week of outfits, round 5

how many days in a row can I wear loafers before it gets weird?

I think all of my outfits this week (save for the first one) look so much better purely because of my haircut! I’m entering my second Bangs Era (FBE 2009-2015.) I have also been exclusively wearing loafers for the past week. Is that bad? I don’t think so? They’re basically office-appropriate slippers.

At this point, I would absolutely recommend the specific brand and style of loafers I have: the Whitney from G.H. Bass, lug or super lug sole. (The lug sole is not the *original* version but they’re more practical and durable than the leather soles and I can’t resist a flatform.) If you’re searching for Bass loafers secondhand, Poshmark’s search function seems to be deteriorating rapidly—googling “bass whitney super lug poshmark” will yield many more options than searching directly on Poshmark. (And one more piece of advice—size down half a size! Based on personal experience but backed up by anecdotal evidence, including here, here, and most recently in

laura reilly

’s Magasin chat.)

Okay okay I will stop evangelizing about loafers. Here are the outfits.

Occasion: WFH, recovering from redeye flight
Details: Rented Hugo Boss sweater, exact one here (pay attention to sizing note on this listing!); COS cashmere beanie, similar here; MUJI pants, similar here here here here; burgundy Bass Whitney lug sole loafers, secondhand here; vintage Coach bag via Etsy, similar here.
Notes: I’ve rented this sweater a couple times, and I think I might be ready to return it after this month’s cycle. I thought it might have become a permanent fixture, but I’m glad I gave it a little more time before deciding to buy it. Feels more like a piece on its own rather than a coherent part of an outfit/my wardrobe. Also, looking at this photo makes me very glad I got my hair cut!

Occasion: Haircut and dinner at Bamonte’s (if you’re curious… food 6/10, Caesar salad 8/10, ambiance 9/10)
Details: COS wool shirt, similar here (as long as the logo’s not in a conspicuous place); braided leather belt via Poshmark, similar here here; rented Apiece Apart pants, secondhand in ivory here and olive here, similar here; burgundy Bass loafers again.
Notes: I feel like these pants are going to be another rent-to-own. They’re a cotton-linen blend, and I’m going to hold onto them at least throughout the spring.

… and with the Tibi jacket! (similar here here here)

Occasion: Day trip to visit new baby niece!
Details: Garnet Hill cotton sweater vest via eBay, similar here here here (still on sale on their website, too); Derek Lam shirt via TRR, similar here; Apiece Apart pants again; cow print Bass Whitney super lug loafers via Poshmark, similar secondhand here here; Coach beanie via eBay, same beanie here.
Notes: All the parts of this outfit feel more formal than the whole, somehow—still comes off a little casual (in a good way) despite loafers, collared shirt, and sweater vest.

Occasion: WFH, vigorous dishwashing (see wet spot on pants)
Details: Coach beanie again; COS wool turtleneck, exact one secondhand here; Calvin Klein jeans via Etsy, similar here; burgundy Bass loafers again.
Notes: Who would have thought… an official return to jewel tones! (The cobalt blue was the start… the purple cashmere sweater was another step forward… this green feels like a declaration.) This outfit is missing something—will probably add a belt if I wear it again. Also curious how this green would work with black loafers (too Slytherin?)

Occasion: Short film screening in the city, intimidated by the idea of Cool Lower East Side Art People and wore the Met tank top and silk bomber as armor?
Details: Rented Monse pants, different color here here; Met shirt, humiliatingly from PacSun (shirt sold out and unfindable secondhand! will work on it); rented Missoma necklace, exact one secondhand here; Coach beanie again, silk Opening Ceremony bomber via eBay, exact one secondhand here here (take a look at the back); black Bass Whitney super lug loafers via eBay, secondhand here (for $32?!) here here.
Notes: Still didn’t feel cool. Clothes can only take you so far. Regardless, enjoyed four out of five short films and crushed a Crunchwrap on my way back to the train, so it was a successful evening!

Occasion: WFH, quilting while watching The Sound of Music (looking forward to retirement, obviously)
Details: Garnet Hill vest again; Coach beanie again; COS wool shirt, exact one secondhand here, light pink secondhand here; vintage wool trousers, similar here; black Bass loafers again.
Notes: The other sweater vest I own (the Ganni one) is a crewneck—while I still like it, wearing this one has made me realize that a v-neck vest feels more versatile. I can wear a regular long-sleeve shirt underneath, whereas with a crewneck vest it feels like I’m limited to a button-down or turtleneck.

And just for fun… here is the Monster Jam shirt I got. Exact one here (in youth M) and here (youth L.)