Tee Time

As I've mentioned before, my style has definitely become more streamlined and less girly in the past year or so. One reason is that many of the stylish ladies I work with are proponents of high-low dressing: pairing, say, a nice blouse with a pair of jeans or a t-shirt with a fancy skirt. I've also been inspired by Emmanuelle Alt, Vogue Paris editor-and-chief and the master of looking polished but casual:



The few white Gap t-shirts I acquired last year have proved to be wardrobe workhorses, so I've splurged on a couple tees in nicer fabrics:


I get so much wear out of this 3/4 Sleeve Henley from Chance ($68). My boyfriend complains about the number of girls in New York "walking around, trying to look like they're French" by wearing striped tees, but in the words of Chance's founder, Julia Leach, the striped t-shirt is "the paperclip of personal style." Leach is the former EVP/Creative Director of Kate Spade, and Chance has the same preppy appeal but is simpler and less precious.


This Painter Bateau Tee from J.Crew ($32.50) is a nice weight - perfect for spring. I bought one in "Blue Sea," which is more royal purple in person than dark blue, but it'll look great with white jeans and my standby gold studs. The small buttons at each shoulder and slim boatneck cut elevate it beyond your basic tee.


I also just ordered this Layers Long Sleeve Tee from Splendid ($48). Is $50 too much to spend on a simple white tee? Probably. But it looks so soft and stretchy, I had to give it a try.

And here are three more I've got my eye on:


I love my Chance tee so much, I'd definitely buy another. This classic Boatneck, $68, is adorable in nautical navy-and-white stripes.


As much as I love my cotton tees from Gap, I think a linen v-neck, like this one from Calypso ($65), would look a bit more polished.


$95 is way too much to spend on a t-shirt, but I love this drapy cowl neck tee, also from Calypso. It'd look great under a blazer. Calypso has an outlet shop in Soho, so hopefully it'll turn up there and I can make it mine!