A Note on Style: Wardrobe Building for May

SPRING-MAY-STYLE

Building a wardrobe with a consistent color palette makes styling effortless and shopping a breeze. It’s tempting to occasionally add something outside the box, but my motto generally is to stick to the plan. That means a story of neutrals, black and white. Pieces within that range inevitably end up being the first things I grab when getting dressed or packing for a trip. It’s a formula that’s simple, chic and works.

Above: hat, blazer, tank, skirt, necklace, bag, nail polish, sandals, sunglasses

For May, I’m interested in adding interesting khaki toned sportswear. I like a utilitarian reference without an abundance of details. An easy wrap skirt would take me miles. I’d top it with a blazer or blouse when I need to look pulled together then switch it up with a tee and flats for more casual needs.

For years, my go-to top of choice has been a cotton tee or tank. I’d like to introduce a few pieces that have a bit more going on in terms of detail or texture. Nili Lotan’s camel colored knit tank is a great example. The relaxed linen weave adds a note of sophistication layered under a blazer or on its own. It will come in handy well into fall with California’s summer temps often lingering until late October.

I’ve talked endlessly this season about blazers and I’m not quite done. A white linen or canvas blazer will be the hero piece of the season for me. I see it worn with all of the other staples in my closet topping dresses, tees and tanks, matching pants and jeans. It shifts from polished to relaxed in a second depending on how it’s styled.

No-fuss, slip on sandals are a main stay in my wardrobe. I love everything from simple leather flip flops to more elaborately detailed styles. To be part of my uniform, they need to be quick and easy to slide on. My absolute favorite is the Hermès Oran, but sadly for me they run too wide and my foot slides right through the strap. Fortunately, there are numerous other options. The above pair, from Veronica Beard, are not only super chic with contrast stitching, they’re price friendly too. Also available in brown.

If you’ve followed me for long, you know I use a hat as my first point of defense against the sun (after sunscreen, of course). Come summer, I’ll bring out the straw fedoras and wide-brimmed sun hats. Ivory looks the freshest to me now and I like a contrasting band of black or brown as a punctuation mark. If it’s packable, all the better.

I’m just as adamant about protecting my eyes from the damaging rays of the sun, so sunglasses are an essential part of my daily attire. I like variety and switch them out often depending on mood and necessity. Cat Eye frames instantly inject a stylish note no matter what they’re paired with.

When I think of summer jewelry, pearls inevitably come to mind. They mix so nicely with a summer palette while referencing the beach and nature. I’m partial to the imperfect organic shape of baroque and fresh water pearls and love them paired with a simple gold chain. Natasha Schweitzer has created a perfect summer necklace at a fantastic price point.

Straw totes have forever been my summer beach tote of choice. They will take a backseat this year to these lovely bags constructed of rope. Very fresh and a bit more refined than straw, they look wearable beyond the beach too. The styles, shapes and colors from Alienina are some of the best.

Generally, I wear three different shades of nail polish depending on the season and my mood. A pale, barely-there pink, a classic red, and an almost-black, deep red are my go-tos. This dark, gorgeous shade from Tom Ford aptly called Black Cherry, has caught my eye and gone straight to my shopping cart. Several other summer worthy shades are below.