The Knit Polo Will Carry You Through

This essential sweater of fall 2023 (and winter 2024).

I have spent a lot of this past week processing and connecting with my family, friends and community and I hope you have been able to do the same. While focusing has been nearly impossible (for most of you too, I’d imagine,) I find relief in working and love bringing you this newsletter. So the newsletter will continue as planned today. I do recognize that, for many of us, it feels like we are living in a totally different world than we were ten days ago. If this doesn’t feel right for you today, I understand; no need to read any further.

With love for you all,

Becky

---

Welcome back to 5 Things. So many new faces here thanks to Cup of Jo’s new newsletter Big Salad. She graciously featured me a couple weeks ago - thank you Joanna and welcome new friends! This is a newsletter about getting dressed. About editing the overwhelming amount of stuff around the internet down to what is truly worth buying (and actually wearing.) That’s all! So without further ado: the knit polo.

She’s trendy. She’s forever. She’s sexy. She’s bundled. She’s work ready. She’s festive. Ladies and gentlemen, she’s Miss Fall 2023. A collared sweater, two or three buttons (more or less) at the neck is my styling piece du jour for oh so many reasons.

I plan to prove my point in photos this week, along with the five best bets. More notes in the captions, but the general reasoning goes: it frames your face and offers just the right amount of skin to make your neckline feel open but not so open that you are fussing with cleavage. Conversely, if you are more the layering type, it is a great sweater for letting your crisp white crew shine through in a menswear-y Mrs. Prada way. They’re usually thin enough to tuck and/or easily slide into your outerwear sleeves, while still providing the same warmth of a much more basic style.

And most importantly, they make all your other special pieces feel complete. We talk a lot here about balance. About making your stuff really work. The polo gives your look the little bit of detail that makes it not alllll about the skirt. Or the printed pants. Or the it bag or the metallic shoes. It just makes the whole picture more tousled in a “personal style” kinda way. In no particular order, here we go:

With your black mini! Which one did you end up scoring? This is the Kallmeyer which restocked shortly after this newsletter. With a Cos polo (which unfortunately is almost completely sold out in black, but luckily I think I might prefer the black polo from Toteme. So consider it as an even better alternate. The fabric is more flexible, softer, slightly more elegant. The Toteme runs huge though, size down. Refine belt and old Chanel Mary Janes with a little heel. Try these instead?

90s baby. This is a Ven polo (RIP!) A navy alt (that is in stock) has been nearly impossible to find in this weight, but I LOVE this one from Everlane in grey. CDLP t-shirt. Prada skirt from the 90s handed down to me by my MIL. Thank you Patricia! They are a dime a dozen these days though…how about this one, or this one? Even Prada is coming back around. The Row combat boots from last year scored on sale at the end of the season. These are also a great sale scoop.

File under: How to avoid the color black in NYC while still looking cool, calm and collected. COS polo. Officine Generale coat (from their very first womenswear collection). Here is a similar on TRR. And look at this Jil Sander beauty on the Outnet. More on Officine Generale coats in a week or so. CDLP T-shirt. Polo RL sailor jeans from last summer. I also love the Seafarer jean from The Great. Church’s fishermans. Dragon Diffusion bag.

For writing all day in the library. But then straight to a school event. Cos polo, but again, get the Toteme. High Sport pants. Belgians. Loewe laptop bag.

Same outfit. But for 10 degrees cooler. I am very into the double collars here. Madewell oversized jean shirt.

Great tucked in! Great with grey! COS polo, Toteme pants. Nina Runsdorf pearl necklace. But any freshwater strand would be great. I also have and strongly endorse these from Mateo. Mary MacGill, Sophie Buhai and Chan Luu all make great options too.

I’d like to give credit to the polo but really its the green taking the fussiness out of this ladylike look. Cos polo. Old Khaite skirt. Here are casual and dressy skirts that would look just as good in its place. And Chanel’s classic slingbacks.

Extremely tired here but love the outfit so much I’m sharing anyway. I’m happy in this! This is an Alex Mill polo (size medium). If you are looking for a little more heft to your knit (more sweater, less top) Alex Mill is THE place. The price is right, the colors are great and the fabrics fantastic. I have three of them! This pink pique-ish one in cotton and then two cashmere versions that I plan to use as the backbone of my wardrobe all winter. More on those next. Maison Margiela skirt, old Prada heeled loafers found secondhand, Savette bag.

School drop off!? I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom. LOL. Alex Mill polo. Levi’s ribcage jeans (which I had hemmed!), Nike sneaks.

Alex Mill cashmere polo in a size small. I wore this all last winter and its still my favorite (I’m sure you already recognize it.) This one is a size small. For the days when only a Nancy Meyers movie will do. Maria McManus pants. Dragon Diffusion bag. The Row Mary Janes (old from a sample sale. try these.)

Date night pants become daytime pants! I say this because of the white t-shirt layer and the chunky fisherman shoes. Put a little strappy sandal and remove the tee and head straight to cocktails. Khaite pants. Size small here. M, L here.

For real life everyday when the temp hits 55. Perfect. I just love this neckline, a little messy, under a jacket. So much more sprezzatura than a crewneck. So easy to achieve! Officine Generale blazer in a size 8, old. This one is basically the same. Alex Mill polo. B Sides Eshel jeans on super sale. Jamie Haller ballerinas.

Up close and personal.

Ven polo (again, this line is devistatingly out of business, so try the Everlane one.) CDLP t-shirt. Khaite pants from a sample sale last year (these are a fantastic alt.) Gucci loafers.

Clockwise from top: Toteme in black (also here in off white, which I just ordered to beat you all to the punch. :) ) Cos in lime green (also in black), Everlane in grey with such beautiful mother of pearl buttons! size UP. Alex Mill in tan (also great in pale blue as seen above). And the OG Prada herself.

Yours TRULY,

Becky

NOTE: I use affiliate links when applicable which means I may get a small commission from things you buy (no cost to you!) Thank you for supporting my work and trusting me with your shopping!