Very Unboring Beige

Neutrals are getting a bad rap, even though it's what we wear!!

Coastal grandmother. Quiet Luxury. Blah blah. How many times can we coin simple, good clothes into something new for hashtag value!? And then make us feel like we are feeding into a trend, when really we are just wearing a great khaki shirt dress or perfect tan satin jacket (see below :)) So I would just like to say, IT’S OK TO LIKE NEUTRALS! I have made the executive decision to not feel like a Basic B when I want the tan or cream or black version of something. And it doesn’t have to be more than that. It can just be that they are great and wearable pieces and they don’t need a Tik Tok explainer. Whew! Glad I got that off my chest.

Layering the very 2024 way. Vince shirt dress and skirt. Beaufille belt. Similar boots here and here. And a belated happy valentines day to all of you. I got myself these earrings which you can barely see in the pic but make me very happy.

Fittingly, today’s newsletter is a partnership with Vince, masters of the beige but not boring wardrobe. As a stickler for shapes and layers fitting proportionally just so, Vince is a brand I refer to quite a bit. They anticipate changes in the fashion silhouette extremely well. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, it’s brand that is confident in its identity and color palette. We sort of know what we’re going to get with Vince, making it an easy place to shop, but there’s often an element of pleasant surprise, too. It’s not boring! So today, five pieces from their newest spring drop that are easy to wear, blend into an outfit seamlessly and still give off style in what else… Neutrals!!!

The Creamy Midi Skirt

You got a sneak peek of this skirt two weeks ago in our Armani jacket letter. It’s been such a great piece to play with over the past few weeks when we had that tease of early Spring weather in NYC. The not quite white and the straight but not tight silhouette make this a joy to throw on. I don’t get as fearful with off white as I do with a stark white for some reason! And the loose but not bohemian shape works with boots and loafers and heels and Birkenstocks! She might not be for running out to the acupuncturist but she’s definitely an office and weekend-plans-where-you-actually-have-to-ditch-your-sweats hero. I’m wearing a size 2, for reference.

I know this skirt gets us excited for spring, but look how great it is for the dead of winter! The skirt with an & Daughter fairisle. Similar boots.

It’s the most (power) ladylike for a very important lunch. The skirt with a Sacai jacket and Prada d’Orsay heels. Here’s another pair that gets it done.

Our favorite fit from the Armani jackets that weren’t letter. The skirt with a Kallmeyer jacket, Loro Piana silk button down (in an XL. FYI for when you’re scoping out your own resale gem) and Khaite loafers.

I feel confident that if I lived in California, this is how I would dress everyday. Car to office. A little granola. Shades of beige. A bag that will look great on the table next to my perfect salad. LOL don’t come for me Californians! :) Oh…and I got the lady bag. EEK! The skirt with an old Tod’s silk shirt, here is another great one, and Birkenstocks.

The Silky Oversized Bomber

I have a weakness for khaki jackets. I have too many! And they’re all just a little different…so much for my great start to the year of closest editing. It’s a category I don’t dare edit in my closet. This newest one, a perfectly drapey, silky, cover-my-bum coaches jacket is totally IT! The layer that makes everything else luxe and cool and casual and dressed all at once. It’s a showstopper! Without screaming, naturally. Wear it instead of a blazer, or that sweater you’ve worn everyday for the past two months. Pair her with jeans. With your favorite vintage Prada. With the pants that have changed our lives! I’m wearing a size small.

The jacket with a CDLP T-shirt, Victoria Beckham pants (the reviews are in for the Boden alts and they are great, btw!), Toteme boots.

This is the perfect dressy casual pairing to me. It’s comfortable. It looks dressed and has a sense of ease. To me, this is what you wear to work in a new-hybrid type of office setting. This is something I would have happily put on in my WSJ days. The jacket with an Everlane sweater, CDLP T-shirt, Vince skirt, Ileana Makri necklace.

For non-jean Saturdays! The jacket with an Organic sweater (sadly sold out but the Everlane one is great at least one size up), Kallmeyer pants (Vince also makes a great pair if your size is sold out) and Nikes.

Giving you my best Italian lady. Luxe fabrics all around but still somehow…practical?? The jacket with a CDLP T-shirt, old Prada skirt (a recent TRR score thanks to friend of 5 Things Ami D!), The Row mocs. These are obviously not the same, but not no!

The Wispy Shirt Dress

Dresses are hard for me (too few styling options!), but I know they are essential to a lot of you. And I think I found one that works for all of us. I love a long shirt dress. Short shirt dresses make us look like we forgot our pants. Yikes! Anyway, a long shirt dress is lovely, if you can find one in juuuuuust the right fabric. It can’t be too bulky, or stiff. Or too sheer, like most cotton varieties. This one hits all the notes. It’s made from a nylon-y material that feels perfect for the style. What I mean by this is that silk would be too flimsy, cotton too crunchy. It has a hint of techi-ness making it less “classic". The shape flows well when closed and buttoned all the way. And it opens up to layer as a top or a jacket. I even kept it creased as a nod to Mrs. Prada. :) I’m wearing a size XS.

It’s great on its own! A feat! The shirt dress. Saint Laurent boots. Tights!

As a blazer or cardigan alt. The shirt dress. CDLP tee. Completedworks necklace. Levi’s. The Row mocs.

For WORK. The shirt dress with your favorite black blazer.

As a date night denim alternate with increased cool factor. The shirt dress with leggings and a 90s strappy sandal.

The Twin Set

Swan fever!!!!!! Give me skirt suits. Twin sets. Button earrings! This little duo (really two things) has blessed us in an incredible shade of khaki with a hint of green…in a Benjamin Moore way that only makes sense if you’ve been staring way too long. Something about the prim-ness in this sort of new age color palette feels rebellious. It adds a point of interest in a way that a simple crewneck does not, without screaming “look I know styling tricks!” It can be a scarf or a belt. It can be worn as a top, buttoned all the way up and tucked in. Or it can give a little texture to your standard jeans and blazer uniform. What can’t she do!? I’m wearing a size Small in both.

Dress for the lunch you want! :) JK JK. But I do wear this suit more than you would imagine, given I WFH and parent a toddler. It just makes me feel like my best self. I like it with the sweater around the waist as this is a very serious look. And it gives it a little air. Brings it down from Rosh Hashanah to fashion show. :) The cardigan and shell with a Miu Miu suit and Chanel ballerinas. Mary MacGill drop pearls (the best deal on the internet.)

An incredibly easy to execute evening look. The cardigan and shell with vintage 501s…but you know I’m going to tell you to get our favorite Madewells in the Belmere wash. Tom Ford sandals and Mary MacGill drop pearls.

What you already wear everyday…but with the cardigan instead of a crewneck. Look mom, we’re styling! :) The cardigan with a Tod’s blazer (she looks great too if you size up slightly). Black jeans. Chuck Taylors.

How I most look forward to wearing it. With my favorite winter pants which sadly are sold out in brown but they still have in white! Are they sweats? Are they suiting? The cardigan tucked into Maria McManus pants. Nikes.

For when your outfit is already A LOT and you need the under layers to silently support. The cardigan and shell under a vintage YSL jacket. Citizens Gaucho jeans. Miu Miu slingbacks. Jordan Foster x Electric Picks earrings (thank you Jordan! I love them!)

And the hardest way to style this set, with jeans for daytime. It’s hard to make tops feel special with standard jeans. So the key here, is the wider, more interesting shape and the belt. It takes the focus off the knits and gives the whole look some personality. The cardigan and shell with Citizens of Humanity Gaucho jeans. Polo RL belt and Khaite loafers. Jordan Foster’s earrings, again.

A Sort of Slouchy, Not Too Tight, Not Falling Off Tank

And finally, number five. I was just going to call this “The Perfect Tank” but then I thought, we aren’t basic! :) This tank is so great though, really! And don’t worry, it also comes in khaki. But the black was so good I had to veer (just a little) from our theme. This tank is not too thin, so it can be worn on its own but is also the perfect cut to layer while still being seen. It’s bouncy, super soft, opaque. And most importantly, it is simultaneously slouchy and slightly narrow. Meaning, I get the look without having to worry about it falling off my shoulders! My biggest issue with anything in more of a scoop shape is that it just doesn’t stay up. Or it’s cut so wide it shows my bra, ugh. I love her! I’ve been wearing her for a few weeks under button downs (too cold to wear a button down next to your skin in the winter…which we will be addressing next week!), blazers and even sweaters where you can’t see her. She’s just a great little tank. I’m wearing an XS.

Here she is! A little slouchy. Squarely on my narrow shoulders with no fear of falling and as you can see, a thick enough fabric that I don’t look naked!

This is how we are going to wear it to hang with our kids everyday come April and May. The tank under our new favorite coaches jacket. With Vintage men’s 501s and Birkenstocks.

As the liner for your shirts and shirt jackets. The tank with an old Celine silk blouse (here’s a good alt.) the Maria McManus pants from our work pant letter and Belgians.

An example of how she can be worn untucked! Here is her full length on my 5’5” frame. If I was going outside, I’d put sheer tights on, FYI. The tank with an Old Celine skirt (not the same but how freaking amazing is this Diotima skirt as an alt). Cashmere in Love cardigan and Aeyde Mary Janes.

Full Vince. Fully myself. The tank as our palette cleanser with a green jersey button down and the skirt.

AAAAAND, just to give us a glimmer of summer…this is how I’ll be wearing it in four months. :) The tank with a vintage Prada skirt (I fear this newsletter gives all my resale search secrets away. JK, join the club!) Emme Parsons sandals. Nina Runsdorf pearl necklace. I also have this Mateo one which is excellent.

Now go enjoy the khaki in your closet. You’re anything but basic.

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!