Make navy great again.

And other wishes from the depths of my ongoing suitcase-life saga.

Reporting from my eldest sister’s home in Washington D.C.; and what better place to style the baffling manifold navy pieces I brought with me on this without-a-home journey than our nation’s capitol? The working professionals of D.C. have long monopolized the donning of navy to signify their government or law position; but I’d like to reclaim the shade, unprofessionally. Please note: denim does not count as navy for the sake of argument.

Be forewarned I went a little too hard on the recommendations this time around. I’m increasingly reaching the limits of what I’ve packed and I swear besides ivory, green, & brown (see last post), navy is randomly the only other color I brought to wear. And beyond that, I am longing for my collection of shoes, bags and jewelry. While I can’t presently wear ballet pumps or boots, you can--so please do so for me!

Don't worry, it's turf

Highlighted: I bought for Ryan a vintage Woolrich x Gore Tex made in USA half-zip rain jacket, and it’s the best. Made in the ‘80s with a front flange huge zipper pocket and two angled welt zipper pockets--it doesn’t get much better. A trick to finding great 80s windbreakers/lightweight rain jackets is to include “goretex” or “vintage woolrich” in your search terms on Poshmark or eBay. I was going for an original Jurassic Park inspiration with this weirdass monochrome look (#2).

Also highlighted in same look #2: My Villeine shortalls. I can’t brag about these enough. The canvas is lightweight enough for summer, but structured enough to keep its shape without becoming dumpy with wear. And check out the beautiful interior construction. Made in NYC, of course.

Work jackets also featured—mine is another bought-for-Ryan-but-I-wear-too item (look #3) in a heavenly broken-in cotton herringbone.

1. Lemaire Men's cotton shirtjac in multiple colors extra 20% off $312

2. 2 units left of vintage French chore jackets $60.66

3. French Fisherman Sailor Workwear Jacket sz L $37

You can’t really live without multiples of the perfect white cotton shirt. I recommend having both oxford cloth and poplin in your wardrobe (the one I brought is oxford cloth—look #1).

As for my lovely 3/4 ruffle sleeve top (look #4), I lucked out and found this one vintage for $25 at a boutique called Scoutt Shop in SLC, Utah. Not so lovely interior seams, but made in USA (more info on why that occurs at a later date).

4. Batsheva cotton plaid ruffle top sz 4 $64

5. Batsheva cotton mock neck 3/4 sleeve top sz 6 $94.50

6. Vintage Wrangler corduroy A-line skirt sz 4 $49.95

7. Villeine Shortalls cut-to-order USA canvas $420

8. Vintage woolrich rain jacket men's sz M $35

9. Cotton white shirt ASPESI 20% off $156

Lastly, I feel that sometimes leaning into the origins of a garment, color, or whatever it may be, when shopping/getting dressed can be interesting if you modernize the styling. Enter the sailor collar in navy. If you feel like making some of these polka dot printed rayon challis pieces extra sweet, I recommend adding ballet pumps. I’m trying out the dress over pants recurring trend but it’s been a while, honey!

10. Gunne Sax sundress (technically floral print) cotton dress 29 1/2" waist $195

11. 90s polka dot pleated polka dot rayon dress looks exactly like mine but somehow diff brand sz M $34

12. Vintage Laura Ashley sailor collar cotton/linen dress sz 6 $72

13. Marc Jacobs tiered cotton polka dot skirt says size 0 but ignore waist measures 29 3/4" $75

14. 80s rayon sailor collar pleated dress 28" waist $50

Big thanks to my sister Britt and her husband Ben for hosting me and Ryan at their beautiful home for the second time in three weeks. They have two adorable kids hence the setting being that of toys! slides! sandboxes!

Hope you’ve enjoyed my attempt to make navy great again. See you next Friday.