The humble tee-shirt.  The base of so many looks and sometimes, the whole look.  It’s a lot to ask from one article of clothing and what makes a tee-shirt good, turns out, like everything else – is personal!  The problem with looking for the perfect tee-shirt is that everyone has different criteria for what they like in weight, cut, and wear.  Some like them heavy, some like them practically see-thru.  Some like them crisp and others want them a little stretchy and to look worn-in from day one.  For your sartorial pleasure, I took a deep dive into the market and have come up for air ready to crown some winners.  

WOMEN
 Winner – Goldie Organic Boy Tee ($85)
My holy grail of tees.  Perfect neck and sleeve length.  The weight is just right and the finish is dressy enough to wear under an unstructured blazer or alone casually.  It’s long enough to tuck in, but not so long that you have to.  It is the only tee shirt I hang up – that’s how much I love it.

2nd Place – Buck Mason Cloud Jersey Long-Sleeve Slim Crew ($68)
As I said, this is personal and I often run cold, so a long sleeve is key.  This one is as versatile as above, but with a slimmer cut and some give/stretch.  Lives up to the name – it is so soft.

Runner Ups:

Pretty Neck & Cap Sleeve: L’Agence Cory High-Low Crewneck Tee ($95)

Casual V-Neck: Good American Classic Cotton V-Neck ($59)
It’s a little boxy, a little cropped. A nice option for a V-neck, without being too deep.

Scoop-Neck: Another Tomorrow Ballet Scoop Tee ($160) 
A deep scoop is useful when your jacket has an unusual collar or you want to show off your necklace.  This is slightly sheer, elegant, and sustainable.

MEN
Winner – Buck Mason Slub Classic Tee ($45)
Incredible versatility with this one.  Its classic cut is relaxed without veering into sloppy.  Slub tees can be really thin, but this has a great weight to it and enough texture to make it interesting.  No one will mistake this for coming out of a pack of three.  Grown and sewn in the U.S. and is a great price!

2nd Place – Merz B Schwanen 215 ($87)
Heavier weight than above, with excellent hand and finish.  Durable!  I mean, if it’s good enough for FX’s The Bear, it’s good enough for you.  Say it with me: Yes Chef!

Runner Ups:

Dressiest of the Bunch: Robert Barakett Classic Crewneck Barakett Tee ($69.50)
I have actually had clients who wanted to return these because they said they were “too nice of a T-shirt” due to the finish almost having a sheen.  It’s 100% U.S. grown pima cotton and retains color long term.

Cotton-Blend Optional: Reiss Bless Crewneck ($45)
This one is more fitted with tons of color options. While the classic white is 100% cotton, the other colors are available in a lovely cotton blend.  Both fabrics drape nicely and have a great finish.  

Heavier & Long Sleeve: AYR The Heavy O ($115)
This sits between a tee and sweatshirt while being elevated.  Great for transitional weather.  Sustainable.

Me again.  Here to dramatically change your life – this time via mascara!  Tubing mascara is a true game changer, especially for those who have sensitive eyes, seasonal allergies, live in the city that never sleeps, or never get enough sleep.  I tick all those boxes and as a result am prone to dark circles, which traditional mascara can make worse with flakes and smudges.  Unlike traditional oil-based mascaras – tubing mascara is silicone based and creates tiny polymer sleeves around each individual lash to create longer, more defined lashes without smudging or smearing.  The sleeves (or tubes) are water resistant and don’t run, flake, or smear.  They withstand sweat, tears, eye rubs, oily skin, and -I have even witnessed- dips in the ocean.  In addition to the reasons I wear it, it’s also great for hooded eyes, those with shorter eyelashes, wear contact lenses, or live in humid climates.  It’s buildable and has long-term staying power than traditional mascara, and oddly was originally designed to even withstand sleep!  Although, who in their right mind would skip their night-time skincare routine…  Speaking of, the best part is that unlike traditional mascaras, you remove tubing mascara with just a little warm water and light pressure from your fingers; like magic, the little sleeves just fall off without a trace of residue under your eyes or on your face.  No makeup remover or rubbing needed!

Tubing mascara technology was first developed in 1995, so I am mystified why it took me a while to discover it.  I first found Kevyn Aucoin’s The Volume Mascara ($32) – a mascara that thickens, softens, and shines lashes with jojoba oil and provides smooth coverage.  I currently switch between Kevyn Aucoin’s and Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara ($26) – and I can’t decide which one I like better.  Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara ($34) also has great reviews, and I know a few people who love it.  For the record, I have tried a few cheaper versions of tubing mascara and do not recommend!

Shoulder Season

Transitional weather pieces —
It’s officially spring, but the chill of winter is still lingering.  The best way to transition your wardrobe between seasons is to look for weather-appropriate silhouettes in colors that are fit for the upcoming season.  Think about adding more lighter and brighter colors in thicker or heavier fabrics.

WOMEN
(clockwise from left)
Frame Belted Cotton Trench Coat ($748.50)
Free People Suzy Oversized Denim Jacket ($148)
Equipment Gabrielle Cropped Leather Jacket ($1,095)

MEN
(clockwise from right)
Bloomingdale’s Men’s Melange Twill Chore Jacket ($379)
Theory Wyatt Suede Bomber Jacket ($896.25)
Rodd & Gunn Winscombe Regular-Fit Jacket ($350)

I grab a button-up at least twice a week when getting dressed.  Putting on a beautiful, crisp cotton shirt to transition between seasons is a simple joy in a well-curated wardrobe.

Sculptor turned clothing designer, Erin Connelly and her creative entrepreneur husband, Brooks Reitz, created a line of menswear-inspired women’s shirts called E.M. Reitz.  They are confident classics and as practical as they are luxurious.  Their tight range of solid colors and stripes actually offer a lot of freedom when styling and make great additions to your wardrobe, especially in the spring.

My top three for spring are:
1. Lunch in Quo Vadis
2. Baker’s Apprentice
3. A Clear Day

Prices range from $390 to $450 per shirt.  Each piece is designed in Charleston, South Carolina and produced in NYC’s Garment District.

They recently held their trunk show in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood, but you can keep up to date on upcoming events via their Instagram @e.m.reitz.

I came across this exceptional company when I was in New Hampshire and bought a few products as gifts.  Farm + Sea is a family-owned business based out of Massachusetts that specializes in bath-and-body care and home fragrance products.  Everything they do is handmade in small batches using quality ingredients and carefully chosen, seasonal scents.  Their mission very much aligns with my shopping ethos too: provide quality, thoughtful products that enhance your life.

Inspired by the utilitarian beauty of farms and the transformative power of the sea in her New England upbringing, founder/owner Mary Swenson uses the power of scent to evoke a memory or create a mood through her products.  All their products are nontoxic and contain only phthalate-free essential oils for a clean, subtle scent.

The bath and body care line includes body lotion, body oil, salt and sugar scrubs, roll-on perfume, liquid hand soap, and whipped soap.  I haven’t tried the whole line but can attest that the body lotion – which is really a cream – is absolutely wonderful.  Softly scented, it goes on like a dream, and is very nourishing.  The Lavender & Coconut Lotion is my favorite of the many they offer.  The body oils are perfect for the dry, colder months when you need to replenish more.

While I am typically not one for candles, Farm + Sea’s remove nearly all the reasons I don’t burn them.  They are made from a custom blend of coconut and soy waxes, premium oils that burn clean and slow, along with cotton wicks that are soot free when properly trimmed.  If you prefer a smokeless option, their home collection also includes diffusers and a linen + room spray.  

Supporting a small business that puts so much care into their good-for-you products is always a great idea!

Cardigans.  They’re comfortable, warm, less formal than a jacket, but can often be more distinguished on occasion (Google “Logan Roy + cardigan”), and are essential for advanced layering and styling.  V-neck cardigans are the most versatile of all styles because they don’t disturb the neckline of whatever you pair it with and can show off a necklace or scarf, should you wear.  In addition to their obvious use of saving freezing women everywhere, ladies can wear one buttoned alone as a top, tucked or belted.  For men, the shawl-collar cardigan above is a great example of relaxed elegance, while offering the perfect amount of airs.  Wear it with wool trousers, 5-pocket twills, or denim and enjoy the mystique.

WOMEN
Madewell Alpaca-Blend V-Neck Cardigan ($89.50)
Poppy is pictured, but black is the best color. This is lightweight and airy. It will not smash your blouse underneath because it kind of floats close to you.  Semi-sheer which is great for styling and very sexy.  The fabric is lovely and the price is fab.  Size UP!

Additional Option:
La Ligne Mini Toujours Ribbed Cashmere Cardigan ($325)
Workhorse.

MEN
Peregrine Wilkinson Shawl-Collar Wool Cardigan ($248)
This is a heavyweight champ of a knit. It will beat all your other cardigans up over the years and still be handsome.  The quality is superb and the buttons are everything.  Layer over tees, button downs, and/or under a vest or car coat.

Additional Option:
A.P.C. Samuel Slim-Fit Merino-Wool Cardigan ($350)
Finely knit and no pockets.  Clutch.  If you run hot, this is for you.

Find gifts for everyone on your list – from my latest newsletter!  Get this and more style delivered seasonally when you subscribe to Q’s Quarterly Newsletter.  Happy shopping!

/ 1 / Jenni Kayne Cashmere Beanie ($57)
If you saw my hat rant last year… this could be the ticket!

/ 2 / Karhu Gender-Inclusive Albatross 82 Sneaker ($73)
I love every shoe on this site for men and women. Never thought I would be able to say that.

/ 3 / Ted Baker Eason Wool Jacket ($285)
Tight.

/ 4 / Saturdays NYC Artifacts Timothy Swim Short ($93.75)
For all you snowbirds.

/ 5 / Norma Kamali Leopard Sleeping Bag Puffer Jacket ($505)
A shorter version of my leopard puffer that people shout “GREAT COAT!” at me from across the street.

/ 6 / Splendid London Rib Hoodie ($138) and London Rib Jogger ($128)
Cozy.

/ 7 / Mytagalongs Everleigh Neoprene Water Bottle Carrier ($30)
I have not met a kid in the last few years that does not have a water bottle and also does not know where it is.

/ 8 / To Boot New York Boyd Leather Ankle Boot ($575)
The boots you’ve been looking for.

/ 9 / Mee Audio Connect Air In-Flight Bluetooth Wireless Audio Adapter ($37.49)
Two people can earbud into and listen to the same device!

/ 10 / Dandelion Chocolate Signature House Hot Chocolate Mix ($30)
No soy, dairy, gluten, nuts, or lecithin!  Just shaved chocolate for your silky, sipping pleasure.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare is a cult favorite for many reasons.  Among his best sellers is my newfound love, the FDA-cleared, LED light-therapy full-face mask: DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro ($455).  It’s three treatments in one, hands-free, and cordless – designed to combat aging and acne.  And it’s not just me – Allure Magazine awarded it a Best of Beauty Winner this year and Elle Magazine awarded it the Best Overall LED Face Mask for 2023.

Since our skin cells absorb light energy similar to the way plants do, the mask features 100 red (anti-aging) LED lights to smooth wrinkles, boost collagen, even skin tone and texture, and reduce sun spots.  Plus 60 blue LED lights that clear mild to moderate acne.  You choose your light setting – red, blue, or both – and after the programmed treatment time, the mask automatically shuts off. It is safe for daily use, even for sensitive skin. 

While I love all that, what I love the most is that for once I can be lazy about my skincare routine!  I’ve had a pretty involved nighttime skincare routine for years now, so the last thing I want to do is add something else to the mix.  But I use this in the morning before my eyes are even really open.  I keep it by my bed and just pop it on while I’m still waking up – and three minutes later, I’ve already accomplished something.  It’s so easy, I’ll run it twice or move it to my décolletage if I want a few more minutes in bed. I have even fallen back asleep while it is on. Like most things in life, consistency is key – but this device scores so high on simplicity, ease of use, and results that it gives new meaning to the term beauty sleep.

When I first arrived in the Big Apple – the famous among some circles, esthetician Joanna Vargas invited me for a facial.  I was completely floored and felt extremely fancy and very special going to her Madison Avenue spa.  Vargas is known for treating Julianna Moore, Sofia Coppala, Jake Gyllenhaal, and other frequents of the red carpet.  The facial was wonderful; I highly recommend her technique!  But one of the products that was recommended to me when I left was Biologique Recherché Lotion P50W (5.1 fl oz, $70) and I’ve been using it since.  Lotion P50W is a gentle, balancing, vitamin-rich, facial-toning lotion that exfoliates, rebalances, and moisturizes skin.

FOR WOMEN
(left to right)  Polo Ralph Lauren Herringbone Blazer  ($698) | Rag & Bone Tessa One-Button Blazer ($595) | A.L.C. Chelsea Plaid Double-Breasted Blazer ($695) | Marella Garden Single-Breasted Herringbone Blazer ($525)

FOR MEN
(left to right)  Reiss Lincoln Slim-Fit Wool Blazer ($515) | The Men’s Store at Bloomingdale’s Regular-Fit Tonal Plaid Sport Coat ($548) | BOSS Hanry Slim-Fit Sport Coat ($595) | Faherty Reserve Twill-Knit Blazer ($398)