Eileen Fisher Organic Cotton jeans (size 4)
Rag & Bone cardigan (size small)
PACT organic cotton shelf bra tank (small)
Birkenstock Birko-flor sandals
Marsell 4 dritta bag
Do you wear a sweater and sandals? I normally do not, and will admit, I’m sort of opposed to it: if you’re cold enough to wear a sweater, aren’t your feet cold too???
But yesterday, I actually did it. I wore a sweater & sandals, but only to go out to breakfast 🙂
It was 65 degrees out, but I always freeze in restaurants, so I wanted to wear a light layer on top. And I didn’t feel like wearing my sneakers or any other shoe LOL. Turns out, I was comfortable, and my toes were not cold.
Two things about this outfit:
I like this tank top a lot, and wear it as a bra. It tucks into my jeans perfectly, and doesn’t move. But I HATE the neckline. It’s too high and too square. It shouldn’t be a big deal, and it’s not a “big” deal, but it’s one of those things that irritates me and makes me obsess over finding a more “perfect” version. Or even a v-neck bodysuit. Problem is, I don’t want a lot of synthetics, and I don’t want short sleeves, I want a camisole. But I also want organic cotton, or at least mostly cotton. The search continues…
Also, I have a major hole in my wardrobe. I know, it’s hard to believe. But I don’t have ANY lightweight sweaters that are versatile enough to just throw on as an easy layer, over anything. Yes, I have my Elizabeth Suzann Rhodes mockneck sweater in merino wool, and it’s lightweight, but very specific, and I find it really has to be part of the outfit, not something I can carry with me and throw on if I’m cold, you know?
I’ve had a couple of light sweaters over the years, but I sold them when they got too big for me. One was an Organic by John Patrick light cotton cardigan that basically went everywhere with me all summer, and another was a light merino wool v-neck by Acne Studios. I loved my Acne Studios Calla sweater and have been seeking out a replacement in black, size small (found at The Real Real), but now, I’ve found this new one which is not as long, and that I prefer now (I could wear it easily with this outfit, for example, and/or over my James Perse dresses).
For me, the “perfect” lightweight sweater has been quite elusive. Of course, I’m very specific about what I don’t want: NOT linen, because it stretches too much, also NOT cotton for that same reason. NOT cashmere because it’s too warm, even when it’s lightweight. NOT oversized, just ever-so-slightly drapey. NOT fitted. haha…
The Acne Studios Norma sweater meets all my requirements, except as I mentioned above, price right now. Not that it’s not worth the price, I absolutely think it is, but I can’t spend that right now. So, I will wait until I can, and/or it shows up on Shopbop so I can use my credits, and/or it goes on sale…
What is one type of garment that finding “the right” one seems to constantly elude you??
Happy Monday everyone!! I hope you had a great weekend if you celebrated easter or passover. I ate too much Matzo. As usual.
Sweaters and sandals is my absolute favorite thing on this earth, wardrobe wise lol. I despise having my feet enclosed in anything, but love the feeling of being snuggly on top so as soon as I can ditch closed shoes I will. Sweaters, jackets, hats, I don’t care but my feet want to be free!!!
haha! that’s pretty much how i feel too, once it warms up over 70 i can’t wear closed toed shoes anymore…
but i can’t shake the feeling that i’m doing something wrong, wearing sandals & sweaters LOL
I ended up buying a throw blanket to act as a top layer (more like a poncho) at work. Our office is ridiculously cold all the time, and I tired of pulling a sweater over my head at work (it’s even more uncomfortable to take one off in public – despite being fully clothed, it kind of feels like undressing).
Two things are eluding me at the moment: an ethically made black pencil skirt and slim grey pants, both for work. I’m sure I could walk into a J. Crew/Banana Republic and find something that would be okay, but I just want to do better. A lot of the “ethical” clothing lines cater to a more casual lifestyle, so it’s been a bit of a challenge. I’m hoping to stumble on something secondhand (fingers-crossed!), but if you have any recommendations for places selling well-made workwear (for not-$200) I’d love to hear about them!
I think you need a lightweight cardigan, not pullover, no? Maybe in silk or a silk/cotton blend. Your favourite JP has them! 😉
I love cozy clothing with sandals! For your light sweater, I wonder if you’d consider Merino Wool? Icebreaker’s Mira or Tabi might be suitable and I think they’d work even when it warms up a bit (soon).
I’m freezing. It thundersleeted in Missouri for Easter. The high isn’t over 55 in the next ten days, I’m afraid the sub-freezing overnight temps will kill the flowers and bulbs, and I’m OVER IT. I need spring yesterday.
I agree! Cardigans are easier to layer than a pullover sweater and that Rag & Bone sweater is gorgeous. 🙂
Eileen Fisher has a tencel blend pencil skirt (and another knit tube skirt I’ve been eying…) Not sure how sustainable tencel is in the bigger scheme of things. But it’s a cute skirt!
The hole in my closet is the thing that is not as structured as a blazer but is more structured than a cardigan. I think I might have found it in Kowtow’s Building Block Cardigan? Does anyone have any other suggestions?
We’ve just had a phenomenal Easter weekend, with lots of sunshine and not too much wind. I ate WAY too many chocolate eggs but did get out mountain biking all four days.
Our weather forecasters are predicting a warmer and wetter autumn than usual (after our hottest summer on record). This faffing about not really being summer anymore, but not being autumn-proper, but also kinda being winter-ish with the rain, makes me agitated! How the hell are you supposed to dress for it?! LOL
For the skirt, try Miik (sustainable Canadian-made fashion that ships to US) – I own a few of their pieces and love them – they are very well-made, so comfortable, and hold up really well.
Not sure if you will find their pants too casual – I really like bammielife.com for pants although have only read reviews and never actually tried them.
Sorry – should be bammies.life.com
Grechen – you look great in this outfit. I love the sweater and so tempted (although just bought this l’envers one so….)
And sweaters and sandals are not weird – on the West Coast (Pacific Northwest for Americans), we almost always need a sweater for summer nights as the ocean cools the evening temperature way down.
In fact, one of the things we love is a summer night so hot and steamy that bare arms outside are totally fine! So sandals/sweaters are totally fine.
oh, i am legit angry at the weather today. it’s dreary and COLD and i’m so mad about it LOL
luckily i had one sweater still out after washing everything and putting it away. ugh. i have such a hard time with back and forth weather…
i like that kowtow cardigan! i had one, in grey, and sold it because it was too big for me, but i really loved the shape. also rag & bone’s club blazer (https://www.shopbop.com/club-jacket-rag-bone/vp/v=1/1526168316.htm?folderID=3133&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall&os=false&colorId=12867) is sort of a blazer/cardigan hybrid – it’s not as sturdy and “stiff” as a suiting blazer, but still has the general shape. i love it, and when/if i feel like I REALLY must have a blazer, it will probably be that one…
i see what you’re saying about the neckline.. like if it were deeper and almond shaped, would look nicer to layer under a cardigan but maybe less functional as a baselayer for sweaters with low neck lines. i have a similar issue w my spanx tank top and when i wear it as a shirt, it makes me feel dated and very 90’s.
But the tank/cami DOES hint at a little cleavage! 😉
Jeans. Jeans elude me every time. Plus, the knowledge that even if I lose weight, my body shape doesn’t change so it’s still hard to fit.
Thanks, Kris! I really like the look of the Jan skirt – I may be ordering that in the near future!
Yes, I do this all the time! I’m doing it right now! In the office with a summery jumpsuit, gladiator sandals and a ribbed cardigan on. But in Hawaii where our season changes are not as drastic. If I go to work earlier and it’s a little breezy or chilly in the morning I might have on a dress with sandals and a cardi (or kimono jacket). It will heat up to the 80s later but inside the AC’d office it will be low 60s (it needs to be kept cold where I live due to art archives). So dressing all cold or all hot isn’t appropriate, a mix is the best. At the movies I’ll wear a tank, jeans and slides but will have a big cashmere wrap in my bag for the AC in the theater. During sunset at the beach, people may have on light jersey cardis or a thin sweatshirt over their bikini as it starts to get a little cooler.
What about these Arizona Birkenstocks that are lined with fur–they would be perfect to wear with a sweater! http://www.birkenstock.com/us/arizona-natural-leather%2Ffur/arizona-fur-naturalleatherfur-0-eva-u.html?dwvar_arizona-fur-naturalleatherfur-0-eva-u_color=321#q=fur&lang=en_US&start=3
And, they make you look like a muppet…or a hobbit. Lol.
i have the boston clog version of those and wear them frequently…they make more sense to me in a closed-toe. i just find it so odd to wear sandals that are lined with shearling/fur LOL
I thought the same as you, Grechen, until I actually WORE them. Heaven on earth. Now I have two pair – one for indoors, one for outdoors – and I am considering I third. Just because. Of course I also have shearling lined sneakers, so I may be obsessed. My kind of luxury. 😉
I’m quite possibly weird, but I’m not the only one. I always get smiles, oos and aahs, envy and massive complements when I’m out with them.