I’m craving black and white.
Oh, not in argument. In thought, the more profoundly we can disaggregate that which presents as solid into its tiny points of cognitive green and black purple, or metaphysical cream and ivory, the better. But in terms of a summer wardrobe – wardrobe, such a funny term for a bunch of fabric bits in a Pottery Barn dresser – I’m feeling the need to simplify.
Set the context. On really hot days I wear linen dresses. In aqua, mustard, orange. Otherwise, it’s Eileen Fisher pants; chocolate brown ponte in the Lantern silhouette, a moss brown in the Carrot style, and navy twill cargo – also Lantern. That’s it. I’m committed.
The last couple of years I’ve enjoyed playing with color. Redwood t-shirt, turquoise earrings, brown pants. This year, for *waves a hand alternately enraged and deeply sorrowful* reasons, I need absolute black and white. Style is as much personality and intent as color and shape. I’m thinking about ordering from Petit Bateau. Expensive, but the last PB tees I had must have lasted me close to 10 years. (These from UNIQLO are also good, but they last half as long and I like their neckline a little less. When simplifying, details are all.)
Not to belabor a point, but, black.
White.
And, yes, that looks gray but if they promise white I will trust them until proven wrong.
These shirts are not exciting on the page. But I can wear a black tee with brown pants – as long as they aren’t yellow-toned and my shoes are white or black or brown. I have an ochre jacket. White tees with navy pants cry out for orange Birkenstocks or pale pink sneakers. I also have a vision. However if quality proves to have declined, I will throw myself to the ground with ashes in my hair. Send hope.
Finally, isn’t it true that someone defined as an Autumn shouldn’t wear black, or white? That’s the guidance, but like anything important, the true test is looking in the mirror, moral or physical, and seeing for yourself what’s right.
A wonderful weekend to you all.
23 Responses
I’m very Autumn and I still wear either black or white somewhere on my body pretty much every day. If not — and often if so — then navy. ;)
If you decide to order from Petit Bateau, can you please let us know if the white is opaque? I was so sad to have to donate my older white tee that was a wonderfully thick ribbed cotton but just too short to keep. An opaque white 100% cotton tee that’s also long enough is like a unicorn these days.
Missed you last weekend! I hope you have a lovely one.
Ah, yes, I will report back! And thanks. My daughter was graduating from her surgical residency and I just couldn’t get the time to write.
Congratulations to your daughter!! That’s a big step!
Black’s a classic for a reason. The important thing is do you feel like yourself / your self in what you’re wearing.
I completely agree.
For years I’ve had black and white tees from Eileen Fisher that last 10 -12 years. My current batch is 3-4 yrs old. They’re opaque, not prone to pills or mystery holes, and a good shape for me. Since you’re a EF customer, you’ve probably considered and rejected them. Rather boxy in shape, as am I, so I’m a fan.
Good to know they are high quality! They are often too long for me. I like a boy-tee, if that makes sense.
Had to look up disaggregate. ♀️. A bit over my head. Hope the tees are perfect.
My apologies!
I’ve been doing the opposite – trying to incorporate some color ;). I am a devotee of Poshmark as a way to a) repopulate my wardrobe after losing 50 pounds and b) assuage a bit of my consumerism guilt by knowing I’m helping to recycle something that might be in a landfill otherwise. I just checked and they’ve got some Petit Bateau shirts in my size, so I might go for it as I love a good t-shirt!
I’ve never tried Poshmark and I applaud your efforts in sustainability and congratulate you on the weight loss that you’ve sustained!
Congrats to your daughter – it’s quite a haul! Congratulations to you for raising such a wonderful daughter! She’s undertaken one of the most demanding specialties in medicine.
I agree with you about hot days! We’re already getting a string of them, with temperatures topping 30C/85F, 35/95F. Like you, only linen, and now that I’m semi-retired, I’m enjoying wearing Claire Desjardins linen shifts and tops. They are literally lovely colourful splashes of colour, derived from her paintings – Wearable Art. https://www.wearableartstore.com/
It’s the exact opposite of the sober colours I had to wear when practicing medicine – the patients I was working with were dealing with serious crises in their lives.
Dress was sober, unicolour and practical. Like you, I loved Eileen Fisher!
Also 2 Canadian brands, Robert Kitchen (also an artist, but now retired) and Joseph Ribkoff Essentials collections https://www.josephribkoff.com/en-int/essentials/guide/. For those of your readers in the colder parts of the USA, his silky knits accomplish the miracle of being lightweight, yet protecting well against the cold. They also pack and wash like a dream.
But now that I can wear whatever I like, I’m going for colour and ease. BTW, older women can wear them, I’m 75 and people stop me in the street to say how much they love the Desjardins designs – they say it gives them a lift to see them.
We could all use a lift these days!
Thank you so much for sharing those links. I am sure you are not alone in now craving color, especially after what I guess might have been decades of practicing medicine. Fun to support artisans too. And thanks for the kind words about my daughter. It is an extraordinary accomplishment, and all down to her talent and determination. She’s done this herself, and I am so happy for her.
I want to wear long and flowing clothes. I want to shake my turkey neck. Put lipstick on my thin lips. Wear flat shoes. Say with all my being that I am the antithesis of them.
Your outfits sound lovely.
I love there. There are many many forms of battle gear.
Battle gear. The battle is affecting my health so, with frayed nerves and no hope in sight, I’m selecting the white tee to wave in surrender.
Meanwhile, Wonder Woman Pediatric Neurosurgeon Bride-to-be, marches on! I hope the next leg of her journey doesn’t interfere with certain wedding plans already in place – not that either of you would be thrown off stride by that, in the least.
The Carnochan women inspire me, march on!
Whether you’re referring to a private battle or our shared national / global one, I wish you rest, calm, and hope. Tending to yourself is one kind of victory.
Rest, calm and hope. What a lovely thing to say. Thank you, Maria.
Thank you. And I’m so sorry about your health. May calm find you.
I wore a lot of black for years and years and have been steadily moving away from it as a wardrobe color staple. I still have my black pieces as they are good for some travel needs when I need some pieces that can be mixed and matched and made to look different with scarves and jewelry. While I look ok in black, I am better in orange, red, pink and aqua.
It’s so helpful to know, and to feel comfortable with your options.
I wear a lot of black and white in summer but also some pink and turquoise. Easy to incorporate and great with grey/white hair. Why be dull? Why make choices hard when temps are high?
Yes, why, to both questions;). No possible reason.