Hope News trousers
James Perse cashmere tee | sold out
Charlotte Stone Alice slides | last year’s – snow leopard version on sale, new Charlotte Stone
Everlane Petra tote | purchased with credits from Everlane
Hello Monday!! March and spring have finally caught up with me. I’ve not been very good lately at documenting what I’ve worn, or even outfits, and I plan to remedy that ASAP. This week, I’ll have plenty of outfit posts, and I’ll do a recap of what I wore in March, and have a look at my weekend trip to Florida and what I packed.
This James Perse cashmere tee has been such a challenge to wear/style. I got it during a private sale last year, and I’ve only worn it a few times. Now, though, I’ve discovered the perfect ways to wear it; either as a tee like this, when it’s around 70 degrees, or layered over a tank dress for a little warmth on my shoulders.
I took it with me to Florida to throw on over my Lanston tank dress if we were going to be inside in air conditioning and it served this purpose very well. I wore it this past Friday exactly as you see here, and although it was still a teeny bit cool for short sleeves, it’s quite warm on my shoulders, so it felt okay.
Honestly, the sleeves bother me a bit on the cashmere tee; i wish they were either longer or shorter. The length is a little “off” for my larger upper arms. I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it besides roll them up, which I’m not really a fan of either.
Ultimately, I’m not sure this was the smartest James Perse purchase ever, but I do love it, and will try to wear it as a layering piece this spring over tanks and sleeveless dresses. It’s just again more proof that I don’t tend to wear items like short-sleeve sweaters, sleeveless turtlenecks or similar styles that require more “effort” to style than I want to put in!
How was your weekend? Do you wear short sleeve sweaters? What items in your wardrobe are challenges to style?
Love the look 🙂
I think the JP sweater looks great on you! I generally don’t like short-sleeved anything on me – even t-shirts. I do like elbow-length sleeves though, including on turtlenecks. Turtlenecks generally make me look really blocky, but exposing a bit more skin than a long-sleeved sweater would seems to make a big difference and puts the focus on my waist, which is realativly small.
Challenges? I find many types of skirts difficult: calf-length, maxi and full – but I have stopped buying those and now stick to straight/pencil skirts that are knee length or an inch or two above. Anything that requires extra work to keep my bra from showing is a complete hassle. (I haven’t stopped buying stuff like this, unfortunately.) Wide leg trousers I love, but I never seem to figure out what kind of shoes are best to wear with them.
I recently bought a black short-sleeve sweater in a silk-cotton blend at Ann Taylor. I have several spring and summer skirts in black & white (tweeds and prints), and this sweater will look fine with all of them. I will likely wear the sweater belted over the skirts, using a narrow black patent Cole Haan belt that’s a wardrobe staple.
I can also wear the sweater underneath a jacket on days when I’m meeting with clients or involved in a presentation.
One good feature about a plain black sweater is that is provides a perfect canvas for jewelry (or scarves).
Enjoy your cashmere T. I would love to have them in spring colors!
I’m picky about sleeve length on me too. I flat out refuse to wear cap sleeves. Those make my arms look huge.
New to your blog Grechen and really appreciate how thoughtful it is. I do a lot of research before buying things and am also trying to be minimalist in my clothing habits. I have a small closet and refuse to have more clothing than will fit into it. I think this outfit is quite elegant. On another note, I have a small request – I note that you are a fan of Everlane. Well, if you ever get a chance to review their new anorak would love your thoughts on it. It seems like such a perfect lightweight, water-resistant coat and I need something like that in my wardrobe but am not sure of the sizing since it’s one of those pesky “oversized” items that always throws me off. I think the bright navy color looks fantastic…and it seems just such a practical item that I would get a lot of wear out of. I’m just worried it might be one of those coats that only looks good on tall, women with no curves.
Thanks for your blog!
I think the tee looks great on you! With the neckline, the sleevelength is just fine. I don’t have any issues wearing sleevless or short sleeves as my upper arms are quite firm if not slender. I do tend to avoid cap sleeves though, because of my broad shoulders.. I look forward to seeing your outfit posts 🙂
thank you! i don’t mind cap sleeves as long as the neckline is scooped, or shows enough “skin” to balance out my larger upper arms. that said, i only have one cap sleeve tee and I hardly ever wear it 😉
thank you Jenne!! I’m not sure i’ll try the everlane anorak; i wanted to, but it looks like it would be sooo long on me! I looks very practical though, for cool, rainy weather. if i was going to get it, i’d probably go down a size since I think their pieces tend to run slightly big anyway.
it’s time for an everlane update post anyway, i’ll do one this week and hopefully any readers who did order the anorak will chime in with their opinions!! 🙂
thanks maddie!
ugh. wide leg trousers are so hard…i love them, but you’re right, it’s tough to figure out what shoes look best with them. and don’t even get me started on the bra thing!! i had that problem recently with my lanston racerback dress; the specific bra i was wearing wasn’t cut low enough and would peek out every once in a while, which made me absolutely CRAZY!! it was black like the dress, so no one else noticed probably, but i’m really old-fashioned like that, and can’t stand to have my bra showing at all – even the straps. especially the straps!!
thank you marie!
My pet-peeve, too! The little girls I care for find it endlessly hilarious, tho…”Mrs. H, I see your boobie holder!” (Their name for it, not mine!)
I bought a short-sleeve J Crew cashmere tee, and I have yet to wear it. (UGH) but now that I’m looking at your outfit, which I love, I’m thinking, “Why can’t I just style it like a tee?” I wonder if your self-image hasn’t totally caught up with the “new you,” Grechen. I’ve seen pics of you in tanks at Pure Barre and you don’t have large arms in ANY sense of the word! That ship has sailed. 🙂
I always have trouble styling my maxi skirts. I haven’t hit upon the right ratio for me between short/long and fitted/loose. Tips? I’m tall, but not thin!