The Power Of A Stand-Out Sweater

One of my favorite things about a minimalist wardrobe is being able to transform my basics with one standout piece. This outfit, which I wore for a recent Saturday in the park, is the perfect manifestation of just that. The base is a combination I have worn countless times before, but by throwing on an eye catching sweater and ankle booties it was transformed into something new and fun. 

As I shared in my last post, I have narrowed down my sweater collection to 8 essentials - 4 classic crew necks, 1 v-neck, 2 cashmere cardigans and 1 timeless turtleneck. One of my four crew necks is this incredible Ralph Lauren American flag sweater that I scored on eBay a while back. I love this sweater because it is a nice cotton knit that can easily be worn across all four seasons. In fall I can wear it over oxfords, dresses and silk shirts with jeans and booties as I'm doing here, and in the winter I can wear it with riding boots or heeled boots and a camel coat. In spring I can pair it with skirts and shorts or just drape it over my shoulders, and in the summer I can even wear it as a swim suit cover-up. 

Sweater: Ralph Lauren / Skinny Jeans: LOFT / White Silk Shirt: Everlane / Ankle Boots: Old Cole Haan, but similar here / Jacket: Barbour / Purse: Old Dooney & Bourke, but similar here

Until next time!

Leather and Loafers at The New York Public Library

Recently Jason and I spent the afternoon exploring the New York Public Library. Outfitted with marble, wood paneling and exquisite chandeliers, the library is absolutely beautiful and a true New York icon. If you ever find yourself in the area, I highly recommend popping in for a look around. 

To suit an afternoon of walking, I wore a few of my favorite classic separates. The skinny jeans (last seen here, here and here), white silk shirt (last seen here, here and here) and cashmere sweater served as the perfect base, while the fun loafers added an unexpected twist. To top it all off, I threw on my favorite brown leather jacket from Zara (last seen here and here) which kept the look from feeling too buttoned up. 

Silk Shirt: Everlane / Skinny Jeans: LOFT / Cashmere Cardigan: J. Crew / Purse: Vintage Louis Vuitton / Leather Jacket: old Zara but similar here / Loafers: Stubbs & Wootton 

Until next time!

Classic Camel

When it comes to building a classic, well-rounded wardrobe the camel coat is king. Whether I'm wearing jeans and flats or a gorgeous sheath, a camel coat instantly elevates my look à la Ali MacGraw in Love Story. 

While a great camel coat is certainly an investment piece, it should last a lifetime if properly cared for. Plus, if you choose a classic silhouette with timeless details, it will never go out of style and will perfectly compliment your wardrobe for years to come. I have had my coat for a few years now and can honestly say it still looks brand new, and has become a cornerstone of my fall and winter dressing.

When I chose this coat, I opted for classic details that will stand the test of time and a longer length to compliment pants, skirts and dresses of varying formality. There is just something about deep brown buttons that instantly add a "rich" feel to any garment, so even if you can't afford your dream coat right now, you can pick one up with clean lines and tortoise shell, or marbled buttons and as long as you wear it with panache, nobody will be the wiser.  

Camel Coat: Brooks Brothers / Striped Shirt: Forever 21 / Black Skinny Jeans: LOFT / Necklace: Old J. Crew but similar here / Purse: Old Brooks Brothers / Belt: Old C Wonder but similar here / Ballet Flats: Chanel 

Until next time!

Hermès and Herringbone

For a recent stroll through Brooklyn, I broke in the newest addition to my wardrobe - this gorgeous blazer from J. Crew. The rich copper color is the perfect shade for fall and the classic cut and herringbone make it a staple that I'm sure I'll wear for years.

As you know, my wardrobe objective is to carefully curate a selection of classic pieces (try saying that five times fast lol) that I can wear multiple ways to get the most outfit bang for my buck. That way, I'm able to save myself from needing to purchase a new wardrobe each season to suit the changing trends, and instead I can spend my money on a few new additions and accessories that can transform the pieces I already have. I think this outfit is the perfect representation of that objective. 

The skinny jeans (which I have raved about and styled many times before on this blog), coupled with the classic navy sweater are both perfect examples of "minimalist with an All-American twist" essentials that I swear by. They are both extremely versatile and make the perfect base for a number of different outfits. The addition of the scarf and statement pearls elevate the look a notch, while the blazer takes it to another level. 

Blazer: J. Crew / Jeans: LOFT  / Sweater: J. Crew (On Sale!) / Scarf: Hermes / Boots: Salvatore Ferragamo, Similar Here and Here / Pearls: J. Crew / Purse: Old Dooney & Bourke, but similar here 

Until next time!