Sound the alarm! Alert the town crier! Taylor Swift has tried the pantless trend—at Bradley Cooper’s house, no less. Swift, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Hugh Jackman rendezvoused at the Oscar winner’s Greenwich Village home, and the singer took the latest look for a test drive.
While it may be a balmy 75-degree day in New York, Swift was dressed for the first day of fall on an ivy-covered campus, wearing a Stella McCartney rugby shirt as a minidress. The black long-sleeve landed mid thigh, with two slits on each side. A white, v-neck collar, and McCartney’s “Pony Club” insignia on the chest—a horse’s head and horseshoe embroidered in gold—added more prep appeal.
Swift paired the rugby shirt with a pair of knee-high chestnut boots, a tan leather crossbody with gold hardware from Tod’s, and her tan Ralph Lauren baseball cap, which added a lowkey touch to the outfit. (With her two animal logos on one outfit, Swift joins the ranks of fashionable horse girls, alongside McCartney, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid).
The singer is also the latest celebrity to test drive the pantless trend. Gisele Bündchen tried out the look during New York Fashion Week, wearing an oversized denim jacket sans bottoms. Emma Corrin has rocked the scant Miu Miu briefs both on and off the runway. And, of course, the look’s most ardent supporter, Jenner, has previously demonstrated a preppy iteration of the look with oversized button-ups, boxy blazers, and loafers. But while Jenner’s approach to prep is more “just woke up in an Ivy League dorm room,” Taylor Swift’s take is more, “left my jodhpurs at the stable.” We’re glad to see that a look missing such a key ingredient still can adhere to so many unique personal styles.
Shop Swift’s Stella McCartney dress, below. Plus, more rugby shirts.
Wool sweaters might seem the best winter option, but cotton can be just as luxe—often at a fraction of the cost. Plus: expert tips for finding (and cleaning) the best men’s and women’s styles.
LAST YEAR, New York designer Molly Moorkamp made an audacious decision. She replaced her namesake line’s merino-wool-blend sweaters with cotton knits, which she now sells year-round—even in winter. The 100% cotton styles range from a cold-weather cable-knit turtleneck to a four-seasons-friendly striped option. Her knits, she claims, have proven more popular since she made the switch, possibly because cotton costs less than most wools and is easier to clean at home. Plus: “The customer knows what cotton is going to be,” said Moorkamp. There are no surprises. “And nobody has said, ‘I miss the merino.’”
Most people view cotton sweaters, unfairly, as summer-only options. When fall blusters in, they flock to cashmere- and merino-wool knits, convinced ovine fibers make superior fall and winter fare. But if you pick the right ones, cotton knits can hold their own in cooler months. Some of this season’s thick-gauge styles by brands including Alex Mill, Kule and Buck Mason are so cozy, they might have impressed Roald Amundsen—the guy who discovered the South Pole.
The arguments for cotton are many. For one, it can be super-luxe. Why cashmere snobs turn their noses up at cotton has less to do with its fibers and more to do with bad PR. “Cotton has never been marketed as ‘luxurious,’” said Robin Reis, founder of State of Cotton, a line of high-end cotton sweaters. But it can be just that “if you know what you’re looking for.”
The complicated cotton-grading system isn’t exactly consumer-friendly, but, Reis said, you can generally determine quality by touch—the softer and more substantial the feel, the better the cotton. Look for “extra-long staple cotton,” she advises, which is produced from the largest, fluffiest plants. (It’s worth researching the caliber of a sweater’s cotton before you click “buy.”) Those fibers are wound up into smooth, strong yarns. Long-staple cotton is less likely to pill—and more apt to retain plushness—than short-staple options, which can droop and sag with wear.
Unless you plan to spend the snowy months hibernating in an Alaskan cave, a cotton sweater will likely keep you plenty toasty, especially chunky, tight-gauge knits. Cotton’s reputation for being light and airy (qualities that make it great for summer) is well-founded, but those characteristics make it ideal for anyone who must endure frigid commutes and overheated offices. Breathable cotton won’t send your body temperature into a spiral.
Plus, cotton’s inherent sturdiness and colorfastness make design possibilities endless, said Moorkamp—think cables, pompoms and multicolor stripes. “If I made the same sweaters in cashmere, which is a more delicate fiber, in the weight of the cottons I do, it would be five times the price. And the colors would bleed.”
Styling cotton sweaters in cold weather is not that hard. For both men and women, Los Angeles stylist Rachael Wang prefers an intentionally oversize fit—big enough to comfortably layer over a T-shirt, but not so spacious that the sleeves hang below your fingertips. For everyday, she suggests women pair that with a wide-leg pant for a weirdly appealing “I stole this from Grandpa’s closet” look.
FOR WOMEN From left: Button-back Crewneck Sweater, $150, AlexMill.com; Polo-neck Sweater, $159, PoetryFashion.com; Zip-up Sweater, $298, Kule.com
Guys, she said, should consider sporting their oversize cotton sweaters with slim (but not skinny) trousers. Wang also pleads that you embrace the chunk. “A thicker gauge will give you that fashion feeling, like you’re wearing an ‘outfit,’ and not just dressing warm because it’s cold.”
FOR MEN From left: Polo-neck Sweater, $265, us.Toa.st; Crewneck Sweater, $90, JCrew.com; Ribbed Crewneck Sweater, $148, BuckMason.com
Cotton’s ease of cleaning offers perhaps the most persuasive argument for forsaking wool. Precious cashmere and merino sweaters present a long list of laundering problems: Clueless husbands shrink their wives’ costly cashmere cardigans in the washing machine; dry-cleaning bills soar; handwashing turns out to be so tedious it inspires nudism, etc. Cotton knits, meanwhile, are generally designed to take a beating. Toss them in the washing machine, lay them flat to dry and they’re back in action. If you’re worried about fading, stick with that long-staple, high-quality cotton, which Reis says retains dye best.
Los Angeles management consultant Andy Peacock, 36, finds comfort in the knowledge that his washing machine can remove most stains. That’s why he relies on cotton sweaters for warmth in a chilly corporate office, where coffee spills aren’t as rare as one might hope. “We’ve all ruined an expensive cashmere sweater once and don’t want to do it again, so we keep the others in the closet,” he said. “But my cotton sweaters? I wear them all year.” New York consultant Emilie Hawtin, 34, agrees, and never banishes her cotton crewnecks to storage. “If you feel great in it, it’s going to transcend seasons.”
For this week’s “Don’t DillyDally,” we’ve surfaced a range of new things we’re sure will sell out, including a new Our Place kitchen appliance that’s perfect for winter soups, Diptyque’s 2023 Advent calendar, and square-toe Reformation ballet flats.
Kule has released its second collaboration with Bergdorf Goodman after the first drop sold out in a matter of hours, and the on-trend lavender color story leads us to believe that these pieces won’t last long, either. We especially like this big canvas tote that could be used as a gym bag or help you return to the office in a pleasingly preppy way.
Now that I’ve been covering gifts that give back for a while, I can say that finding the best ones is a true balancing act. There’s the built-in donation part to consider — where’s the money going, and what’s an actual philanthropic amount? (One percent usually doesn’t cut it.) And you want the thing that does good to look good, too, as too many ugly T-shirts abound. So if you’re planning to shop with a little extra purpose, I’ve rounded up the best gifts I could find that also benefit organizations fighting for racial justice, food security, reproductive rights, and much more. Some come from brands previously featured on the Strategist, like a travel pillow that’s more of a swaddle, while others required a little extra sleuthing, like a necklace seen on a New York editor’s Instagram. Rest assured that each is a gift that someone on your list would be happy to receive (and you’d be proud to wrap up). Meanwhile, if you’d like to donate directly to a near-and-dear cause, we also have handy directories of organizations supporting Black and brown lives and Asian communities.
Another noble Kule partnership — this time with Prinkshop — is this striped T-shirt with the luxury label’s signature tag on the hem. It’s part of the 1973 collection, named after the year of the Roe v. Wade decision. Thirty percent of every 1973 sale is donated to the National Institute of Reproductive Health (NIRH), which works to ensure access to reproductive-health care across the country.
Now that we’re firmly planted in leaf-peeping, PSL-drinking, and decorative gourd season, it’s time to refresh your fall wardrobe with a must-have classic: a stylish turtleneck. Whether you opt for a tissue-thin fabric made for layering or a ribbed sweater-like shirt to cozy up in, you’ll still look effortlessly cool.
These days, turtlenecks can take on many roles, from a base layer to a curve-skimming bodysuit, all while keeping your neck warm. “Turtlenecks become a staple in your wardrobe if you know which ones work best for you,” says celebrity stylist and author Sakeya Donaldson. That’s why we’ve compiled a range of turtleneck options so you can find the right style for your body type, aesthetic, and personal preferences. We’ve got you covered for cooler temperatures.
What we love: This soft-as-can-be turtleneck makes for a utilitarian seasonal transition piece.
What we don’t love: Some sizes in certain colorways are sold out.
“This thin, striped turtleneck feels more like a tee than a sweater, making it the perfect transitional piece from summer into fall,” says television stylist Dina Cerchione. Lightweight and made from super soft 100 percent cotton, it’s more than your average simple top. This design comes in various striped colorways, like cream and navy as well as navy and poppy (and so many more), in addition to solid gray and black. The relaxed neck gives you room to breathe while the striped pattern leans into an effortless French girl aesthetic. Here’s betting it would become an instant classic in your closet.
Not to exaggerate but the best white t-shirt for women could quite possibly be the most foolproof answer for your every outfit. You can throw on a white t-shirt with high-rise jeans for a casual look; layer it under a blazer for a day at the office; or pair it with black leggings for a weekend-chic option. If you’re in the market for a white t-shirt (or 10) we have some expert recommendations for you.
The best white t-shirts for women are soft, breathable and versatile for dressing up or down. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
Let’s be honest: There’s no shortage of sites with opinions on the best white t-shirts. We get it. So why trust us? I’m a writer with a degree in apparel and textile design, so I bring a deep level of expertise to the topic. I previously worked at Nike, in quality control for fabrics and materials, and I’ve tested everything from leggings to running socks. For this story, I analyzed t-shirts with a critical eye—looking at the fabric weight, texture, fit, comfort—and since there’s no single best white t-shirt for women, I included options for different styles, budgets and outfit needs. Let’s get right to it, and at the end, you’ll find some expert shopping pointers, too.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash
Some white t-shirts are overly expensive, however, this white Kule tee is worth the price for a few key reasons. It’s made from Portuguese cotton, which is ultra-soft and lightweight so it never feels too heavy and it’s not see-through either. The short sleeves land mid-arm, so you can wear this t-shirt as is or roll the sleeves up, and the Kule signature striped tab at the hem elevates the look from basic to a bit extra.
What our fashion editor says: “I own a Kule t-shirt and wear it all the time with jeans. It washes really well, the fit is perfect—a bit on the slim side—and the cotton is beautifully smooth against the skin.”
