I Can Wear My New Favorite Top to Work, Dinner, and Even the Beach
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When you’re an inveterate online shopper who opens emails from a gazillion different stores each day, it’s rare that a “new arrival” really stands out. Sure, I could see myself wearing that smart blue-and-white stripedbutton-down(that looks exactly like the other six in my closet). Or that pair of red patent-leather sandals. Or thatbag. But then a new email promoting a new item arrives, and the ongoing cycle stops most of these appealing things from moving from my in-box to my shopping cart.
Something about the email from Everlane introducing itsAir Ruched Blousewas different, though. It spoke to me like no other email about ablousehad. Usually, I find Everlane’s tone grating (it seems to pander to people who call other people “humans” and use the wordadulting), but this email had three words that I now know I’m powerless against: “Elegant cottonstaples.” The model wearing the blouse was sitting on a concrete slab in a lawn that reminded me of theNoguchiMuseum’s sculpture garden.I, too, could wear that blouse and look elegant in the Noguchi Museum sculpture garden, I thought. After realizing I needed it, I knew I couldn’t wait the four to seven business days for standard shipping, so I went to the store that same day.
I tried on the blouse in all of the available colors and patterns (black, olive green, and blue-and-white stripes), and was impressed by how little it looked like it was fromEverlane. It’s not that I dislike Everlane, but as someone who loves simple clothing in stripes or neutral colors, I knowhow easy it would be to shop there often— and end up looking like everyone else who shops there often. But the Air Ruched Blouse felt unique. It has a flattering drawstring neckline that can be adjusted, and looks good tucked or untucked. The cotton of theshirtis airy, crisp, and, importantly, machine washable. It kind of looks like it could be fromTotême, the Scandinavian retailer of very elegant-and-not-machine-washable clothing where I would buy the majority of my blouses if they didn’t each cost upwards of $300, or five of the Everlane blouses.
I promised myself I’d buy only one, but of course left with two: in black and olive (the blue-and-white striped shirt was a little too sheer). And knowing I did not spend the price of a domesticplane ticketon each shirt — and that I won’t have to pay todry-cleanthem — I don’t mind wearing them … a lot. I’ve worn mine to the office, to meet friends for dinner at Popina in Brooklyn, to meet other friends for drinks at a dive bar, to stroll the Met — I could even see myself wearing it to the beach. And, of course, to visit the sculpture garden at the Noguchi Museum, where I can only hope I’ll look elegant when I do.
New! You can now save this product for later.
New! You can now save this product for later.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Lastly, the very subtly blue-and-white striped one that didn’t work for me — but might look great on you.
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