Three Outfits I Loved Last Week
and why I wore them
I’ve long been fascinated by the why of it all: why we choose our clothing, why we wear the outfits we do, whether we follow trends or eschew them. In this column, I share three favorite outfits from the previous week, what I wore, and why I chose them. I hope you find this process interesting just as I do!
Rainy afternoon in town
Sweater (c/o By. Merryn, similar here) | Tee (c/o Frame, 15% off with FEWER15) | Jeans (c/o Frame, 15% off with FEWER15) | Boots | Bag (c/o Parker Thatch)
Why am I wearing this outfit?
It’s the start of the rainy season here in New York, and despite the weather, I want to wear suede! These boots are great because they’re fairly water-resistant (both out of the box and then after treatment with Scotch Guard). I also wanted to test them out today because I was eager to see how my new jeans (c/o Frame) would look with a slight heel. They are extremely comfortable, like wearing the perfect cotton trousers, but they are a smidge long on me when wearing flat shoes. I wanted to see if I should get them hemmed slightly or wear with boots. Happy to report back (and I’m sure you were all on the edge of your seats!) they’re the perfect length with a slight heel. For reference, I’m in a 26 and I’m 5’4”. If you’re unsure what size to go for (and I HIGHLY recommend these), I’d err towards sizing down; I definitely find a belt is more a requirement than a suggestion in this size (I’m between a 25 and 26).
I get a LOT of questions about this sweater, and I really wish it was still available! Good knitwear at a reasonable price is that rarest of things, and this one c/o By. Merryn is the star of my cool-weather wardrobe. I love it and wear it at least twice a week. If you love the style, I highly recommend checking out By. Merryn’s silk scarves and her new jewelry line!
Girls’ night dinner
Jacket (similar) | Cardigan (c/o Ann Mashburn) | Tee (c/o Frame) | Bag (c/o Parker Thatch) | Earrings (similar) | Lip balm (c/o Finding Ferdinand, 10% off with FEWERANDBETTER10) | Not pictured: Jeans | Belt | Loafers
I went out for dinner with some of my friends this week and had the best time! I wear makeup extremely rarely, but I recently was sent some lip balm from Finding Ferdinand, a new-to-me brand. Historically, I’ve only ever worn tinted lip balm as makeup (including on my wedding day!). I’ve always worn Kiehl’s tinted butterstick, but they discontinued it a few years ago and I hadn’t yet found a replacement. I really liked Finding Ferdinand’s Delicious Balm (I have Mon Cheri Black Cherry). As you see from the above picture, the shade is a really great neutral for me. I’ll definitely be wearing this going forward. I found the application very easy and it was a great shade! The team at Finding Ferdinand is offering 10% off with FEWERANDBETTER10.
Anyway! This outfit made me excited to “zhush” up my outfits a bit, and a good reminder to me that small accessory changes (like switching up earrings) can make a huge impact on my wardrobe staples (in this case, jeans, a tee, and a cardigan).
Morning at church, then coffee with a friend
Sweater (old Ann Mashburn, similar here) | Trousers (old Ann Mashburn, similar here) | Turtleneck | Watch (c/o March hare; 20% off with FEWERBETTER20) | Not pictured: Socks | Boots | Barbour | Bag (c/o Parker Thatch)
I love a great classic menswear piece that’s been co-opted for women, and these Ann Mashburn pants have been a favorite staple in my wardrobe since I bought them in the early 2010s. They’re extremely comfortable and endlessly chic—a great combination! For church, I prefer to dress up, but as it was rainy yesterday I didn’t want to wear a skirt. The grey flannel trousers were perfect. I paired with my waterproofed suede Chelsea boots and my Barbour for the perfect fall-in-the-country outfit: perhaps a bit too on the nose, but one I very much enjoy in any case!