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Before we get into it – a heads up that Shopbop is running a truly incredible sale right now and I just placed an exciting order for myself. I got this dress and this cashmere cardi. See below for my top picks, but my enthusiastic notes: 1) This cardigan is such a good investment while 50% off – this is where I’ve found investing really pays off, in a beautiful top layer like this that can be worn year-round. 2) You know how much I’ve loved my Altuzarra tote this summer — it’s always in my weekly outfit roundups. This is a smaller size but the white leather trim is so classic. 3) The Schutz flats I own in several colors. So comfortable right out of the box. And I am so crazy in love with these platform sandals — I call the my magic shoes (a petite girl’s best friend) and they completely change my personality in a good way.
L: SABLYN CARDIGAN // ALTUZARRA TOTE // BIRDS OF PARADIS SHORTS // SCHUTZ FLATS
R: LELET HAIR TIE // HUNZA G SUIT // FAVORITE DAUGHTER DRESS // ADINA EDEN EARRINGS // SEE BY CHLOE PLATFORMS // PARAVEL SUITCASE
Now, onto the basics —
SCOOP NECK TANK // SEZANNE SHIRT // LINEN SET // STRIPED SHIRT // CREW NECK T-SHIRT
A quick reference list for my absolute favorite tees, tanks, etc — the items that make my wardrobe work…
01. SoldOut.NYC scoop neck tank. (There is a lot of SoldOut on this list — this is not sponsored; I straight up love these products and think they are the best, highest quality wardrobe staples. They are pricey but they hold up so well in the wash and elevate every outfit IMO. You can really tell the difference in real life. They gave us 15% off sitewide with code JEN15 — and this is one of those moments where I turn into the Men’s Warehouse narrator: “trust me, you’re going to like the way you look.” I am passionate about this!) Anyhow, re: the tank — I love the lower neckline when pairing with a full skirt or trousers. This has a nice thick rib and a tight weave that holds you in. I take an XS (my true size) in this and it runs trim/snug but feels good that way. I’d take your true size unless you’re squarely between sizes, and would then size up. The only downside to this tank is that it requires a strapless bra. The Sezane Juan is similar and about half the price — I also own and love that one. A few of you DM’d me about the tank I’m wearing in this photo at the top of my most recent diary (eagle eyes!), and it’s the Juan. Sezane generally runs small but I sized down in this to an XXS (I’m typically an XS) and the fit is great.
02. Sezane tomboy shirt, specifically in the blue color (an oxford material). When I went to the Sezane store opening in D.C. earlier this summer, the staff generously invited me to pick one of their Tomboy shirts. I initially gravitated towards stripes (my go-to!) and am so glad I decided to go with basic blue. I’ve reached for this more often than any other button-down in my wardrobe this summer. Love the classic preppy look. A great value and fit. A little less oversized than a lot of the other button-downs in my wardrobe, so well-suited for tucking into skirts, shorts, etc. I took a 0 in this (true size) and fit is perfection.
03. SoldOut.NYC racerback tank (I took my true size) — when I’m after a higher neckline, which is usually when I wear shorts. Sort of a balancing act — a bare leg makes me want to cover up elsewhere. Again, that high-quality, thick cotton weave that fits snug! When I want something to layer or that will tuck more easily with no bunching, I love this inexpensive, thinner-weight Madewell tank (fit is a tad big, go down a size). I layered it underneath my Frank & Eileen travel set instead of the SoldOut because I wanted something that would tuck without bunching.
04. Frank & Eileen linen set ($50 off with ESCAPE). Another fantastic basic, whether worn together or separately. I’ve gotten so much mileage out of it already, whether pairing the pants with a striped tee or sweater, or pairing the linen top with the boxer short trend. I took my true size (XS) in this.
05. Uniqlo u-neck tees. Oldie but goodie and at $15, you cannot beat the price. These are thick and polished, but do note that they run a bit short. I like these when I am not wanting a full tuck. I strongly rec these over the COS tee, which runs almost comically short. (You cannot tuck that shirt into anything and it’s a very thick weight. However, it, too has its own place — I liked the way it looked paired with a pareo over my swimsuit last week, and it can work with certain high-waisted skirts and pants, like my JA Babe pants. You can see my wearing the COS tee with those pants here. Still, I’d recommend the Uniqlo over the COS — very similar in weight and exaggerated collar band, but Uniqlos are longer and are more importantly less than 1/3 of the price.). There are a lot of different perspectives on sizing in the Uniqlo tee. I take an XS in it (true size) and it runs a tad small, especially across the bust. I’d go up a size if in question, especially if concerned about the bust.
06. SoldOut.NYC iconically soft tees. My absolute favorite t-shirt I own. I think I have all the colors now, and also the sexy burnout linen one (same fit, just different material). The fit is divine and I like the thin but polished weight. These are great for tucking (slightly longer length than other tees mentioned, plus a decently thin material) and I just love the drape / hang.
07. Perfect White Tee Harley tee. This has a very different vibe than the SoldOut — much more casual, girl next door, boxy-cool. I like this with Agolde Parker shorts, a heavy layer of jewelry, and designer sandals (e.g. my Hermes Orans). It feels intentionally dressed-down on the top and balances well with the polish of the rest of the look.
08. Alex Mill Jo shirt. A beautiful, almost silky handfeel in the best colors / stripes. This is an iconic wardrobe piece, especially in this thin shirting stripe.
09. Citizens Charlotte Jeans and Agolde Riley jeans. My go-to everyday jeans in the best daytime washes — what I throw on when I need to grab and go. I went up a size in both and both are a tad big on me, but that makes them kind of perfect for the “grab and throw on a sweater” moment. These are jeans you can live in — not the kind you can’t wait to unbutton at the end of the day.
10. Gap Kick Fit jeans — I own in white and black and they’re just magical. Super stretchy and comfortable (run TTS) and you can’t beat that price! I can’t decide if kick fits are slowly starting to go out again (sorry, friends!) but I find myself increasingly reaching for my SLVRLAKE white wide leg jeans instead of these. However! Sometimes the wide legs just don’t work with certain silhouettes of top — you need a slightly leaner silhouette, in which case, you’re happy to have the Kick Fits. And for $34…!
11. My most worn summer sweater is this Goop, which I wish they’d bring back. I’ve never seen anything exactly like it and it really works so well over anything in the summer — white jeans, thin dress, slip skirt. So good. Sorry! This one is similar in weave and length but not sure if the color is as versatile.
12. For year-round wear, I absolutely love this belted Goop cardigan — their knitwear is truly next level. Basics with a twist that make you feel like a billion dollars. They are spendy but you will absolutely get your wear out of these year in and year out. La Ligne just sent me this lightweight silk-cashmere cardigan in black, and it’s for sure going to be another year-round workhorse. I like the way it looks paired with a silky slip skirt or tucked into white jeans for a classic moment.
13. A highly worthwhile investment: any cropped blazer / jacket from Veronica Beard. Trust me, these are 1000000% worth the investment. The details and tailoring are exceptional. I recently invested in their classic navy blazer but honestly get more wear out of the little cropped ladies than I do the classic? Maybe just a life phase. This girlie just joined my wardrobe and I plan to wear her all fall long (even the satin red lining is MAJOR). But take a quick look through their sale (at time of writing, they’re offering an extra 20% off!) — love this one with the denim piping and this contrast-trim jacquard.
14. My most-worn crewneck sweater is La Ligne’s Mini Marina. A great slouchy-but-slightly-shrunken fit and you can’t beat a classic navy stripe. (This Quince sweater is a really good look-for-less, FYI — quality is solid! My mom gave all of us daughters one for Christmas!) Two other sweaters that I wear a lot in transitional months / will reach for to throw on with shorts if chilly indoors / etc: Alice Walk’s cotton weekender (love the button front, and a nice thick weight) and Frank and Eileen’s Monterey (a thinner, more refined sweater than the La Ligne, which has a chunkier weave). I love the rollneck top! This J. Crew (under $50) has a similar vibe. I just ordered it in the green stripe.
15. Alice Walk striped tees. LOVE these tucked into my white Agolde Parker shorts, paired with a bold and punchy tote. Easy and fun. The tees run long in the best way and have a great stretchy / swingy material. Not boxy. For boxy striped tees, I wear Gap or Everlane!
*I have not yet received, but new-to-me brand Rowan just offered to send me a few of their items, and I selected this tee in the cool stone color and this white racerback tank (like the slightly more feminine / thinner silhouette — different!)
P.S. More field notes on my favorite white jeans.
P.P.S. Our favorite undergarments (influenced by Magpie reader votes!)
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