In preparation for my honeymoon (don’t worry, I leave this week and will stop talking about it soon), I’ve been helping my wonderful husband, Pat, procure a few new wardrobe staples.
While he is definitely my ideal man, it appears Pat’s frame is not so beloved amongst the folks structuring size charts these days. Pat is 6’4 — so, very tall — and slim but athletic in build. It’s almost impossible for him to find pants that aren’t too short, too tight, or worse: some terrible legging-like combination of the two.
Once, in desperate pursuit of pants suitable to Pat’s lengthy limbs, we bravely walked ourselves into a Big & Tall store, only to be told he had to be both big and tall to shop there. They literally told him he wasn’t big enough, and we left with our heads hung low in shame.
For a long time, I would joke to Pat that I had no sympathy for his struggle with finding clothes that fit. Try being a petite, curvy woman for a day! In fact, try being any type of woman at all.
Still, after years of watching him cling to the few well-fitting pairs of pants he could find, I felt intent to help him secure some really great items for our honeymoon. And it turned out, finding pants for tall men was about as hard as finding a good bra. Near impossible!
After ordering upwards of 13 pairs of pants, we did find a few winners. These J. Crew pinstripe trousers look amazing on him, and Proper Cloth’s Amalfi pant felt like an answered prayer. Best of all, we were shocked to find the perfect white vacation pant from none other than Lilly Pulitzer’s limited menswear offering. Who would’ve thought?
Here’s the kicker, though. Even harder than finding good pants, apparently, would be convincing Pat to keep them.
Extremely utilitarian when it comes to worldly possessions, Pat couldn’t fathom keeping pieces that he’d only wear in the summertime. After getting excited about a potential new wardrobe addition, he’d nervously ask me whether or not it could be worn year-round. If the answer was no, he’d hem and haw over if the purchase could be justified.
As we debated linen trousers and seersucker button-downs, I presented Pat with a perspective that seemed to soothe him: “Most clothes don’t need to work year-round. Three out of four seasons is plenty.”
As I watched understanding wash over my sweet, practical husband’s face, it occurred to me that some of you Blisters reading might need this reality check, too. Of course you want pieces that you can wear often and transition through the seasons. But you don’t need to gaslight yourself out of good clothes just because they might not suit a Manhattan heatwave and a Swiss ski trip!
Here’s why: even if a lightweight summer knit could be transitioned into the winter months, it’s highly unlikely that you’d actually reach for it. Why? Because you’re probably reaching for that chunky winter sweater you look forward to wearing for the holidays!
You can, of course, force things to work year-round, but because you likely have a few strictly seasonal pieces by nature of being alive, you really don’t need everything to work for every moment. See what I mean?
The way I see it, pieces that go the distance for three out of four seasons are the ultimate justifiable buys. For example: a lightweight linen-blend rollneck knit like this one from J. Crew is a perfect transitional piece to pair under a trench in the spring, draped over the shoulders of a tank top on a chilly summer evening, or alongside cords and a cashmere bandana scarf come fall.
You could push it to be layered come winter, if that’s your thing, but if you have a warmer sweater you’d rather don in December, then guess what? You’re not a bad person, and you didn’t make a bad purchase!
Perhaps no one ever told you so, and now I feel it’s my obligation to free you from buyer’s remorse. It worked for Pat! Rather than return the drawstring linen pants we’d hunted for, simply because they wouldn’t work with his winter parka, he was able to see the benefit of finding a perfectly versatile piece that wasn’t entirely useful to him year-round. Talk about progress!
In honor of this realization, I thought it might be fun to round up a few pieces I’ve dubbed 3SS (3-Season Suitable). They might not suit you year-round, but they’ll definitely go the distance in terms of versatility.
And of course, I’ve thrown in a few season-specific pieces I’ve got my eye on for the months ahead, because the maximalist in me still wants a few things that really scream “Summer”.
All of the above are gorgeous and beautiful — but not exactly snow-apropos. This light-blue leather Longchamp bag is best for transitional dressing or peak summer wear — same goes for green satin ballet flats. A cropped funnel-neck jacket works for temps we’d consider “chilly” but should certainly be swapped for something longer and heavier in the cold.
Pieces like this Kujten knit tank are total shapeshifters when it comes to versatile styling. Same goes for this cotton Simkhai dress, to be paired with heels, flats, or even boots. And perhaps it’s just me, but I have cold-weather sunnies and warm-weather sunnies, and to me, they should look completely different! I’d happily reach for these Ray-Bans three quarters out of the year.
As for the pieces I rely on in fall, winter, and spring, but wouldn’t be caught dead in come summer? For this distinction, it’s all about material. Heavy pieces like faux-fur jackets and leather pants are, of course, gone the second the sun comes out.
Same goes for certain textures, which rules out accessories like suede handbags, pony hair loafers, and snake-print boots. And of course, at the end of each spring, I hold a proper funeral service for the black turtlenecks that got me through the prior months. May they rest easy until they are resurrected again come fall.
Call me a fashion hoarder, but I love leaning into seasonal dressing — even if it means I wind up with pieces that can’t be classified as “versatile”. Bring on the novelty, like beaded starfish bags and fishy flip flops! I want a bamboo-handled Simon Miller bag with lime green fringe!
And of course, I’m lusting after all the seashell pendants money can buy, or at least a few shell-printed dresses like this gorgeous mini from Hunter Bell. Statement buys like Pucci-printed sunnies and sequined micro-shorts may have their seasonal limitations, but in my opinion, they’re well worth it for the few months they turn heads.
Are you a strict minimalist that needs every piece in your closet to be easily transitioned? If so, you fascinate me, and I’d love to know more. If you’re more like me — a 3SS collector who still indulges in season-specific statement pieces — know I absolve you from any guilt. This is a safe space!
All this to say, when you see me posting photos of Pat and I on our honeymoon and you notice his outfits are on point, know that effort was made, regardless of whether or not every piece ended up 3SS. Wardrobes should always be a work in progress!
x BGF
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