Today’s Weather: Awkward
But dressing for it doesn’t have to be. A camping mentality is the right headspace for navigating your style when nothings predictable. The definitive Field Guide is here.
At the expense of stating the obvious, the Winter to Spring style transition is punishing. In a perfect world where the weather coincides with your expectations, always looking and feeling chic would be easy. Harsh reality is, however, that weather patterns are chaotic and there are very real considerations to be recognized, like simply the basic needs of staying warm or dry. Here in New York, we’re experiencing weekends that reach the high 60’s and by Monday the thermostat is reading 32 degrees. By the time you’ve dusted off spring pieces that have been in storage, you’re packing them up again to don chunky sweaters and tights. Fashion publications are churning out articles on the key spring trends, a harbinger of warmer days. But how do you properly plan forward for dressing chic in chaotic weather if the best information you’re armed with is “short skirts are the new office vibe”?
We know the answer. When you have your core, “your foundation” solidified, the rest flows easier. Promise. As Creative Pragmatists, those who crave the balance between the highly experimental and the fully functional, our desire is to master this practice - to go about the business of being chic and expressing our personal style, but doing it in a way that really - I mean really - works.
Below is the beginnings of the ultimate Field Guide for awkward weather dressing - the tools to keep your point of view laser focused and invest in pieces that you love, while avoiding regretful purchases. As it turns out, thinking about camping put us in the right headspace to build this out. What other situation really requires brutal acknowledgement of weather and terrain? This isn’t glamping by any means - we’re focusing on functionality - but it is quite swank. Leaning heavily on your WOFs will serve you well, always.
When you go camping, you are packing tools with a throughline. It’s the same throughline that takes you swiftly from the 9 AM snowflakes to early evening sunshine. Every single item you bring must meet the following criteria:
Fabrications work for multiple climates
Features are built in and have functional purposes
Layering and de-layering execute with ease
This week’s Insider Report covers the key items that will maintain MVP status in your wardrobe year-round (12 Mo’ers1) and how you can tweak them to work for Play, Dinner, and Work2 when you have weather whiplash - all while maintaining your personal style.
The Tropical Wool Stella Pant is arguably the original and ultimate WOF.
The Stella Pant checks all of the boxes for year-round, multi-climate, multi-occasion wearability. The fabrication - a custom virgin wool blend - allows you to wear it to the office in February paired with a double-faced cashmere pullover and structured trench coat. When the 30 degree weather becomes 45 degree weather, the suede car coat is thrown on and a superfine gauged cotton sweater is loosely wrapped around the neck for functionality. The small nature of the knit gauge keeps it from feeling too fuzzy - this texture always reads more winter - and gives you the option to unravel at the restaurant if it’s warmer and toss it over your shirt when the AC is blasting in late March. The Cotton Nylon Tuxedo Shirt layered over an easy tee in a Ring 3 color provides the arm coverage needed when it’s not quite 70 degrees out but it still embraces the spirit of Spring weather through color and shape. The Seth sneaker (currently making a case for the ultimate shoe WOF) is a no brainer - wear with a cashmere sock for practicality and warmth, go sans sock if the weather permits.
Traci, our head of design, created the Tropical Wool Cargo Short in the mindset of “Stella. Only make it shorter.” Hence you have a workhorse of a short that pairs perfectly back to the furry boot that you bought a few seasons ago (there are still some units available on Tibi.com - and they’re really good). Throw on the Spring 2024 bonded carcoat and the Blanket Scarf for added warmth - a good tight is key (we love Commando btw) adds additional warmth and avoid a skin sandwich - bonus (see page XYZ in the Creatiive Pragmatist book). When temps rise slightly, unwrap the superfine gauge pullover from your neck and slip it on to wear underneath the Lancaster Trench - you can wrap the handkerchief built into the coat around your neck here. Your interesting texture comes from the Pebble Sable top and the cashmere sock keeps you cozily appropriate for a chilly Wednesday in March, but the tech satin Malcolm flat is optimistic for warmer days. When the sun is out long enough for your arms to be out, too, a Liam vest worn as a top creates a seamless look with a substantial fabrication - not too hot and not too light. The Malcolm flat is worn bare with your favorite souvenir necklace for added interest.
The Slip Dress in a rich brown color is another piece that carries in advantage in its fabrication and weight - with a thick cashmere sock and layered under a thick cashmere sweater, your bases are covered for the February morning commute. Wrapped up in the Lancaster trench and blanket scarf, you’re not sweating on the subway and not freezing on the sidewalk. Swap out the trench for the Active Knit jacket and a bright red sock for functionality and interest on the weekend at the farmer’s market. The Ring 3 tee pinned up gives a new shape to the classic slip dress and melts into the blue-ish/grey-ish hue of the jacket. Our classic Gabe shirting in a fresh Lemon Ice color thrown over the shoulders and left open creates an interesting color story with varying textures.
While we are not dressing for the wilderness on a daily basis, we are tasked with braving the ever-changing elements. If you’re experiencing fake spring coupled with round 2 of winter and find yourself taking your warm weather attire in and out of storage, your WOFs will carry you through. Everytime.
12 Mo’er (Noun)
Why wear a single piece of clothing one month of the year, when you can sport it for all twelve? That is precisely our reasoning behind the 12 Mo’er concept. Equal parts functionality and style, a 12 Mo’er is your without-fail (WOF) piece that stands the test of time, earning a coveted spot in your closet 365 days a year with a cost-per-wear (CPW) that is certainly worth the investment.
Play, Dinner, Work or PDW (Adjective)
Styles that span across the three facets of our life - Play, Dinner, Work - are considered a Creative Pragmatist’s lifeline. We rely on them to rescue us from many a sartorial rut; the most loyal of closet companions. While not everything can be created with an eye towards this functionality, when a piece nails it, it’s worth noting and having.
The chill pants with a tee - perfection! I must admit I struggle with the correct tee to wear under an open shirt, as I often feel too boxed in. Difficult to show skin in the cooler months.
Love this!