else is in shorts!? I needed something that could toe the line no matter what the weather channel (and the rest of the guest list) threw at me. After an obscene amount of scrolling (quiz me on the website, I dare you!) I settled on a khaki linen button down and cut off khaki shorts. Tailored, chill, not denim, not floral. A chameleon Americana-semi-fancy-summery luncheon outfit if there ever was one.

But this is not a newsletter about Ralph Lauren, so let me get to the point. These two simultaneous asks sent off a blazing lightbulb in my head. THE KHAKI SHIRT IS IT!!!! It can be thrown over just about anything and take the place of a jean jacket or cardigan. And it’s a perfectly weighted layer for a hot or chilly summer day. Worn on it’s own, sleeves rolled it provides cool (literally) coverage and cast over the shoulders, it’s an easy breezy layer. Let me show you:

Auralee men’s button down (size 3) with the Ozma shorts from last weekend’s letter (we are going with these or these since they’re gone now), a ribbed tank, Eckhaus Latta bag, Ralph Lauren sunnies, Gianvito Rossi boat shoes.

I wore this top outfit on NYC’s 98 degree day last Tuesday. A ribbed tank under it to keep the sweat in check but also to give me extra armor against A/C in the subway and inside a restaurant (Thank you Massara for being the only restaurant in NYC who actually honors walk ins…everyone else’s “2 hour wait” is crushing the vibe!). Anyway, the incredibly lightweight cotton shirt was breezy, provided sun coverage and looked light as air as I made my way through the day and night.

A tissue thin (and my khaki button down of choice for three summers running) shirt from Kule in a medium for requisite slouchiness, Cordera skirt (All the little white Doen numbers would be good too!) Khaite sunnies and crochet tote (we love this and this from last week as well.)

I think we can also credit my obsession with white bottoms for the khaki shirt’s importance of late. White on white can be a lot. Khaki breaks it up.

I gotta say, too, it might just be more of an essential closet hero than a white button down. Controversial?! Think about it - khaki is less sheer than white, less prone to showing stains and just as easy (maybe even easier) to pair. I definitely have felt more of a gravitational pull to any and all of these over any white shirts hanging in my closet this summer.

Auralee button down, Flore Flore muscle tank, vintage Prada skirt (how about one of these??), Tory flippers and floral brooch (sold out, she’s pretty!), Eckhaus Latta bag (which fits my laptop!! Sound the church bells!!) and Khaite sunglasses

A khaki gingham shirt over a Flore Flore high neck muscle tank lets me live my best Mrs. Prada life no matter the temp. She gets full credit for the crisp, high white crew forever in my book…so here is how to lighten it up for summer.

The Kule shirt, Maria McManus lace top (negative underwear sieve bra underneath for coverage), Giuliva Heritage shorts but also these from the Jorts newsletter…or really any of the shorts from the Jorts newsletter! Gianvitos again

Or how about using her to yin the yang of all this summers silk and lace and floral?

You’ve seen all these items before many times, but never together! The Kule shirt over an old Sportmax slip dress. I die over this Alex Eagle one, OMG. And I’m into this…feels like it could stand alone without feeling like…an actual slip. The shoes are old from The Row. Go for these.

A very good way to extend all those little summer dresses you bought for regular life…aka everyone outside of New York whose kids go back to school in two weeks! Polo linen shirt (medium for drapiness) over a Prada floral dress and bag, similar Mary Janes here

The outfit I finally settled on for the Ralph Lauren lunch - thank you for having me RL and for this sweet outfit!! Linen shirt, shorts (size 8, scrunched and rolled!), concho belt, sunglasses and flats all Ralph Lauren. The lace tank is an old Dosa cami. She’s a beauty via eBay!

Getting into dinner territory, because lets be real, that is a major cardigan part of the day - when the sun goes down and the AC stays on full blast, the worst!

Going full khaki with a slinky halter or shall we call a spade a GOING OUT TOP. The chinos are old Double RL, remember this newsletter!? Valentino sandals (on sale somehow!?) and an old Tod’s mens shirt (If you really want a mens solid khaki, this one looks like an ideal color and weight)

Zee shirt as belt, also cute!!

Guys, I finally caved on the Toteme capris and they are really good!! DE36 - stretchy and perfect. Wore them to dinner on Friday night with all of the above: the Auralee button down, Jude heels, a satin pouch that my Dries van Noten fragrance came in, a Dorsey necklace. AND I wore a jean jacket over all of this!

Hilariously, I ordered this sequin crop top below from the Alaia end of season sale (FINAL SALE). I did not realize it was going to be SO cropped - like literally boob grazing, so I’ve settled on it being a great sparkly layer for v-neck knits and…a khaki button down! I would totally do this for dinner (or maybe a concert if I can ever get over my fear of crowd mentality.)

Kule shirt, Alaia sequin crop top (Actually also very into this Norma Kamali! And probably much easier to wear 😬)

Would contemplate wearing it open after perhaps two glasses of wine and some real peer pressure. :) The jeans are vintage Levis. These non-vintage Levis are as close as you can get without trying 100 pair on.

An easy breezy, relaxed dinner outfit for the depths of summer. Bless. Kule shirt, Posse top underneath, Aflalo satin pants, Emme Parsons sandals

As a sweatshirt replacement with knock arounds. A gym short, a satin pj pant you want to dress up a little bit. It just looks a little more styled…while somehow maintaining the “non-styled” vibe.

Harrison Ford summer but make it khaki! The Kule shirt, Tracksmith shorts (also consider the Horse Sport pair) and boat shoes

Oh yea, and over your swimsuit of course!!!!!!!!!!

Not all that revolutionary to wear your linen shirt as a swim/sun cover up but here we are. A fantastic use case nonetheless. Polo shirt, TYR suit, The Row pareo, Ancient Greek flippers and Khaite sunnies

I’ll just keep going bc what the heck! Polo shirt, Burberry swimsuit (it’s the summer of the Burberry suit in case you didn’t know!) Cadets cover up and Tory flippers

I could keep going with everything in my closet, to no end. And I would love to, but this page will eventually get cut off. So I will leave you here to go explore your own closet with this summer layer in mind. Thanks for reading til the end! Love you.

Yours TRULY,

Becky